by Red M. Reyes
Cory's Examples tell us that there is still a bright
future for our country.
Many Filipinos were touched on President Corazon Aquino's
last interview when she said “She is proud to be a Filipino
and she thank God for making her become one of us.”
More than an ICON of Democracy, Cory led the country
with selfless love and sincerity in serving. While holding
the highest office of the land, she could have made
herself far richer like many traditional and corrupt politicians
and held on to power. BUT she chose to live simply,
with not a single moment of entertaining the idea of
enriching herself with money and influence.
Cory Aquino was, before she became president,
an ordinary housewife. But above all, she was a widowed
mother, living in a home wherein her time, love and devotion
to all her children cannot be compromised. However,
the Call of Country was Over and Above and Far Stronger
than the call of her own family. She, therefore,
offered herself, sacrificing much of her time to be with her
family, and chose to lead us so that we can once again obtain
what our hearts have long been yearning for, our much
cherished Dream of Freedom and Democracy.
Her courage and integrity made her loved by the Filipinos,
together with an Undying Gratitude to her for being
Instrumental for the Restoration of this same freedom
and Democracy, which we now enjoy.
One of the most distinct qualities of President Cory is
her religiousity and prayerful life. Every minute,
every hour and everytime she will ride her car, she prays.
One of her long time driver and security once shared that
whenever they are with Tita Cory, they feel safe and
secure because they have a woman of prayer with them.
Today, our country is deeply hurt by many politicians and
leaders who continuously enrich themselves by stealing
from the national coffer ( the people’s money ). They
spend much of their time and efforts on how to amass
greater wealth, more than the due service for the Filipino people.
Worse is, and because of their greed and lust for power,
they do not want anymore to come down from their lofty
positions.
Many say that the Philippines has no more future
because the corruption in our country is like a cancer
that has spread everywhere. Unlike Cory, we forgot to
Call on God persistently for hope, humility and change of heart.
Good leaders do not want to run for position anymore
because they know that they will not win the election due
to the fact that they do not spend money to influence or
pay for our votes. We ordinary people have become
part of this corruption culture.
With Cory’s death, we are awaken and called to be
united again, To Fight for Truth, Freedom and Justice.
We can only do this If we all Once Again, Turn and Humble
ourselves before our Loving God and Father in Heaven
Who alone Can Create a Clean and Pure Heart within
ourselves. Let us learn from the examples of Cory, just as
she learned the Good Lessons from our Almighty and Loving
God , to Love and Serve our People and Country First, before
ourselves. From hereon, we shall be able to confidently
face the challenges of our times as well as rid our beloved
country, once and for all , of greedy, self-serving and abusive
officials and politicians .
Like Cory, we all should avail of the power of prayer. We all
need to be People of Prayer, in order to triumph and
succeed in our Battle and Crusade for Good Governance.
Our Almighty God and Father in Heaven Is the Sovereign
Lord of Heaven and earth , of the Universe in its entirety.
We must NOTForget that IF GOD is with us, no one,
not even all the combined forces of evil in the whole universe,
can be against us.
Cory’s Examples Pave the Way towards the Realization of the
Filipino Dream. In return, and as a Sign of their Eternal
Gratitude, Deep Love and Respect to her, millions of
Filipinos, young and old, rich or poor, civilians,
the religious and different denominations, the military, and
people from different walks of life throughout our nation,
trooped and gathered together at Cory's funeral.
Let us all Long Remember...and Never Forget... that
our Beloved President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino,
through her Life Lived in Humility and Submission
To the Perfect Will of Almighty God, as well as
by her Good and Shining Examples, Clearly Opened
our Eyes To the Reality that There is, Still, a
Bright Future for the Philippines and for All Filipinos.
And it is now up to each and everyone of us Filipinos,
Even at the Expense of our very Lives, To Safeguard
and Cherished Cory's Legacy of Sweet Freedom and
Democracy , for us, our children, and our future
generations , to live and enjoy.
And so, from the very heart of a Grateful Nation,
we say :
Fare thee well and God rest thee, Tita Cory!
We love you, we thank you, and shall Truly Miss You
For As Long as We Live, BUT we are Happy, knowing
that now you are with your Beloved Ninoy and in the
Bosom of our Loving God and Father in heaven.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
May Cory's Spirit Live In Us and in Our Country . . Forever !
by Red M. Reyes
As I watched the funeral of our dear President Cory Aquino, my heart and my chest felt like bursting, seeing millions of Filipinos out in the streets pay their last respect to her. I am very sure also that millions of people around the world watched this memorable event on television in the comfort of their homes. This, to me, is an emotion-filled and touching funeral that I have witnessed in my life.
Tita Cory , as most of our younger generation fondly call her, is not a rock star like Michael Jackson but a simple housewife who had the heart of genuine love and willing sacrifice for the Filipino people. She willingly offered her life for the restoration of our freedom and democracy. She is a woman of courage, and her deep and abiding faith in the Almighty made her a true servant of God Most High as well as the Filipino people.
In the annals of its very rich and colourful history , the Philippines has added in its long lists of great men and women , heroes all , a husband and wife team : Ninoy and and his wife Cory. And perhaps it may again take decades for someone to, again, die for us, to clearly remind us of the great value of our freedom, justice and equality for all, while our beloved country is continuously used, raped and abused by a few people in power.
Today, we are all Standing at the very Threshold of a Great and Noble Change. It seeks to illumine , and even to vigorously shake and wake each one of us from a deep and heavy slumber in the bed of indifference and apathy , challenging every one of us to Stand Up and Be Counted , to Fight for Truth , Equality and Justice For All ! NOW Is Our Shining Moment Where We All Have To Make a Stand --- To Be United In, Once and For All , Put a STOP To Crooks and Traditional Politicians , to their Greed , their Graft and Corruption in Government !
Today we Call Upon our So-called Leaders to Open Up their mind and hearts to follow President Cory's Examples of Deep, Sincere and unselfish Love for all Filipinos, and to forsake their self-serving love and selfish interests! During her term as President of the Philippines, Cory has shown herself as a Role Model of a true public Servant, Devoid of All Selfish Interest and Self-Glory. And likewise, Cory has shown a great example when she willingly handed over the reins of the Presidency to her successor at the end of her term.
Today, as we remember Cory’s dream of building a Moral Leadership and Good Governance in our country, we can do our share in making this a Glorious Reality by ---
Getting involved and participating in the election of moral leaders in the year 2010. Evil will gain victory if men of goodwill will remain silent. Our Right to Vote is the most powerful gift that Cory has given us when she rose and led in liberating us from martial law rule and dictatorship. We must remember that no matter how small we may be , if we keep ourselves united towards choosing good and moral leaders, our votes will be more powerful than money and guns ;
2. Praying with Faith to Almighty God. Prayer Power is More Powerful than People Power.
Where People Power Fails, Prayer Power Takes Over and Triumphs! The continuous prayer
of faith by Tita Cory and of like-minded people, deeply touched the Fatherheart of God to
gather all Filipinos into Positive Action, to become United, Confront and Dismantle the
Tentacles of Dictatorship and One-Man Rule, and Ultimately regain Freedom and Restore
Democracy in the Philippines ; and
3. Following Cory's Dream of Putting the Filipino People First before herself. Her Unselfish
Love Inspired people to Serve Others before themselves.
May Cory's Spirit Live In Us and in Our Country . . . Forever !
As I watched the funeral of our dear President Cory Aquino, my heart and my chest felt like bursting, seeing millions of Filipinos out in the streets pay their last respect to her. I am very sure also that millions of people around the world watched this memorable event on television in the comfort of their homes. This, to me, is an emotion-filled and touching funeral that I have witnessed in my life.
Tita Cory , as most of our younger generation fondly call her, is not a rock star like Michael Jackson but a simple housewife who had the heart of genuine love and willing sacrifice for the Filipino people. She willingly offered her life for the restoration of our freedom and democracy. She is a woman of courage, and her deep and abiding faith in the Almighty made her a true servant of God Most High as well as the Filipino people.
In the annals of its very rich and colourful history , the Philippines has added in its long lists of great men and women , heroes all , a husband and wife team : Ninoy and and his wife Cory. And perhaps it may again take decades for someone to, again, die for us, to clearly remind us of the great value of our freedom, justice and equality for all, while our beloved country is continuously used, raped and abused by a few people in power.
Today, we are all Standing at the very Threshold of a Great and Noble Change. It seeks to illumine , and even to vigorously shake and wake each one of us from a deep and heavy slumber in the bed of indifference and apathy , challenging every one of us to Stand Up and Be Counted , to Fight for Truth , Equality and Justice For All ! NOW Is Our Shining Moment Where We All Have To Make a Stand --- To Be United In, Once and For All , Put a STOP To Crooks and Traditional Politicians , to their Greed , their Graft and Corruption in Government !
Today we Call Upon our So-called Leaders to Open Up their mind and hearts to follow President Cory's Examples of Deep, Sincere and unselfish Love for all Filipinos, and to forsake their self-serving love and selfish interests! During her term as President of the Philippines, Cory has shown herself as a Role Model of a true public Servant, Devoid of All Selfish Interest and Self-Glory. And likewise, Cory has shown a great example when she willingly handed over the reins of the Presidency to her successor at the end of her term.
Today, as we remember Cory’s dream of building a Moral Leadership and Good Governance in our country, we can do our share in making this a Glorious Reality by ---
Getting involved and participating in the election of moral leaders in the year 2010. Evil will gain victory if men of goodwill will remain silent. Our Right to Vote is the most powerful gift that Cory has given us when she rose and led in liberating us from martial law rule and dictatorship. We must remember that no matter how small we may be , if we keep ourselves united towards choosing good and moral leaders, our votes will be more powerful than money and guns ;
2. Praying with Faith to Almighty God. Prayer Power is More Powerful than People Power.
Where People Power Fails, Prayer Power Takes Over and Triumphs! The continuous prayer
of faith by Tita Cory and of like-minded people, deeply touched the Fatherheart of God to
gather all Filipinos into Positive Action, to become United, Confront and Dismantle the
Tentacles of Dictatorship and One-Man Rule, and Ultimately regain Freedom and Restore
Democracy in the Philippines ; and
3. Following Cory's Dream of Putting the Filipino People First before herself. Her Unselfish
Love Inspired people to Serve Others before themselves.
May Cory's Spirit Live In Us and in Our Country . . . Forever !
Saturday, August 8, 2009
KAPAMPANGAN KONTRA RECOUNT
KATOTO
Pakiparas ta ya pu karing sablang Kapampangan karing sablang sikoti ning yatu!
Iti pu ing aduan ning kekatamung Indung lalawigan ngening masisibuk ya ing bubut tamu pang demokrasya. Masalang magobra pu ing principal over the principle!
Maliari taya munaman pung apakiprint para abasa de ring alang internet connection. Salamat pu...
ING PAMANALAKARAN DA RING KAPAMPANGAN DIKIL KING RECOUNT A MIYAPAG LABAN KING PINILI DANG MAMUNTUKANG GOBERNADOR
Kayagnan ning pamagpaldas da ring memalen Pilipinu king pangamate nang dating Presidenti Cory Aquino a Indu ning Demokrasya Pilipinas, kasalukuyan da munamang magpaldas ding Kapampangan king maging-alung demokrasya king lalawigan kaibat nang kinampian ning COMELEC at ning Korte Suprema ing sinampa nang PETITION FOR RECOUNT Lilia Pineda laban kang Among Ed Panlilio para mabilang lang pasibayu ring botung atiu karing 4,688 ballot boxes a manibat karing 20 munisipyu at metung a syudad.
Agpang king kampu da ring Pineda, mika maragulan pu kanung kapamiraytan at pamanyaling botu bukud pa king e la mebasa ring botung para karela. Nung ninu ing mayupaya at ating pondung gamitan at kumpletu karing tagabante karing balang presintu, ila pa kanu ring mepirayit at milamangan. Agyang ala mang matibe ebidensya inayunan ning COMELEC at Korte Suprema ing karelang paratang.
Makapagtaka mu pu uling pilan namung bulan bayu eleksyun, bigla neng beligtaran ning Korte Suprema ing keyang sarili at inutus nang sumulung na ing pamamilang pasibayu karing sablang balota king Pampanga.
Migsampa la pung motion for reconsideration ring abogadu nang Among Ed dapot ing lalung makapagtaka, kaibat namu pu ning apat a aldo, mabilis yang mekapagpalual pinal a kautusan ing Korte Suprema para sumulung na ing prosesu ning RECOUNT.
Makapagtaka munaman pu ing mabilis nang pamangimut ning COMELEC kaniting RECOUNT agya mang dapat na nang dinan oras ing pamagsadia king daratang a eleksiun. Imbes na 4, 21 la pung revision committees ding binuo ning COMELEC ban milis yang lalu ing prosesu ning pamamilang. Bayu la pu midala king Manila ding sablang balota mebalu na dakal la kareti ding alang metallic seal at kulang kandadu. Nanu pa pu ngeni ing kasiguraduan tamu king integridad da ring balota?
Itamung Kapampangan maniwala tamu king ulaga ning prosesu ning recount antimong proteksiun ning mesambut a kandidatu nung tutu ya ping mepirayit king bilangan. Dapot e tamu maniwala na atin yang salalayan ing misampang RECOUNT laban kang Among Ed! Ala yang merito ing metung a peke o bogus a RECOUNT!
Ala yang sandata (guns) i Among Ed nune mu ding rosaryu at pangadi da ring tau. Alang ya muring taung pamatakut (goons) nune mu ring taung boluntaryung minapag king karelang sarili, kagiwan at panaun. Lalu neng alang gintu (gold) uling ing sabla piyambag-ambagan da ngan ding taung mignasa king pamagbayu.
Ing kandidatu atin yang upayang manyali nung atinan ya. Makapamirayit yamu nung atin yang makinarya at impluwensya. Kapilan man e menyali i Among Ed uling mabandi yamu king lugud da ring tau. Maimpluwensya ya dapot gagamitan namu iti king ustu at mayap. Bilang paring maniwala king ustu at mayap (pablasang iti ing pekapusu ning darala nang cruzada), kapilan man e na gawan ing mamirayit at manyaling botu ban milukluk yamu king pwestu. E ya kailangan pamatakutan, lokuan, salwan at piraytan ing metung a marangal a Kapampangan a magbotu agpang mu king sasabian ning keyang konsensya. Ninu pu kaya ing mabandi, ating makinarya at impluwensya? Kakadua, ninu pu ing mas ating kapasidad mamatakut, manyali at mamirayit? I Among Ed a alang pibandian, taung babayaranan at makinarya ya pa ngeni ing ating upayang manyali, mamatakut at mamirayit?
Dapot iting RECOUNT ORDER atin yang mas malalam a patuyag - na ding kulang king 220,000 a migbotu kang Among Ed TUNE lang mematakut, menyali at memirayit pablasang abe-abe lang miyambagan, kinimut at migsakripisyu para king keyang kandidatura. Ini ing e ra atanggap ding Kapampangan! Aliwa na i Among Ed ing insultuan da keni nune ing marangal a lahi ding Kapampangan! E na ne laban Among Ed ini nune guera da ne ring Kapampangan!
Uling tilutan na ning Korte Suprema ing sumulung ya ing prosesu ning RECOUNT agyang ala yang matibeng panalumpakan ing reklamu, magawa ya iting marok a piyalimbawanan (bad precedent) karing daratang pang halalan at ume misampang kasu – na ring mabandi at maimpluwensya maliari deng kustyunan ing resulta ning bilangan a malinis ban mibaligtad mu ing bunga ning halalan pabor karela. E pu wari ebidensya, at ali impluwensya, ing basehan ning balang desisiun? Nukarin pu ing hustiya keni?
Dapot bakit pu kaya ating RECOUNT agya mang kinopya de mung verbatim o letra por letra ing mesabing petisiun king metung a lugar? Bakit sinampa do ngan ding kasung labag king eleksiun (shotgun approach) laban kang Among Ed?
Malino king kekaming pamangilalala na manibat iniang miglinis ya at pepakit imahe ning katapatan i Among Ed megumpisa ne ing kalbaryu na keti Pampanga. Manibat iniang meging kritikal ne king Arroyo administration at king e mayap nang kararaptanan, manibat iniang pegtapat no ring 500K a tinggap na mismu king Malakanyang, manibat iniang delum nong plunder di Bong Pineda, a asawa nang Lilia Pineda at ding mitatang Lito at Mark Lapid a kaalyansa da ngan ding pamilyang Arroyo, manibat iniang menalakaran ya laban king susulung dang Cha-Cha via Con-Ass, manibat iniang pepakit nang pwedi palang manungkulan alang commission at SOPs karing kontrata ning gobyernu e ra ne papatugutang kinuyug i Among Ed.
Bukud king RECALL, iting RECOUNT metung yamu karing krus a pupusanan ning makatulirang pamuntuk ning lalawigan. Alub da namu apalako de king luklukan na uling masisilo nong masyadu king darala nang sala. Ing masakit ing Korte Suprema, a ausan tamung last bastion of democracy at pagsantungan da ring mayayalipit, meging kasangkapan ya pa kaniting madalumdum a dake ning kekatang kasalesayan anting Kapampangan. Uling dakal pu kaya karing mahistrado likluk no ngan Pres. Arroyo?
Inumpisan de pu king RECOUNT, miras iti king RECALL at iniang alang miliari king RECALL, pepasublian deng mebie ing RECOUNT laban kang Among Ed.
Akakalingwan da pu yata ring manimuna king pangasulung ning RECOUNT na aliwa naman i Among Ed ing karelang lalaparisan. Ing RECOUNT a alang basehan mangabaldugan yang keyalan kagalangan king meging desisiun da ring memalen Pampanga. Ing pekeng RECOUNT daretsahan yang pamagdakurak king demokratikung karapatan at siwala da ring memalen a migbotu king manalakaran dang pamuntuk.
E yo pu sana pangunahan a kaburian ding Kapampangan. E ye pu sana pamilit ing kekayung makasariling interes king pilubluban da ring Kapampangan.
Ing upaya da ring memalen king lagyu ning demokrasya ilang mangaintulid migulis king kasalesayan. Sukat dang tandanan ding manyulung king alang katutuan a RECOUNT, pauli ning tuksu ning karelang katakawan king upaya, na atiu la king maling dane ning kasalesayan.
King KORTE SUPREMA at COMELEC:
MIGSALITA NO PU RING KAPAMPANGAN!
GALANGAN YU PU KEKENG PILUBLUBAN!
IBASURA YA RECOUNT A ALANG BASEHAN!
EBIDENSYA AT E IMPLUWENSYA ,
KATUTUAN AT E KALARAMAN
ING PABUSTAN TAMUNG MIRAL!
NUNG NINU ING MINIE DANGALAN KING PAMANUNGKULAN,
NUNG NINU ING MIGLAKO KING KULTURA NING KAPANAKAWAN,
NUNG NINU ING MEKAPAG-ANGAT KING PANAKITAN NING LALAWIGAN:
I AMONG ED A MAMUNTUKAN YA PA ING BURI DANG PALAKWAN!
KAPAMPANGAN, NGENI KA MANALAKARAN KING KATUTUAN
BINIE TAMUNG BOTUNG MAL SUKAT TA LANG PAKIPAGLABAN!
KAPAMPANGAN KU, MARANGAL KU!
E KU MEMATAKUT! E KU MENYALING BOTU!
RESPETU MU PU KING PILUBLUBAN KU!
LUID YA ING MARANGAL A KAPAMPANGAN!
KAPAMPANGAN KONTRA RECOUNT (K2R)
Pakiparas ta ya pu karing sablang Kapampangan karing sablang sikoti ning yatu!
Iti pu ing aduan ning kekatamung Indung lalawigan ngening masisibuk ya ing bubut tamu pang demokrasya. Masalang magobra pu ing principal over the principle!
Maliari taya munaman pung apakiprint para abasa de ring alang internet connection. Salamat pu...
ING PAMANALAKARAN DA RING KAPAMPANGAN DIKIL KING RECOUNT A MIYAPAG LABAN KING PINILI DANG MAMUNTUKANG GOBERNADOR
Kayagnan ning pamagpaldas da ring memalen Pilipinu king pangamate nang dating Presidenti Cory Aquino a Indu ning Demokrasya Pilipinas, kasalukuyan da munamang magpaldas ding Kapampangan king maging-alung demokrasya king lalawigan kaibat nang kinampian ning COMELEC at ning Korte Suprema ing sinampa nang PETITION FOR RECOUNT Lilia Pineda laban kang Among Ed Panlilio para mabilang lang pasibayu ring botung atiu karing 4,688 ballot boxes a manibat karing 20 munisipyu at metung a syudad.
Agpang king kampu da ring Pineda, mika maragulan pu kanung kapamiraytan at pamanyaling botu bukud pa king e la mebasa ring botung para karela. Nung ninu ing mayupaya at ating pondung gamitan at kumpletu karing tagabante karing balang presintu, ila pa kanu ring mepirayit at milamangan. Agyang ala mang matibe ebidensya inayunan ning COMELEC at Korte Suprema ing karelang paratang.
Makapagtaka mu pu uling pilan namung bulan bayu eleksyun, bigla neng beligtaran ning Korte Suprema ing keyang sarili at inutus nang sumulung na ing pamamilang pasibayu karing sablang balota king Pampanga.
Migsampa la pung motion for reconsideration ring abogadu nang Among Ed dapot ing lalung makapagtaka, kaibat namu pu ning apat a aldo, mabilis yang mekapagpalual pinal a kautusan ing Korte Suprema para sumulung na ing prosesu ning RECOUNT.
Makapagtaka munaman pu ing mabilis nang pamangimut ning COMELEC kaniting RECOUNT agya mang dapat na nang dinan oras ing pamagsadia king daratang a eleksiun. Imbes na 4, 21 la pung revision committees ding binuo ning COMELEC ban milis yang lalu ing prosesu ning pamamilang. Bayu la pu midala king Manila ding sablang balota mebalu na dakal la kareti ding alang metallic seal at kulang kandadu. Nanu pa pu ngeni ing kasiguraduan tamu king integridad da ring balota?
Itamung Kapampangan maniwala tamu king ulaga ning prosesu ning recount antimong proteksiun ning mesambut a kandidatu nung tutu ya ping mepirayit king bilangan. Dapot e tamu maniwala na atin yang salalayan ing misampang RECOUNT laban kang Among Ed! Ala yang merito ing metung a peke o bogus a RECOUNT!
Ala yang sandata (guns) i Among Ed nune mu ding rosaryu at pangadi da ring tau. Alang ya muring taung pamatakut (goons) nune mu ring taung boluntaryung minapag king karelang sarili, kagiwan at panaun. Lalu neng alang gintu (gold) uling ing sabla piyambag-ambagan da ngan ding taung mignasa king pamagbayu.
Ing kandidatu atin yang upayang manyali nung atinan ya. Makapamirayit yamu nung atin yang makinarya at impluwensya. Kapilan man e menyali i Among Ed uling mabandi yamu king lugud da ring tau. Maimpluwensya ya dapot gagamitan namu iti king ustu at mayap. Bilang paring maniwala king ustu at mayap (pablasang iti ing pekapusu ning darala nang cruzada), kapilan man e na gawan ing mamirayit at manyaling botu ban milukluk yamu king pwestu. E ya kailangan pamatakutan, lokuan, salwan at piraytan ing metung a marangal a Kapampangan a magbotu agpang mu king sasabian ning keyang konsensya. Ninu pu kaya ing mabandi, ating makinarya at impluwensya? Kakadua, ninu pu ing mas ating kapasidad mamatakut, manyali at mamirayit? I Among Ed a alang pibandian, taung babayaranan at makinarya ya pa ngeni ing ating upayang manyali, mamatakut at mamirayit?
Dapot iting RECOUNT ORDER atin yang mas malalam a patuyag - na ding kulang king 220,000 a migbotu kang Among Ed TUNE lang mematakut, menyali at memirayit pablasang abe-abe lang miyambagan, kinimut at migsakripisyu para king keyang kandidatura. Ini ing e ra atanggap ding Kapampangan! Aliwa na i Among Ed ing insultuan da keni nune ing marangal a lahi ding Kapampangan! E na ne laban Among Ed ini nune guera da ne ring Kapampangan!
Uling tilutan na ning Korte Suprema ing sumulung ya ing prosesu ning RECOUNT agyang ala yang matibeng panalumpakan ing reklamu, magawa ya iting marok a piyalimbawanan (bad precedent) karing daratang pang halalan at ume misampang kasu – na ring mabandi at maimpluwensya maliari deng kustyunan ing resulta ning bilangan a malinis ban mibaligtad mu ing bunga ning halalan pabor karela. E pu wari ebidensya, at ali impluwensya, ing basehan ning balang desisiun? Nukarin pu ing hustiya keni?
Dapot bakit pu kaya ating RECOUNT agya mang kinopya de mung verbatim o letra por letra ing mesabing petisiun king metung a lugar? Bakit sinampa do ngan ding kasung labag king eleksiun (shotgun approach) laban kang Among Ed?
Malino king kekaming pamangilalala na manibat iniang miglinis ya at pepakit imahe ning katapatan i Among Ed megumpisa ne ing kalbaryu na keti Pampanga. Manibat iniang meging kritikal ne king Arroyo administration at king e mayap nang kararaptanan, manibat iniang pegtapat no ring 500K a tinggap na mismu king Malakanyang, manibat iniang delum nong plunder di Bong Pineda, a asawa nang Lilia Pineda at ding mitatang Lito at Mark Lapid a kaalyansa da ngan ding pamilyang Arroyo, manibat iniang menalakaran ya laban king susulung dang Cha-Cha via Con-Ass, manibat iniang pepakit nang pwedi palang manungkulan alang commission at SOPs karing kontrata ning gobyernu e ra ne papatugutang kinuyug i Among Ed.
Bukud king RECALL, iting RECOUNT metung yamu karing krus a pupusanan ning makatulirang pamuntuk ning lalawigan. Alub da namu apalako de king luklukan na uling masisilo nong masyadu king darala nang sala. Ing masakit ing Korte Suprema, a ausan tamung last bastion of democracy at pagsantungan da ring mayayalipit, meging kasangkapan ya pa kaniting madalumdum a dake ning kekatang kasalesayan anting Kapampangan. Uling dakal pu kaya karing mahistrado likluk no ngan Pres. Arroyo?
Inumpisan de pu king RECOUNT, miras iti king RECALL at iniang alang miliari king RECALL, pepasublian deng mebie ing RECOUNT laban kang Among Ed.
Akakalingwan da pu yata ring manimuna king pangasulung ning RECOUNT na aliwa naman i Among Ed ing karelang lalaparisan. Ing RECOUNT a alang basehan mangabaldugan yang keyalan kagalangan king meging desisiun da ring memalen Pampanga. Ing pekeng RECOUNT daretsahan yang pamagdakurak king demokratikung karapatan at siwala da ring memalen a migbotu king manalakaran dang pamuntuk.
E yo pu sana pangunahan a kaburian ding Kapampangan. E ye pu sana pamilit ing kekayung makasariling interes king pilubluban da ring Kapampangan.
Ing upaya da ring memalen king lagyu ning demokrasya ilang mangaintulid migulis king kasalesayan. Sukat dang tandanan ding manyulung king alang katutuan a RECOUNT, pauli ning tuksu ning karelang katakawan king upaya, na atiu la king maling dane ning kasalesayan.
King KORTE SUPREMA at COMELEC:
MIGSALITA NO PU RING KAPAMPANGAN!
GALANGAN YU PU KEKENG PILUBLUBAN!
IBASURA YA RECOUNT A ALANG BASEHAN!
EBIDENSYA AT E IMPLUWENSYA ,
KATUTUAN AT E KALARAMAN
ING PABUSTAN TAMUNG MIRAL!
NUNG NINU ING MINIE DANGALAN KING PAMANUNGKULAN,
NUNG NINU ING MIGLAKO KING KULTURA NING KAPANAKAWAN,
NUNG NINU ING MEKAPAG-ANGAT KING PANAKITAN NING LALAWIGAN:
I AMONG ED A MAMUNTUKAN YA PA ING BURI DANG PALAKWAN!
KAPAMPANGAN, NGENI KA MANALAKARAN KING KATUTUAN
BINIE TAMUNG BOTUNG MAL SUKAT TA LANG PAKIPAGLABAN!
KAPAMPANGAN KU, MARANGAL KU!
E KU MEMATAKUT! E KU MENYALING BOTU!
RESPETU MU PU KING PILUBLUBAN KU!
LUID YA ING MARANGAL A KAPAMPANGAN!
KAPAMPANGAN KONTRA RECOUNT (K2R)
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Cory's death is the resurrection of the Edsa 1
By Red M. Reyes
Cory’s death is the resurrection of the Edsa 1, the genuine and authentic history of moral change in our country.
I was then a first year high school student when we went to Camp Crame and experienced the true meaning of the 1986 EDSA People Power Bloodless Revolution. I can be proud to my kids and the future generations that I became part of this historical event. Devoid of any self interest, we were united in fighting for a Noble Cause, towards Freedom and Democracy. With President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the Icon of Moral Leadership, we were able to dismantle the more than 20 years of Dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.
Unfortunately, even though President Cory became the Moralist President, a lot of politicians allied with her abused their power to gain their wealth from the national coffer ( people’s money ). Thus we have learned that moral leadership alone is not enough. We need people’s participation to achieve our dreams of Good Governance towards genuine change and progress in our country.
In our present time, we need a strong people’s participation. In 1986, we, as a people, have as our enemies only few people under one leadership. But now, we have hundreds or thousands of corrupt enemies that we need to eradicate to achieve this DREAM. We may call it an Impossible Dream BUT IF people of good will are united under the Guidance of ALMIGHTY GOD, this DREAM will become a GLORIOUS REALITY.
Every Filipino say “Thank you, Cory, for offering your life,- to lead us to freedom and reclaim our democracy.” Our best gift for her is to continue her dream of helping every Filipino especially the poor to live their lives to the fullest. We can only achieve this IF we join and get involved in this Responsible and Participative Citizenship towards Good Governance and Moral Leadership.
Cory’s death is the resurrection of the Edsa 1, the genuine and authentic history of moral change in our country.
I was then a first year high school student when we went to Camp Crame and experienced the true meaning of the 1986 EDSA People Power Bloodless Revolution. I can be proud to my kids and the future generations that I became part of this historical event. Devoid of any self interest, we were united in fighting for a Noble Cause, towards Freedom and Democracy. With President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the Icon of Moral Leadership, we were able to dismantle the more than 20 years of Dictatorship of the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.
Unfortunately, even though President Cory became the Moralist President, a lot of politicians allied with her abused their power to gain their wealth from the national coffer ( people’s money ). Thus we have learned that moral leadership alone is not enough. We need people’s participation to achieve our dreams of Good Governance towards genuine change and progress in our country.
In our present time, we need a strong people’s participation. In 1986, we, as a people, have as our enemies only few people under one leadership. But now, we have hundreds or thousands of corrupt enemies that we need to eradicate to achieve this DREAM. We may call it an Impossible Dream BUT IF people of good will are united under the Guidance of ALMIGHTY GOD, this DREAM will become a GLORIOUS REALITY.
Every Filipino say “Thank you, Cory, for offering your life,- to lead us to freedom and reclaim our democracy.” Our best gift for her is to continue her dream of helping every Filipino especially the poor to live their lives to the fullest. We can only achieve this IF we join and get involved in this Responsible and Participative Citizenship towards Good Governance and Moral Leadership.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
PANALANGIN PARA KANG CORY
By: KASAUP and the peole of Pampanga
Inyang 3:18 ning abak, August 1, 2009, ing dating Pangulo ning Pilipinas a I CORAZON “CORY” COJUANGCO AQUINO, kingwa da ne kekatamu para dala king busal ning IBPA tamung mayupaya.
I CORY a tune larawan ning malinis a pamanungkulan;
I CORY a mipmung tetagan a sinuyu kekatamung kalupa nang Pilipino;
I CORY a mibie-bie antimong tutung anak ning GUINU tamu;
I CORY a alang takut a inapag ne ing sarili na, kambe ning buong pamilya na, king balayan ning DIYOS at ning bansang Pilipinas;
I CORY na anggang king tauli nang inawa, e tinuknang king LABAN a inumpisan ning asawa ng I NINOY;
I CORY na alang sawang lulugud kekatamu ngan a kalupa ng Pilipino.
Ngeni IBPA ming ka-katas-katasan, panalangin mi keka ing alang sawa mung pamanantabe king kekaming pakamalan a CORY; Ngeni, lalu na, atiu ne king busal mu; Ngeni na akayabe na niya naman ing asawa na at bayani mi mu naman a I NINOY.
Sana ngening kayabe mu ne king Ligaya Banwa I CORY, lalu mu kami pang antabayanan ikaming kabalen ng CORY. Pakasala me pa ing sulu ning lugud mung mamantabe keng kekaming aldo-aldo a pami-bie-bie.
Ngening kingwa mu ne kekami I CORY, sana dinan mu kami ngan bendisyon king kapamilatan ning alang tuknang a kamulatan nung makananau kaming misundu king kasuyuan mi keka at karing kekaming kabalen antimo nung makananu ing gewa ng CORY kekami.
Inyang 3:18 ning abak, August 1, 2009, ing dating Pangulo ning Pilipinas a I CORAZON “CORY” COJUANGCO AQUINO, kingwa da ne kekatamu para dala king busal ning IBPA tamung mayupaya.
I CORY a tune larawan ning malinis a pamanungkulan;
I CORY a mipmung tetagan a sinuyu kekatamung kalupa nang Pilipino;
I CORY a mibie-bie antimong tutung anak ning GUINU tamu;
I CORY a alang takut a inapag ne ing sarili na, kambe ning buong pamilya na, king balayan ning DIYOS at ning bansang Pilipinas;
I CORY na anggang king tauli nang inawa, e tinuknang king LABAN a inumpisan ning asawa ng I NINOY;
I CORY na alang sawang lulugud kekatamu ngan a kalupa ng Pilipino.
Ngeni IBPA ming ka-katas-katasan, panalangin mi keka ing alang sawa mung pamanantabe king kekaming pakamalan a CORY; Ngeni, lalu na, atiu ne king busal mu; Ngeni na akayabe na niya naman ing asawa na at bayani mi mu naman a I NINOY.
Sana ngening kayabe mu ne king Ligaya Banwa I CORY, lalu mu kami pang antabayanan ikaming kabalen ng CORY. Pakasala me pa ing sulu ning lugud mung mamantabe keng kekaming aldo-aldo a pami-bie-bie.
Ngening kingwa mu ne kekami I CORY, sana dinan mu kami ngan bendisyon king kapamilatan ning alang tuknang a kamulatan nung makananau kaming misundu king kasuyuan mi keka at karing kekaming kabalen antimo nung makananu ing gewa ng CORY kekami.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
RECOUNT MESSAGES (POESIA)
Nung ninu ing minie dangalan king pamanungkulan,
Nung ninu ing miglako king kultura ning kapanakawan,
Nung ninu ing mekapag-angat king panakitan ning lalawigan:
I Gov. Ed a mamuntukan ya pa ing buri dang palakwan!
Kapampangan, ngeni ka manalakaran king katutuan
Binie mung botung mal kaya sukat yang pakipaglaban!
E ra na apanaya ring kawatan,
Ing daratang pang halalan.
E ra na abata ing kalinisan,
Mangaplas no king katutuan.
Ing mignasang mamuntukan
Ya pa ing miyakusahan:
Boto na kanu midagdagan
At bilang na ning kalaban,
Yang mebawasan naman.
Ing menyali karing sabungan
At mematakut karing kapitan
King ‘favor’ yapang mirinan!
Manalangin tamu Kapampangan
Lunto murin ing kapamuraitan.
Ing katutuan sakdal man peitan
King kekaldan yang munie kalayan!
Anak ng teteng
Asawa ning pajueteng
Inawad na mika recounting!
Pangadi tamung mataimtim
E mu sana katiting
Kanita botu tamu e la mabating
Iti ing agawa tamung masanting!
Nung ninu ing miglako king kultura ning kapanakawan,
Nung ninu ing mekapag-angat king panakitan ning lalawigan:
I Gov. Ed a mamuntukan ya pa ing buri dang palakwan!
Kapampangan, ngeni ka manalakaran king katutuan
Binie mung botung mal kaya sukat yang pakipaglaban!
E ra na apanaya ring kawatan,
Ing daratang pang halalan.
E ra na abata ing kalinisan,
Mangaplas no king katutuan.
Ing mignasang mamuntukan
Ya pa ing miyakusahan:
Boto na kanu midagdagan
At bilang na ning kalaban,
Yang mebawasan naman.
Ing menyali karing sabungan
At mematakut karing kapitan
King ‘favor’ yapang mirinan!
Manalangin tamu Kapampangan
Lunto murin ing kapamuraitan.
Ing katutuan sakdal man peitan
King kekaldan yang munie kalayan!
Anak ng teteng
Asawa ning pajueteng
Inawad na mika recounting!
Pangadi tamung mataimtim
E mu sana katiting
Kanita botu tamu e la mabating
Iti ing agawa tamung masanting!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP OUR COUNTRY?
By Red Reyes
When I visited my relatives and friends in US and Norway , they shared to me their sentiments when they left our country to work and migrate abroad. They told me about their stories when they became idealists and they have lots of dreams for our country. They were the pioneers and best professionals of our country at that time. The sad part was when they saw hopelessness in the midst of corruptions and our economy is getting worse. The rich especially the politicians are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. They thought that going abroad is the only solution to this problem and working overseas is the only way that they can give a better future for their children.
Now, after all the hard works and sacrifices of being in far away lands just to provide a bright future for their families, they wish and long to go back home. They are now planning for their retirements but unfortunately, they observed that our country has now become worse. These are the things that they have observed:
Before, there were only few who are corrupt... But now there are thousands who are competing to accumulate a lot of wealth from our nation's treasury.
1. Before, we only talk of multi million of corruptions... But now, everyday,
we hear multi billions of corruptions in newspapers, radio, lower house
and senate hearings.
2. Before they left the Philippines to work abroad, there were lots of
homeless in our neighboring Asian countries, like Singapore, who
were sleeping in the streets. Now, it is the other way around. We
can look around thousands of beggars and homeless who are
sleeping in the streets, searching for leftover food in trash cans
and dumping area just to survive.
Our neighboring Asian countries like Singapore are now the developed countries and sad to say, we are already overtaken by Vietnam who was devastated by war in the 60s.
My relatives and friends in US and Norway realized that working abroad is not the only solution to the problem of our country.
They realized that it’s a wrong decision in turning their backs on our beloved country and leave it in the hands of selfish and ambitious leaders. Leaving unsolved problems is never the solution to our sufferings and predicament.
When they heard about the upright and moralists leaders like Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela and Mayor Robredo of Naga City, other members of Kaya Natin, moralist group led by Chief Justice Reynato Puno and like-minded groups….who stood for the crusade of good governance and responsible citizenship, they saw a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel.
They realized that there is still a truly powerful tool to overthrow and get rid of all the TRAPOS, to end this massive corruption and to have a bright future for our country. This is the Sacredness and Power of our VOTES in 2010.
May we, therefore, invite unregistered voters, especially the youth, to register and make a difference for our country and for the future generations.
When I visited my relatives and friends in US and Norway , they shared to me their sentiments when they left our country to work and migrate abroad. They told me about their stories when they became idealists and they have lots of dreams for our country. They were the pioneers and best professionals of our country at that time. The sad part was when they saw hopelessness in the midst of corruptions and our economy is getting worse. The rich especially the politicians are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. They thought that going abroad is the only solution to this problem and working overseas is the only way that they can give a better future for their children.
Now, after all the hard works and sacrifices of being in far away lands just to provide a bright future for their families, they wish and long to go back home. They are now planning for their retirements but unfortunately, they observed that our country has now become worse. These are the things that they have observed:
Before, there were only few who are corrupt... But now there are thousands who are competing to accumulate a lot of wealth from our nation's treasury.
1. Before, we only talk of multi million of corruptions... But now, everyday,
we hear multi billions of corruptions in newspapers, radio, lower house
and senate hearings.
2. Before they left the Philippines to work abroad, there were lots of
homeless in our neighboring Asian countries, like Singapore, who
were sleeping in the streets. Now, it is the other way around. We
can look around thousands of beggars and homeless who are
sleeping in the streets, searching for leftover food in trash cans
and dumping area just to survive.
Our neighboring Asian countries like Singapore are now the developed countries and sad to say, we are already overtaken by Vietnam who was devastated by war in the 60s.
My relatives and friends in US and Norway realized that working abroad is not the only solution to the problem of our country.
They realized that it’s a wrong decision in turning their backs on our beloved country and leave it in the hands of selfish and ambitious leaders. Leaving unsolved problems is never the solution to our sufferings and predicament.
When they heard about the upright and moralists leaders like Governor Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela and Mayor Robredo of Naga City, other members of Kaya Natin, moralist group led by Chief Justice Reynato Puno and like-minded groups….who stood for the crusade of good governance and responsible citizenship, they saw a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel.
They realized that there is still a truly powerful tool to overthrow and get rid of all the TRAPOS, to end this massive corruption and to have a bright future for our country. This is the Sacredness and Power of our VOTES in 2010.
May we, therefore, invite unregistered voters, especially the youth, to register and make a difference for our country and for the future generations.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
By Red Reyes
Everyday, we watch on television, we hear from radios and read from newspapers the continuous news of corruption of some politicians. We taxpayers pay for the salaries of these lawmakers to make our country the best place to live. To help them perform their job well, they receive yearly, hundred millions of pesos as their pork barrel.
So, What happen ? Instead of doing their job and fulfill their purpose in uplifting the lives of Filipinos, many of these traditional politicians spend their time and efforts to investigate corruptions. They accuse each other and yet no one is convicted in spite of these massive corruptions. We are fed up with all the hearings and reading everyday the stealing of multi million pesos from the nation's coffers . As a result of rampant corruption, the poor become poorer and the TRAPOS (traditional politicians) are ever increasing their assets everyday.
Why ? It is because we Filipinos were already trapped in the pit of despair of patronage politics. We were used to ask something from these politicians in exchange for our vote. In the midst of our difficulties and despair, traditional politicians are taking advantage of this situation by bribing us with their promises, favors or money so that they can grab positions or stay in power.
What to do ? The 2010 election, will be our only power to break all these nightmares. Our pen and our conscience are our most powerful tools to choose the right leaders to lead our country. We have to disregard and forget all these traditional politicians so we can stop all their selfish ambitions. We must look for leaders who practice good governance, transparency and accountability. God fearing people are the most sincere and qualified for these criteria.
We invite all Filipinos, especially the youth, to register and vote in 2010 for our the sake of our future and the next generation.
Everyday, we watch on television, we hear from radios and read from newspapers the continuous news of corruption of some politicians. We taxpayers pay for the salaries of these lawmakers to make our country the best place to live. To help them perform their job well, they receive yearly, hundred millions of pesos as their pork barrel.
So, What happen ? Instead of doing their job and fulfill their purpose in uplifting the lives of Filipinos, many of these traditional politicians spend their time and efforts to investigate corruptions. They accuse each other and yet no one is convicted in spite of these massive corruptions. We are fed up with all the hearings and reading everyday the stealing of multi million pesos from the nation's coffers . As a result of rampant corruption, the poor become poorer and the TRAPOS (traditional politicians) are ever increasing their assets everyday.
Why ? It is because we Filipinos were already trapped in the pit of despair of patronage politics. We were used to ask something from these politicians in exchange for our vote. In the midst of our difficulties and despair, traditional politicians are taking advantage of this situation by bribing us with their promises, favors or money so that they can grab positions or stay in power.
What to do ? The 2010 election, will be our only power to break all these nightmares. Our pen and our conscience are our most powerful tools to choose the right leaders to lead our country. We have to disregard and forget all these traditional politicians so we can stop all their selfish ambitions. We must look for leaders who practice good governance, transparency and accountability. God fearing people are the most sincere and qualified for these criteria.
We invite all Filipinos, especially the youth, to register and vote in 2010 for our the sake of our future and the next generation.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
Moving on . . .
Some events the past week forced your lowly provincial farmer to rethink his positions on key issues regarding our advocaies for Pampanga.
Allow us to reiterate that our loyalties are to the advocacies and not to personalities.
One of our most difficult tasks in our advocacies is the part where we need to educate our intended constituencies. It is only through the clear appreciation and actual personal possession of such advocacies where we can look forward to lasting postive consequences.
We will not make excuses. But allow us to state that we may probably need more than our lifetime to achieve the educating tasks. We can even venture to propose that even future generations may not be able to achieve this fully.
But we have to take the first step.
This we did.
Unfortunately, the political landscape is still personality based. Even those who participated in our crusade for Good Governance and Responsible Citizenship were really just "swept off their feet" in 2007. A lot of us went back to our "normal lives" after the election.
Even those who were our partners in 2007 seem to have fallen the same trap.
We blame no one. In fact we can even blame ourselves, as we sincerely believe that all of us could have done more. But we did not.
* * * *
Kiko Ortelano will not be muzzled by anybody when we speak of the truth.
We realize that sometimes, we need to accept defeat in a battle so we can win the war.
It is with deep regret that we inform our dear bloggers that Kiko Ortelano will be moving on.
Our expression of truth will continue; but in another forum.
Aku pu i Kiko Ortelano, Kapampangan Tutu!
LUID KA!
Some events the past week forced your lowly provincial farmer to rethink his positions on key issues regarding our advocaies for Pampanga.
Allow us to reiterate that our loyalties are to the advocacies and not to personalities.
One of our most difficult tasks in our advocacies is the part where we need to educate our intended constituencies. It is only through the clear appreciation and actual personal possession of such advocacies where we can look forward to lasting postive consequences.
We will not make excuses. But allow us to state that we may probably need more than our lifetime to achieve the educating tasks. We can even venture to propose that even future generations may not be able to achieve this fully.
But we have to take the first step.
This we did.
Unfortunately, the political landscape is still personality based. Even those who participated in our crusade for Good Governance and Responsible Citizenship were really just "swept off their feet" in 2007. A lot of us went back to our "normal lives" after the election.
Even those who were our partners in 2007 seem to have fallen the same trap.
We blame no one. In fact we can even blame ourselves, as we sincerely believe that all of us could have done more. But we did not.
* * * *
Kiko Ortelano will not be muzzled by anybody when we speak of the truth.
We realize that sometimes, we need to accept defeat in a battle so we can win the war.
It is with deep regret that we inform our dear bloggers that Kiko Ortelano will be moving on.
Our expression of truth will continue; but in another forum.
Aku pu i Kiko Ortelano, Kapampangan Tutu!
LUID KA!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
Is It TRUE?
We heard that PNP Col. Hawthorne Binag was assigned as PNP Provincial Director of Batangas. Is this true?
If it is true, this is another concrete example that DILG Secretary Puno, PNP PRO3 Director Leon Nilo Dela Cruz, the whole of PNP and Malacanang were indeed lying to us Kapampangans. They claimed that they can not grant the request of Governor Panlilio for the PNP to assign Col. Binag as the Provincial PNP Director for Pampanga as he was assigned to the PNP Moral Formation Program (?). Yet, for Col. Binag to be assigned in Batangas means that this administration, DILG, and the PNP are really bent on paralyzing Governor Panlilio in his fight against illegal gambling in Pampanga.
Another proof of this administration's perpetual dishonesty to the people of Pampanga is the inaction of the National Goverment, the DILG, and the PNP to stage an all out war against illegal numbers game, specifically in Pampanga. No less than PGMA has publicly ordered the DILG and PNP to act on this. To this day, the illegal numbers game is flourishing. No less than the princes of the Pampanga Catholic Church, Arcbishop Aniceto and Auxilliary Bishop Pablo David, had publicly stated this.
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!
* * * * *
Everybody wants to run for President in 2010.
A lot of Presidentiables see 2010 as the year for opposition presidentiables because of the great mistrust that Filipinos have for the current administration.
But the opposition must be careful. We will not be surprised if some of the declared presidentiables are actually "dog soldiers" of the administration. They might be trojan horses sent to scatter the votes, confuse the voters, and muddle the political issues so in the end, the administration bet will win the election. This is actually very possible.
Among Ed is correct in his current position that he will only run for President if no one from the reform minded groups is able to come up with an acceptable and winnable bet.
But I think that Among Ed made a mistake when he stated that he might be running for either President or Vice President. This shows uncalled-for pragmatism. This also may mean indecision on his part which is a no-no in national politics. He must categorically state a sole aspiration so that when it is necessary, his leverage is not compromised.
Last Monday Among Ed attended the Leadership Forum sponsored by the Ateneo School of Goverment and ABS-CBN held at the Leong Hall at the Ateneo De Manila University. It was obvious who the political neophyte was among the five present presidentiables. Senators Gordon, Escudero, and Roxas were there together with Governor Panlilio and Defense Secreteary Teodoro. In my opinion, Among Ed came in a poor fourth in the way he presented himself and the manner he answered questions. Sen. Escudero was great in connecting with the audience of mostly young Ateneo students. Sen. Gordon did very well also and was also received warmly given the fact that he is a certified Blue Eagle. Sen. Roxas also did well and showed himself very firm on issues asked of all of them. Sec. Teodoro was actually good even as he seemed to be pulled down by his direct association with the GMA administration, notwithstanding the fact that he was able to convey some good attributes of the current administration.
The forum should be a learning experience for Among Ed. It should also be a barometer for Among Ed in gauging his sellability to the Filipino Electorate. It is still too early for him. Hopefully, it is not too late for him also.
* * * * *
In the last issue of this column, we mentioned two offices under the office of governor which we suggested he look into. We do not know if he already read our previous column or if he already did something about our recommendation.
We have been in contact on-line and personally with some Kapampangan youth the past few days. They reminded me that the Provincial Youth Council WAS NEVER RECONVENED since the departue of Tess Briones and its subsequent transfer to the PSWDO(?). We already lost last year's summer break and we seem to have also lost the current summer break in terms of empowering the Kapampangan Youth. Why?
I know that the governor may have too much on his plate right now. He does not have to do everything nor should the Provincial Adminstrator. They just need to provide the motivation and support and then DELEGATE! There is no doubt in our mind that our youth will pull through. This is part of the essence of EMPOWERMENT!
LUID KA!
We heard that PNP Col. Hawthorne Binag was assigned as PNP Provincial Director of Batangas. Is this true?
If it is true, this is another concrete example that DILG Secretary Puno, PNP PRO3 Director Leon Nilo Dela Cruz, the whole of PNP and Malacanang were indeed lying to us Kapampangans. They claimed that they can not grant the request of Governor Panlilio for the PNP to assign Col. Binag as the Provincial PNP Director for Pampanga as he was assigned to the PNP Moral Formation Program (?). Yet, for Col. Binag to be assigned in Batangas means that this administration, DILG, and the PNP are really bent on paralyzing Governor Panlilio in his fight against illegal gambling in Pampanga.
Another proof of this administration's perpetual dishonesty to the people of Pampanga is the inaction of the National Goverment, the DILG, and the PNP to stage an all out war against illegal numbers game, specifically in Pampanga. No less than PGMA has publicly ordered the DILG and PNP to act on this. To this day, the illegal numbers game is flourishing. No less than the princes of the Pampanga Catholic Church, Arcbishop Aniceto and Auxilliary Bishop Pablo David, had publicly stated this.
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO!
* * * * *
Everybody wants to run for President in 2010.
A lot of Presidentiables see 2010 as the year for opposition presidentiables because of the great mistrust that Filipinos have for the current administration.
But the opposition must be careful. We will not be surprised if some of the declared presidentiables are actually "dog soldiers" of the administration. They might be trojan horses sent to scatter the votes, confuse the voters, and muddle the political issues so in the end, the administration bet will win the election. This is actually very possible.
Among Ed is correct in his current position that he will only run for President if no one from the reform minded groups is able to come up with an acceptable and winnable bet.
But I think that Among Ed made a mistake when he stated that he might be running for either President or Vice President. This shows uncalled-for pragmatism. This also may mean indecision on his part which is a no-no in national politics. He must categorically state a sole aspiration so that when it is necessary, his leverage is not compromised.
Last Monday Among Ed attended the Leadership Forum sponsored by the Ateneo School of Goverment and ABS-CBN held at the Leong Hall at the Ateneo De Manila University. It was obvious who the political neophyte was among the five present presidentiables. Senators Gordon, Escudero, and Roxas were there together with Governor Panlilio and Defense Secreteary Teodoro. In my opinion, Among Ed came in a poor fourth in the way he presented himself and the manner he answered questions. Sen. Escudero was great in connecting with the audience of mostly young Ateneo students. Sen. Gordon did very well also and was also received warmly given the fact that he is a certified Blue Eagle. Sen. Roxas also did well and showed himself very firm on issues asked of all of them. Sec. Teodoro was actually good even as he seemed to be pulled down by his direct association with the GMA administration, notwithstanding the fact that he was able to convey some good attributes of the current administration.
The forum should be a learning experience for Among Ed. It should also be a barometer for Among Ed in gauging his sellability to the Filipino Electorate. It is still too early for him. Hopefully, it is not too late for him also.
* * * * *
In the last issue of this column, we mentioned two offices under the office of governor which we suggested he look into. We do not know if he already read our previous column or if he already did something about our recommendation.
We have been in contact on-line and personally with some Kapampangan youth the past few days. They reminded me that the Provincial Youth Council WAS NEVER RECONVENED since the departue of Tess Briones and its subsequent transfer to the PSWDO(?). We already lost last year's summer break and we seem to have also lost the current summer break in terms of empowering the Kapampangan Youth. Why?
I know that the governor may have too much on his plate right now. He does not have to do everything nor should the Provincial Adminstrator. They just need to provide the motivation and support and then DELEGATE! There is no doubt in our mind that our youth will pull through. This is part of the essence of EMPOWERMENT!
LUID KA!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
AMONG ED MIGHT MOST LOIKELY TO RUN FOR A NATIONAL OFFICE
ILOILO CITY - Saying the current crop of presidential aspirants offer no real alternative for the people, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio yesterday said he is firming up his plans to run for a national position, including for president or vice president, in next year’s elections.
“We tell people to vote wisely. But how can we vote wisely if there are no choices?” Panlilio said in a speech at the 22nd Mid-Biennial Conference of the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Inc. here.
In an interview, Panlilio said while there were “real alternatives” emerging in local elections, there was no clear alternative for national elections, particularly for president and vice president.
“Many people feel that the faces they see are the ones responsible for the state of the Philippines,” the governor told the Inquirer.
This is why despite his preference to return to priesthood, he is firming up plans to extend his involvement in politics, Panlilio said.
“Most likely I will run for a national position—president or vice president,” said Panlilio.
But he said he is still in the process of discussions and meetings with supporters and friends.
He said while he made a promise that he will only serve for a term of three years as governor then return to priesthood, he is also considering the “clamor of some people” for him to continue serving in an elective post.
“I’m not turning my back on priesthood. But I have to be ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of our beloved land,” he said.
Panlilio was suspended from performing priestly duties when he ran for governor in 2007. He defeated two administration candidates in a close contest.
Church officials, including Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), have earlier called on Panlilio to leave the priesthood if he intends to run for President in next year’s elections.
Lagdameo had said that Panlilio should leave priesthood to maintain the Church’s non-involvement in partisan politics.
But Lagdameo also had said that Panlilio’s openness to seek higher office “sends a message about the country’s political situation: that we badly need to address politically the many issues of graft and corruption in government.”
ILOILO CITY - Saying the current crop of presidential aspirants offer no real alternative for the people, Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio yesterday said he is firming up his plans to run for a national position, including for president or vice president, in next year’s elections.
“We tell people to vote wisely. But how can we vote wisely if there are no choices?” Panlilio said in a speech at the 22nd Mid-Biennial Conference of the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Region Inc. here.
In an interview, Panlilio said while there were “real alternatives” emerging in local elections, there was no clear alternative for national elections, particularly for president and vice president.
“Many people feel that the faces they see are the ones responsible for the state of the Philippines,” the governor told the Inquirer.
This is why despite his preference to return to priesthood, he is firming up plans to extend his involvement in politics, Panlilio said.
“Most likely I will run for a national position—president or vice president,” said Panlilio.
But he said he is still in the process of discussions and meetings with supporters and friends.
He said while he made a promise that he will only serve for a term of three years as governor then return to priesthood, he is also considering the “clamor of some people” for him to continue serving in an elective post.
“I’m not turning my back on priesthood. But I have to be ready to sacrifice anything and everything for the sake of our beloved land,” he said.
Panlilio was suspended from performing priestly duties when he ran for governor in 2007. He defeated two administration candidates in a close contest.
Church officials, including Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), have earlier called on Panlilio to leave the priesthood if he intends to run for President in next year’s elections.
Lagdameo had said that Panlilio should leave priesthood to maintain the Church’s non-involvement in partisan politics.
But Lagdameo also had said that Panlilio’s openness to seek higher office “sends a message about the country’s political situation: that we badly need to address politically the many issues of graft and corruption in government.”
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Reprinted from the May 6, 2009 issue of The Philippine Star
Defensor to be blamed if Lozada is harmed
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc Updated May 06, 2009 12:00 AM
The Manila police has moved ZTE scam whistleblower Jun Lozada from the warrant office to the detective jail. Acting chief Rodolfo Magtibay was dispelling rumors of treating special the popular Lozada, and so placed him in a real cell Monday. “He’s around common criminals,” moaned Sister Estrella Castalone, one of two-dozen nuns who have been bodyguarding Lozada since his aborted abduction in Feb. 2008. “General Magtibay assures us Jun will be safe ... but we do not know what will happen inside.” Given the state of Philippine jails, all the worst things can happen. Mike Defensor, who had charged Lozada with perjury, may be professing to want only to clear his name and not imprison him. But as a lawyer he knows that detention is a consequence of criminal suits. If harm befalls Lozada in jail, Defensor can only be blamed.
In fact Lozada fell ill minutes after being shoved into the company of killers and robbers. A doc had to be called in to check him for nausea. Low blood pressure and asthma also ail the former government consultant who confirmed the overpricing in the $329-million ZTE deal. A congested jail during Manila’s scorching summer isn’t the best place for a sickly 46-year-old to be in. Any untoward event will only highlight the injustice done him. Ever since Lozada revealed to the Senate last year the sordid details of the ZTE fraud, the Arroyo admin has slapped him and his wife with 16 court raps. Yet not one of those he had implicated — Gloria and Mike Arroyo, Romy Neri, Larry Mendoza, Peter Favila, Ben Abalos — has been indicted. Neither have those who bade or bribed him to evade or lie to senators — Defensor, Lito Atienza, Manuel Gaite. Ironically Lozada’s wife too has been sued for perjury, by the very police colonel he had accused of abducting him at the airport. More trouble arising from Lozada’s jailing will be bad for Defensor’s political career and incriminate his close pals, First Couple.
Even the judge trying Lozada’s perjury case thinks so. That’s why he is advising Defensor via a court notice to consider dropping the rap for his and the Arroyos’ sake. For if Defensor hasn’t weighed its outcome, the trial might cost him his political future, and the unease of the Arroyos being subpoenaed as witnesses.
Manila Judge Jorge Lorredo set Lozada’s arraignment for tomorrow. In the same memo, he set for Friday the police motion to transfer Lozada to the city jail and the Senate request for the detainee’s custody. The judge then took the opportunity to present some points for Defensor to ponder, like:
• Pressing the case would be political suicide because it could incite public hatred;
• It could cost Defensor his health, and make him suffer from serious ailment like Mike Arroyo “that he (Arroyo) is in no condition to attend Senate probes”;
• Lozada might call in the Arroyos as hostile witnesses, which would mean subpoenas being issued to compel them to appear in court;
• Failure to show up would mean issuing arrest warrants for the President and the First Gentleman; and
• If the police refuse to serve such warrants, the court might deputize other officials to do so, like Manila Mayor Fred Lim, or opposition Senators Ping Lacson and Antonio Trillanes IV. “They can arrest, handcuff, and put behind bars any fugitive.”
(Complete text of Judge Lorredo’s order at www.verafiles.org.)
* * *
Interestingly, while colleagues pillory Sen. Manny Villar for alleged financial fraud, his popularity continues to rise. In the latest SWS quarterly survey last Feb., he was still second to VP Noli de Castro as “best leader to succeed Arroyo in 2010.” It’s been that way since Sept. 2007.
Defensor to be blamed if Lozada is harmed
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc Updated May 06, 2009 12:00 AM
The Manila police has moved ZTE scam whistleblower Jun Lozada from the warrant office to the detective jail. Acting chief Rodolfo Magtibay was dispelling rumors of treating special the popular Lozada, and so placed him in a real cell Monday. “He’s around common criminals,” moaned Sister Estrella Castalone, one of two-dozen nuns who have been bodyguarding Lozada since his aborted abduction in Feb. 2008. “General Magtibay assures us Jun will be safe ... but we do not know what will happen inside.” Given the state of Philippine jails, all the worst things can happen. Mike Defensor, who had charged Lozada with perjury, may be professing to want only to clear his name and not imprison him. But as a lawyer he knows that detention is a consequence of criminal suits. If harm befalls Lozada in jail, Defensor can only be blamed.
In fact Lozada fell ill minutes after being shoved into the company of killers and robbers. A doc had to be called in to check him for nausea. Low blood pressure and asthma also ail the former government consultant who confirmed the overpricing in the $329-million ZTE deal. A congested jail during Manila’s scorching summer isn’t the best place for a sickly 46-year-old to be in. Any untoward event will only highlight the injustice done him. Ever since Lozada revealed to the Senate last year the sordid details of the ZTE fraud, the Arroyo admin has slapped him and his wife with 16 court raps. Yet not one of those he had implicated — Gloria and Mike Arroyo, Romy Neri, Larry Mendoza, Peter Favila, Ben Abalos — has been indicted. Neither have those who bade or bribed him to evade or lie to senators — Defensor, Lito Atienza, Manuel Gaite. Ironically Lozada’s wife too has been sued for perjury, by the very police colonel he had accused of abducting him at the airport. More trouble arising from Lozada’s jailing will be bad for Defensor’s political career and incriminate his close pals, First Couple.
Even the judge trying Lozada’s perjury case thinks so. That’s why he is advising Defensor via a court notice to consider dropping the rap for his and the Arroyos’ sake. For if Defensor hasn’t weighed its outcome, the trial might cost him his political future, and the unease of the Arroyos being subpoenaed as witnesses.
Manila Judge Jorge Lorredo set Lozada’s arraignment for tomorrow. In the same memo, he set for Friday the police motion to transfer Lozada to the city jail and the Senate request for the detainee’s custody. The judge then took the opportunity to present some points for Defensor to ponder, like:
• Pressing the case would be political suicide because it could incite public hatred;
• It could cost Defensor his health, and make him suffer from serious ailment like Mike Arroyo “that he (Arroyo) is in no condition to attend Senate probes”;
• Lozada might call in the Arroyos as hostile witnesses, which would mean subpoenas being issued to compel them to appear in court;
• Failure to show up would mean issuing arrest warrants for the President and the First Gentleman; and
• If the police refuse to serve such warrants, the court might deputize other officials to do so, like Manila Mayor Fred Lim, or opposition Senators Ping Lacson and Antonio Trillanes IV. “They can arrest, handcuff, and put behind bars any fugitive.”
(Complete text of Judge Lorredo’s order at www.verafiles.org.)
* * *
Interestingly, while colleagues pillory Sen. Manny Villar for alleged financial fraud, his popularity continues to rise. In the latest SWS quarterly survey last Feb., he was still second to VP Noli de Castro as “best leader to succeed Arroyo in 2010.” It’s been that way since Sept. 2007.
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
CORY AQUINO
We will never have a president like her. (We also hope and pray that we will never have a president like the one that we currently have for the sake of our children and our children's children). Former president Cory is the epitome of a god-fearing, law-abiding national leader. Her principled stand on a lot of national matters will attest to her steel nerves. Her gutsy fight against her current medical condition is an inspiration to all the people of the world.
She also did well in raising her children. Her youngest may have fallen a few times during her younger years, but she has recovered very well from this too. Never did any one of Cory's (and the late NINOY) children were ever abusive because of their political and/or economic clout. Sadly, we can not say this of a lot of former and current family members of politicians.
Let us all pray for her recovery. Let us also pray that not only she recovers, but also for her to live a lot longer so younger generations of Filipinos will continue to see her as a living inspiration to us al.
ONE YEAR TO GO
Among Ed Panlilio basically has one year left in his current term as Governor of Pampanga. Contrary to the claims of a lot of his critics, the governor has achieved a lot in his almost two years stay at the capitol. He has instituted pioneering activities that was never done by his predecessors. He has shown to the world that having no party affiliations, no Guns, Goons, and Golds can propel you to a high elective position. He has also created an atmosphere of free speech in the province that was never before seen.
Unfortunately, he could have done more.
He has also made a few poor decisions in his choices of his internal team. He should look at the Arts, Culture and Tourism department now. This can show him where he made mistakes and how he can correct them. The Pamisaupan office is another one. KASAUP has provided him an initial list of recommendations on how to maximize the benefits of this office, and it seems that nothing is being done about it as we write this.
There is also a failure on his part to fully implement the second part of his avowed advocacies when he was campaigning in 2007; RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP. He might be trying to really do something about this but it seems that he is not able to "sell" this advocacy to our Kabalens including those in his internal team.
Time is running out.
Right now, the common perception among many of our Kabalens about the legacy that he might be leaving behind this term is his failure to unite the Kapampangans, the wasted opportunities to fully utilize the gains of the quarry collections, and his seeming lack of decisiveness to act on crucial matters affecting the province.
This may not be fully accurate, but when there is smoke, there is. . .
Luid ka!
We will never have a president like her. (We also hope and pray that we will never have a president like the one that we currently have for the sake of our children and our children's children). Former president Cory is the epitome of a god-fearing, law-abiding national leader. Her principled stand on a lot of national matters will attest to her steel nerves. Her gutsy fight against her current medical condition is an inspiration to all the people of the world.
She also did well in raising her children. Her youngest may have fallen a few times during her younger years, but she has recovered very well from this too. Never did any one of Cory's (and the late NINOY) children were ever abusive because of their political and/or economic clout. Sadly, we can not say this of a lot of former and current family members of politicians.
Let us all pray for her recovery. Let us also pray that not only she recovers, but also for her to live a lot longer so younger generations of Filipinos will continue to see her as a living inspiration to us al.
ONE YEAR TO GO
Among Ed Panlilio basically has one year left in his current term as Governor of Pampanga. Contrary to the claims of a lot of his critics, the governor has achieved a lot in his almost two years stay at the capitol. He has instituted pioneering activities that was never done by his predecessors. He has shown to the world that having no party affiliations, no Guns, Goons, and Golds can propel you to a high elective position. He has also created an atmosphere of free speech in the province that was never before seen.
Unfortunately, he could have done more.
He has also made a few poor decisions in his choices of his internal team. He should look at the Arts, Culture and Tourism department now. This can show him where he made mistakes and how he can correct them. The Pamisaupan office is another one. KASAUP has provided him an initial list of recommendations on how to maximize the benefits of this office, and it seems that nothing is being done about it as we write this.
There is also a failure on his part to fully implement the second part of his avowed advocacies when he was campaigning in 2007; RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP. He might be trying to really do something about this but it seems that he is not able to "sell" this advocacy to our Kabalens including those in his internal team.
Time is running out.
Right now, the common perception among many of our Kabalens about the legacy that he might be leaving behind this term is his failure to unite the Kapampangans, the wasted opportunities to fully utilize the gains of the quarry collections, and his seeming lack of decisiveness to act on crucial matters affecting the province.
This may not be fully accurate, but when there is smoke, there is. . .
Luid ka!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Panlilio mania did not benefit Pampanga
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:56:00 05/05/2009
To the admirers of “Among Ed” Panlilio, forgive me for spoiling the fun, but you are merely blinded by perception. Be careful what you wish for, Governor Panlilio might just upset us all.
I am a Kapampangan, a Catholic and an active community leader, and I know whereof I speak. Readers may care to know that even before Among Ed improved quarry collections in our province, there was Yeng Guiao and several mayors who filed with the Ombudsman a P1-billion graft case against then-Gov. Mark Lapid for various quarry operation anomalies. No, not everybody in the Pampanga Capitol is a crook.
Readers may also wish to know how the budget is dispensed in our province. With a budget of more than P700 million in 2007 and another P968 million in 2008, all Among Ed can boast of are projects that are within the ambit of his job description as chief executive of the province— barangay roads, medical supplies and equipment, public schools, livelihood and agricultural skills training, support to micro-enterprise, scholarship grants, job opportunities, medical and dental missions, disaster management, collections from quarry operations and incentives for employees.
Thank you, Among Ed, but these traditional projects are expected to be done because you are our governor. I will not buy your PR that these are sterling accomplishments as you’d like us to see. In my humble knowledge of good governance, accomplishments mean advances made in housing, health and education sectors, a vibrant business environment and flourishing investments that generate jobs and empowerment of barangays. Were there any accomplishments in ensuring ample rice production for Pampanga? Were there any advances made in maintaining peace and order; to curb drug addiction and prostitution or reduce unemployment?
The list goes on, and for the benefit of Manila-based academicians and political analysts, take a personal look at the province and its people up close. The Panlilio mania was just that; we are still lacking in effective governance with beneficial, long-term results.
Among Ed may have the best of intentions in leading our country, as most politicians do, but he is locked away in his own bubble of distrust and self-delusion of uprightness. Honesty is indeed one big trait we need in our leaders but it is not enough. We need someone who can lead us without hypocrisy, unite us in principled harmony and translate revenues—quarry for example—to improve the lives of Kapampangans.
—ARNOLD GUINTO,guinto.arnold@gmail.com
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:56:00 05/05/2009
To the admirers of “Among Ed” Panlilio, forgive me for spoiling the fun, but you are merely blinded by perception. Be careful what you wish for, Governor Panlilio might just upset us all.
I am a Kapampangan, a Catholic and an active community leader, and I know whereof I speak. Readers may care to know that even before Among Ed improved quarry collections in our province, there was Yeng Guiao and several mayors who filed with the Ombudsman a P1-billion graft case against then-Gov. Mark Lapid for various quarry operation anomalies. No, not everybody in the Pampanga Capitol is a crook.
Readers may also wish to know how the budget is dispensed in our province. With a budget of more than P700 million in 2007 and another P968 million in 2008, all Among Ed can boast of are projects that are within the ambit of his job description as chief executive of the province— barangay roads, medical supplies and equipment, public schools, livelihood and agricultural skills training, support to micro-enterprise, scholarship grants, job opportunities, medical and dental missions, disaster management, collections from quarry operations and incentives for employees.
Thank you, Among Ed, but these traditional projects are expected to be done because you are our governor. I will not buy your PR that these are sterling accomplishments as you’d like us to see. In my humble knowledge of good governance, accomplishments mean advances made in housing, health and education sectors, a vibrant business environment and flourishing investments that generate jobs and empowerment of barangays. Were there any accomplishments in ensuring ample rice production for Pampanga? Were there any advances made in maintaining peace and order; to curb drug addiction and prostitution or reduce unemployment?
The list goes on, and for the benefit of Manila-based academicians and political analysts, take a personal look at the province and its people up close. The Panlilio mania was just that; we are still lacking in effective governance with beneficial, long-term results.
Among Ed may have the best of intentions in leading our country, as most politicians do, but he is locked away in his own bubble of distrust and self-delusion of uprightness. Honesty is indeed one big trait we need in our leaders but it is not enough. We need someone who can lead us without hypocrisy, unite us in principled harmony and translate revenues—quarry for example—to improve the lives of Kapampangans.
—ARNOLD GUINTO,guinto.arnold@gmail.com
Reprinted from the May 5, 2009 issue of Pilipino Star Ngayon
Hinirang sila ni GMA hindi para magsilbi
SAPOL Ni Jarius Bondoc Updated May 05, 2009 12:00 AM
Kapansin-pansin ang dumi sa paghirang ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa mga opisyales ng gpbyerno. Hindi niya pamantayan ang galing o gana ng appointee na magsilbi sa bayan. Ang batayan niya ay ang pagbabayad ng utang pampulitika, na ang kapalit ay pansariling interes ng in-appoint. Halimbawa si Angelo Reyes, na dahil sa pagtiwalag bilang AFP chief sa ilalim ni Joseph Estrada nu’ng Enero 2001 ay naging Presidente si Arroyo. Nakaka-apat na puwesto na si Reyes sa Gabinete: defense, interior, natural resources, at ngayon energy. Lahat pinalpak niya. Ni hindi niya masaway ang masisibang oil companies sa overpricing ng gasolina. Halatang hindi na siya gusto ni Arroyo, pero hindi maalis dahil nagbabayad-utang pa.
Ehemplo rin ang pagpuwesto kay Bong Villafuerte bilang executive director ng Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. Tatlong beses nang pinangalanan si Villafuerte sa congressional inquiries na jueteng lord sa Camarines Sur. At isang syndicated felony ang illegal numbers game. Pero dahil loyalistang presidente ng Kampi party ni Arroyo ang tatay ni Bong na Rep. Luis Villafuerte, hayun at hinirang siya sa puwestong hindi dapat sa kanya. Aba’y umiikot ngayon si Villafuerte na kasama ang mga taong armado, animo’y alagad ng batas tulad ng AFP at PNP. Hindi kaya ni Arroyo sawayin ang mga umaabusong appointees. Ikinuwento ni Ramon Tulfo na nu’ng magkaibigan pa sila nina GMA at First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, malimit niya isinu sumbong sa Presidente ang mga tuwali at pabaya. Ang parating sagot sa kanya ni Arroyo ay, “E di pagsabihan mo.” Papano naman sasawayin ni Mon ang mga opisyales, e outsider siya at si Arroyo ang nag-appoint sa kanila?
Ni hindi kaya ni Arroyo sumibak ng opisyal na sa palagay niya’y nabayaran na niya ng utang pampulitika. Kadalasan nagugulat na lang ang opisyal dahil may ibang nakaupo sa mesa niya pagpasok sa opisina. O kaya, sa pahayagan lang niya malalaman na sinibak na pala siya.
Hinirang sila ni GMA hindi para magsilbi
SAPOL Ni Jarius Bondoc Updated May 05, 2009 12:00 AM
Kapansin-pansin ang dumi sa paghirang ni Gloria Macapagal Arroyo sa mga opisyales ng gpbyerno. Hindi niya pamantayan ang galing o gana ng appointee na magsilbi sa bayan. Ang batayan niya ay ang pagbabayad ng utang pampulitika, na ang kapalit ay pansariling interes ng in-appoint. Halimbawa si Angelo Reyes, na dahil sa pagtiwalag bilang AFP chief sa ilalim ni Joseph Estrada nu’ng Enero 2001 ay naging Presidente si Arroyo. Nakaka-apat na puwesto na si Reyes sa Gabinete: defense, interior, natural resources, at ngayon energy. Lahat pinalpak niya. Ni hindi niya masaway ang masisibang oil companies sa overpricing ng gasolina. Halatang hindi na siya gusto ni Arroyo, pero hindi maalis dahil nagbabayad-utang pa.
Ehemplo rin ang pagpuwesto kay Bong Villafuerte bilang executive director ng Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission. Tatlong beses nang pinangalanan si Villafuerte sa congressional inquiries na jueteng lord sa Camarines Sur. At isang syndicated felony ang illegal numbers game. Pero dahil loyalistang presidente ng Kampi party ni Arroyo ang tatay ni Bong na Rep. Luis Villafuerte, hayun at hinirang siya sa puwestong hindi dapat sa kanya. Aba’y umiikot ngayon si Villafuerte na kasama ang mga taong armado, animo’y alagad ng batas tulad ng AFP at PNP. Hindi kaya ni Arroyo sawayin ang mga umaabusong appointees. Ikinuwento ni Ramon Tulfo na nu’ng magkaibigan pa sila nina GMA at First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, malimit niya isinu sumbong sa Presidente ang mga tuwali at pabaya. Ang parating sagot sa kanya ni Arroyo ay, “E di pagsabihan mo.” Papano naman sasawayin ni Mon ang mga opisyales, e outsider siya at si Arroyo ang nag-appoint sa kanila?
Ni hindi kaya ni Arroyo sumibak ng opisyal na sa palagay niya’y nabayaran na niya ng utang pampulitika. Kadalasan nagugulat na lang ang opisyal dahil may ibang nakaupo sa mesa niya pagpasok sa opisina. O kaya, sa pahayagan lang niya malalaman na sinibak na pala siya.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Reprinted from the May 4, 2009 iaaue of The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Theres The Rub
Liar, liar
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:28:00 05/04/
They want to jail Jun Lozada for perjury. Which means they want to jail Lozada for telling lies about his kidnapping and about the NBN. Which means they want to jail Lozada for being a liar.
They have Mike Defensor. He is the fellow who abducted Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s chief witness in the Jose Pidal case and called it a rescue. (If it was a rescue, how come they never charged Lacson with kidnapping?) He is the fellow who brought an American expert to prove the “Hello Garci” tape was a fake only to have the fellow prove that it was his (Defensor’s) claim that it was fake that was fake.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Defensor’s boss, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She is the person who was proclaimed president in the dead of night with only the crickets and cicadas to greet it, which were reported to have fallen silent that night out of protest. She is the person who vowed on the grave of the most honest Filipino, Jose Rizal, that she would not run for president in 2004, but ran for president in 2004. She is the person who apologized for having talked to “an election official” during the counting but refused to say who it was, regretting later not the fact that she talked to “a Comelec official” but the fact that she acknowledged it. She is the person who despite all this calls herself president.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the First Gentleman. He is the presidential spouse who by simply calling himself First Gentleman already strains the limits of truth, given the prefix “gentle.” He is the one who filed a libel case against a horde of journalists—thereby calling them liars—because he insisted he was not a public figure, only a private one. He minded that the journalists insisted he could not distinguish the concepts of public and private, being prone in particular to regard the public treasury as private property. The journalists fought back, filing a class suit against him, to prove he was in fact a very public figure, meddling in elections, negotiating with the generals and telling people to back off.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. He is the presidential son who says he hasn’t got anything to do with Charter change (Cha-cha), it is something hatched from the brain of Prospero Nograles despite the fact that that brain is connected to his like effect is to cause. He continues to call Nograles the Speaker of the House when Nograles is just the Loudspeaker of the House magnifying somebody else’s voice. In fact he continues to call Nograles Prospero when Nograles’ real name is Prosperous. Mikey is the presidential son as well who, even as he furiously mounts Cha-cha, insists that his mom will live a quiet and reclusive life as a schoolteacher after her term.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the congress of vultures. They are the people who thrive not far from the Payatas dump in Quezon City but exude a smell stronger than Payatas. The smell from the “smoky mountain” of Payatas can be smelled only in Payatas, or on a bad day when an ill wind blows, in immediate environs. The smell from the Batasan can be smelled across the entire country when the winds stand still and the country is caught in a squall. They are the ones who blocked the efforts to impeach their boss saying the “Hello Garci” tape could not be used as evidence when the evidence was first presented by the press secretary himself. They are the ones who go to Las Vegas every time the Pacman fights and say they are using their own money for it. They are the ones who call themselves representatives when all they represent are the manifold manifestations of the legions of Hell.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. He was the man who admitted to having faked the ambush on himself that triggered martial law, but who recanted later on, a case not of compounded rebellion (a legal concept he invented) but of compounded prevarication. We have Sen. Joker Arroyo who still calls himself a human rights lawyer, who still regards himself as feisty and independent, who still claims that with him “pag bad ka, lagot ka,” without adding “joke lang.” We have Miriam Defensor-Santiago who calls herself sane.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Anthony Golez, Lorelei Fajardo and Jesus Dureza. Golez is the one who said we Filipinos have become more mature than the Thais because the Thais have found People Power, the one thing that brought his boss to power, while we have lost it. And got a rebuke from the Thai ambassador. Fajardo is the one who makes two Malacañang press conferences necessary, the first to say what Malacañang wants to say, and the second to correct what she said Malacañang wanted to say. Dureza is the one who prayed at the opening of a Malacañang meeting for God to keep Ms Arroyo in power forever, and got a severe tongue-lashing because for the first time in his life he told the truth.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the coven in Malacañang. They are the people who have elevated lying, cheating, stealing and murder into national policy, etching them in tablet as the 10 commandments for all public officials to obey without thought and practice without exception. They are the people who presume to govern when all they have done is to divide and confuse, to root out all that remains good and decent in this country, to conspire to thrive forever while swearing before God, before Jose Rizal and before Juan de la Cruz, they would go gentle into that good night. They are the people who have stolen the vote of the Filipinos, the lives of the Filipinos, the future of the Filipinos.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
Theres The Rub
Liar, liar
By Conrado de Quiros
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:28:00 05/04/
They want to jail Jun Lozada for perjury. Which means they want to jail Lozada for telling lies about his kidnapping and about the NBN. Which means they want to jail Lozada for being a liar.
They have Mike Defensor. He is the fellow who abducted Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s chief witness in the Jose Pidal case and called it a rescue. (If it was a rescue, how come they never charged Lacson with kidnapping?) He is the fellow who brought an American expert to prove the “Hello Garci” tape was a fake only to have the fellow prove that it was his (Defensor’s) claim that it was fake that was fake.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Defensor’s boss, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She is the person who was proclaimed president in the dead of night with only the crickets and cicadas to greet it, which were reported to have fallen silent that night out of protest. She is the person who vowed on the grave of the most honest Filipino, Jose Rizal, that she would not run for president in 2004, but ran for president in 2004. She is the person who apologized for having talked to “an election official” during the counting but refused to say who it was, regretting later not the fact that she talked to “a Comelec official” but the fact that she acknowledged it. She is the person who despite all this calls herself president.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the First Gentleman. He is the presidential spouse who by simply calling himself First Gentleman already strains the limits of truth, given the prefix “gentle.” He is the one who filed a libel case against a horde of journalists—thereby calling them liars—because he insisted he was not a public figure, only a private one. He minded that the journalists insisted he could not distinguish the concepts of public and private, being prone in particular to regard the public treasury as private property. The journalists fought back, filing a class suit against him, to prove he was in fact a very public figure, meddling in elections, negotiating with the generals and telling people to back off.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo. He is the presidential son who says he hasn’t got anything to do with Charter change (Cha-cha), it is something hatched from the brain of Prospero Nograles despite the fact that that brain is connected to his like effect is to cause. He continues to call Nograles the Speaker of the House when Nograles is just the Loudspeaker of the House magnifying somebody else’s voice. In fact he continues to call Nograles Prospero when Nograles’ real name is Prosperous. Mikey is the presidential son as well who, even as he furiously mounts Cha-cha, insists that his mom will live a quiet and reclusive life as a schoolteacher after her term.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the congress of vultures. They are the people who thrive not far from the Payatas dump in Quezon City but exude a smell stronger than Payatas. The smell from the “smoky mountain” of Payatas can be smelled only in Payatas, or on a bad day when an ill wind blows, in immediate environs. The smell from the Batasan can be smelled across the entire country when the winds stand still and the country is caught in a squall. They are the ones who blocked the efforts to impeach their boss saying the “Hello Garci” tape could not be used as evidence when the evidence was first presented by the press secretary himself. They are the ones who go to Las Vegas every time the Pacman fights and say they are using their own money for it. They are the ones who call themselves representatives when all they represent are the manifold manifestations of the legions of Hell.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. He was the man who admitted to having faked the ambush on himself that triggered martial law, but who recanted later on, a case not of compounded rebellion (a legal concept he invented) but of compounded prevarication. We have Sen. Joker Arroyo who still calls himself a human rights lawyer, who still regards himself as feisty and independent, who still claims that with him “pag bad ka, lagot ka,” without adding “joke lang.” We have Miriam Defensor-Santiago who calls herself sane.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have Anthony Golez, Lorelei Fajardo and Jesus Dureza. Golez is the one who said we Filipinos have become more mature than the Thais because the Thais have found People Power, the one thing that brought his boss to power, while we have lost it. And got a rebuke from the Thai ambassador. Fajardo is the one who makes two Malacañang press conferences necessary, the first to say what Malacañang wants to say, and the second to correct what she said Malacañang wanted to say. Dureza is the one who prayed at the opening of a Malacañang meeting for God to keep Ms Arroyo in power forever, and got a severe tongue-lashing because for the first time in his life he told the truth.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
They have the coven in Malacañang. They are the people who have elevated lying, cheating, stealing and murder into national policy, etching them in tablet as the 10 commandments for all public officials to obey without thought and practice without exception. They are the people who presume to govern when all they have done is to divide and confuse, to root out all that remains good and decent in this country, to conspire to thrive forever while swearing before God, before Jose Rizal and before Juan de la Cruz, they would go gentle into that good night. They are the people who have stolen the vote of the Filipinos, the lives of the Filipinos, the future of the Filipinos.
And they want to jail Jun Lozada for being a liar.
Reprinted from the May 4, 2009 issue of The Philippine Star
Lozada jailing displays unjust Arroyo system
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc
Updated May 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Expectedly Arroyo officials are muddling the issue of ZTE scam whistleblower Jun Lozada’s jailing. There’s Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez, disowning any admin role in the perjury rap filed against Lozada by ex-presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor. And there’s Palace spokesman Anthony Golez, yakking that the police only served an arrest warrant issued by an independent court.
Being both as nebulous as Defensor, the two need straightening out. Lozada’s detention can only be seen as harassment by the admin, because Defensor is very much its member. Gloria Arroyo appointed him recently as railways chief and special presidential adviser. He also remains the First Family’s favorite neighbor in Quezon City. In suing Lozada, he may intend self-vindication, but he’s also getting back at a detractor on behalf of the admin. Moreover, the claim of merely obeying court orders doesn’t wash, considering that the admin defies the judiciary in bigger cases. In the same week as Lozada’s arrest, Executive Sec. Ed Ermita refused to enforce the Sandiganbayan’s suspension of the mayor of Rodriguez, Rizal.
The Lozada issue is simple. Ever since he validated in Feb. 2008 the ZTE overpricing, authorities have slapped him with 16 court charges. By contrast, not one of those whom he linked to the $329-million anomaly — Gloria and Mike Arroyo, Romy Neri, Leandro Mendoza, Peter Favila, Ben Abalos — have been indicted. Neither have those who bribed or ordered him to avoid or fib in Congress — Defensor, Lito Atienza, Manuel Gaite — been investigated. Yet Lozada’s wife too has been sued for perjury — by the police colonel-stranger who had picked him up at the airport supposedly to be taken home 15 minutes away via a circuitous route of five hours.
The better to point up the injustice, Lozada opts to not post bail. This riles Gonzalez and Golez, who rant that he’s challenging the rule of law. Lozada must post the P6,000 for his liberty as part of the legal process, they insist. Again they try to distract attention from the fact that the ZTE scam perpetrators remain free. Not to forget, the easiest way for Lozada to regain freedom is for Defensor to withdraw the lawsuit.
Defensor claims to be suing Lozada to clear his name for the sake of his four growing children. That’s debatable. As the 70-strong Former Senior Government Officials says: “What moral value does he hope to impart to his young children with his vain and obstinate defense of injured pride, while participating in the cover-up of gross abuses against our people and our laws? [He should] stop posturing as if he is the aggrieved person, even as he was clearly a participant in the cover-up of what became an aborted abduction of Lozada.”
For accusing Lozada of lying, Defensor’s checkered past is being raked up. Rep. Teddy Casiño recounts two times when Defensor told fantastic tales. One was the then-presidential chief of staff’s supposed rescue in 2003 of a Senate witness against Mike Arroyo’s hidden wealth, whom they then hid from further congressional grilling. The other was Defensor’s presentation in 2005 of a fake audio expert peddling the sham that it isn’t Gloria Arroyo’s voice in the Hello Garci tapes.
Actually there’s more. Defensor has yet to explain his participation in another scam. As Arroyo’s chief aide he had signed as witness in the July 2006 Malacañang contract that unconstitutionally gave ZTE International mining rights in Diwalwal and North Davao, Compostela. Copies of the deal are with the Senate. Justice department and Ombudsman prosecutors easily could have obtained the evidence to pin down Defensor, main signatory Favila, and authorizer Arroyo. Yet they’ve all been quicker going after crime exposer Lozada.
In sidebar, the Lozada episode inadvertently reveals quirks in the justice system. For one, the police cannot transfer detainee Lozada from its holding area to the city jail, nor can the Senate regain custody of its witness — all because the judge who ordered the arrest suddenly went on leave. So Lozada has to suffer asthma in a hot cell. Again by contrast, two healthy Swedes, nabbed in a raid of their cyber-sex den in Cagayan de Oro, have been granted special detention in air-conditioned hospital suites. Will Gonzalez and Golez blame that ironic twist on Lozada too?
* * *
Three weeks after the tragedy, the NBI finally is finding that Ted Failon’s wife’s death by gunshot was a suicide. Had they listened to the accounts of Trina’s sister and daughter, the cops would have reached the same conclusion. Sadly they heeded instead the intrigues of Raul Gonzalez and envious crabs in the media who were vilifying the popular Ted.
They’re no different from the talangka who wanted Manny Pacquiao to lose yesterday on the presumptuous notion that one more win would make him richer and hence haughty.
Lozada jailing displays unjust Arroyo system
GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc
Updated May 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Expectedly Arroyo officials are muddling the issue of ZTE scam whistleblower Jun Lozada’s jailing. There’s Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez, disowning any admin role in the perjury rap filed against Lozada by ex-presidential chief of staff Mike Defensor. And there’s Palace spokesman Anthony Golez, yakking that the police only served an arrest warrant issued by an independent court.
Being both as nebulous as Defensor, the two need straightening out. Lozada’s detention can only be seen as harassment by the admin, because Defensor is very much its member. Gloria Arroyo appointed him recently as railways chief and special presidential adviser. He also remains the First Family’s favorite neighbor in Quezon City. In suing Lozada, he may intend self-vindication, but he’s also getting back at a detractor on behalf of the admin. Moreover, the claim of merely obeying court orders doesn’t wash, considering that the admin defies the judiciary in bigger cases. In the same week as Lozada’s arrest, Executive Sec. Ed Ermita refused to enforce the Sandiganbayan’s suspension of the mayor of Rodriguez, Rizal.
The Lozada issue is simple. Ever since he validated in Feb. 2008 the ZTE overpricing, authorities have slapped him with 16 court charges. By contrast, not one of those whom he linked to the $329-million anomaly — Gloria and Mike Arroyo, Romy Neri, Leandro Mendoza, Peter Favila, Ben Abalos — have been indicted. Neither have those who bribed or ordered him to avoid or fib in Congress — Defensor, Lito Atienza, Manuel Gaite — been investigated. Yet Lozada’s wife too has been sued for perjury — by the police colonel-stranger who had picked him up at the airport supposedly to be taken home 15 minutes away via a circuitous route of five hours.
The better to point up the injustice, Lozada opts to not post bail. This riles Gonzalez and Golez, who rant that he’s challenging the rule of law. Lozada must post the P6,000 for his liberty as part of the legal process, they insist. Again they try to distract attention from the fact that the ZTE scam perpetrators remain free. Not to forget, the easiest way for Lozada to regain freedom is for Defensor to withdraw the lawsuit.
Defensor claims to be suing Lozada to clear his name for the sake of his four growing children. That’s debatable. As the 70-strong Former Senior Government Officials says: “What moral value does he hope to impart to his young children with his vain and obstinate defense of injured pride, while participating in the cover-up of gross abuses against our people and our laws? [He should] stop posturing as if he is the aggrieved person, even as he was clearly a participant in the cover-up of what became an aborted abduction of Lozada.”
For accusing Lozada of lying, Defensor’s checkered past is being raked up. Rep. Teddy Casiño recounts two times when Defensor told fantastic tales. One was the then-presidential chief of staff’s supposed rescue in 2003 of a Senate witness against Mike Arroyo’s hidden wealth, whom they then hid from further congressional grilling. The other was Defensor’s presentation in 2005 of a fake audio expert peddling the sham that it isn’t Gloria Arroyo’s voice in the Hello Garci tapes.
Actually there’s more. Defensor has yet to explain his participation in another scam. As Arroyo’s chief aide he had signed as witness in the July 2006 Malacañang contract that unconstitutionally gave ZTE International mining rights in Diwalwal and North Davao, Compostela. Copies of the deal are with the Senate. Justice department and Ombudsman prosecutors easily could have obtained the evidence to pin down Defensor, main signatory Favila, and authorizer Arroyo. Yet they’ve all been quicker going after crime exposer Lozada.
In sidebar, the Lozada episode inadvertently reveals quirks in the justice system. For one, the police cannot transfer detainee Lozada from its holding area to the city jail, nor can the Senate regain custody of its witness — all because the judge who ordered the arrest suddenly went on leave. So Lozada has to suffer asthma in a hot cell. Again by contrast, two healthy Swedes, nabbed in a raid of their cyber-sex den in Cagayan de Oro, have been granted special detention in air-conditioned hospital suites. Will Gonzalez and Golez blame that ironic twist on Lozada too?
* * *
Three weeks after the tragedy, the NBI finally is finding that Ted Failon’s wife’s death by gunshot was a suicide. Had they listened to the accounts of Trina’s sister and daughter, the cops would have reached the same conclusion. Sadly they heeded instead the intrigues of Raul Gonzalez and envious crabs in the media who were vilifying the popular Ted.
They’re no different from the talangka who wanted Manny Pacquiao to lose yesterday on the presumptuous notion that one more win would make him richer and hence haughty.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
GRABE!
This administration of PGMA is really something!
The legal actions being taken against the NBN-ZTE whistle blower Jun Lozada may be viewed as non-partisan if you look at it myopically. However, a lot of questions beg for answers.
1. Why is it that up to now, no similar actions have been done to Former COMELEC Chairman Ben Abalos including everybody in COMELEC who were involved in that billion peso computer scam that was declared as patently illegal by the Supreme court?
2. Why is it that up to now, Joc-joc Bolante is scott-free after all the details that were exposed in the 728 million peso fertilizer scam?
3. Why is it that there had been no action on the reported billion peso Centennial Expo scam in Clark?
4. Why is it that there is still no action on the billion pesos Mega-dike scam?
5. Why is it that there is still no action on the billion peso Manila Bay Reclamation project scam?
6. Why is it that there is no action yet on the plunder case filed by governor Panlilio against alleged Jueteng Lord Bong Pineda at the Ombudsman? In relation to this, why is it that up to now, illegal numbers game continue to proliferate in our country?
7. Why are military officers involved in the 2004 presidential election scam being rewarded by PGMA with important posts in the government after their retirement?
Even a high school student will know the answers to these questions.
While we respect the view of a few that Jun Lozada should also go to jail for being part of corrupt practices before when he was in the government service, we disagree with this.
Jun Lozada has admitted his mistakes in the past. He may still be holding out a few items in declaring his past actions, but this should not be the focus when we look at his case.
The focus must absolutely be on the fact that Lozada chose to expose the NBN-ZTE scam. He could have chosen the easy part of just going along and be part of the greedy in government. He could have chosen to just shut his mouth so his family, specially his children, can continue living their "normal lives." This act of courage and heroism of Lozada saved our country about ten billion pesos that would have gone to the personal pockets of the greedy in government led by the conjugal pretenders in Malcanang.
Yet Lozada chose the narrow and righteous path.
WE NEED MORE JUN LOZADA FROM THE GOVERNMENT!
Let us support Jun Lozada and all the others who expose the greediness and other devilish actions by everybody in government.
LUID KA!
This administration of PGMA is really something!
The legal actions being taken against the NBN-ZTE whistle blower Jun Lozada may be viewed as non-partisan if you look at it myopically. However, a lot of questions beg for answers.
1. Why is it that up to now, no similar actions have been done to Former COMELEC Chairman Ben Abalos including everybody in COMELEC who were involved in that billion peso computer scam that was declared as patently illegal by the Supreme court?
2. Why is it that up to now, Joc-joc Bolante is scott-free after all the details that were exposed in the 728 million peso fertilizer scam?
3. Why is it that there had been no action on the reported billion peso Centennial Expo scam in Clark?
4. Why is it that there is still no action on the billion pesos Mega-dike scam?
5. Why is it that there is still no action on the billion peso Manila Bay Reclamation project scam?
6. Why is it that there is no action yet on the plunder case filed by governor Panlilio against alleged Jueteng Lord Bong Pineda at the Ombudsman? In relation to this, why is it that up to now, illegal numbers game continue to proliferate in our country?
7. Why are military officers involved in the 2004 presidential election scam being rewarded by PGMA with important posts in the government after their retirement?
Even a high school student will know the answers to these questions.
While we respect the view of a few that Jun Lozada should also go to jail for being part of corrupt practices before when he was in the government service, we disagree with this.
Jun Lozada has admitted his mistakes in the past. He may still be holding out a few items in declaring his past actions, but this should not be the focus when we look at his case.
The focus must absolutely be on the fact that Lozada chose to expose the NBN-ZTE scam. He could have chosen the easy part of just going along and be part of the greedy in government. He could have chosen to just shut his mouth so his family, specially his children, can continue living their "normal lives." This act of courage and heroism of Lozada saved our country about ten billion pesos that would have gone to the personal pockets of the greedy in government led by the conjugal pretenders in Malcanang.
Yet Lozada chose the narrow and righteous path.
WE NEED MORE JUN LOZADA FROM THE GOVERNMENT!
Let us support Jun Lozada and all the others who expose the greediness and other devilish actions by everybody in government.
LUID KA!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Reprinted from the April 28, 2009 issue of The Philippine Daily Inquirer
Viewpoint
Lethal silences
By Juan Mercado
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:44:00 04/28/
King’s caution anchors former President Corazon Aquino’s call over the weekend. “Speak up,” she urged citizens, against orchestrated attempts to clobber Rodolfo Lozada who blew the lid off the ZTE broadband fraud.
Aquino’s summons came after the President’s former chief of staff, Michael Defensor, got a judge to reverse the dismissal of perjury charges against Lozada. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has offered to take Lozada under his wing. But the court spurned that.
Defensor is a 24/7 Malacañang eunuch. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave him all-stops-pulled support in the 2007 senatorial elections. He was soundly thrashed. To safeguard his Palace patrons, Defensor tried, but failed, to get Lozada to skip Senate hearings on the ZTE stink.
Agents shanghaied Lozada on a 27-hour tour to Cavite and Laguna. They dumped him in Greenhills where De La Salle brothers gave him and his family refuge. He went on to testify that cost overruns (“bukol”) padded a $132-million broadband project into a $329-million scam.
That came after the President and First Gentleman teed off with ZTE officials in a hush-hush golf game, former Speaker Jose de Venecia claimed. JDV has credibility problems, but the uproar forced Ms Arroyo to scrub the project.
The First Gentleman denied skimming the deal. He was not like Pakistan’s former first gentleman, the sleaze-tainted Asif Ali Zardari, husband of assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. “I’m just an ordinary lawyer,” he insisted.
Since then Lozada has been fired. Administration figures have lodged 16 charges against him—from dishonesty to theft and perjury. Now, he has been sued by Defensor who earlier slobbered on TV that he bled for Lozada and family.
“Face the music,” chortled Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. He turns a blind eye to the impunity that insulates those who cooked up this scam.
“This arrest order is a brazen abuse of power by this administration,” countered the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines.
Lozada’s fault was that he had “courage to tell people the truth about state-sponsored corrupt practices,” AMRSP said. “We deplore the use of courts and law agencies in continuing harassment.” The arrest warns other potential whistle-blowers to shut up or else.
“Of course, it’s a threat,” observed the Bohol Chronicle. “But who is threatening? The voice is that of Jacob,” the blind Isaac said. “But the hands are those of Esau.”
The track record can be instructive. Land Bank’s Acsa Ramirez exposed a P203-million tax diversion scam. National Bureau of Investigation agents shoved her instead into a police lineup as photo op for President Arroyo. The President never apologized.
Udong Mahusay recanted allegations on corruption in the First Gentleman’s office. “There were summary execution threats,” notes the study by Dr. Gabriela Quimson.
Bodyguards were pulled out from the jobless double-agent Mary “Rosebud” Ong. She had linked Sen. Panfilo Lacson to Hong Kong drug triads, PNP generals with jueteng, money laundering, etc. Her live-in partner John Campos was shot in the back. She is “totally isolated,” notes the Quimson study.
Public Estates Authority’s Sulficio Tagud denounced “unsanctioned P600-million price escalations” in the construction of the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. He got death threats. As in the collusion of rigged bids for World Bank road projects, nobody has been jailed.
Yet, the good that denouncers do is patent. By derailing the ZTE deal, Lozada saved Filipino taxpayers no less than $97 million from scrubbed “bukol.” Banker Clarissa Ocampo testified that President Joseph Estrada signed as the notorious “Jose Velarde.” The court sheriff, this week, recovered P101 million in cash from the “Jose Velarde” account. Antonio Calipjo Go documented flawed textbooks. This compelled the education department to take corrective measures.
“In this country, those who horsewhip money changers out of the temple often end up excoriated,” Sun Star noted. “The ultimate perversion is to beatify the crooks and crucify the whistle-blowers.”
Lack of safeguards makes the personal cost of whistle-blowing very high, an Asian Institute of Management study points out. “It can sometimes be a matter of life and death.” Thus, whistle-blowers are in “short supply.”
“Those who can adopt reforms are often the very people who need denouncing,” Visayan Daily Star points out. “That’s the glitch … A culture of impunity buttresses their inaction. Thieves are not ostracized in this country. Their cash, in fact, buys them first places at table.”
Don’t blame the President or the First Gentleman for a system that “beatifies crooks and crucifies whistle-blowers.” They did not invent it. But this administration’s corruption is massive. It embedded a perverted system in depths that even the Marcos kleptocracy never plumbed.
“Every failure to recover proceeds of corruption feeds its growth,” warned the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Durham, South Africa. “Governments must create an environment that encourages, instead of penalizes, citizens who denounce venality.”
Viewpoint
Lethal silences
By Juan Mercado
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 01:44:00 04/28/
“A man’s life begins to end the day he becomes silent about things that matter,” Martin Luther King once warned.
King’s caution anchors former President Corazon Aquino’s call over the weekend. “Speak up,” she urged citizens, against orchestrated attempts to clobber Rodolfo Lozada who blew the lid off the ZTE broadband fraud.
Aquino’s summons came after the President’s former chief of staff, Michael Defensor, got a judge to reverse the dismissal of perjury charges against Lozada. Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has offered to take Lozada under his wing. But the court spurned that.
Defensor is a 24/7 Malacañang eunuch. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave him all-stops-pulled support in the 2007 senatorial elections. He was soundly thrashed. To safeguard his Palace patrons, Defensor tried, but failed, to get Lozada to skip Senate hearings on the ZTE stink.
Agents shanghaied Lozada on a 27-hour tour to Cavite and Laguna. They dumped him in Greenhills where De La Salle brothers gave him and his family refuge. He went on to testify that cost overruns (“bukol”) padded a $132-million broadband project into a $329-million scam.
That came after the President and First Gentleman teed off with ZTE officials in a hush-hush golf game, former Speaker Jose de Venecia claimed. JDV has credibility problems, but the uproar forced Ms Arroyo to scrub the project.
The First Gentleman denied skimming the deal. He was not like Pakistan’s former first gentleman, the sleaze-tainted Asif Ali Zardari, husband of assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. “I’m just an ordinary lawyer,” he insisted.
Since then Lozada has been fired. Administration figures have lodged 16 charges against him—from dishonesty to theft and perjury. Now, he has been sued by Defensor who earlier slobbered on TV that he bled for Lozada and family.
“Face the music,” chortled Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. He turns a blind eye to the impunity that insulates those who cooked up this scam.
“This arrest order is a brazen abuse of power by this administration,” countered the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines.
Lozada’s fault was that he had “courage to tell people the truth about state-sponsored corrupt practices,” AMRSP said. “We deplore the use of courts and law agencies in continuing harassment.” The arrest warns other potential whistle-blowers to shut up or else.
“Of course, it’s a threat,” observed the Bohol Chronicle. “But who is threatening? The voice is that of Jacob,” the blind Isaac said. “But the hands are those of Esau.”
The track record can be instructive. Land Bank’s Acsa Ramirez exposed a P203-million tax diversion scam. National Bureau of Investigation agents shoved her instead into a police lineup as photo op for President Arroyo. The President never apologized.
Udong Mahusay recanted allegations on corruption in the First Gentleman’s office. “There were summary execution threats,” notes the study by Dr. Gabriela Quimson.
Bodyguards were pulled out from the jobless double-agent Mary “Rosebud” Ong. She had linked Sen. Panfilo Lacson to Hong Kong drug triads, PNP generals with jueteng, money laundering, etc. Her live-in partner John Campos was shot in the back. She is “totally isolated,” notes the Quimson study.
Public Estates Authority’s Sulficio Tagud denounced “unsanctioned P600-million price escalations” in the construction of the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. He got death threats. As in the collusion of rigged bids for World Bank road projects, nobody has been jailed.
Yet, the good that denouncers do is patent. By derailing the ZTE deal, Lozada saved Filipino taxpayers no less than $97 million from scrubbed “bukol.” Banker Clarissa Ocampo testified that President Joseph Estrada signed as the notorious “Jose Velarde.” The court sheriff, this week, recovered P101 million in cash from the “Jose Velarde” account. Antonio Calipjo Go documented flawed textbooks. This compelled the education department to take corrective measures.
“In this country, those who horsewhip money changers out of the temple often end up excoriated,” Sun Star noted. “The ultimate perversion is to beatify the crooks and crucify the whistle-blowers.”
Lack of safeguards makes the personal cost of whistle-blowing very high, an Asian Institute of Management study points out. “It can sometimes be a matter of life and death.” Thus, whistle-blowers are in “short supply.”
“Those who can adopt reforms are often the very people who need denouncing,” Visayan Daily Star points out. “That’s the glitch … A culture of impunity buttresses their inaction. Thieves are not ostracized in this country. Their cash, in fact, buys them first places at table.”
Don’t blame the President or the First Gentleman for a system that “beatifies crooks and crucifies whistle-blowers.” They did not invent it. But this administration’s corruption is massive. It embedded a perverted system in depths that even the Marcos kleptocracy never plumbed.
“Every failure to recover proceeds of corruption feeds its growth,” warned the 9th International Anti-Corruption Conference in Durham, South Africa. “Governments must create an environment that encourages, instead of penalizes, citizens who denounce venality.”
The choreographed stomping on Lozada shows the Durham statement falls on deaf ears here. Hence, former President Aquino has asked citizens to shred this omerta-like silence.
Her timely plea should be heeded. Otherwise, another of Martin Luther King’s caution will haunt us: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Her timely plea should be heeded. Otherwise, another of Martin Luther King’s caution will haunt us: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
IS HE READY?
A lot of us doubt very much if Governor "Among Ed" Panlilio is ready for the national stage.
Of course his detractors in Pampanga all choruses that he is not ready. They have tried everything to discredit the governor. They have consistently peddled half-truths and lies.
Let us talk about facts.
About two weeks ago, there were a few senior citizens in Magalang who posted banners in front of the Magalang municipal hall demanding that the Gov and the Vice Gov forget politics and work together so the Balitucan District Hospital can be improved and they can get better medical services. Immediately the following day at the Talakayan radio program of DWRW, the host Perry Pangan interviewed the Vice Gov over the phone regarding this incident. Pangan's questions were very leading and he was obviously very fond of the vice gov and was not even objective about the gov. The two of them practically put all the blame on the gov without even getting his side or at least the hospital director! TALK ABOUT BALANCE AND UNBIASED JOURNALISM!
The fact is that the Balitucan District Hospital was repaired and renovated at a cost of about 3.9 Million pesos last year! This is just phase one. The project has three phases which can be completed by 2010! There were also additional and new medical equipment that were delivered to the district hospital. Purchases for medicines were normanlized and the budget for such were also increased compared against the budgets provided during the terms of previous governors.
Not only that. The Roman Pangan District Hospital in Floridablanca was repaired and renovated at a cost of about 11.8 million pesos. A 2-storey building was additionally constructed for the same District Hospital costing about 2.9 million pesos. Improvement and renovation works costing about 2.7 million pesos were implemented at the R. Rodriguez District Hospital at the Bulaon Resettlement, CSF. The Mabalacat District hospital was also repaired at a cost of 4.6 million pesos. Additional transformers were also provided at the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital at a cost of about 770,000 pesos.
In additon to all of these repairs and renovations, the provincial government procured and received (donations with the freight costs covererd by the provincial government) additonal equipment, supplies, medicines, and tools that it distributed to all the eleven district hospitals of the province.
NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR PROVINCE THAT SUCH MASSIVE SUPPORT WAS EXTENDED TO THE DISTRICT HOSPITALS BY ANY GOVERNOR!
The PAMISAUPAN Caravan is another thing. Critics of Among Ed allege that medical missions are regular activities of past governors of the province.
This allegation is not true. No governor of Pampanga has ever made it institutional to provide regular every 3-weeks medical missions to far-flung barangays of the province.
The PAMISAUPAN Caravan of Among Ed is not just for medical missions. This caravan includes other medical services like dental, blood typing, papsmear, de-worming, immunizations, circumsitions, family planning seminars, etc. In addition to these the caravan also includes supplemental feedings, vitamin supplementations, sports clinics, job assistances, household pet vaccinations, distribution of relief goods, entrepreneurship seminars, consultations, and a lot more depending on the prevailing requirements of the barangays.
Among Ed has empowered everybody during his term as Pampanga Governor. He has convened the Provicncial Development Council which decides what infrastructure projects should be undertaken using the 20% development fund of the province. THIS WAS NEVER DONE BY ANY OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNORS OF PAMPANGA!
In addition to the convening of the PDC, the governor has also convened 22 other provincial councils. This is more than enough proof that the governor believes and trusts the local leaders of the province including those from the private sector.
What about concrete proofs of the governor's fight against graft and corruption?
The governor constructed one covered court each at Duquit Elementary School in Mabalacat, Sta. Cruz and Pulung Santol both in Porac each costing about 1.54 million pesos. A congressman in Pampanga has been building covered courts all over with each costing from 4.5 to 5 million pesos each! PER HIS OWN STATEMENT IN A LOCAL TV PROGRAM, EACH COVERED COURT HE BUILDS NOW COSTS 5.5 MILLION PESOS AS HE HAS ADDED COMFORT ROOMS TO THE STRUCTURES. This clearly shows that the gov does not receives any SOIPs from contractors which usually leads to bloated contract costs.
The disparity is so obvious and yet we do not hear any complaints from other people. Not even a whimper from all of the noisy personalities in Pampanga like Fr. Resty Lumanlan of KCI (may tao ba talaga kayo o kayo-kayo lang talaga?), Mrs. Lolita Hizon , Mr. Rene Romero ( may tao ka ba pwera sa mga empleyado mo?), Rosve Henson of KAMBILAN (bakit kay among ed ka lang nag-recall kahit sinasabi mong may corruption sa quarry noon pa at kumita ka ba sa RECALL petition?), and the talkative mayors like Jerry Pelayo of Candaba and Mayor Guerrero of Floridablanca.
The governor also constructed a 200 lm road in Sto. Nino, San Luis town at a cost of 472,000 pesos. When the road was measured after the project completion, it actually exceeded 200lm. Then another politician was going to do another road project in the same town, The local politician advised the local leaders in the barangay that they should not compare and expect the same from the new project as its "administration" is different. They were practically told that they could not expect the same quality and or output on a peso per peso basis.
Obviously based from the above few examples of Among Ed's governance, HE IS READY TO GO NATIONAL!
The bigger question is; ARE FILIPINOS, ESPECIALLY POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES READY FOR AMONG ED?
LUID KA!
A lot of us doubt very much if Governor "Among Ed" Panlilio is ready for the national stage.
Of course his detractors in Pampanga all choruses that he is not ready. They have tried everything to discredit the governor. They have consistently peddled half-truths and lies.
Let us talk about facts.
About two weeks ago, there were a few senior citizens in Magalang who posted banners in front of the Magalang municipal hall demanding that the Gov and the Vice Gov forget politics and work together so the Balitucan District Hospital can be improved and they can get better medical services. Immediately the following day at the Talakayan radio program of DWRW, the host Perry Pangan interviewed the Vice Gov over the phone regarding this incident. Pangan's questions were very leading and he was obviously very fond of the vice gov and was not even objective about the gov. The two of them practically put all the blame on the gov without even getting his side or at least the hospital director! TALK ABOUT BALANCE AND UNBIASED JOURNALISM!
The fact is that the Balitucan District Hospital was repaired and renovated at a cost of about 3.9 Million pesos last year! This is just phase one. The project has three phases which can be completed by 2010! There were also additional and new medical equipment that were delivered to the district hospital. Purchases for medicines were normanlized and the budget for such were also increased compared against the budgets provided during the terms of previous governors.
Not only that. The Roman Pangan District Hospital in Floridablanca was repaired and renovated at a cost of about 11.8 million pesos. A 2-storey building was additionally constructed for the same District Hospital costing about 2.9 million pesos. Improvement and renovation works costing about 2.7 million pesos were implemented at the R. Rodriguez District Hospital at the Bulaon Resettlement, CSF. The Mabalacat District hospital was also repaired at a cost of 4.6 million pesos. Additional transformers were also provided at the Diosdado Macapagal Memorial Hospital at a cost of about 770,000 pesos.
In additon to all of these repairs and renovations, the provincial government procured and received (donations with the freight costs covererd by the provincial government) additonal equipment, supplies, medicines, and tools that it distributed to all the eleven district hospitals of the province.
NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF OUR PROVINCE THAT SUCH MASSIVE SUPPORT WAS EXTENDED TO THE DISTRICT HOSPITALS BY ANY GOVERNOR!
The PAMISAUPAN Caravan is another thing. Critics of Among Ed allege that medical missions are regular activities of past governors of the province.
This allegation is not true. No governor of Pampanga has ever made it institutional to provide regular every 3-weeks medical missions to far-flung barangays of the province.
The PAMISAUPAN Caravan of Among Ed is not just for medical missions. This caravan includes other medical services like dental, blood typing, papsmear, de-worming, immunizations, circumsitions, family planning seminars, etc. In addition to these the caravan also includes supplemental feedings, vitamin supplementations, sports clinics, job assistances, household pet vaccinations, distribution of relief goods, entrepreneurship seminars, consultations, and a lot more depending on the prevailing requirements of the barangays.
Among Ed has empowered everybody during his term as Pampanga Governor. He has convened the Provicncial Development Council which decides what infrastructure projects should be undertaken using the 20% development fund of the province. THIS WAS NEVER DONE BY ANY OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNORS OF PAMPANGA!
In addition to the convening of the PDC, the governor has also convened 22 other provincial councils. This is more than enough proof that the governor believes and trusts the local leaders of the province including those from the private sector.
What about concrete proofs of the governor's fight against graft and corruption?
The governor constructed one covered court each at Duquit Elementary School in Mabalacat, Sta. Cruz and Pulung Santol both in Porac each costing about 1.54 million pesos. A congressman in Pampanga has been building covered courts all over with each costing from 4.5 to 5 million pesos each! PER HIS OWN STATEMENT IN A LOCAL TV PROGRAM, EACH COVERED COURT HE BUILDS NOW COSTS 5.5 MILLION PESOS AS HE HAS ADDED COMFORT ROOMS TO THE STRUCTURES. This clearly shows that the gov does not receives any SOIPs from contractors which usually leads to bloated contract costs.
The disparity is so obvious and yet we do not hear any complaints from other people. Not even a whimper from all of the noisy personalities in Pampanga like Fr. Resty Lumanlan of KCI (may tao ba talaga kayo o kayo-kayo lang talaga?), Mrs. Lolita Hizon , Mr. Rene Romero ( may tao ka ba pwera sa mga empleyado mo?), Rosve Henson of KAMBILAN (bakit kay among ed ka lang nag-recall kahit sinasabi mong may corruption sa quarry noon pa at kumita ka ba sa RECALL petition?), and the talkative mayors like Jerry Pelayo of Candaba and Mayor Guerrero of Floridablanca.
The governor also constructed a 200 lm road in Sto. Nino, San Luis town at a cost of 472,000 pesos. When the road was measured after the project completion, it actually exceeded 200lm. Then another politician was going to do another road project in the same town, The local politician advised the local leaders in the barangay that they should not compare and expect the same from the new project as its "administration" is different. They were practically told that they could not expect the same quality and or output on a peso per peso basis.
Obviously based from the above few examples of Among Ed's governance, HE IS READY TO GO NATIONAL!
The bigger question is; ARE FILIPINOS, ESPECIALLY POLITICIANS AND GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES READY FOR AMONG ED?
LUID KA!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Reprinted from the Philippine Daily Inquirer issue of April 20, 2009
As I See It
Police action on Failon case a warning to media
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 03:41:00 04/20/
It seems the police can never do anything right. It got another black eye in its rough handling of the Failon case. Everybody who saw the television footage of the arrest and manhandling of the Failon house help and the siblings of Trina Etong, wife of broadcaster Ted Failon, were shocked, surprised and angered by the police “overkill.” People from all walks of life—drivers, nurses, doctors, vendors, government employees, salesgirls, even some policemen themselves—who learned I am a journalist expressed disgust and dismay at the excessive force used to arrest them. As I see it objectively, the arresting policemen really over-reacted.
The police said the house help and relatives refused to cooperate with the police and go with them quietly, so they had to use force. What crime did they commit? Obstruction of justice, said the police. They claimed the driver and three helpers cleaned the bathroom where Trina was found bleeding with a head wound, and the Pajero that took Trina to the New Era General Hospital. They corrupted the scene of the crime, police said.
But the police should have been more understanding. These are house help; their reflex action is to clean the house. Their employers get angry when the house is not spic and span. They are not lawyers and policemen who know that you are not supposed to touch anything in the scene of the crime until the police has finished its scene-of-the-crime investigation. Drivers, too, are supposed to keep the vehicle always clean. Although they most likely watch television, they do not watch “CSI,” “NYPD Blue” and the other police serials where these things are often shown. They watch the telenovelas and the game shows. And they already told police that they cleaned the bathroom and the Pajero because they did not want Failon’s younger daughter, 12-year-old Karishna, to see the blood of her mother. The police should have understood that. Instead, they immediately suspected that they were trying to hide a crime.
The scene at the hospital was even more outrageous. Trina’s two sisters and brother were there to be beside the dying Trina. Police wanted to take Pamela because she was interviewed on television and she said she was sure her sister committed suicide because she was in the house when it all happened. She did not want to go; she wanted to be with her dying sister, so the police started to wrestle her to the police car. The other sister and the brother tried to intervene but the police also manhandled them, handcuffed the brother, forced them to the car and took them all to Camp Karingal. They were there when the news came that Trina had died, but the police still refused to let them go, until later, so they could be with their dead sister.
But why did they not call the police? investigators said. That’s obstruction of justice, they said.
But hey, when you have a member of the family dying, the only thing in your mind is to take her to a hospital. Calling the police would be the last thing on your mind. And in the first place, nobody thought at that time that a crime had been committed. They were convinced the victim had shot herself. But not the police. They suspect that Trina may have been shot during a quarrel, either by her husband or any of the house help, and that they cleaned the bathroom and the SUV to hide the crime.
It is understandable for the police to be suspicious. But that is not the issue. The issue is why were they in such a hurry? Could they not have waited until the family had adjusted itself to the tragedy and things had settled down and then invite them courteously for interviews at police headquarters? Why were they in such a hurry to take the house help and sister Pamela to Camp Karingal? So they can be made to sign affidavits implicating Ted?
And why were they so eager to pin something on Ted Failon? Ted himself said it was to get back at him for his biting radio commentaries against the police, which the police of course denied.
“Ted Failon is not being given special attention,” said Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, the Metro Manila police chief. “There is nothing like that …This is being treated like any other case. We are giving those involved fair treatment.” He added that even if the person to be questioned were a “taong grasa” (a dirty bum), the procedure would be the same.
If that is really the procedure, then the police procedure is wrong. Suspects, and especially witnesses, should be treated with respect. They are not gangsters and hardened criminals who have to be threatened and terrorized to tell the truth. On the contrary, they are the employers of the police. They pay with their taxes the salaries of the policemen and their bosses. They are the people the police are paid to protect, not to harass and persecute.
Why doesn’t the police show the same eagerness in going after the killers of two administration undersecretaries and the scores of journalists assassinated on the streets? Why not have the same zeal in going after the Davao death squads who have already killed hundreds? Why not the same passion to prosecute in the case of Joc-joc Bolante and Celso de los Angeles? Why the sudden eagerness in going after lowly housemaids and drivers? If the police would only show the same eagerness in arresting the drivers habitually violating traffic rules and the squatters flouting the law to benefit themselves, this country would be a better place to live in.
No, I don’t think that is the standard police procedure. That was a special police procedure not only to get back at Ted Failon but to send a warning—both to ABS-CBN, which took and showed TV footage of the alleged “shootout” with carnappers off EDSA in Quezon City, and to the whole media industry. The message? “Don’t cross us, or else this is what’s in store for you.”
As I See It
Police action on Failon case a warning to media
By Neal Cruz
Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 03:41:00 04/20/
It seems the police can never do anything right. It got another black eye in its rough handling of the Failon case. Everybody who saw the television footage of the arrest and manhandling of the Failon house help and the siblings of Trina Etong, wife of broadcaster Ted Failon, were shocked, surprised and angered by the police “overkill.” People from all walks of life—drivers, nurses, doctors, vendors, government employees, salesgirls, even some policemen themselves—who learned I am a journalist expressed disgust and dismay at the excessive force used to arrest them. As I see it objectively, the arresting policemen really over-reacted.
The police said the house help and relatives refused to cooperate with the police and go with them quietly, so they had to use force. What crime did they commit? Obstruction of justice, said the police. They claimed the driver and three helpers cleaned the bathroom where Trina was found bleeding with a head wound, and the Pajero that took Trina to the New Era General Hospital. They corrupted the scene of the crime, police said.
But the police should have been more understanding. These are house help; their reflex action is to clean the house. Their employers get angry when the house is not spic and span. They are not lawyers and policemen who know that you are not supposed to touch anything in the scene of the crime until the police has finished its scene-of-the-crime investigation. Drivers, too, are supposed to keep the vehicle always clean. Although they most likely watch television, they do not watch “CSI,” “NYPD Blue” and the other police serials where these things are often shown. They watch the telenovelas and the game shows. And they already told police that they cleaned the bathroom and the Pajero because they did not want Failon’s younger daughter, 12-year-old Karishna, to see the blood of her mother. The police should have understood that. Instead, they immediately suspected that they were trying to hide a crime.
The scene at the hospital was even more outrageous. Trina’s two sisters and brother were there to be beside the dying Trina. Police wanted to take Pamela because she was interviewed on television and she said she was sure her sister committed suicide because she was in the house when it all happened. She did not want to go; she wanted to be with her dying sister, so the police started to wrestle her to the police car. The other sister and the brother tried to intervene but the police also manhandled them, handcuffed the brother, forced them to the car and took them all to Camp Karingal. They were there when the news came that Trina had died, but the police still refused to let them go, until later, so they could be with their dead sister.
But why did they not call the police? investigators said. That’s obstruction of justice, they said.
But hey, when you have a member of the family dying, the only thing in your mind is to take her to a hospital. Calling the police would be the last thing on your mind. And in the first place, nobody thought at that time that a crime had been committed. They were convinced the victim had shot herself. But not the police. They suspect that Trina may have been shot during a quarrel, either by her husband or any of the house help, and that they cleaned the bathroom and the SUV to hide the crime.
It is understandable for the police to be suspicious. But that is not the issue. The issue is why were they in such a hurry? Could they not have waited until the family had adjusted itself to the tragedy and things had settled down and then invite them courteously for interviews at police headquarters? Why were they in such a hurry to take the house help and sister Pamela to Camp Karingal? So they can be made to sign affidavits implicating Ted?
And why were they so eager to pin something on Ted Failon? Ted himself said it was to get back at him for his biting radio commentaries against the police, which the police of course denied.
“Ted Failon is not being given special attention,” said Chief Supt. Roberto Rosales, the Metro Manila police chief. “There is nothing like that …This is being treated like any other case. We are giving those involved fair treatment.” He added that even if the person to be questioned were a “taong grasa” (a dirty bum), the procedure would be the same.
If that is really the procedure, then the police procedure is wrong. Suspects, and especially witnesses, should be treated with respect. They are not gangsters and hardened criminals who have to be threatened and terrorized to tell the truth. On the contrary, they are the employers of the police. They pay with their taxes the salaries of the policemen and their bosses. They are the people the police are paid to protect, not to harass and persecute.
Why doesn’t the police show the same eagerness in going after the killers of two administration undersecretaries and the scores of journalists assassinated on the streets? Why not have the same zeal in going after the Davao death squads who have already killed hundreds? Why not the same passion to prosecute in the case of Joc-joc Bolante and Celso de los Angeles? Why the sudden eagerness in going after lowly housemaids and drivers? If the police would only show the same eagerness in arresting the drivers habitually violating traffic rules and the squatters flouting the law to benefit themselves, this country would be a better place to live in.
No, I don’t think that is the standard police procedure. That was a special police procedure not only to get back at Ted Failon but to send a warning—both to ABS-CBN, which took and showed TV footage of the alleged “shootout” with carnappers off EDSA in Quezon City, and to the whole media industry. The message? “Don’t cross us, or else this is what’s in store for you.”
Reprinted from The Philippine Star issue of April 20, 2009
Classmates & the wa-class
CTALK By Cito Beltran
Updated April 20, 2009 12:00 AM
The talk of the town over the weekend was certainly all about “Police brutality” and abuse of power in the Ted Failon case. The overwhelming sentiment in most gatherings was contempt and dislike for the Philippine National Police.
So after a couple of years earnestly trying to renew the image of the police through the “Mamang Pulis” campaign and the recent “Moral recovery” program under PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa, our beloved cops are worse off than ever before.
The situation can no longer be treated as public relations disaster.
The open display of power and authority, the total disregard for police procedure such as presenting a warrant of arrest and reading of the “Miranda rights” and the utter lack of civility and compassion on the part of the QCPD officers reveals yet again that many of our police officers are unfit and unworthy to wear the uniform of the PNP. It shows that the Police do not fully understand their purpose, their role and who they serve.
Coming from a series of bloody and abusive incidents such as the EDSA shootout where carnappers were gunned down as a video camera rolled, the multiple deaths of innocent civilians when cops tried to stop a gang of bank robbers in Paranaque, The arrest and harassment of media people during the Manila Peninsula siege among a few, all show that the PNP has a recurring professional and attitudinal defect that reveals incompetence, poor leadership and accountability.
In relieving four police officers because of their participation in the arrest of Failon’s in-law and helpers, the NCRPO leadership showed lack of integrity and collusion by exempting the QCPD-CIDU chief Franklin Mabanag from being relieved of duty. Was it because he was someone’s classmate?
Almost every radio program we monitored raised the same question: “why did Boysie Rosales protect Franklin Mabanag?” “Why was Mabanag not relieved or suspended?” “Why punish the team but not the leader?” So far Rosales has remained silent on this major error.
* * *
Why are our Police officials acting with such lack of respect, lack of self-control, and lack of personal discipline?
Watching the many replays of how the Police officers arrested the maids, driver and in-law of Ted Failon, it became clear to me that our policemen treats everyone they invite or arrest as GUILTY. Unless you are an official of the Arroyo administration, you are treated as a “COMMON CRIMINAL”. If you watched the videos, the cops acted as if they were hauling “demonstrators” or sidewalk vendors. The question is “WHY?”
Is it because the police have gotten so used to arresting anti-Arroyo demonstrators or critics based on warrantless arrests? Is it because the Police have been the private army of the Arroyo administration for almost ten years so they now believe they can arrest anybody in any manner they choose to do so?
The repeated sins of the PNP are not a simple matter of abuse of power. The sins and weakness of the PNP is what happens when a civilian organization is corrupted by two doctrines: the doctrine of the PMAers and the doctrine of a “civilian” police. The leaders of the PNP are trained for the military where leadership is about obedience to rank. So they do not believe in the doctrine of servant leadership, they believe that leaders should be served, feared and followed.
The PNP needs to review their academic program, they need to review their attitudinal frame of mind, and they must reflect on the long- term impact of their problems immediately. Otherwise, they may ultimately find themselves fighting off masses of people they swore to protect, in the streets or in the courts.
* * *
Whenever Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez starts mouthing off his views and opinions, reporters have a picnic quoting the guy, no matter how baseless, reckless, or incendiary his claims may be. Even some of Gonzalez’s enemies enjoy his existence because he is to them the personification or the flesh and blood that represents everything that is hated about the Arroyo administration.
When Broadcaster Ted Failon became the center of controversy in the suicide of his wife, the DOJ Secretary reportedly ordered that Failon be placed on the Immigration watch list, ordered the NBI to conduct a parallel investigation and berated the chief of the Public Attorney’s Office for extending assistance to Ted. Gonzalez must really love Ted Failon so much.
Persida Acosta never showed animosity or contempt for Gonzalez who acted like the Roman Centurion who gave vinegar instead of water to the crucified Christ. Acosta should be praised for being a Good Samaritan and being a dedicated lawyer doing her job.
Maybe the reason Acosta chose not to get angry was because Raul Gonzalez may have unwittingly placed Acosta in the limelight as a dedicated and competent public servant worthy of becoming the next Secretary of Justice!
Justice Secretary Persida Acosta 2010-…… sounds good to me.
Classmates & the wa-class
CTALK By Cito Beltran
Updated April 20, 2009 12:00 AM
The talk of the town over the weekend was certainly all about “Police brutality” and abuse of power in the Ted Failon case. The overwhelming sentiment in most gatherings was contempt and dislike for the Philippine National Police.
So after a couple of years earnestly trying to renew the image of the police through the “Mamang Pulis” campaign and the recent “Moral recovery” program under PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa, our beloved cops are worse off than ever before.
The situation can no longer be treated as public relations disaster.
The open display of power and authority, the total disregard for police procedure such as presenting a warrant of arrest and reading of the “Miranda rights” and the utter lack of civility and compassion on the part of the QCPD officers reveals yet again that many of our police officers are unfit and unworthy to wear the uniform of the PNP. It shows that the Police do not fully understand their purpose, their role and who they serve.
Coming from a series of bloody and abusive incidents such as the EDSA shootout where carnappers were gunned down as a video camera rolled, the multiple deaths of innocent civilians when cops tried to stop a gang of bank robbers in Paranaque, The arrest and harassment of media people during the Manila Peninsula siege among a few, all show that the PNP has a recurring professional and attitudinal defect that reveals incompetence, poor leadership and accountability.
In relieving four police officers because of their participation in the arrest of Failon’s in-law and helpers, the NCRPO leadership showed lack of integrity and collusion by exempting the QCPD-CIDU chief Franklin Mabanag from being relieved of duty. Was it because he was someone’s classmate?
Almost every radio program we monitored raised the same question: “why did Boysie Rosales protect Franklin Mabanag?” “Why was Mabanag not relieved or suspended?” “Why punish the team but not the leader?” So far Rosales has remained silent on this major error.
* * *
Why are our Police officials acting with such lack of respect, lack of self-control, and lack of personal discipline?
Watching the many replays of how the Police officers arrested the maids, driver and in-law of Ted Failon, it became clear to me that our policemen treats everyone they invite or arrest as GUILTY. Unless you are an official of the Arroyo administration, you are treated as a “COMMON CRIMINAL”. If you watched the videos, the cops acted as if they were hauling “demonstrators” or sidewalk vendors. The question is “WHY?”
Is it because the police have gotten so used to arresting anti-Arroyo demonstrators or critics based on warrantless arrests? Is it because the Police have been the private army of the Arroyo administration for almost ten years so they now believe they can arrest anybody in any manner they choose to do so?
The repeated sins of the PNP are not a simple matter of abuse of power. The sins and weakness of the PNP is what happens when a civilian organization is corrupted by two doctrines: the doctrine of the PMAers and the doctrine of a “civilian” police. The leaders of the PNP are trained for the military where leadership is about obedience to rank. So they do not believe in the doctrine of servant leadership, they believe that leaders should be served, feared and followed.
The PNP needs to review their academic program, they need to review their attitudinal frame of mind, and they must reflect on the long- term impact of their problems immediately. Otherwise, they may ultimately find themselves fighting off masses of people they swore to protect, in the streets or in the courts.
* * *
Whenever Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez starts mouthing off his views and opinions, reporters have a picnic quoting the guy, no matter how baseless, reckless, or incendiary his claims may be. Even some of Gonzalez’s enemies enjoy his existence because he is to them the personification or the flesh and blood that represents everything that is hated about the Arroyo administration.
When Broadcaster Ted Failon became the center of controversy in the suicide of his wife, the DOJ Secretary reportedly ordered that Failon be placed on the Immigration watch list, ordered the NBI to conduct a parallel investigation and berated the chief of the Public Attorney’s Office for extending assistance to Ted. Gonzalez must really love Ted Failon so much.
Persida Acosta never showed animosity or contempt for Gonzalez who acted like the Roman Centurion who gave vinegar instead of water to the crucified Christ. Acosta should be praised for being a Good Samaritan and being a dedicated lawyer doing her job.
Maybe the reason Acosta chose not to get angry was because Raul Gonzalez may have unwittingly placed Acosta in the limelight as a dedicated and competent public servant worthy of becoming the next Secretary of Justice!
Justice Secretary Persida Acosta 2010-…… sounds good to me.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
Today's issue is special.
This writer was requested to acknowledge the hardworking and dedicated people that comprise the KASAUP leadership.
First I would like to tell you a few things about them.
KASAUP leaders are a mix lot. They represent a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life. The Chairman is a dentist. The Vice Chairman is a civil engineer. The Corporate Secretary is a Masters Degree holder from UP and a licensed engineer at the same time. The Treasurer is a retired private company professional. The President is an architect. The Vice President is retired military man. We have a professional entertainer who is also a music teacher. We have business people. We have church lay leaders. We have passionate ordinary individuals who can put to shame the works of a lot of social workers.
There is an unspoken mantra for all of the KASAUP leadership. The willingness to sacrifice everything for their love of the province and country. They are guided in this by their absolute love and trust in the Lord.
What is wonderful about these KASAUP Leaders is the fact that they take good care of each other. When somebody commits mistakes, they are told so and are helped correct these mistakes. When one falters, dozens of KASAUP hands rush to help this someone get up.
THEY GOT EACH OTHERS BACK.
When anyone of them is unjustly treated, everybody will rush to his side for defense. They do not let anybody from their ranks get trampled on by somebody else. Thier love and trust for another is the strongest rope that binds them together.
ALL OF THESE IS BECAUSE OF THEIR RESOLUTE UNITED BELIEF IN THEIR ADVOCACIES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP!
To all of you ladies and gentlemen of KASAUP, our hats off!
Johny Balingit of SIWALA-Masantol, Nena David of Kayantabe-Porac, Norman Ocampo of Kayantabe-Mexico, Caloy Diokno of ASLAGG-San Simon, Boy Pangan of Kayantabe-Magalang, Eddie Ayen of Sulong Floridablanca, Adonis Simpao of Kayantabe - Sta. Rita, Pastor Joel Cruz for Lubao, Esther Alfonzo of Kayantabe-Bacolor, Joe Sandiko of CSF, Arnel Manliclic of AMONG-KKB- San Luis, Pastor Dan Amurao of ASKE - Candaba (who replaced the venerable Tang Vic Martin), Melvin Calalang of KAYAPTAS -Sto Tomas, Red Reyes of SUMLAG-Minalin, Paolo Sarmiento of Buklud Kabalen - Apalit, Tatang Boy of Kayantabe - Macabebe.
LUID KAYU!
This writer was requested to acknowledge the hardworking and dedicated people that comprise the KASAUP leadership.
First I would like to tell you a few things about them.
KASAUP leaders are a mix lot. They represent a broad spectrum of people from all walks of life. The Chairman is a dentist. The Vice Chairman is a civil engineer. The Corporate Secretary is a Masters Degree holder from UP and a licensed engineer at the same time. The Treasurer is a retired private company professional. The President is an architect. The Vice President is retired military man. We have a professional entertainer who is also a music teacher. We have business people. We have church lay leaders. We have passionate ordinary individuals who can put to shame the works of a lot of social workers.
There is an unspoken mantra for all of the KASAUP leadership. The willingness to sacrifice everything for their love of the province and country. They are guided in this by their absolute love and trust in the Lord.
What is wonderful about these KASAUP Leaders is the fact that they take good care of each other. When somebody commits mistakes, they are told so and are helped correct these mistakes. When one falters, dozens of KASAUP hands rush to help this someone get up.
THEY GOT EACH OTHERS BACK.
When anyone of them is unjustly treated, everybody will rush to his side for defense. They do not let anybody from their ranks get trampled on by somebody else. Thier love and trust for another is the strongest rope that binds them together.
ALL OF THESE IS BECAUSE OF THEIR RESOLUTE UNITED BELIEF IN THEIR ADVOCACIES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP!
To all of you ladies and gentlemen of KASAUP, our hats off!
Johny Balingit of SIWALA-Masantol, Nena David of Kayantabe-Porac, Norman Ocampo of Kayantabe-Mexico, Caloy Diokno of ASLAGG-San Simon, Boy Pangan of Kayantabe-Magalang, Eddie Ayen of Sulong Floridablanca, Adonis Simpao of Kayantabe - Sta. Rita, Pastor Joel Cruz for Lubao, Esther Alfonzo of Kayantabe-Bacolor, Joe Sandiko of CSF, Arnel Manliclic of AMONG-KKB- San Luis, Pastor Dan Amurao of ASKE - Candaba (who replaced the venerable Tang Vic Martin), Melvin Calalang of KAYAPTAS -Sto Tomas, Red Reyes of SUMLAG-Minalin, Paolo Sarmiento of Buklud Kabalen - Apalit, Tatang Boy of Kayantabe - Macabebe.
LUID KAYU!
Monday, April 6, 2009
MISSING THE ACTION by: Kiko Ortelano
Et Tu KASAUP?
2007 was a monumental election year for Pampanga. The miracle of the neophyte "political" priest made sure it was monumental.
A lot of Kapampangans were swept by the euphoria of the miracle win by the priest "on leave."
Unfortunately, a lot of these Kabalens did not sustain this enthusiasm. A lot of them just faded away after the election. A good number, however, saw this as an opportunity to effect continuous changes in the political landscape. A few "civil society" groups prospered.
Sadly, the remaining very few groups today are top heavy. They really do not have the mass base that is required to make the groups really meaningful to the majority of our Kabalens.
This is also a continuing challenge for KASAUP.
It is, admittedly, very difficult to maintain cohesive people's organizations. This is the very reason why KASAUP has been working hard to ensure that the voices of its members from the purok and barangay levels as represented by their municipal coordinators are clearly heard. KASAUP may not have the very noisy, publicity hungry big personalities of Pampanga, but its core are loyal to their advocacies and they really have the numbers.
The bigger challenge however is to maintain its posture in regard to good governance. KASAUP is finding it very difficult to influence local politicians to its advocacy. We may hear these politicians publicly echoing the advocacies of KASAUP, yet most of the times, these are all just but rethorics on their part. It is what their leaders and backers say that matters, not the what the people really must have in accordance to good governance. Traditional politicians are really the tragedy of our times.
This is not to say that KASAUP is getting what it sees fit from the provincial government. Kasaup have been very supportive of Among Ed and the latter have reciprocated the efforts of the former in terms of advocacy congruence. However, this reciprocity is limited only to the governor. This reciprocity is not observed by others in Among Ed's capitol team.
Let us make this clear. KASAUP officers and members have been working on its advocacies without any personal motives behind it. KASAUP has been consistent in offering their time, effort, expertise, and even personal resources in working with Among Ed espouse the advocacy of good governance. KASAUP does not expect anything personal in return.
KASAUP expect the best services by the capitol to our Kabalens. KASAUP is doing its part. KASAUP is hoping that Among Ed and his whole capitol team does the same.
LUID KA!
Reprinted from the April 7, 2009 issue of the Philippine Star
EDITORIAL - One small candle
Today the apathy has returned. Though there is no lack of exposés on official wrongdoing, those implicated mostly go unpunished while whistle-blowers find their lives ruined. Congressional investigations lead nowhere. People power fatigue has set in, and the attitude when faced with corruption is, if you can’t lick ’em, join ’em.
It’s a nation that has stopped caring, or has it? There are groups that continue to put their faith in the goodness of the Filipino and his capacity for positive change. A so-called moral force movement has been mobilized, with another chapter formally launched yesterday. The man behind the movement, Chief Justice Reynato Puno, urged Filipinos to unite in fighting corruption, saying the nation had turned into a “moral pariah” in the eyes of the world.
The fight cannot be won overnight. Corruption has become firmly entrenched in Philippine society, and the battle must be waged all the way down to the grassroots. It will require a sea change in the people’s attitude toward politics, governance and the way public funds are utilized.
This battle does not necessarily mean taking to the streets and bringing down the government, or exposing something that will warrant a congressional investigation. It could take the simplest form: saying no to a bribe, or turning down cash from candidates in elections. In the darkness, one small candle can cast a bright light.
EDITORIAL - One small candle
Updated April 07, 2009 12:00 AM
In the dark days of martial law, the few brave souls who dared take on the all-powerful police state were inspired by the thought that even one lighted candle could pierce the darkness. It took several years and an assassination to rouse Filipinos and end their tolerance of state abuse.
In the dark days of martial law, the few brave souls who dared take on the all-powerful police state were inspired by the thought that even one lighted candle could pierce the darkness. It took several years and an assassination to rouse Filipinos and end their tolerance of state abuse.
But when it finally happened, a dictator found it impossible to make the people go back to their state of blissful apathy.
Today the apathy has returned. Though there is no lack of exposés on official wrongdoing, those implicated mostly go unpunished while whistle-blowers find their lives ruined. Congressional investigations lead nowhere. People power fatigue has set in, and the attitude when faced with corruption is, if you can’t lick ’em, join ’em.
It’s a nation that has stopped caring, or has it? There are groups that continue to put their faith in the goodness of the Filipino and his capacity for positive change. A so-called moral force movement has been mobilized, with another chapter formally launched yesterday. The man behind the movement, Chief Justice Reynato Puno, urged Filipinos to unite in fighting corruption, saying the nation had turned into a “moral pariah” in the eyes of the world.
The fight cannot be won overnight. Corruption has become firmly entrenched in Philippine society, and the battle must be waged all the way down to the grassroots. It will require a sea change in the people’s attitude toward politics, governance and the way public funds are utilized.
Corruption puts into the pockets of a handful of individuals funds that should be used for poverty alleviation and national development. It rewards mediocrity and prevents the development of a society where individual progress is based on merit and where the rule of law prevails.
This battle does not necessarily mean taking to the streets and bringing down the government, or exposing something that will warrant a congressional investigation. It could take the simplest form: saying no to a bribe, or turning down cash from candidates in elections. In the darkness, one small candle can cast a bright light.
Reprinted from the April 7, 2009 issue of the Philippine Star
Supreme Court chief to Filipinos: Fight government corruption
By Edu Punay Updated April 07, 2009 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines – As the nation enters the Holy Week, Chief Justice Reynato Puno yesterday reiterated his call for a moral force and asked Filipinos to work together to combat widespread corruption in government.
Some Supreme Court justices who support Puno in this initiative are expected to name before Thursday members of an advisory council that would push for the movement toward moral transformation in government.
Speaking at the launching of the moral force movement of the Manila Episcopal Area (MEA) of the United Methodist Church (UMC) in the Philippines of which he is a member, Puno lamented how the country is now perceived in the world as a “moral pariah.”
He said Filipinos have witnessed moral decadence and leprosy, referring to corruption in government that he likened to the corruption in England at the time when John Wesley founded their church in the 1700s.
“We are cast as a moral pariah. What a tragic social landscape for the only Christian country in Southeast Asia,” he said.
“Corruption in the country has been deforming all its institutions, undermining our stability and security and preventing our socio-economic development. We can arrest this social decadence through a moral force,” said Puno.
Other religious groups, including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Philippine Bible Society and the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, expressed solidarity with the Methodist Church in Manila at its launch.
“They are part of the moral force movement,” Puno said of the Catholic hierarchy, adding that there were CBCP representatives during the launch.
“However, I expect the CBCP will have its own brand of moral force movement,” he added, referring to a similar activity at which Catholic leaders would launch their own moral force initiative.
Bishop Lito Cabacungan Tangonan led UMC Manila Episcopal Area’s launch of the moral force at the Central United Methodist Church in Manila.
“We see the moral force as prophets of our time – people who feel the urge to expose and denounce the debilitating ills in our society, especially those generated by the structural system that promotes, breeds and spawns corruption,” read the UMC-MEA’s handout on its area-wide moral force movement.
Puno said yesterday’s activity in Manila wasn’t the first launch of a moral force movement.
The Chief Justice earlier called for a moral force movement nationwide to arrest corruption in the country while maintaining an apolitical stance, saying a council should be formed to spearhead the campaign.
Members of the moral force council would include credible leaders from “business, church groups, youth and the media.”
The core group would “set parameters for the moral force movement with the purpose of making the people aware of what’s been happening and to do something about it.”
Puno earlier vowed that the movement would not be anti-administration or pro-opposition but rather “a positive-neutral constructive” force.
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