The Bureaucratic Mischief

Not Backing Down

2009-10-26T18:20:00.000-07:00

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani "BF" Fernando said that he has no plans of backing down.

Despite not being chosen by Lakas-CMD as their standard bearer, Fernando said that he will run for president with or without a political party backing him up.

He said that he is “dead serious about running for the presidency. I will run even without party’s endorsement."

Not too long ago, Lakas-CMD chose Defense Sec. Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro as their standard bearer over the MMDA Chairman.

Personally, I will never vote for Fernando. If you've been reading my blog, you'd know how much I don't like the guy.

Of all the presidentiables, Fernando is probably the first one guilty of illegal campaigning. His gargantuan billboards not only spread along EDSA but throughout the metro as well. In fact, tarpaulins of his face were spread throughout the country, when his jurisdiction covers Metro Manila alone.

Even if people tell me that he was able to impose discipline in one city, that doesn't necessarily he can do the same thing across the board.

But that's just me. What do you think?

A Second Serving

2009-10-22T16:47:00.000-07:00

..of the Erap plate is not edible - especially for the Filipino palate.

Having announced that he will really run for Presidency next year (alongside Makati mayor Jejomar Binay as VP), the online community was quick to lament on the on-going political turmoil that is Erap.

Dea Bunecamino, a friend, wrote this one:

Just because we didn’t like your successor, doesn’t mean we regret deposing you.

It's like she wrote exactly what I was thinking!

The thread that followed that post was equally interesting:

Dan Ramos

@Dea hay naku i dont know what to think of Filipinos na if they still vote for him. TANGA LANG

Thu at 8:04am · Delete

Andrea Francesca Flores Buencamino

Kaya nga. Kahit never ko gusto, yun siguro magpapapunta sakin sa ibang bansa. HAHA

Thu at 8:06am · Delete

Dan Ramos

magalit na sakin ang mga Pilipino pero grabe BOBO na lang talaga ang bumoto sa kanya.

Thu at 8:11am · Delete

I, for one, posted this on my Facebook wall:

Dan Ramos thinks that voting for ERAP is just plain idiotic and insulting to those who actually serve the country (if they still exist)

I was a highschool freshman when the 2nd People Power happened. And I am a proud member of that mass of people who ousted a thief. And yet, I'm also ashamed that the dwarf we substituted for the thief wasn't really any better, I'd actually like to believe that she's worse.

But honestly, would we want to go through the whole shenanigan again if people actually vote for the wristband donning dude??

What do you think?

Akala Mo Disente yun pala Bastos

2009-10-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

The following is a letter to the Editor from an Inquirer reader:

Manny Villar’s latest TV commercial never fails to give me a minor shock every time I hear it due to the word “konyo.” Page 83 of my Larousse Spanish-English dictionary states that it is the vulgar word for “genital.” It can also mean “for f---’s sake” or “f---ing hell.”

No matter if the younger folk nowadays say it is derived from an accepted derogatory description of a braggy, affluent mestizo (konyo boy), I still believe the word is vulgar and quite unpleasant to the ears.

I can only imagine how the Spanish-speaking people in our midst are laughing at us Filipinos for allowing our ad board to approve this TV commercial for airing.

—ERNIE ZARATE,
erniezarate1939@yahoo.com

Zarate posed a very valid point. In our social context, the word "konyo" would refer to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. However, in its real essence, the word is nothing short of vulgar.

As Zarate pointed out, in the Spanish context, the word refers to the genitalia. And knowing our ultra-"conservative" society, someone should've brought this up as soon as the premature campaign started.

So why use such a word on a national campaign? Beats me.

But hey, if it would suit Villar to include human genitalia to his campaign, by all means.

The Delayed Announcement

2009-10-18T19:12:00.000-07:00

Opposition senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero turned 40, nine days ago. This made him eligible to run for highest seat of power in the country. October 12, 2009, the country waited for him to finally announce his bid for presidency. No announcement happened. According to him, it would be inhumane to announce one's political plans while the whole country is still suffering and trying to recover from typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Inqurier.net's Neal Cruz wrote on his column As I See It, Why Chiz has not yet made an announcement:

It has been nine days since Oct. 10, when Sen. Chiz Escudero turned 40 and thus eligible to be president of the Philippines.

He had promised to officially announce his presidential candidacy on that day, but the day came and went and no announcement. The date for the formal announcement has been postponed to Oct. 12, they said. That day came and still no announcement. The new rumor is that he would do it on Monday.

Why the delay when his rivals are already all over the place campaigning although that is still prohibited at this time by election laws? Has he changed his mind? Was he dismayed by the drop in his ratings in the latest survey when he had been leading in most of the earlier surveys? Has he not yet reached an agreement with Sen. Loren Legarda? Did the latest propaganda ploy of the Lakas-Kampi party with the governors wanting to pirate Legarda of the Nationalist People’s Coalition as the running mate of its Gibo Teodoro have its desired effect on Chiz? Is he now wavering? You can read more here.

What is your take? :)

The Tycoon's Nephews

2009-10-11T06:46:00.000-07:00

...won't be getting any support from their uncle.

San Miguel Corp tycoon Danding Cojuangco announced that he will only be supporting the presidential candidate that would be coming from the National People's Coalition (NPC) and no one else.

Two of his nephews are running under different political parties - Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro (under Lakas-NPC) and Sen. Noynoy Aquino (under the Liberal Party (LP))

Here is the complete story from Carla Gomez of Inquirer.net in an article entitled Cojuangco to support NPC candidate, not nephews:

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—Tycoon Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco will not be supporting any of his two nephews eyeing the presidency in 2010 but will instead back the standard-bearer of the party he founded, the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Cojuangco said even if his nephews—Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, standard-bearer of the Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats, and Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, the Liberal Party's presidential candidate— are running for president, as founder of the NPC, he will support his party.

Cojuangco told reporters here Saturday he no longer involved himself in the selection process at NPC but he believed the party was going to field a presidential candidate in May next year.

"The NPC has not put up anybody yet; we will wait. I suppose they will. I am no longer active, it's the younger ones that are deciding for the party," Cojuangco said.

"The NPC is going to field a candidate I think. I think after these calamities they will decide," he added.

He said the last he heard was that the party had left it to Senators Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda to decide who between them should run for president under the NPC.

Asked if he would be in a dilemma if the NPC fielded a candidate while his two nephews ran under different parties, Cojuangco replied, "No. Why should it be a dilemma for me? I'm the founder of the party. I think I have to support my own party that I founded; I think it is but normal."

"Yung isang nephew ko hindi naman namin pinaalis, kami ang iniwan. Eh, ang ibig sabihin wala kaming kwenta sa kanya. Simple lang di ba? (One of my nephews left even if we did not ask him to leave. It only means that we are of no consequence to him.) So why should that be a bother to me?" said Cojuanco, referring to Teodoro, who left the NPC to pursue his candidacy under the administration party.

"The other nephew belongs to another party; I wish him luck," he said, referring to Aquino.

Asked if he and Aquino have talked, Cojuangco said he has not talked to any politician except to members of the NPC.

Aquino said during a visit to Bacolod on Thursday that while he has not had a chance to talk to his uncle, there had been "a few back-door talks" going on between his uncle and some of his backers.

"But at the end of the day I think we have to talk to each other. But I haven't had the opportunity to do so," Aquino said.

Asked if he would ask his uncle for support, Aquino said, "He's my uncle. I would not presume to tell an elder what to do."

Teodoro, on the other hand, said during a visit to Negros Occidental on September 23 that he has neither spoken to his uncle for sometime nor did he know of any discussions of an NPC merger with the administration party.

Asked if he would personally initiate the talks, Teodoro said "I represent the party, I don't represent myself."

Asked if there were reconciliation efforts on a personal level with his uncle amid rumors of a rift, Teodoro said, "There's nothing to reconcile because there's nothing wrong on a personal level."

But he did say he did not expect his uncle's blessings since he belonged to another party.

Danding Cojuangco, while refusing to discuss his personal relationship with Teodoro, is however reportedly backing his brother, Henry, to run against the reelection bid of Teodoro's wife, Representative Monica Louise Prieto-Teodoro, in the first congressional district of Tarlac.

Teodoro has himself said that his wife would still be running for Congress next year, "unless there's some major change" that would stop her from doing so.

Conjuangco was at a United Negros Alliance meeting here Saturday where the candidacies of Sagay Mayor Alfredo Marañon for governor and Representative Genaro Alvarez for vice governor of Negros Occidental in 2010 were announced.

Former governor Daniel Lacson Jr., who is not a member of UNA and is campaigning for the Aquino-Mar Roxas tandem in Negros, said he was supporting Marañon's gubernatorial bid as a close friend of the mayor.

I think that it's only wise for Cojuangco to support the representative of the political party that he was the founder of.

And I don't think the two boys care anyway.

4 vs 100

2009-10-07T20:16:00.000-07:00

Four Presidential aspirants faced 100 local government officials to answer various issues involving local government units (LGUs).

The forum dubbed as "Face to Face: 100 Local Government Champions versus Four Presidential Contenders" was attended by Senators Manny Villar, Noynoy Aquino and Chiz Escudero and Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro.

The sharing scheme of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) between the national govt and LGUs, pork barrel system and the Mindanao peace process were some of the issues that the presidentiables had to address individually as they were given an hour each to meet with the local officials.

One of the most applauded statements was that of Escudero when he said that he is “in favor of abolishing the pork barrel system,” he said.

According to Escudero, he has not been receiving his pork barrel allocation since 2005 when he led the impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He defines pork barrel as “lump sum allocation sa budget kung saan di na natin alam kung san pupunta o pumupunta, lumalabas na lang at nakikita na lang bigla, minsan hindi pa.”

He proposed institutionalizing line-itemizing of government projects that would state how much money is needed, what it is for and the proposed timeline of the project. Escudero said that this would solve two problems regarding the pork barrel system – corruption and the “absence or lack of focus when it comes to the utilization of government funds."

However, results of an informal survey done among the local officials after the forum showed that they chose Teodoro as their top choice (although some criticized him for being endorsed by the infamous President), then Aquino and Escudero, while putting Villar as their last choice.

Everybody's a Hero?

2009-10-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

When Tumblr user and freelance graphic designer markgosintian posted the text graphic below, it spread online like wildfire.

Everyone seemed to agree with the statement. Indeed, amidst the calamity, the world saw how the Filipinos united as a people to rebuild a nation ruined by mud and debris. (But do we include those who capitalized on calamity to campaign for themselves through food in styro and relief goods claim stubs?)

And if Ondoy proved one thing, that is despite the ruins and above the flood, the Filipino spirit, especially our sense of bayanihan is one tough trait to break. Here are other graphic art interpretations of other people regarding the Filipino spirit.

But there is a loophole. This is a repost of Stefan Suarez's blog:

So we fed a few people. Now what?

It’s Day 6 and Facebook, Twitter, TV, the papers- everything’s still Flooded with news about the Flood (though a little less than before). I even have some friends getting angry when their other friends post “useless” stuff- you know- the kind of stuff we’d normally post if there wasn’t an emergency or disaster. But here’s reality… a few days or weeks from now, things will not-so-slowly start to look normal again. At least for us. Facebook will have less stuff about emergency relief, and more of those quizzes, and games, and scores, and invitations to gigs and parties and whatnot. In a few days, Ondoy will no longer be “the news”. When Ondoy gets old, it will be forgotten. It will be just another problem that we’ve learned to live with. The truth of the matter is this- 95% of the people whom we are helping now- they needed our help BEFORE the typhoon. They were hit hardest because they’re the ones who live in shanties, they’re the ones without medical access, they’re the ones with no jobs and no money, and a lot of them didn’t have water even before the flood. Heck a lot of them needed food before Ondoy. And they existed, while we existed, side by side. We never bothered to help them. And when Ondoy gets old- when it moves from “front and center” to the sidelines of our attention and life goes back to “normal”, these people will still need our help.

They needed our attention BEFORE the typhoon. They will need our attention AFTER the typhoon.

If anything the typhoon opened our eyes to the REAL situation our countrymen were in. This post is just my way of asking everybody to be around for them PERMANENTLY. The great thing about Ondoy is that with everybody helping, we have some sort of momentum going. And when we move from Red Alert to whatever color normal living is, we can still keep that momentum going and never stop helping, and sharing, and giving. What does it take for these people to live better? When the flood goes down, many will need homes again. Then they’ll need jobs. Then they’ll need infrastructure built in their towns. Reliable water supply. Transportation. Schools should be rebuilt. Education should be made accessible. Crime should be controlled. Guys these are OLD problems. We can’t just be heroes when it comes to NEW problems. All old problems were once new, and they stayed there because somewhere along the way, we forgot how to follow through. I remember watching a movie called “Charlie Wilson’s War” which was all about the time when the US helped Afghanistan defend itself against Russia back in the day. The movie ended with a strong quote:

“These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world… and then we f——d up the endgame.”

Guys, let’s not screw up the end game. If we’re here to help, let’s make sure we follow through. This is where I shut up and let you guys do the talking. Use the comment box below to share your ideas and thoughts on the matter. Before I do shut up let me leave you with one last thought- I truly believe that we have everything it takes to make all the changes we say we want in this country. There’s no resource, talent, skill, or connection that is unavailable to us. The question is this - will we make it available to them?

----

So yeah, would we all still be heroes after all the relief goods are packed and delivered? or do we instantly go back to our daily lives once the flood subsides?

The Online Helper

2009-10-04T06:01:00.000-07:00

The Ondoy Chapter is far from over. A lot of things are yet to be done. And online, the campaign to raise awareness about what happened and to rally the Filipino youth was overwhelming. Platforms such as Tumlbr, Twitter and Facebook proved to be such powerful tools in mobilizing the Filipino people to help out and volunteer.

Here are some tools used during the campaign that circulated all over Tumblr and Facebook:

A poster urging people to donate goods at the Ateneo campus for their relief operations.

A poster asking people to help out and volunteer since celebrities from other countries are doing so. Why not us, Filipinos too?

A poster of the UP Sagip Isko relief ops campaign. Go Isko!

A poster encouraging Filipinos to help out in restoring, rebuilding and recreating the country.

A poster asking people to help and volunteer for those who are in evacuation centers.

A poster of the Raise the Roof benefit concert for Ondoy victims held at the Megatent along Meralco Ave.

On Twitter, a lot of Filipino personalities, politicians and celebrities utilized its powers by coordinating and updating volunteers through its micro-blogging capability. Spot.ph's article on the 10 Virtual Volunteers: helping out in the time of tweeting gave a list of ten people who were of great help while using Twitter. And I do have to give credit to Gilbert Teodoro for keeping the people updated with current situations all over the metro regarding NDCC matters and answering people's queries. (He directly replied to my Tweet regarding the supposed loose crocs scare in Pasig and Cainta).

The internet isn't just for porn as Avenue Q would argue. And during the past week, it has proved that it is such a powerful to rouse a nation's consciousness for their fellow countrymen. At least we know that majority of the country are out to help out, and not to buy liquor or give out food with their name branded on it.

Helpful SHAMEFUL

2009-09-30T18:45:00.000-07:00

We all witnessed the spirit of the Filipino people as we helped each other rebuild lives destroyed by the recent typhoon.

But some people are just plain SHAMEFUL.

At least three photos of such shameful acts circulated online referring to three particular politicians and their supposed disgusting deeds.

Photo #1

A photo of a man buying liquor at Rustan's Supermarket along Katipunan Ave. during the storm. People claim that this was Pampanga Rep. and Presidential son Mikey Arroyo.

Naturally, the online community was angered by the photo. As this would implicate that while the whole metro was suffering, here is the presidential son being too busy shopping for liquor.

In an e-mail response published online by news agencies and bloggers, Arroyo said that “My picture was posted on Facebook with a caption saying I was shopping for wine at the height of [Storm] ‘Ondoy.’ [This] is another malicious attack on my person. It is so depressing.” With his statement, he really didn't deny that it was him on the photo. What does that say? Hmmm. Watchathink?

He then proposed that Facebook content be regulated. Is he for real??? Wouldn't that be censorship? Brainless. Just brainless.

Photo #2

Food in labeled styro being distributed to Ondoy victims. Disgusting electioneering. The name written on the sticker still hasn't released any comment regarding this photo.

Photo #3

Is somehow of the same nature as Photo #2. Residents of San Mateo, Rizal are seen holding this piece of paper in order for them to receive their relief goods.

Both Photos 2 and 3 make us question if the concerned parties are actually authentic with their desire to help their countrymen. Or is this just another opportunity to campaign for themselves?

SHAMEFUL.

Pause

2009-09-29T20:27:00.001-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates. Been very busy lately due to Typhoon Ondoy. But I do hope to post something soon. :)

The Padyak is Back!

2009-09-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

A feisty Mar Roxas announced his vice-presidential bid as Noynoy Aquino's running mate under the Liberal Party (LP) for next year's May 2010 National Elections.

This early in the game, Roxas dissed Defense secretary and administration/Lakas-NUCD candidate Gilbert Teodoro saying that Aquino is much better than Teodoro.

When Aquino announced his bid to become the country's next president, he said that he's offering the VP position to Roxas. It should be noted that Roxas too aspired to become president, but a former president's death and the rise to political fame of that president's son prompted Roxas to withdraw his bid and settle for the passenger seat.

The pair said that they are partners in the "fight for genuine change." Looks like we have a slogan that we'll hear quite frequently the next few months.

I pity Roxas and his padyak dreams for the nation. He aimed so high only to find out that he's only suited for the next best thing.

And the same question still lingers in my mind: Would the ~~political move~~ wedding between Roxas and Korina Sanchez still happen?

Hmmmmm.

Pink is Out!

2009-09-16T00:13:00.000-07:00

You and I both know how I really, really, REALLY DO NOT LIKE Bayani Fernando. I hate his tarps, his pink fences, his urinals, his ugly footbridges, his sucky online game, his freakin' political will. And as much as I don't like Mar Roxas as well, I'd easily choose him over Fernando if the universe conspires that I choose only from the two.

Imagine my joy when I learned that after much deliberation, Lakas-CMD chose Defense Sec. Gilbert Teodoro to become it's standard bearer in next year's elections over the Pink Dude.

In a closed door meeting of the political party, only 5 of 47 members voted for Fernando. While the rest voted for Teodoro.

Lakas-CMD conducted the meeting after Vice-President Noli de Castro categorically announced that he will not run for the administration.

---

I was able to interview Teodoro back in 2007 while I was still a student and he was still a congressman. I was writing our Congress beat paper for our news writing subject and he was one of the authors of the bill that I was writing about. I did not set-up an appointment with him. But he was gracious enough to accommodate my friends and I in his office even if we 'ambushed' him. He answered my questions candidly and he clearly knew what he was talking about. I didn't think then that the man that I interviewed would later on become a Presidentiable three years after - proof that our political landscape changes by the second.

So long Pink Dude!

Linked

2009-09-14T01:40:00.000-07:00

Senatorial privilege speeches are becoming more and more interesting these days. First, there was the useless and overly dramatic speech of Bong Revilla regarding the scandalous videos of the infamous doctor and the starlet. And then there was Sen. Miriam Santiago's speech on the political ads of politicians and government bodies.

And today's speech by Sen. Panfilo Lacson joins that list of memorable speeches. Here is Inquirer.net's story entitled L a c s o n l i n k s E s t r a d a t o i l l e g a l g a m b l i ng written by Christine O. Avendaño:

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Senator Panfilo Lacson has linked former president Joseph Estrada to “jueteng” and smuggling.

Lacson, whom Estrada appointed Philippine National Police chief, made the disclosure Monday in a privilege speech at the Senate.
Lacson said that he parried efforts by the camp of Estrada to persuade him to postpone his privilege speech about the darker side of the former leader as a government official.
A few minutes before he delivered his speech, Lacson told reporters that the Estrada camp was trying to work on him up until Sunday night.
Lacson said that since last week three men, all common friends of his and Estrada, had approached him on his privilege speech.
The last person who approached him last Sunday night asked him to postpone the speech on Monday so that Lacson and Estrada could meet and talk.
Lacson made it clear he did not know whether Estrada was aware of this overture of their common friend.
Lacson said he could no longer postpone his plan to deliver the speech because everything was all set in the Senate.
The Senate session hall was packed with people, including whistleblowers Sandra Cam, Vidal Doble, and Boy Barredo.

Cam was the one who blew the whistle on jueteng (a numbers game) against the family members of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Doble, the 2005 Hello Garci scandal; and Barredo, the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.

Former Pres. Joseph Estrada's son Sen. Jinggoy Estrada was quick to defend his father. Inquirer's Michael Lim Ubac wrote about the Senator's reaction in "'Lies, vilification,' says Sen. Estrada":

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Following the privilege speech of Senator Panfilo Lacson illustrating former president Joseph Estrada’s corrupt acts in office, Estrada’s son, Senate President pro-tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, took the floor to denounce what he said was “a clear vilification drive against my father.”

Senator Estrada refused to interpellate Lacson.

“I don’t wish to dignify his privilege speech through interpellation. A far as I am concerned, they are all lies. And I will deliver a privilege speech tomorrow [Tuesday],”said Estrada, adding:

“And if this gentleman does not stop spreading lies about my father, I will tell that truth about the person of Senator Lacson.”

It is interesting how are political landscape is so volatile that it changes by the second. Not so long ago, Sen. Lacson was one of Pres. Estrada's strongest allies. But now we see this former ally divulging all the dirt that he can against the former President.

But seriously, you and I both know that we need not hear Lacson's privilege speech to know that Erap was a huge factor in the jueteng formula. We've established that years ago.

And Lacson did not stop there, he also "revealed" that it was the former President who was behind the kidnap-murder of PR man Bobby Dacer.

GMA7news tweeted this awhile ago: Lacson: Erap was behind "Oplan Delta" the alleged plan to kill publicist Bubby Dacer.

Sen. Estrada is scheduled to give his own privilege speech tomorrow. And so the war is on. I wonder who will win. But I vote for neither.

The Illegal Ombudsman

2009-09-10T23:21:00.000-07:00

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is under much criticism having released a memo imposing more rules before the Statement of Assets. Liabilities and Networth (SALN) of public officials are released.

According to Sen. Francis Escudero, what Gutierrez did was illegal. In his statement, Escudero said that "it's illegal as it hinders or hampers free flow and access to information on matters of public concern. Confidentiality is the anti-thesis of 'public document.' Besides the Ombudsman is not vanguard but the keeper of the SALN so that the public can have better access to it."

June 16, 2009, Gutierrez issued Memorandum Circular No.1 that would require people who would want access to SALNs to provide a statement why they are doing so, two government-issued IDs and be sworn in before a prosecutor of the supposed anti-graft institution. Furthermore, as if to add insult to the injury, the public and media can be immediately denied access to SALNs if their reason is deemed "contrary to morals or public policy, or is commercial in nature other than by news and communication media for dissemination to the general public."

Blogger Carlo Ople posed this question: Instead of defending the Filipino people, the office of the Ombudsman would rather shield corrupt officials from getting exposed?

We all know how Rep. Mikey's corruption was exposed through his SALN during Philippine TV's shining moment that is the grilling of Arroyo by Prof. Winnie Monsod. We need more of these. More corrupt government officials getting exposed. And if they can't be transparent through their SALNs clearly they are hiding something. So why Ms. Ombudsman are you protecting them by imposing more rules?

We need transparency and accountability from our public officials, and if they are incapable of being so, they have no business in serving Filipinos.

The Replacement

2009-09-09T00:10:00.000-07:00

In 1983, Sen. Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in what is now the airport named after him. Much grief was felt by the country who lost a person who could have delivered them from the hands of the dictator that is Marcos.

The clamor for change was resounding all over the country. And Filipinos saw that in the form of a widow named Cory Aquino. The death of Ninoy changed the political landscape of the country permanently. People realized their potential to create change in society - People Power 1 of 1986 was instrumental in bringing democracy back the Filipinos. Cory was then dubbed as the Mother of Democracy of the country since.

On August 1, 2009, Pres. Cory Aquino died. Many mourned the passing of Mother of Philippine Democracy. Amidst all the sadness was a man named Noynoy. The Ninoy and Cory's only son. People acknowledged that with the death of Pres. Aquino, Noynoy and Kris were given much political influence. They're children of Ninoy and Cory after all. Then speculations started.

And like the unfolding of classic Filipino drama with all its surprises, twists and turns - Mar Roxas backs off the presidential race in support of Noynoy's bid. This morning, as of this writing, Noynoy announced his intent to run for President for the May 2010 Presidential Elections. And suddenly a lot of Filipinos declare support for the senator.

We replaced Ninoy with Cory, and now are we trying to replace Cory with Noynoy?

But the real question is this: If Noynoy declared his intent to run for President prior to the death of his mother (and I mean no disrespect) would you have voted for him?

Lie to Me

2009-09-03T20:39:00.000-07:00

When I was in grade 4, my mom caught me lying about a school project.

During my juvenile years, I would lie to save myself from trouble.

"No, I wasn't the one who broke the glass."

"I wasn't the one who started the fight."

"I swear I didn't know it was yours."

Lies. Lies. Lies.

And now that I'm 21 (and yes, I'm old since I will be turning 22 in three months time) such lies are just plain ridiculous. Oftentimes, telling the truth would keep you out of trouble more than lying. And I learned that the hard way. Ask my parents how.

---

Our generation is very familiar with a lot prominent people both here and overseas who have lied in more ways than one.

Who can forget Sen. Miriam Santiago's infamous admission of lying combined with her laughter during the Erap years?

US Pres. Bill Clinton and the whole Monica Lewinsky brouhaha. "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."

And then there's Erap and GMA. 'nuff said.

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One of the shows that I am currently obsessed with watching is Lie to Me. And this show is just made of awesome. Its premise is that, even if people desperately try to hide emotions, their micro-expressions (errr facial and gestural and even tone of voice) can give them away.

Dr. Cal Lightman (played Tim Roth) is the world's leading deception expert who studies facial expressions and involuntary body language to discover not only if someone is lying, but why. When someone shrugs one shoulder, rotates a hand or raises the lower lip, Lightman knows he's lying. Based on the real-life scientific discoveries of Paul Ekman, the series follows Lightman and his team of deception experts as they assist law enforcement and government agencies to expose the truth behind the lies.

Watch it!!! Errr, well download it first haha :p

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I wonder, would the embarrassment that is Mikey lie the way he did, if it was Dr. Lightman in front of him?

No More Padyak?

2009-09-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

Mar Roxas backed out of the race.

Well, armed with his padyak, the probablity of him winning the race was slim.

Last night, in a room packed with microphones and rolling cameras, Roxas announced that he is supporting Sen. Noynoy Aquino as the Liberal Party's (LP) leading man for the May 2010 National elections.

ABS-CBNNews.com published his full statement:

Country above self. Bayan bago ang sarili.

Iyan ang habilin ng aking lolo, President Manuel Roxas.

Our nation is in trouble. Leadership is bankrupt. Institutions are in disarray. People are hungry.

Noynoy Aquino and I share the same outrage over the mess we are all in, the same way we share the solution-clean, honest, selfless public service.

Marami at matindi ang mga problema ng bansa. Kailangan nating ayusin. Matindi ang kalaban. We need a determined force for good far stronger than the festering evil around us.

We need to fight just as our own fathers fought dictatorship, and just as both died believing that good will conquer evil.

Noynoy and I want to make a difference, but we also know that we need to unite to achieve what we want.

I am the President of the Liberal Party.

It is within my power to preside over a potentially divisive process or to make the party a bridge for the forces of change. I choose to lead unity, not division. Bilang pinuno ng aking Partido, magdedesisyon ako.

Mahal ko ang Partido Liberal. My grandfather founded it. My father led it during the most difficult times of Martial Law. Sa harap ng peligro, sa kabila ng napakaraming tukso-hindi siya sumuko.

He inspired me-to stay the course, to fight the good fight, to pass the test of true character. To believe.

Over the weekend, Noynoy and I had many long conversations... Masinsinang usapan. We agreed: Let us forget about ourselves for a moment. This is not about us, this is about our people and our country. This is about our common dream. The dream of our parents.

But let us not remain a country of dreamers. Tama na ang pangarap. Gawin na natin, ngayon.

Today, I am announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for President in 2010.

Noy has made it clear to me that he wants to carry the torch of leadership.

The passing of our beloved former President Aquino has reawakened a passion among us. I acknowledge this as fuel to bring us to the realization of our dream: Good will triumph over evil.

Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko. Maniwala man kayo o hindi, ginagawa ko ito para sa bayan, para sa inyo. I do this for unity in support of change. And if that means that somebody must make the sacrifice, it must be me. Ako na.

To you Noy, I say: I began the campaign to sow the seeds para sa pagbabago at reporma. You must now be the one to grow them in the arena of leadership.

Hindi kami maghihiwalay ni Noy. I will stand with him.

At sa aking mga kababayan, sa mga nagtiwala sa akin: Mahal na mahal ko po kayo. Mahal na mahal ko po ang ating bayan. Hindi rin tayo maghihiwalay. Itutuloy natin ang pagbabago sa ating bansa. Itutuloy natin ang laban para sa reporma!

Kay Noy, at sa aking mga kababayan: Country above self! Bayan bago sarili!

Hindi ko kayo pababayaan! Lalaban tayo!

---

And so we wait for Aquino's official announcement if he will run the race that Roxas and his padyak backed out off.

Two questions though:

1. Now that he's backed out, would the Roxas-Sanchez Nuptials still commence? Or is the whole thing out the window now? Including the Wowowee stunt of crying on national TV? Or is it true love?

2. If not for Pres. Aquino's death (I do not mean any disrespect), would Aquino have the same influence as a politician as he has now?

The Embarrassment that is Mikey

2009-09-01T18:54:00.000-07:00

Whoever Atty. Guzman is, he has a lot to answer the moment his plane lands. Well that's because his client told the whole country, that if we have a problem regarding his so-called wealth reflected on his Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL) we should ask the good attorney.

Yesterday, in one of Philippine TV's finest moments, my Econ professor by the name of Winnie Monsod showed Unang Hirit viewers how the Congressman who thinks that there is no dignity in eating at turo-turos, also thinks that Filipinos are stupid enough to believe all the rubbish his mouth speaks.

Watch the videos below and see how Mikey Arroyo desperately tried to evade Mareng Winnie's upfront questions.

If Arroyo cannot fully explain the discrepancies of his own SAL, how is he able to represent his province properly? And by saying that his worth that ballooned in his short span of "public" service, that is much questioned by critics, was earned through various gifts and donations for him, would not that tantamount to bribery, especially since he is a public official and law states that such cannot accept gifts either in cash or in kind?

R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees states under section 7 that:

(d) Solicitation or acceptance of gifts. - Public officials and employees shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.

I applaud Ma'am Monsod for fearlessly interrogating the embarrassment that is Mikey Arroyo. Thank God your Econ exams weren't as tough as your questions for him.

What we need are politicians who are transparent and accountable to the people they serve. Not the likes of Mikey.

Seriously, did he think we'd believe that he doesn't fully own that California beach house?

Willingly Yours

2009-08-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

By now, you probably know that Wowowee is one Philippine facet that I am not proud off. I even went to the extent of saying that "it's one of the suckiest shows on local telly ever!" in one of my blogs.

Recent political ~~developments~~ rumors suggest that the infamous host of the show by the name of Willie Revillame was asked Manny Villar to run for senator under Villar's slate.

A more recent political rumor surfaced that the infamous host might actually run for vice-president instead! And I see humongous neon "WTF!!" signs floating all over your heads. Right?!?!

Juan Country's blog says that during a conversation between Kris Aquino and Revillame during an episode of SNN, the latter dropped hints of the possibility that he might actually run for the second highest position in the government.

It's bad enough that Revillame might run for a Senate seat, why make matters worse by running for VP? And what scares me the most is that Filipinos might actually vote for him.

And if he does win, our country will become a laughing stock of the international community. And we'll never hear the end of it.

"The country that voted for a host of one of the lamest shows not just in Philippine shores but in television history worldwide."

Would you want that? I don't think so.

Bagong Sigla's Apokalipto

2009-08-29T15:52:00.000-07:00

Whoever this guy is, his video is made of AWESOME!

Gratitude for Sale

2009-08-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

For the whole image, click here: GMANews.tv

I have a plan, I will visit Baguio. Maybe, just maybe, I'd find tarpaulins all over the city thanking me that I visited the city. But then again, I do not have the funds to pay for those tarpaulins. Unlike our dear President.

GMANews.TV reports in an article entitled "Arroyo government sponsors thank you's to itself" published today, that Philippine Information Agency (PIA) chief Secretary Conrado Limcaoco Jr., received a memo from PIA Cordillera Director Helen Tibaldo with the subject “Tarps for Presidential Visit.” Notice that PIA is under the Office of the President.

The memo is thanking PIA for their preparations for GMA’s visit from August 28 -29. At the third paragraph of the memo, it states “For our part, we would like to request for the printing of the tarps along the route with the following suggested messages.” It then lists down at least five messages that the tarps would contain. All of them, expressing thanks to our dear President for her work and dedication from different sectors of the Cordillera community. But something’s fishy about these sectoral groups. They are groups that are “amorphous” in nature. Go figure.

Both parties have confirmed that a memo was sent but both did not comment on the contents of the said memo.

And I wonder, did she have to buy all these tarps just so she can assure herself that she is actually doing something for the country? What’s your take?

The "First"

2009-08-27T18:54:00.000-07:00

And since my personal blog has become a weird mix of blog entries, I created this blog that would be totally dedicated to all my political brain farts. :) no more entries that are political in nature interspersed with the awesomeness of day-to-day living or other brain whack experiences. So read up, maybe, just maybe, you'll find my thoughts bearable to share to other people :)

"Politics of God" 2.0

2009-08-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

This morning, before going to work, I had a very interesting discussion with my parents. I shared to them how disliked Eddie Villanueva. And they were quick to tell me that I should not be careless with the words I exhale on my blogs. So here I am, writing a version 2.0 of yesterday's blog. And this time, I'd have basis with things that I'd write.

I was 10 years old when the 1998 Presidential Elections happened. I barely remember anything from that year. But I do remember that among the leading Presidentiables then were Jose de Venecia and Erap Estrada. We all know that the latter won. And we ousted him three years later. This morning I learned something new. Apparently, Villanueva was a part of the scene as well. He "prophesied" that JDV would win the elections. According to Villanueva, JDV was the God-mandated next President of the Philippines. He further adds that de Venecia "was ordained by the Divine providence to fulfill his vision for the Philippines as a great nation for God. The glorious prophetic vision of God for the Philippines is for it to become prosperous and we cannot turn traitor to God's calling and mandate." The same year, Erap Estrada was sworn into Presidency.

Fast forward six years later, the 2004 Presidential Elections happened. This time, Villanueva announced that he too will run as President, against political giants GMA, FPJ, Panfilo Lacson and Raul Roco. He was widely supported by the Christian community. Well-known celebrities like Connie Reyes, Donita Rose and Piolo Pascual endorsed him. Even my family campaigned and voted for him (I was not registered then). He said that God called him not just to run as President but to become the country's leader. Common knowledge would tell you that that he lost that war. In fact, out of the five, he placed last.

What happened after disappointed a lot of people. NationMaster, an online political encyclopedia, wrote: "When he lost the election, a lot of his followers were disappointed with him because it took him so long to concede victory to the elected incumbent President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, despite his having run so far behind. So many followers expected that his reaction would be totally different from the other politicians but to many he was seen to be singing the same melody with them." I don't think I need to expound what those words meant.

In an article entitled Villanueva supporters break away from BPM - written by Edu Punay, published May, 22, 2004 on The Philippine Star - BPM source said that they "don’t understand why he can’t concede when he’s not even in the close second or third spot of the race." But Villanueva coutnered with "I was well-advised by my close friends to concede... but I just can’t because this is my commitment to the truth." And my question for Villanueva is, what truth is he committed to?

In another article entitled Bro. Eddie's brethren say he should concede - published June 24, 2004 on The Philippine Star - was a clear indication of the loss of support for the religious leader. A group of pastors and bishops yesterday told religious leader Eddie Villanueva, who came in last in the presidential race, to stop mixing religion and politics, labeling his campaign tactics "a perversion." One of them, Reynaldo Carillo told Villanueva, "You did not hear the voice of God. You should accept the reality that you lost. If God really called you, God will support you."

Villanueva's prophesy of being "called" by God to be the leader of the country was toppled by landing fifth on the Presidential race.

Deuteronomy 18:21-22 says (and yes I am quoting the Bible)

21"You may say yourselves, "How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?" 22 If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him."

On the basis of Villanueva prophesy for JDV and his own prophesied presidential bid in 2004, in contrast to the verse above...

FAIL.

"Politics of God"

2009-08-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

The title of this blog, he says, is what his campaign will be all about. Eddie Villanueva proclaimed recently that he will run for President at the May 2010 Presidential elections. I was reading Carlo Ople's blog - JuanCountry - when I came across his blog on Villanueva's bid for Presidency. And my blood pressure shoot up to it's highest level.

When that pastor from Cebu claimed that Villanueva is the "David of this Generation," one thought came to mind "WHAT THE HECK?!?!?!!!!!"

And I quote Ople's blog:

"The pastor boldly declared that Brother Eddie is the “David of this Generation”. He goes a bit further, saying that Brother Eddie is God’s anointed one and that he will be the one to set the Filipino people free. In his message, the pastor also calls on the people to rally behind Bro. Eddie and to support him in whatever way and form they can. He talks about building an “army of change” from all corners of the Philippines which will destroy the machinery of old politics and will bring about the freedom of the country.

In response, you could see the thousands of followers raising their hands, crying, and shouting praises to God.

A Dangerous Promise
What’s wrong with what happened last night? Personally I find it to be worrisome because they’re painting Bro. Eddie to be a messiah of sorts for the Philippines. What’s also alarming is that they’re zeroing in on God and the paradise that the country will become instead of talking about a concrete platform of governance."

Notice the lines that I put on bold. As much as I do believe that only God can flip this country around, we are also in desperately need for "a concrete platform of governance" that I don't think Villanueva has.

What irks me the most is that he claims that he was "called" by God to run.. AGAIN. Sounds utterly disturbing. Cause he claimed the same thing in 2004. Christians believed him, so they supported and voted for him. And when he lost, he staged a rally claiming that he was cheated out of Presidency. Didn't he think that maybe it was God who did not want him to win in the first place? And that only FPJ has the right to claim that he was indeed cheated out of office?

I will not vote for you Villanueva. Not next year, not ever.

And I think Ople's challenge for Villanueva was spot on:

If Brother Eddie does push through with his candidacy, I have this one appeal. Do not use the name of God in vain. This is a political arena, and you should talk about your political agenda. If you really believe you can bring about reform and change, then explain how you will do it and don’t just say big words like “righteousness”.

Yes Villanueva, MAY PAG-ASA PA. And you're NOT IT.

The Tip-ping Point

2009-08-20T00:18:00.000-07:00

I hate giving tips. Especially to waiters/waitresses who are of the Slowpoke kind. Or whenever I see the service person's face that s/he seems to hate what they're doing. Such people do not deserve an extra bill in their pocket. I bet they cheated on the "Pleasing Personality" test. So when I read on GMANews.TV that the infamous President spent P6 million on tips during her US visit, my first thought was "dengggg, those service guys are lucky! The President gave them 6million in total when she can't do the same thing for her countrymen."

Albeit the controversial meals of Gloria, the woman and her entourage still had the guts to spend P6million - SIX-FREAKIN-MILLION-PESOS - on tips for those who served them during the 6-day US trip. This is according to a breakdown of expenses provided to GMANews.TV by the Palace's deputy executive secretary for administration and finance, Susanna Vargas.

They spent $66,000 = P3,300,000 in Washington DC and $59,000 = P2,950,000 in New York. ($1 = P50)

WHERE THE HECK DID THEY GET ALL THAT MONEY?!?!?!??!

Maybe they'd use another ~~scapegoat~~ Congressman to claim that they paid all that. Or maybe Mikey Arroyo would say that there is more "dignity" in tipping that much than eating in turo-turos or McDo.

Quick question: IS THIS TAX-PAYERS' MONEY?

And I close my ears, so as not to hear the truth or lies that they would answer.

Cockfight!

2009-08-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

Credits: temporarybrand.com

A slot in the House of Representatives for sabong enthusiasts? Has the world gone bonkers? (Well, we all know it has, but I think there's this small speck of hope that it's gonna get saner soon.)

I was reading articles on Inquirer.net and i came across the story about a group who expressed their desire to run as a party-list in next year's National Elections. Alyansa ng mga Sabongero is particularly interesting since their aim is to represent and protect the interests of sabong enthusiasts! WOW!!! LIFE-CHANGING! SERIOUSLY????

Although, at some point, their argument makes sense. Our country is known for voting for people by their sheer popularity. Even if we all know that such people have no capability whatsoever to be given such a position. (Oh by the way, I'm still proud of General Santos City for not voting for that Boxer during the 2007 elections. Woot. Hopefully Saranggani does the same thing.) So having a party-list for such a specific ~~and useless~~ interest is not really surprising.

On the Inquirer's story, senators make fun of the idea. Sen. Lacson said that maybe the fighting cocks might as well form their own party-list too. “If they’re going to make a mockery of the system, we might as well go all the way.” Win!

Isn't the party-list system intended for marginalized sectors of our society? So sabongeros are marginalized??? And they actually have specific needs and rights that need representation in the country?

For me, the whole thing is just ridiculous.

You think they deserve a spot in the House?

Jetlag

2009-08-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

She cancelled the jet that she ordered. If she pushed through with it, our country could have lost P1.2billion.

After receiving much flack for eating and drinking expensive things in New York and Washington D.C., while the rest of the country die of hunger, the decision to cancel the jet was a wise one. Cause if she didn't, ewan ko na lang talaga.

According to ~~minion~~ Press Sec. Cerge Remonde, the President will postpone catering to her "needs" even if the next President would actually be the one benefiting from it. The jet was supposed to be used for her travels around the world.

Arroyo has been receiving much criticism from sectors of the society for her alleged extravagant lifestyle of overseas trips and luxury dinners. If I were a hungry kid along Katipunan and I hear that the President is out of the country eating caviar and drinking champagne, I'd be angry too. And then you hear that she plans to buy a billion-peso jet while you can't even afford to build your own kariton is just adding insult to the industry.

Honestly, how can she take doing all those things when she know that majority of her country is living in despair?

Spending 2.78 billion pesos just for her foreign trips in just five years, 2003-2008? And we tell our people, that our country is in great debt and our economy is in bad shape? That we do not have enough money to provide proper care, health and education to majority of our people?

Heartless.

Good thing, she was wise enough not to purchase that jet. Cause if she did, she'll never hear the end of it.

Second in Command

2009-08-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

So far, the ones making noise are the Presidentiables (i.e. Roxas and his padjak invading Friendster profiles, BF and his ridiculous online game, and the most disgusting political move known to man, Jamby and her yellow beads.

Not much is heard from people who are planning to run for the second highest seat in the bureaucracy - the vice presidency.

Currently, it is filled by former broadcaster Noli de Castro whose claim to fame is his Saturday show that specializes on anything related to the Halloween.

And this got me thinking, among all our politicians, who would actually qualify to become Second-in-Command?

Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan has already expressed his desire to run for the position. I will not vote for him though.

Buzz is rising on the possibility that Sen. Noynoy Aquino might actually run for the position. Ever since the late Pres. Cory Aquino's death, much talks have been raised regarding the Sen.'s plans for next year's national elections.

I think, Noynoy would make a good vice-president provided that he is second to the right President.

Who do you think would make a good vice-president?

Bloggers and Sen. Escudero

2009-08-13T19:39:00.000-07:00

Image from HeaRty's Haven

We ate our food and waited. Past the chicharon, Coke Lights (yes, that's how the waiter called it), loads of laughter, magic tricks and chatter (we tried to figure out how much sisig can be bought from Gerry's with $20,000), it was finally our table's turn. It's 9:15pm.

Bloggers had the privilege of spending some informal time with Sen. Francis Escudero at the Club House of his political party in New Manila.

So there we were, seated on wooden chairs around the Senator. We knew what we wanted to ask but no one seemed eager to draw first blood.

Before we knew it, everyone's laughing and the conversation did not feel as awkward anymore.

The million-peso question was somehow a given: are you planning to run for President next year?

Sans pretense, he answers that he does want and plan to run for President. He said that he's running for two reasons - 1. he wants to prove that the younger generation can be entrusted to lead this country and 2. the younger generations are to suffer for the bad governance that the older ones are continually running.

He reinforces this by saying that he'd want to run while his still young and idealistic, because for him the government doesn't make one better but worse through time.

He also promised his wife that if he does lose next year, he'd stop politics altogether, saying that there must be someone else who can do the job.

An animated discussion followed regarding his choice for VP and Senators.

The night ended with a twisted fork on the Senator's palm.

The 2010 Presidential Elections is right around the corner and every one is running with their best foot forward.

"Tonight We Dine in Bobby Van's Steakhouse!"

2009-08-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Three days before the infamous Le Cirque, the same band of ~~bandits~~ politicians led by PGMA ate in another restaurant, as reported by the Washington Post. But this time they spent less since their tab only reached $15,000. That would be P720,899.00 in our currency. The dinner that took place in Washington's Bobby Van's Steakhouse was attended by PGMA and about 65 other people. According the Washington Post's column entitled Heartburn Over Two Big Meals written by The Reliable Source, "the group took over one of the restaurant's private rooms and dined on lobster, steak and fine wines; at the conclusion of the meal, an unidentified woman opened a handbag stuffed with cash, counted out bills and paid the $15,000 tab -- which included a generous tip."

The administration has already received much criticism for their lavish spending of a million pesos in a posh restaurant in New York, and now it will receive more since this story is now fast-circulating online.

Critics say that, PGMA should be investigated by the Ombudsman for supposedly violating R.A. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. Section 4 states that "Public officials and employees and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income. They shall not indulge in extravagant or ostentatious display of wealth in any form."

What do you think? Is it okay for you that PGMA and her entourage ate such "extravagant" meals?

Wine and other Expensive Things

2009-08-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

Picture this: a girl drenched under the rain. Rummaging through a black plastic bag, hoping to find a half-eaten chicken leg. Finding none, she seeks shelter under a closed bank's roof. Then multiply that by the number of bank roofs, garbage bags and street children that the metro has. Now, imagine the President in a posh restaurant overseas with her entourage of 20+ followers. And their tab hits close to a million pesos.

In her recent visit to the United States to meet Pre. Obama, PGMA and her minions went to Le Cirque, a class-A, French restaurant in New York.

And yes, the image above is a detailed account of what they ordered and how much they spent for it.

$19,866.00 = P993,300.00 ($1 = P50)

And guess why the bill bloated to that amount? Oh hello there bottles and bottles of champagne! ($5,610.00 = P280,500.00)

A million pesos that could have been spent for education.

A million pesos that could have helped rebuild typhoon-destroyed barangays.

A million pesos that could have cured sick children.

A million pesos that could have been allocated for food for our hungry countrymen.

A million pesos that were spent despite children who are not able to go to school.

A million pesos that were spent lavishly while the whole country is trying its best to stay afloat.

A million pesos that were spent while parents are not able to provide proper health for their children.

A million pesos that were spent without regard for their hungry countrymen back home.

Oh, the audacity.

And, by the way, the country paid for that bill. Yet, the country's still hungry.

Shameful

2009-08-07T20:19:00.000-07:00

I've always thought that the political ads that are obviously in preparation for the national elections next year, are just plain disgusting. BF's humongous tarps spreading across the metro and the small ones across the country even if we all know that his jurisdiction stops outside Metro Manila. Mar's padjak TVC. Villar's Akala Mo campaign. So far, it was an even playing field. Until Jamby Madrigal came along. Having announced that she too will run as President, all hell broke loose. And so far, what she did is the most shameful and disgusting campaign move I've seen. Seriously.

Facebook user H Appy Feraren narrated her experience while waiting for the late Pres. Cory Aquino's cortege at the South Super Highway, entitled Shame on you Jamby Madrigal!

Now that we’ve remembered, relived and recreated the spirit of ’86 let’s make sure this yellow ribbon doesn’t get tangled up in other people’s political campaigns.

Subtle electioneering IN A FUNERAL?!?! SHAME ON YOU. Do not ride on Cory’s wave to pursue your vested interest. The people who waited in the streets weren’t there to see you! The revolution doesn’t belong to you, phony politician, it belongs to the people. And what makes you think you could get away with such a dirty trick? Cory’s lasting impression of sincerity, humility and honesty is now the benchmark of what leaders are supposed to be. You think people don’t see through you? The respect we have for Cory is not something you acquire with falsity (or through endorsement from Judy Ann Santos) it is earned. How dare you pose as someone offering sympathy to the Aquino family while you think about the votes you’re going to get come election time.

As I waited for the cortege (news networks’ new favourite word) along the South Super Highway, my mom and I bought 2 yellow umbrellas from this street vendor who was also selling nuts. And then as we paid, he pulled out something from his pocket – a yellow beaded bracelet nicely packed in a small clear plastic bag. Upon handing it over to us, he said: “Eto o, bonus para sa inyo.”Of course my mom and I were pleased and were all “awww how sweet.”Until I actually looked at the bracelet and saw a little tag with the name and photo of Jamby Madrigal.

I called out to him and asked, “O bakit may Jamby Madrigal itong bracelet na ito” and when I looked at the vendor for an answer he had already walked away.

Maybe an hour before this incident, I saw her car passing by the growing sea of people. Window open, flashing the L sign and strangely enough, a cameraman in front filming the people. My mom started shouting “Transparencyyyy!” and then I looked at her asking if I could put up my middle finger and my mom looked at me and said I should just shout transparency, accountability or good governance. In other words “BOOOOOOOO!!!!” And then the two of us just started shouting BOO JAMBY!!!

I am utterly disgusted by you, Ms.Madrigal. And to you other filthy politicians, behave yourselves because we are all watching you, even if you’re supposedly Cory’s “favorite” mayor. Genuine democracy is People Power and everything Ninoy and Cory stood for. It also means that now, whenever there’s a phony claiming he or she is there to protect Cory’s legacy, we will be able to speak up and act with the same fearless fervour we had before.

You know sometimes I wish I could march in the government offices with a magical broom that can sweep away all the dirty politicians we have in this country. A giant clean up, but this time not just for the environment but for our government. Haha, imagine if we could really do that? I'm already writing down the names of the people I'd attack first with my magic walis!

So, before you file for candidacy (a bit too late though in this case) think again. Actually, good luck! The people have remembered.

SHAMEFUL. DISGUSTING. PATHETIC. DESPERATE.

The Traffic that was Worth It

2009-08-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

As I've blogged earlier, some friends and I had an awesome roadtrip to Alabang last Wednesday. I texted Minneli that I think we should leave Ortigas really early since we might encounter SLEX traffic due to Pres. Aquino's burial. So we agreed to meet up by 7am at GCF. But we all know what happens if things are planned at such an ungodly hour. :) Regardless, we left GCF at 7:45am. Lo and behold, there was no traffic, so we arrived at Alabang really early. After the whole day rest, we headed for home.

And the traffic that we tried to avoid earlier that day, materialized that very afternoon. It was just really bad. It was moving but on such a turtle speed. Right after the Sucat exit was this:

And this went one til forever. The fence separating the express way and the service road was filled with supporters, by-standers and merely curious people, all waiting to see the arrival of Pres. Aquino's coffin. People even climbed roofs and billboards just to be able to catch a glimpse of the President before she was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial.

All these, to have a last look at the former President who was a vital instrument in restoring democracy for the Filipino people. And despite the traffic, no temper rose, because we all understood that what was going on was historic. What was before us was once in a lifetime. This was traffic that I didn't loathe to experience.

This was a President that the Filipino people loves because of her dedication. This was a President who fought despite threats for her life. This was a President who proved that "the Filipino is worth dying for." This was a President who had the people's interest at top most priority. No, she isn't perfect but she does deserve credit.

And in all honesty I ask, is the current President capable of such things? Would Mikee and Luli feel the same support the Filipino gave Noynoy and Kris, if it were them at the same circumstance.

I highly doubt that.

The first three photos are my shots using RJ's camera except the last photo which he shot. :)

On the former President's Death

2009-08-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

In 1983, EDSA was filled with Filipinos who are mourning the death of the late Sen. Ninoy Aquino. 26 years later, the streets are once again filled as people mourn the death of his wife, former President Corazon Aquino. Both the Senator and former President are icons of democracy as both fought to restore the freedom that we lost for 20 years under the Marcos regime.

The mood yesterday here in Makati was weird. Hundreds of eople flocked the streets. Some people mourned while others seem to have forgotten why they were there in the first place. A group of students from some computer college kept screaming whenever anything passes by. Such a mockery to the solemnity of the event. A politician was successful in campaigning for himself as people rushed by his side to have their photos taken with him (HINT: he's running for a coveted position next year and his home base is where our office is)

We waited for two hours, just to witness the passing of the late President's coffin in front of us.

The feeling felt surreal.

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Carlos Celdran's Tweet regarding the Philippines was spot on: "carlosceldran is wondering why someone always has to die in order for The Philippines to galvanize. We're really morbid like that."

And that got me wondering. Are we so desensitized by our country's problems and issues that it took us Aquino's death to realize that we have to wake up and do something about it?

I hope not. I still believe that the democracy that the Aquinos fought for, gave Filipinos a voice, and would include the civil responsibility of being vigilant in protecting our rights as a country.

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In my discussion earlier with office mates, we agreed that Pres. Aquino is probably the most famous contemporary Philippine president post-Marcos era. No she ain't perfect, but at least she isn't as notorious as the last two that were in position.

I wonder, would people fill the streets and mourn the same way if it were PGMA?

Personally, I wouldn't.

Yellow Ribbons

2009-08-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

She is an image of democracy having toppled a 20-year dictatorship.

She fought a dictator, armed with a hand shaped like an L.

She was the first woman President in Asia.

She survived six coup attempts.

She is Corazon Aquino.

And yesterday, she passed away.

The country lost a leader who fought hard to regain freedom lost.

We lost an icon. A public servant. A fighter.

We lost a hero.

Mrs. Aquino became President right after the People Power in EDSA in 1986. And she was regarded as the hope that would bring our torn country back on its feet.

In 2001, our country ousted a President through another People and mistakenly appoints the VP, thinking that she too would bring the country back to its feet. Boy, were we all wrong.

I don't think I can say the same things for PGMA.

That she is an image of democracy, an icon, a public servant and a hero.

I don't think she reflects even the slightest glimpse of all four characteristics.

I think Mrs. Aquino deserves a National Hero status :) well, that's just me.

Of Banner Photos

2009-07-30T01:23:00.000-07:00

The photo above is the Philippine Star's banner photo for today. Shot by Jun Medoza, it had this caption: "Sen. Mar Roxas is welcomed by STAR employees while riding with children on a pedicab during a visit to The Philippine STAR office in Manila yesterday."

Really now??

The accompanying story isn't even remotely related to the photo! (Read article here.)

That guy carrying a kid, a pedicab beside him, and all these blind people rejoicing around him. Looks familiar? Oh. Isn't this his political ad? Then what is it doing as a banner photo in one of the country's major broadsheets? (Oh by the way, because of this publicity stunt which you allowed to happen on your pages, I believe a lot of people's respect for you made an abysmal plunge.)

I do not believe that this is a legitimate story to merit such an amount of publicity. Oh wait, this is a form of publicity for him! So there's Wowowee, his P.I carnage at a Makati rally, his attempts at being makatao by voluntarily drenching himself under the rain, his supposed love with that broadcaster, that hideously fugly padyak ad, denggit.. the list just goes on and on and on.

But wait, has the campaign period started?

Fighting Back

2009-07-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Kung palabas lang ang tira ko kay Pangulong Arroyo, eh bakit napipikon sa mga banat ko?

The Senators are fighting back.

During her "performance," PGMA told Presidential aspirants not to speak bad words in public - a clear reference to Mar Roxas' P.I. carnage at a Makati rally recently.

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

And so, since Twitter is the best thing, Roxas' tweeted this back: MARoxas "Gloria, I have to say bad words in public because of bad deeds done in secret."

Then, in an Inquirer article, Presidential son/sucky actor Mikey Arroyo is said to be "mad" at the opposition for being such actors in the arena of Philippine politics. He points out how Sen. Francis Escudero clandestinely asked for the President's blessing and endorsement for next year's Presidential elections. An accusation that Escudero denies.

In a statement released today by Escudero that I've posted below, he vehemently denied all allegations that he asked for support from the President.

"I have not sought, nor will I seek, the endorsement of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Nor have I authorized anyone to do so.

Let Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando or Vice President Noli de Castro, or anyone else who might want her blessings, get that endorsement which they have been seeking from day one for all I care.

I have not even declared yet. And if I do, I will seek only the endorsement of the Filipino people and will run as Opposition simply because I have been consistently against and questioned the mandate of this administration from the very start.

I supported and was spokesperson of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. in the 2004 presidential elections; I led impeachment complaints against Arroyo in the House; voted consistently against the administration on major policy positions, i.e., the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), EVAT, and the Human Security Act.

To get back at me, this vengeful administration has withheld the release of my Countryside Development Fund (CDF) since 2005. And now, its proxies have taken the debate over its performance in the past nine years down to the gutter by spreading intrigues against my person."

I smell trouble brewing. Don't you?

What is our Real State?

2009-07-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

"To those who want to be President, this advice: If you really want something done, just do it. Do it hard, do it well. Don’t pussyfoot. Don’t pander. And don’t say bad words in public."

Yesterday's State of the Nation Address (SONA) was nothing short of a show - a clapping audience and a woman in front putting on a show. Trying to convince everyone - including herself - that what she's saying actually made a difference.

54 minutes - that could have been cut to 30 if she did not stop just so people would clap 126 times - of speech that meant nothing to those who are drenched in the rain, tirelessly screaming along the police-ridden Commonwealth Ave. And during these 54 minutes, she bragged about the improvement of our economy, the half-priced drugs we're selling and the infrastructure (fine Mom, she did something grand but it stops at SCTEX) that she was able to build.

She said that our economy has improved, "we have a strong economy and a strong fiscal position to withstand global shocks," but UP School of Economics professor Dr. Benjamin Diokno revealed the real deal with our economy in an article posted on PCIJ's website.

She was so proud that she's the first SouthEast Asian President that was invited by the White House to meet the Pres. Obama. The Washington Times think that this was a bad move for the American President. And I quote, "The choice of Mrs. Arroyo for this honor was a mistake because Mr. Obama is being used to give political cover for the Philippine president's trouble back home." And they end their Editorial with this, "but the nation should be differentiate from its lame-duck leader. Welcoming Mrs. Arroyo to the White House only validates her troubled rule." Very well said, I must say. Read full article here.

Finally, after 54 minutes, the torture/stupidity/embarrassment/show that is SONA was over.

Fine, let's give it to her that she actually did some good job, but what has she actually done to alleviate the plight of the poorest of the poor Filipinos? During her past 10 years in office, her SONAs have promised a lot of things, and she hasn't been able to deliver most of them. And I wonder what has happened to those boys with paper boats.

"At the end of this speech I shall step down from this stage, but not from the Presidency. My term does not end until next year. Until then, I will fight for the ordinary Filipino. The nation comes first. There is much to do as head of state – to the very last day."

Question is, when is the "very last day?"

And I see thought bubbles above heads where she trips while stepping down the stage.

It Ain't So Wow(owee)

2009-07-26T05:19:00.000-07:00

I HATE WOWOWEE. It commodifies poverty. I think it's one of the suckiest shows on local telly ever. (Besides those starred by Richard and Gerald that are beyond idiotic.)

Three months ago, the country witnessed the awesome pretentiouness that was the "proposal" of Mar to Korina on the aforementioned show. We all know how the thinking people reacted to that and how "simpletons" (Villarica, 2009) thought that it was the most romantic thing they've seen.

Saturday, June 25, 2009 - I woke by by 2pm. Mom instantly called me to watch what was going on. This huge Orange shirt donning guy was on Wowowee. (Sidenote: you should know that our cable connection got cut since we haven't paid for that particuar bill and we're not bothering to get connected again since no one's barely at home so having cable is pretty useless)

The guy, apparently, was Sen. Manny Villar (CUE IN: Trippy Akala Mo song.) and so I didn't bother watching. Mom later tells me that, the Senator gave away house and lots to OFW's who are guests on the show. Surprised? Not really.

I think guesting on a show such as Wowowee to further expand one's political aspirations is just plain - DESPERATE. And I'd leave you to think why this is so. :)

Being Left is a Right

2009-07-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Fil-Am activist and Bayan member Melissa Roxas, 31, finally names the AFP personnel she is accusing of torturing her for six days last May, during a public trial with the Commission on Human Rights, Thursday July 25, 2009. (Journ friends, I know that that is such a weak lead. don't judge me, it's a blog after all :p wahaha)

According to Roxas, her torturers' names are "RC" "Rose" "Dex" "James" and a boss they aptly call as "Boss," along with a detailed account of how she was abused and tortured by the aforementioned people. But we do know that they're just pseudonyms.

Coming from a University where wearing a Red shirt is a statement and screaming at CASAA is an exercise of one's rights, I've had my share of stories from people on that side of the fence.

Stories of abuse, trial and triumph.

In our society, being Red is instantly as rebels, communists as others would call.

Here's what I don't understand, is it a crime to subscribe to a political belief that is not the norm?

This ~~regime~~ government thinks it is. Case in point: Roxas.

What do you think?

A Public Declaration

2009-07-21T01:20:00.000-07:00

from PGMA, is what Opposition senator Francis Escudero wants.

Escudero asked PGMA to order her House allies to stop all efforts on Con-Ass during her delivery of her last State of the Nation Address (SONA) to fully stop all suspicions that her administration is still hungry to stay in power.

"Unless there is a public declaration by the President herself, addressed to her partymates in the House, the suspicions about this administration's dark intentions will remain in the minds of the people," Escudero said. "As president of the biggest coalition in the House, Lakas-Kampi, she can make the order."

The Senator said that if changes are to be made with the Constitution, it should not be during PGMA's term. And if it does push through at the Lower House, he'd do everything in his power to stop it at the Senate level, especially since he heads the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws.

PGMA will deliver her last SONA at the Batasan this 27th of July, 2009.

Taken

2009-07-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

"I don't know who you are, but if you don't let my daughter go, I will find you. I will kill you."

Liam Neeson's film about his character's daughter being kidnapped and drugged seemed all too familiar this weekend when a government agent's daughter relived the same fate. No, she was not kidnapped in Paris by a group of money-hungry pervs, she was kidnapped here in our shores and was later found drugged and sexually abused. The daughter, who is still a minor, is currently confined in an unnamed hospital. The government agent is an employee of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The Administration has since declared an all-out war against illegal drugs and drug syndicates. (Wow, it took a kidnapping for them to realize this? Hmmm maybe a son or daughter of another government agent should be kidnapped by corrupt people, for the Admin to wage war against it!)

Drugs and kidnapping seem to be a mutual relationship. They're like a couple walking hand-in-hand along the Academic Oval. Films like Taken and Man on Fire portray how this relationship preys on people. (how are we supposed to know that such scripts can actually play out in real life?)

The government says that they are now making every effort to wage war against this drug-ridden society. I hope they're making efforts to fight poverty, graft and corruption, poor education and other cancers of society as well. May not be through this government, perhaps through the next one?

Guns Blazing

2009-07-15T21:55:00.000-07:00

am-nes-ty [am-nuh-stee] noun, plural -ties, verb -tied, -ty-ing.
-noun
1. a general pardon for offenses, esp. political offenses, against a government, often granted before any trial or conviction.
2. Law. an act of forgiveness for past offenses, esp. to a class of persons as a whole.
3. a forgetting or overlooking of any past offense.
-verb (used with subject)
4. to grant amnesty to; pardon.
Credits: Dictionary.com
After freeing Italian Red Cross volunteer Eugenio Vagni from six months of captivity, Sunday - the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is now the government's hot topic.
Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro announced that they will wage an all-out war against the ASG.
Sen. Richard Gordon then proposed that amnesty be given to the insurgency group.
Giving the ASG, amnesty would be saying that all criminal acts they did prior are not crimes anymore. That all the families they destroyed, lives they have taken and communities they tormented are nothing. And that would be the biggest slap on their faces.
To give amnesty is to overlook past offenses, so what do we tell those that they have offended?
"Hey, the ASG are forgiven. We're sorry if they destroyed your family. But that's all in the past now."
If granting amnesty would ensure perennial peace for the war-torn island of Mindanao, I say why not? But would a group such as the ASG be willing to stop things that they've been doing for the past decade or so? I highly doubt that.
Isurgency in Mindanao has always been one of every Philippine president's headaches. And as administrations change next year, all eyes would be on the next administration on how it will address this particular problem.

Pfizer made it!

2009-07-13T22:09:00.000-07:00

The Legislative body is accusing multi-national pharmaceutical giant, Pfizer of attempting to bribe the Philippine President with five million discount cards that would be distributed to needy patients across the country.

According to lawmakers, this was a move to prevent the President from signing a law that would cut drug prices in half.

But executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) Reiner Gloor defends Pfizer, saying that it was not a bribe.

The Department of Health (DOH) also got the same offer from the company.

Both the President and DOH did not accept Pfizer's offer. (Aforementioned information are from this article from Inquirer.net)

Affordable and accessible health programs have always been an issue here on our shores.

When my dad got hospitalized last year, we had to pay a whopping amount for his month long stay. And that was the PGH, a government-owned hospital.

Clusivol's ads keep repeating that in this day and age, getting sick is not affordable. How true.

I never quite understood why drugs that are meant to save lives are very expensive.

If indeed it's true that the government did not accept the bribe and that they'll be cutting drug costs in half, then kudos to them.

But health is not just about drug costs, I wonder what the next government will do regarding hospital bills.