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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Neri-Jun is Right
By Antonio C. Abaya Written on Feb. 18, 2008 For the Standard Today, February 19 issue As promised, let me analyze the 10th �Afraid� in the document said to have been written by Jun Lozada in October 2007, to explain why his friend Romulo Neri did not divulge the details of his (Neri�s) conversation with President Arroyo regarding the sordid ZTE broadband contract. (See my article �Neri was Afraid�.� [Feb 16, 2008] in which I wrote that it was really a Neri-Jun avatar that was speaking in that document.) Wrote Jun in that document: (Neri-Jun) �is afraid that the public may not know the extent of corruption in this country and may wrongly believe that they can cure corruption by simply replacing Arroyo with another person. He is afraid that the public may overlook the systemic and institutionalized nature of the source of corruption in this country, that the people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country�that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task�.� I dwelt on this 10th �Afraid� last Friday in a workshop organized for mass-com and journalism students at the Lyceum University . Let me expand on it in this essay. If one were to examine the complexion of the anti-Arroyo forces that have been clamoring for her resignation since 2003, one sees that they are made up of three main contingents: the trapos under deposed (later convicted of plunder, but hastily pardoned) Joseph Estrada, the Communist movement, and the military mercenaries. During the rolling agitation in 2005-2006, the three groups combined their forces to oust President Arroyo. But without the participation of the middle classes, they could not generate sufficient public outrage against her, and their demos and rallies fizzled out. The middle classes, who were the shock troops of EDSA I and EDSA 2, were largely out of the picture, preferring to stay on the sidelines, partly because of their distrust of the three groups above, and partly because the economy has been doing well in the past four years and they did not want to rock the boat. And also partly out of extreme disappointment that EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 did not result in any meaningful changes. My own three children, who took part in EDSA 1 and EDSA 2, gave notice to me and my wife in 2003 that if there was going to be an EDSA 3, they would stay home and sleep or watch their DVDs or surf the Internet.. The same apathy must have infected hundreds of thousands of middle class homes in Metro Manila. In 2007-2008, the situation was/is not any different. The strongest opposition bloc � victors in the 2007 senatorial elections - remains the unattractive trapos led by Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay, now augmented by the ousted Speaker Jose de Venecia, none of whom generate much sympathy from among the middle classes. The Communist movement, ever massaged by the complicit media, have not yet realized their irrelevance in the 21st century. And the military mercenaries � financed by Erap in 2003, 2005 and 2006 � dug their own graves by staging a foolish rebellion last November at the Peninsula Hotel, the fourth luxury hotel that they have inexplicably seized. (The others: Manila Hotel in 1986, the Intercontinental in 1989 and the Oakwood in 2003. Military madness seems to recur every three or four years). And yet � Neri-Jun is right in their caution - these are the self-proclaimed messiahs who would have seized power if President Arroyo had been overthrown between 2003 and 2007. No wonder the middle classes have refused to get involved�.until Jun Lozada came along. Suddenly the middle classes are stirring. They have finally found a champion around whom they can rally, who is neither a trapo nor a Communist nor a military mercenary, who seems to be a reasonably honest person though admittedly not a candidate for sainthood, a technocrat-bureaucrat with a conscience, a self-effacing intellectual who has a genuine love for his country and an abiding admiration for Jose Rizal. Is this the beginning of the end for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Perhaps. But it would take more revelations and more public anger to bring that about. And it would need a major tipping point to push her over the edge, such as a decision on the part of Romulo Neri to finally tell all that he knows about his boss. But will he? In the 10th �Afraid�, Neri-Jun is �afraid that people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country�.that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task�.� Neri-Jun is right. Except for the Communist movement, there is no political group in this country that has articulated a vision for a new order to replace the rotten old one. But the Communist vision � Joma�s Maoist new order � is totally unacceptable to the middle classes: judging from the shining example of Maoist China (1949 to 1979), no free elections, no freedom of expression, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of worship, no private property, no private enterprise, BUT monopoly of power for the Communist Party (CPP) under the Leninist concept of �dictatorship of the proletariat�(operational up to the present). Variations on the Communist vision have been proposed by such luminaries as Boy Morales (agrarian reform secretary under Erap) and Dodong Nemenzo (UP president during Erap�s watch). But Morales was co-founder of the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the CPP, while Nemenzo was an associate member of the politburo of the pro-Soviet Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP). Even if they claim to have left the Party, their vision of a new order will always be colored by their Communist past. Even the rejectionists under the late Popoy Lagman, who had rejected the Maoist revolution of Joma Sison during their schism in 1991-92 and had formed a rival faction, (led by Sanlakas), opted for another failed Communist model, the Sandinistas of Nicaragua. Whether pro-Soviet or Maoist or Sandinista, the Communist vision of a new order is totally unacceptable to the middle classes. So also is the prospect of an endless game of musical chairs among the predatory and unprincipled trapos, whether Lakas or Kampi or Pwet ng Masa or NP or LP or LDP or KBL. The political class under all disguises has failed the people of this country and do not deserve to remain in, or aspire again for, power. It is not surprising that not one of the seven or eight presidential wannabes has articulated a vision for establishing a new order, which, as Neri-Jun noted, is the more difficult task than overthrowing President Arroyo. If they now scramble to do so, it would not be convincing since they would just be responding to a newly perceived deficiency which they had overlooked all these decades. As for the military mercenaries, the less said, the better. Having rented out their idealism to Erap, not once but several times, they really have nothing significant to say. So, given the stark moral emptiness of the Philippine political landscape, is there any reason for Romulo Neri to break his silence and divulge all the sordid details that he knows at first hand about corruption in high places, and thereby cause the House of Arroyo to come crashing down? We can only appeal to his patriotism. Neri can take some comfort from the fact that if President Arroyo were forced to step down, the constitutional successor would be Vice-President Noli de Castro, who is neither a trapo nor a Communist nor a military mercenary, and has no known - to me, anyway � connections to any of the above. He may lack social pedigree and a dynastic fiefdom, as Jun Lozada himself describes himself, and he definitely has no vision of a new order. But we have to make do with what we have. And who knows, if given the right inputs from the right advisers, he may yet craft and articulate the parameters of that new order, between 2008 and 2010? At any rate, he couldn�t possibly be any worse than the pedigreed Arroyo or the fake sovereign of the squealing masa - and convicted plunderer - Erap. If the middle classes, the business and professional communities, civil society, the non-Communist labor unions, the Churches and the idealistic elements of the military were to support this constitutional process, it would be a painless, bloodless solution to our dilemma. Of course, the pedigreed and dynastic presidential wannabes will resist such a scenario since it would threaten their presidential ambitions in 2010 if De Castro were to turn out to be a reformist leader in the next two years. But what can these presidential wannabes complain about? They are either for or against the constitutional process. If they are against, then they have no business occupying, or running for, any public office. One last point. There are media reports that Sen. Panfilo Lacson met with Jun Lozada six times before/after Lozada went to Hong Kong, and at least once with Romulo Neri in December 2007. If true, does this mean that the Neri-Jun avatar has found in Sen. Lacson that someone with the mystic vision of that elusive new order? Lozada�s millions of new fans are entitled to know. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com. NOTE: Transmission to yahoo.com addresses is sometimes delated or blocked by the server for some silly reasons. If you are experiencing this delay or blocking, we suggest that you change to a hotmail or a gmail address. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Neri-Jun is Right� Dear Mr. Abaya, I think you are definitely right in your analysis in your MST column today and I do agree 100%. If a tipping point is reached in the next few days, weeks, months�and GMA resigns either through extreme pressure or finally realized and make a supreme sacrifice that it is the best thing to do for our country�we should follow the constitutional succession of the VP taking the reigns otherwise we would be a country with a useless constitution�I believe Noli can be a good president if we all help out to make him one. I also agree with you why the middle-class storm troopers are on wait and see attitude because of the lack of hope from the three alternative groups you mentioned. I am also a veteran part of EDSA1 and EDSA2 and I must say the people who took over after that failed us.. They are all of the same breed, �self interest first� before the country�s and the greater populations� good�I still hope we can produce a �Dark Knight� come 2010 or sooner , that would inspire all of us help make our country a great nation� Have a nice day. Omar T. Lopez, (by email), Feb. 19, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, As usual, your analysis is right on target. Let me pose this question. If GMA, (if a miracle is in order, so be it), allows the truth to prevail in this ZTE-NBN and the criminals identified beyond a reasonable doubt, can she be allowed to have a graceful transition of power and maybe strike up a deal on the severity of her punishment? I believe that the overriding event here is the just resolution of this ZTE-NBN scandal, a first against graft and corruption of this scale in recent Philippine history. Immediately replacing GMA is only secondary to this. The successful resolution of this scandal may be the beginning of the new order that we are all hoping for. Bert Peronilla (an avid reader), (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 (Frankly, if she is forced out of power, she would have no bargaining chips with which to negotiate the severity of her punishment. Instead, she would probably seek asylum in a foreign country to escape prosecution. But if the Marcoses are any indication of justice Philippine-style, GMA will be back in less than ten years, and her children will run for public offices again, as if nothing had happened. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good reading Mr. Abaya, Can't be better articulated. Your "new order" would be synonymous to rebirth of Filipino conscience. Do we have in our fingers a Filipino who is immune to systemic greed? Change is now , not 22 years ago. We can say that EDSA became a springboard then, now is the real thing. Question: Are we ready for change? Are we ready to give birth to a new order? God help Us! Salamat po, Marilyn D, [email protected], Georgia , Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Mr. Tony Abaya! I do not for a second think that communism of any color or dosage strength is the answer to the Philippines � endemic problem. We know that the system is badly broken but it is not beyond repair, no matter how wide-spread the obtaining systemic quagmire we are in. As the clich� goes: �Let us not re-invent the wheel�. The wheel is already there for the asking. I think, all we need to do is look around and try to learn from our own and our neighbors� failures and successes. Acknowledging our societal strengths and weaknesses, we should be willing to emulate and adapt the ways of the successfully working young democracies around us. If need be, hire effective, knowledgeable consultants to add to our own native brilliant human resources. Working together earnestly, we should be able to come up with a system that will be accepted with approbation and strong support by the majority of the our people. The great majority of the people have been clamoring for change � for the big leap forward. Let us not fail them any further. I am afraid that for as long as the system remains broken, no matter whom the electorate choose / hire to be their high governing officials will only succumb to similar fate like their predecessors. We realize that fixing the broken system is quite an Herculean task. Nonetheless, this is how good governance will come about and it has to be done here and now. Let a strong and energetic, well-meaning, honest, patriotic, intelligent leader and visionary with lots of creative juices and undeterred fervor for civil service come to the fore. We all will support deservedly this brave soul. Cheers, Armando B. Aspiras, PhD, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww After watching Gloria and members of her administration marched as though going to watch the hanging of a horse thief as in the old American West, I thought to forward my column below. People Power is gone because of Gloria's kapal muks. But the Senate can continue endless investigations if necessary up to the 2010 elections. More importantly, the Senate should prevent any of the mind-boggling corrupt deals from being consummated. Save the Filipino people billions of pesos and dollars the next president needs to rehabilitate our political, economic and social infrastructure. For the civil society, why not civil disobedience? Best regards. Frank Wenceslao, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr Abaya, Very well written, logical essay in today's front-page headlines in the homeland. It's an essay that is about logic and understanding---that the scandal of corruption in the current Arroyo government is much larger than itself. The Filipino people seems to be in a long, utopian struggle to dismantling the long-practice of pervasive culture and well-established roots of inherent dishonesty and corruptions---and arrogance--- in government. At any rate, Romulo Neri must now join his friend, Mr Lozada, to tell all truths while there is time for him to be on the good side of battle in this making and shaping of Philippine history. And may Avelino Razon be enlightened with "courage and integrity" to join forces with those who are only seeking the truth and good governance in their country. It's not too late for General Razon; either he becomes a source of pride and inspiration or a disgraceful alumnus and son---in the annals---of a profoundly esteemed Philippine Military Academy is his wisdom and decision to make. Pacifico Talens, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 FIL-AM, United States Navy (Ret) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Jun Lozada's accounts of the corruption in the NBN deal is believable. It is his account of his alleged abduction that's not. I've never heard in my life of any kidnapped person who was free to use his cell phone to call anybody he wanted. Hearing that he's met several times with Sen. Lacson, and having heard first-hand of the true character of Jun Lozada from people who know him personally, I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out later that the "abduction" was a planned set-up (planned and financed by the good senator) to make it appear the government was trying to hold him against his will. Jun Lozada's mannerism seem staged, most especially wearing camisa-de-chino while being interviewed on national TV. We all probably already know what the real (corrupt) deal was in the ZTE-NBN deal, but media probably has to dig deeper than it has so far on this alleged "abduction". Robby Villabona, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Why don't you ask J. Lo Lacson Madrigal how much Lacson gave him in exchange for his testimony and lies he displayed in the Senate circus or what we called Senate palabas. Don't you believe that this guy is making kotong left and right. If he can do those litany of wrong doings while he was the CEO of the Philippine Forrest Corp which he accepted in the Senate hearing he can easily make money from Lacson or Jamby in exchange for his fabricated and unfounded lies and allegations. I can say unfounded lies because they were not supported by any evidence and he was not able to prove them otherwise. Some are next to impossible. If they observed reasons and logic, media people will not treat him like a hero. Santa Kamote, ganyan lang pala ang IQ ng mga pinoy na journalists di naman lahat, yon lang admirer ni J. Lo. Just the words uttered by aminadong tulisan, naniniwala na. It can be noticed easily that this Famas awardee or a cry baby is not consistent on a lot of his statements. Some of his accusations are being denied right away, like that of Neri evil thing. (Neri did not deny saying �That woman is evil.� He just said �I don�t remember saying it.� That is a totally different reply, as any lawyer will tell you. ACA) This guy is not only evil, he is also a devil because he was able to convince the CBCP by doing a lot of crying. The selfish politicians, instead of dividing the nation, why not cooperate in achieving a common goal. God bless the Philippines . Jose Yusi, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Greetings, Mr. Abaya., I read your Manila Standard Today column religiously - one of the few reasons I get the broadsheet. Just to let you know, I quoted a few paragraphs from your last column in my latest blog: Noli in waiting? Mabuhay! Angela Stuart-Santiago, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 www.stuartsantiago.com wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww We need Filipino men who love their country even if they have to discipline a woman, say a lady president, for the travesty of democratic rights and civil liberties beginning with the sanctity of the ballot. We do not need Filipino halfman nor halfwoman. Simply whole Filipino men and women in community for the common cause of Philippine democracy. Not Filipino Democrazy - that is: fool the people, make money off the people and poor the people. Nary, neri here or there...alanganin...despalinghado. Yes, even you Jun Lozada, we do not need you. Neither Gloria. We need only us, excommunicating all of them and their sycophant cronyism. We only need to be true blooded Filipinos...neither conyo or mestizo capitalist robber or bureaucrat capitalist. We need to be. Be true to our real legacy...the heritage of truth, freedom and justice for all before the laws of a democratic institution. Where moral wrongs are not evolved into civil rights even by the Department of Justice and the Executive and Legislature. We need to act now to protect ourselves from the legacy of evil in Philippine society and democrazy. Now or else! Aldric Dalumpines, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya: You wrote: "Neri-Jun is right. Except for the Communist movement, there is no political group in this country that has articulated a vision for a new order to replace the rotten old one. But the Communist vision � Joma�s Maoist new order � is totally unacceptable to the middle classes: judging from the shining example of Maoist China (1949 to 1979), no free elections, no freedom of expression, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of worship, no private property, no private enterprise, BUT monopoly of power for the Communist Party (CPP) under the Leninist concept of �dictatorship of the proletariat�(operational up to the present)." Once again, you are absolutely right that no existing political party in the Philippines has any platforms of government and/or of socio-economics that address the social ills that the Filipino people face. No political party offers concrete ideas that can lead to fundamental structural reforms. All politicians talk of reducing corruption, fighting crime, etceteras, etc., but they do not come up with specific ideas on how to do them. Perhaps you have not read the articles that I have written in the www.mabuhayradio.com (http://www.mabuhayradio.com). On the matter of Global Warming alone, I have posted 15 articles about a Filipino initiative to fight Climate Change. I called for a Filipino version of The Manhattan Project, so as to do a crash program of such intensity and urgency similar to the setting up by the Americans to develop the A-Bomb during WWII. There are 14 articles in the "Reinventing the Philippines " column and more ideas posted in the "Philippine Politics" and "Philippine Shadow Government" sections in the www.mabuhayradio.com (http://www.mabuhayradio.com) . We have even posted the so-called "I2D2" section to discuss the ways of repaying the foreign debts of the Philippines and so far it has 14 articles. We have published also this article, The Philippine Shadow Government�s "Vision RP 2021" Master Plan (http://www.mabuhayradio.com/content/view/656/51/) I am reproducing at the end of this e-mail this "Vision RP 2021," so as to facilitate your reading of our master plan. And if you like to read the rest of our position papers, I will e-mail them to you one at a time, on your request. Our message to the Filipino electorate is, "Trust the OFWs to give ATIC back to the people. ATIC, as in accountability, transparency, integrity and credibility." Of course, ATIC sounds like atik (with a K), which is the Filipino colloquial term for money. Any government that practices strictly the ATIC tenets will never go wrong. Mabuhay, Bobby M. Reyes, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008, Ad-hoc Executive Director, BalikLaban Movement wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww In the 10th �Afraid�, Neri-Jun is �afraid that people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country�.that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task�.� (I disagree, it is EASY and a safe task. Just kindly read through the entire response below - Marlowe Camello) Dear Tony, The whole trouble is that "the entire nation of the Filipino people" DOES NOT SEEM TO KNOW the ROOT CAUSE of government corruption. (And only YOU know, presumably. ACA) The root cause, or CAUSE BEHIND THE CAUSE, if you will, is that we do not know what is a DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT. A democratic government is supposed to be a government of, by, and for the people, meaning that the voice of the people is an essential and indispensable part of government. Part of that government is JUSTICE. Let us not diluge ourselves that No. It is not election is essentially people participation in the government. It is the surrender of the sovereign power of the people to the politicians. The exact root cause of government corruption is the current set up of the Philippine Justice System. IT CREATED AS NONE OF THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS as if the people, specially the poor that compose possibly as much as 90% of the 90 million Filipinos, DOES NOT EXIST in the "eyes of justice." Currently, justice is a GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY, a monopoly THAT PROTECTS IN COURT the very same big time government grafters FOR THE GRAFTERS, BY THE GRAFTERS, AND OF THE GRAFTERS from prosecution. The people cannot officially indict and convict grafters to remove them from office and to send them to jail because they have no voice in justice. The solution to this root cause is to DISMANTLE it with JUSTICE REFORM so that, the ordinary man and woman, can send to jail on his/her own SOVEREIGN INDEPENDENT DECIDING POWER, any and all corrupt officials in the high places of the government regardless if he or she is an occupant of that "stinking palace by the equally stinking Pasig River." This is why I have been advocating that we must adopt the Grand Jury and Trial Jury Systems to officially make the voice of the people a part of the management of our democratic government, a REFORMED Justice, or Justice By the Jury System. We, Filipinos are not keenly minded. Just because the creation of the jury systems is not written in our Bill of Rights, we though we cannot set up the Jury System. We should read the very top provision of the Philippine Constitution. Article II, Section 1, which states: "Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them." The people are the MASTERS OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRACY - not the president or his or her contemporary TRAPOS and cronies. They are mere SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE. By this provision, it is within the power and authority of the Filipino people to exercise and practice THEIR SOVEREIGNTY (or SUPREMACY) over their public servants through the use of the Jury Systems. All we have to do is CREATE that system. What for is this constitutional provision if we will not use it? If we will not use it, then we will lose it altogether to the TRAPOS. Instead of making our public servants afraid of us the people, we are made to fear the government just like what JUSTICE Secretary Gonzalez is saying that we MUST SHUT UP(!) in airing or televising the "Hello Garci" Tapes. "When people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, their is liberty" and this is what the American people have been doing with their grand jury and trial jury systems that have kept them their liberty and unity for a couple of hundred years now. We have copied the American (U.S.) Constitution and what is the use of it if we do not run our government they way it should be? Let us stop being clumsy warriors of law in the streets. Let us stop being stupid. We have more intelligence than we think. The participation of the people in the affairs of justice IS AN ACT IN THE PRACTICE OF LAW. The authority that guides the practice of law is THE SUPREME COURT under Article VIII, Section 5(5), of the Constitution. We must therefore ask the Supreme Court to establish the Rules of the Jury System in the similar fashion that it created the writ of Amparo and Habeas Data. It may not be given to us unless we ask for it. The other trouble with us Filipino intellectuals is that we have a lot of illiterate "jury experts" who have not even read any rules, or have not served in or seen an actual participation on how the jury rules are applied. This "jury experts" have been preaching that the jury system is not for us because they say the common Filipinos, or ordinary citizens, are legal ignoramuses, or that they are poor and can easily be bribed and therefore they cannot be trusted or would not know how to serve in juries. I strongly disagree. My advise to these Filipino "jury experts" is that they must first read and understand that the jury system is fundamentally, specially, and exclusively, intended to enable legal ignoramuses how to participate and serve as jurors. The jury system is not intended for lawyers. The Rules and Jury instructions are like a "salvavida" for a non-swimmer to enable him or her how to swim in a deep river with the gentle guidance by "expert swimmer" called the presiding judge in a court room. In fact in the U.S. or in California particularly, lawyers are often outrightly rejected to serve as jurors by expert trial attorneys because of their strong tendencies to disregard jury instruction and to substitute an agreed jury instruction. They act as advocate and further "instruct" fellow jurors during jury deliberation with their technical legal ideas in violation of jury instructions that end up in mistrials or hung juries. Example of a juror lawyer is our Honorable Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago, the scolding juror, and another highly intelligent Teresa Aquino Oreta, the dancing juror, in the impeachment proceedings against Joseph Estrada. They want to show as "vida" jurors beyond the proper and mutually accepted jury instructions from their presiding justice. It is not required that a juror be educated with laws because those laws that they have learned elsewhere are usually IRRELEVANT to the case they will be hearing. The proper law they must know, and follow, is the law that will be stated to them by the presiding judge by way of the jury instructions. They must not apply any other law against the exact law that they are told to follow during their deliberation to decide they case they have heard at the trial. Jury Instructions are simplified wordings and statements of the law and presentation of evidence. Statements are further extemporaneously translated by trial translators, if needed, into the language or local dialect of the jurors during a trial. By the adoption of the Jury System, the people through the juries will be lawfully guided into following the application of the particular law that is the subject in a trial by judges right inside the comfort of their halls of justice. If we will not adopt the jury system, the people will instead be misguided, as they have been misguided in so many occasions in the past by opposition or rebel leaders either in the streets or boulevards (of broken dreams) or in the hills and ambuscades by the use of hand tools, hand guns and hand grenades and unluckily they end up most of the time losing or lying down either being maimed or dead on the streets when repelled by the superior force by the armies or police under the control of the "Honorable" government grafters. Which is preferable in fighting corruption? In the safe halls of justice with reason and the laws? Or in a deadly fight in the streets or ambuscades with inferior hit and miss guns and grenades? Most Filipinos are poor because they prefer to work hard to live rather than steal unlike our "Excellent" or "Honorable" government high officials in the government. Give the people the proper tools, the jury systems and instructions, and we can be assured they will decide to send all grafters to jail unlike the Ombuds(wo)man who is nothing more than a lackey usually of a Malacanyang Occupant. They will not be afraid to decide because their jobs are not under the control of Malacanyang. Another bad addiction that we Filipinos are getting accustom to is leaving the investigation of government corruption in the hands of the Senators. We have not learned yet that such investigations are all for a show. Has there ever been any grafter indicted resulting from Senate investigations? Senate investigations are a waste of time and waste of witnesses who end up being kidnapped or "taken in by powerful grafters for 'safekeeping.' Example: What happened to the witnesses in the investigation of the "Jueteng" government gambling lords? Had those investigations been conducted by the grand jury, the responsible officials would have just learned they are indicted when the arresting officers are already in their doorsteps to take them in early in the morning and they may not even know who testified against them. Adoption of the Philippine Jury Sytems is easy and almost a "no brainer" job for those who wish to install it. Its rules and instructions have already been drafted and the draft is now in the hands of Chief Justice Puno. All the proponents of the Jury System will do is to file a Petition before the Supreme Court urging the establishment of the Jury System. A draft of that petition embodying the reasons and justification of jury adoption is attached (virus filtered) for your scrutiny. Marlowe Camello, (by email), Homeland, CA, Feb. 21, 2008 (Next time, please keep your posts shorter. Most people do not care to read long dissertations. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Neri was confronted by media about the widely circulated letter Lozada had allegedly written. He said he read it and did not believe it came from Lozada. He was familiar with Lozada's writing style. He could not have done it, he said. It was likely written by someone from media, meaning one who has the facility to write with eloquence. Cesar M. de los Reyes, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr Abaya, Thanks to your column, and the general ruckus raised by the media, I became curious enough to listen to AM radio and find out what all the fuss was about. Luckily--or otherwise--I chanced upon Mr Lozada testifying at the Senate. I was immediately disappointed. Is this our idea now of a new "hero", one who had compared himself to Rizal, according to his daughter? Mr Lozada not only sounded weepy, he asked for a break in the proceedings every so often, until finally the Senator who was interrogating him was forced to cut short his questions and ask for a lunch break. Not only that, he had to be reminded every so often by (I suppose) Sen. Lacson about facing the "Light", that now his shadow is behind him, while others, have their back to the "Light". To no avail. No wonder they've (whoever 'they' are) now raised the prospect of another witness, whose identity remains a mystery, up to now. As for Mr Neri--no thanks again to the announcement that the DOJ would open its investigation on Mr Lozada's allegations to the public and would have Mr Neri as witness--I went out of my way to attend the hearing. While in the taxi, I heard Mr Neri being interviewed by Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez. I immediately felt that Mr Neri would be a no-show in the DOJ hearing. Indeed, when I arrived at the DOJ, only an Assistant Secretary was testifying on the background of the ZTE-NBN deal, and everything there seemed to be so above-board that I opted not to attend the afternoon hearing. And rightly so, because I heard later, again on radio, that, "Imbestigasyon sa DOJ, nauwi sa wala!", because Mr Neri had not shown up. Mr Lozada has often been compared, and more favorably so, to another whistle-blower, 'Chavit' Singson. But 'Chavit' conducted himself more convincingly and more courageously--otherwise, there would have been no impeachment proceedings, and no EDSA II. I simply can't see how Mr Lozada could be 'better'. The above are just my impressions--I'm not qualified to judge on the veracity of the allegations against the ZTE-NBN deal, which I understand has already been scrapped. If so, then what's the fuss all about? If, indeed, the scrapping was due to the hullaballoo raised by the opposition, then, thanks to them, but, really, isn't that just what their duty is, to fiscalize against so-called 'abuses' committed by the majority party? I simply can't understand--unless the oppositionists are racing against their own biological clocks--what the hurry to unseat the president is all about. Her term ends in 2010. If, indeed, every single act like this sets us back economically, as reflected in the stock market, in the loss of foreign investors, and the like, then the inheritors to an unseated president simply inherit the wind ('He who sows discord inherits the wind", as the Good Book says), instead of a stable economy and all the concomitant advantages that entails. As for the middle classes, Mr Abaya's own children have expressed their desire to just "stay home and 'sleep or watch their DVDs or surf the Internet". I think I can just add "go to the mall", and there you have. in a nutshell, the explanation why there isn't going to be an EDSA III anytime soon. Ethel, [email protected], , Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony. I couldn't agree with the avatar more. Sure, she symbolizes the problem and must go eventually, but the end-state that the nation should be focused on is the change in the present order for a new one that is ethical to the bone. This is the only way to break the vicious cycle of fruitless People Power "revolutions." A weak society, after all, gets a government it deserves. The exposes of Jun Lozada and future revelations concerning poll cheating in the 2004 presidential elections and the Glorietta 3 bombing will likely fuel the rage of the middle class. However, in the heat of things, the people should not lose sight of the imperative to find alternative leaders and a viable program of change that will have to be in place from V-Day onwards to reclaim our soul and self-respect. This time though it will not be a picnic. The defenders of the status quo are prepared to do anything to stay in power, and there is no need to elaborate on this point. These are very dangerous times and only an intervening force far superior to the administration can get it to vacate their posts without bloodshed. At this stage, I'd give this a low probability. In all likelihood, blood will, sadly, be spilled. If and when they are deposed, there is still the bigger task of recasting our state of being. The nation will have to hit the ground running from Day One until the end-state is attained at some point in the future. The generations by that time will then have to find ways to sustain it. This to me is the real revolution, a fundamental change in our hearts and minds to build the just society of our dreams. All the best as always, Raffy Alunan, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 Former Secretary, Dept. of the Interior and Local Government wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww NOTE: Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in acabaya.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Thanks for spelling it out. But do you really think the Trapos will allow Noli de C to sit? More likely they would prefer to call "special elections" so the votes can be manipulated yet again. And in the meantime the military is waiting in the wings. Far as I can see any administration only exists because they're allowed to. Bambi Harper, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, Here is NEDA new meaning NEri lozaDA. NEDA - a bone in the neck and a pain in the head of the first Gentleman and President Gloria M. Arroyo. Clarito Platil Gerarcas, (by email), Dapa, (Siargao) Surigao del Norte, Feb 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, While I feel outraged by this NBN Scandal, I find it very difficult to get involved in any "GMA Resign" initiative because we may get her to go, but the guys who we will replace her with will just give us more of the same. For example, some senators say thet the ombudsman investigation will just be a "moro moro." In fact, the entire senate and house of representatives is one big circus - a two ring circus where clowns perform in the upper ring and animals run around in the lower ring. We've been living with "moro moros" for such a long time already. Anyway, I do not want to be so negative especially since our economy is performing so well in spite of ourselves. Our people need this growth more than ever. Please have a look at this pronouncement by the The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches which I think present concrete action: The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC)-the largest network of Evangelicals in the country comprising of 66 denominations, 147 parachurch and missions organizations, and over 23,000 local churches-issued the following statement on the testimony of Jun Lozada and the ZTE deal at large: Gus Cosio, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 PCEC STATEMENT ON THE CURRENT ISSUE The emotional testimony of Jun Lozada before the Senate has been the favorite topic in many discussions in all levels of our society. However one views his words and actions, his revelations on the ZTE and other projects deserve greater attention and further investigation. We appreciate the Senate for starting this investigation and bringing this to the attention of the Filipino people. But before the whole issue is muddled up with too much politicking, let us get to the bottom of it, fast. Let the truth be known, let culpability be determined and punishment be meted to those who will be found guilty. We call on the Senate, Congress, and the President to form an independent, non-partisan, credible body to investigate the case and look at any legislative and/or executive remedy to hasten the filing, prosecution, and punishment of those who are guilty. Time is of the essence here. Our people have long been subjected to accusations and charges that are left hanging. The whole system of government-legislative, executive, and judicial-is being eroded. We affirm the President's legitimacy as our leader. We are asking those who are planning to replace her using extra constitutional means to be prudent. Our nation can no longer bear any political upheaval. Let's just wait for the 2010 elections. We call on all Filipinos who are called by God's Name, whether in government or in private sector, to go on a more serious reflection and prayerful self examination. How come that the figures and percentage on bribes are getting higher? How much is needed to satisfy "moderate greed"? Since when have we embraced "permissible zone" as part of our ethics? Why have we become so good at being so bad? Have we forgotten the reason for our disgrace? Moreover, we call on God's people to pray-to ask God to "bestow the blessings of Deuteronomy 28" upon our godly leaders and to "rain down the curses" upon our leaders who persist in violating His laws. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Proverbs 14:34). We plead with you to listen to this warning: "But unless you repent, you too will all perish" (Luke 13:3). It is in turning away from sin and seeking God can we hope for healing for this beloved land. PCEC Board of Directors 14 February 2008 For more information, please call Bishop Efraim M. Tendero at tel. no. 913-1658; fax nos. 913-1655 to 57 (local 601); or email us at info@pceconline. org. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Well put, Mang Tony. But we Pinoys are really in a predicament. Arroyo is right there ready for the picking. Still, the same wolves surround Lozada in the Senate. Lozada is like a lamb surrounded by salivating wolves in the Senate. While, the hyenas in the Congress are waiting by the sidelines. The shepherd dogs have their tails in their mouth. People are just waiting for a big-hearted shepherd like David. Sabi nga ni Balagtas sa Florante at Laura "O taksil na pita sa yama't mataas O Hangad sa puring, hanging lumilipas Ikaw ang dahilan ng kasamaang lahat At nyaring nasapit na kahabaghabag" Eto lang ang aking maibuntong hininga sa nagpupuyos na damadamin sa loob ng aking dibdib. Magulo, di po ba? Ganyan talaga ang isip ko sa ngayon at siguro pareho rin sa ibang Pilipino. Edel Anit, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Manong Tony, You are right in analyzing the seeming apathy of the middle class to be part in another extra-constitutional activity to oust the head of state. I was at Edsa 1, I marched to Malacanang the night that Marcos fled; I was at Edsa 2 too. But I was never part of the so-called Edsa 3. Yes, I am already a bit disillusioned with the blatant shenanigans in government, but is the action of a whistle-blower who has a shady past enough to goad me to join another Edsa-style action? No way. Prudence tells me to look first before I leap. And when I see nothing but corrupt trapos, communists, and opportunists waiting to take over, getting Gloria out will result to only one thing � ANARCHY. At least with Gloria, we have a semblance of order, which means that my job is still secure, I can still earn enough to feed, clothe, and house my family; the company I work for still thinks of expanding operations in the Philippines , and progress is evident. By the way, an article in Business Mirror dated Feb.15-16, 2008 entitled �AHI Status in limbo with regulator�, written by Emeterio SD. Perez, states that �Had Amsterdam Holdings Inc won the controversial�broadband contract, it could have undertaken its first business since its incorporation in 2002.� (emphasis is mine). But�it may lose its certificate of incorporation with the SEC for being non-operational for five years.� Has this been printed in other newspapers that are blatantly pro-opposition? I don�t think so. This is one side of the coin that has to be considered also. Casting aside allegations of overpricing and kickbacks in the deal with ZTE, the deal with AHI would have been a similar rotten tomato. Anyone in his sane mind involved in procurement won�t enter into a contract of this magnitude with AHI. Everyone seems to be praising Jun Lozada as a hero. I think otherwise. And I believe that he is the epitome of the saying �Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned�. Best regards and please keep on writing. Bong L. Alba, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, Thank you for your wonderful insights on our country's sad affairs. I agree with you that we have to make do with what is available in our present system, in asking for or forcing out corrupt public officials to resign / leave. It is unfortunate that many people keep on talking about the "lesser evil" or the "poor alternative" to Gloria Arroyo, to oppose any move to hold her accountable for her corrupt and criminal acts. It is also sad that many people keep on saying that People Power is irrelevant given that there was no concrete change in our country's system after Edsa 1 and 2. We always read about how often other countries change their leaders, either by resignation, new elections, votes of no confidence, etc.....every time their leader gets linked to a corruption scandal or even a mere embarrassing deed. It does not mean that they expect to solve these problems permanently by changing their leaders. But, it is the act of removing an undeserving public official that is important. And, likewise, giving other willing personalities the opportunity to prove to the public that they can do better. I think, that even if it would take an EDSA 4 or 40 to replace corrupt and criminal public officials, we should keep on pushing for accountability of the President and her subordinates, and along the way, hopefully work on the changes needed in the system of government, as well as pray for an enlightened capable leader to bring our country out of this rut. Alan D. .R.de Luzuriaga, (by email), Pasig City , Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Neri maybe right but not Jun. Lozada is too much of a glib talker to be believable. His admission of his own corruption I believed touched only a small fraction of it. He may be corrupt to a much larger scale than he admitted. As long as Lozada does not offer any evidence of what he has said so far, he is, to me, just a story-teller, fiction or non-fiction. The fact that his handler is Lacson of Kuratong Baleleng and Dacer fame, should give him zero credibility. If the majority of Filipinos believe Lozada, then we really are so gullible that I am afraid we cannot elect a good leader for a long period of time. [email protected], Feb. 21, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww No, the middle class seem not yet too much agitated... The masses at La Salle and Ateneo did not produce so much of attendance as could be a middle class action of people power, nor did last week's Makati rally. I am not sure about next week, but tend not to believe that people power will emerge... Meanwhile, VP Noli came from the mass media, and we know that many in mass media is as corrupt as the government we have, especially those from ABS-CBN. And we are not especially happy with his performance as a radio commentator, as a senator, nor as a VP Serafin Dudeo, (by email), California , Feb. 21, 2008 (You mean �I,� not �we.� ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: I have long maintained that like a cancer that has metastisized, corruption has so permeated the whole fabric of Philippine society that it is already systemic. Jun Lozada uses precisely the same adjective, "systemic," to describe the extent of corruption in the Philippines . So much so that going through periodic "democratric" elections in the expectation that the exercise will have the effect of driving a set of rascals out has turned out to be exercises in futility because the reality has been that periodic elections only install a new set of rascals in positions of power. Thus, one set of rascals pretty much alternates with another. This has been going on since the country gained independence back in 1946. The country is in the vise-like grip of a politico-economic elite whose fixation is to gain political power and with it effectively in their possession gain economic power as well through means fair or foul. So-called "democratic" elections in the Philippines are reduced to a stylized charade. They are a caricature of what they are supposed to be. They are farcical. As such, the country is in thrall, in a continuous state of malaise from which it finds no escape. It is the helpless captive of a corrupt and rapacious politico-economic elite. Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , Feb. 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Tony! As far as I know, there are only three constitutionally-approved methods of removing a sitting president, to wit: impeachment by the House of Representatives and subsequent conviction by the Senate, resignation or incapacity, and people's initiative, the details of which is still unknown. Nowhere in the Constitution did it say that a mob in Metro Manila, Manila-based media, and a few bishops can legally oust a president. Papano naman kami dito sa probinsiya who are fed up with a miniscule proportion of population foisting another palpak president on the whole country? What an irony! The same guys who vociferously oppose constitutional change are seeking to violate the constitution by removing a president extra-legally. There are even supposedly legal minds who advocate a snap election to settle the presidency issue. Don't these fellows ever read the constitution they are supposedly staunchly defending? The best thing to do is to charge Abalos and others with something and assuming there are strong evidence which will stand in court, their conviction will send a message to others not to emulate them. He will be the big fish that we are all looking for but with all these hullabaloo, this fish will get away, as usual. I doubt Arroyo accusers will go this route. There are, as far as I know, no hard evidence of criminality against Abalos et al. There are at the moment no paper trails which will indict him. What we are hearing so far are noises, insinuations, hearsays, grandstanding, bombastic and angry rhetorics, dramatic outbursts, expressions of outrage from an ousted politician and resigned cabinet members, and others which make for "sexy" TV (to quote Alex Magno) but which will be thrown out of court by an unbiased judge. What we need is an investigation by sober-minded investigators who will conduct their queries outside of media and political glare. After all, what Abalos only did was attempt to obtain a commission from a government project and this has been the practice in this country since Magellan landed in Cebu and sought help against Lapulapu (or even earlier if we are to believe Sen. Santiago about the Chinese). What got the goat of "civil society" and bishops apparently was his attempt to seek a grotequesly large amount of commission. "Moderate" commissions (and donations?) to politicians, churchmen and LTO fixers is okay; large commissions to government allies is not okay. What a country we live in! Herminigildo Gutierrez, (by email), Feb. 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, Well said. "Establishing a new order" is indeed a gargantuan task ahead. It may have been overlooked in the past 'convulsions' or just taken lightly in the course of euphorias past. But people who are really serious (and unselfish or with the least greed) can take the corrective measures in the new quest for change. If doing something now is more arduous and even more disastrous than waiting for 2010, and in your analysis may just open the door for "a new group of trapos with the same intentions as the present regime" (to bleed more blood from our people) then what do you suggest we do? Noli de Castro is not making any move whatsoever. Does he think that the cake will just be delivered to him on a silver platter, so to speak? He is Number 2 in the hierarchy and a "Leader" worth his salt must make known his "Agenda for Change" NOW. Basking in the shadow of GMA, or remaining in Newtral, as it were, will not ingratiate him to those who sacrifice their lives and limbs to remove the cancerous Carbuncle in our society. This is the reality as we simple folks see it today. People are not looking for "social pedigree or a dynastic fiefdom" in their quest for change. We need a Leader willing to lead and take risks. But He must be there in the forefront like Magsaysay - the guy. Let's hear from him. Jose Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City , Feb. 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww In his column, �Neri was afraid�� (feb. 16, 2008), Mr. Tony Abaya stated that �of the 10 �afraids� in the quoted document, this last is the one that goes to the heart of the problem and constitutes the dilemma that we all face in our predicament (emphasis added). I will dissect this in a future article.� In his sequel �Neri-Jun is Right� Feb. 19, 2008, Abaya reminded his readers of the �10th afraid.� �(Neri-Jun is afraid that people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country�that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult�it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task�(emphasis added).� I have been and continue to be 100 percent in agreement with this (Neri-Jun) fear dating back to the Hyatt 10 episode in July 2005. In addition, it is clear to me that any premature regime change, which looms as a tempting alternative given the hysteria of the moment, would have devastating economic consequences which unfortunately are inequitably borne by the poorer Filipinos. I therefore waited with anticipation for Mr. Abaya�s sequel with anticipation. But the sequel was a disappointment. Instead of addressing the difficulty of establishing anew order, he joined in the call for the comparatively easier task of regime change, the very essence of the �10th fear.� He ended up exhorting Romulo Neri to come clean because it may �cause the House of Arroyo� to come crashing down.� You provided the palliative that this shouldn�t be too bad because Noli de Castro would likely succeed and he should be acceptable because he is neither a trapo nor a Communist nor a military mercenary. Isn�t this the kind of thinking that got us Cory and Gloria after the two Edsas? You abandoned (Neri-Jun)�s main point that we need to fix the system, not just change leaders. When will we learn that premature regime change, where the basic change consists of simply installing someone who may appear not to fit the �evil mold� does not work? I agree with (Neri-Jun). We need to focus on how to fix the system. We will never fix it if all we do is simply install people who invariably succumb to the ease and culture of corruption. Noel M. Mirasol, in a Letter to the Editor, Standard Today, Feb. 22, 2008 (So do we therefore keep Gloria Arroyo as President forever and ever, as she obviously wants us to? My point was, IF she is forced to step down, by forces not yet apparent to most of us, we should maintain the constitutional processes and allow the vice-president to succeed her. Holding snap elections in 60 days, as some of the eager-beaver presidential wannabes and some of the civil society types foolishly want us to, would create economic and political chaos that will push the elusive New Order even farther away. I would rather have a revolutionary government instead. Which if led by the right leaders has a better chance of building that New Order. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Tony, I am perfectly amenable to letting Noli de Castro take over if GMA is ousted constitutionally that is. But what has been done about the COMELEC which will again overseer the next election? In Pampanga, it has been demonstrated that people can defeat jueteng money. But the jueteng lords are not sleeping and are in fact financing the recall of Governor Panlilio. It is ultimately up to the people if 2010 will be a watershed and not same o same o. Will GMA and company be deposed only to be replaced by JDV and company, who are the losing crooks in this aborted deal that started the scandal in the first place, aided by Erap and company? There is paralysis in analysis by the middle class because the Philippine situation is so unique in that no one has the faintest idea who is deserving of their trust to succeed GMA and the other tradpols who have lorded over Philippine politics since we have had elections. The middle class don't know who to turn to. Everyone they have supported since EDSA I were a disappointment, Cory included. Just about every politician you see from both sides are in the pocket of the top 100 families who compose the Philippine oligarchy. For the middle class to make that leap of faith, they have to have hope. Who will give us hope? Lino Ongteco (by email), Feb. 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Forgive me if I am dense. Are you saying Ping Lacson is" that someone with the mystic vision of that elusive new order??" (I put that in the form of a question. Too bad you missed the sarcasm. ACA) Is he the guy who have seen the light? Who have turned his back against the shadow of the baleleng/dacer past? Is it possible that the alleged four who picked up (kidnapped/abducted?) Jaylo are actually Ping operatives disguised as GMA goons? Is it true that one of the brothers of Jaylo is actually a PR man of Ping ? Is the current Senate teledrama a media coup of Ping/Madrigal Productions? Since there are a lot of innuendos in that Senate hearing, i guess adding some more can spice further the cauldron of discontent!! Please stir on, the number 2 channel is good enough to put further spin into its currently rating teledrama Felix Zamar (by email), Feb. 22, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I don't know about the others, but I feel I have enough of this hullabaloo of ZTE scam. Please don't get me wrong, I do abhor corruption and those damned, cursed corrupt goons in power or power-wannabes. Just where is this Senate investigation leading to in the first place? We voted for these senators for the purpose of enacting laws for the betterment of the people and the country, and not to investigate "in aid of legislation". Just where is this god-damned investigation going to? OK, so let's say they succeed in proving corruption in government, which is already public knowledge anyway even before ZTE... what next? Will they propose another law to prevent further corruption? They are already getting out of focus, invading the functions of other branches, or leg, of government. Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government are supposed to be co-equal, with their own distinct role in government. Usurpation's is also corruption. Even ordinary people have their own role in petty corruption... drivers, job applicants, people transacting their own business in local government offices, teachers, etc. Has anyone dared to be a whistle-blower too? And with this Jun Lozada, he may be saying the truth, maybe half-truth or maybe his own perception of truth. Whatever then case, he has become an overnight sensation, even proclaimed as "hero" and whatever he says is accepted as Gospel-truth even by Church leaders. Perhaps if he says the Mama Mary is not Virgin and Jesus is a bastard, this mob would still believe him to be saying the truth! I don't mean to blaspheme against my faith, that is the farthest thing in my mind. What I am trying to say is that, should we believe outright what he says without reading behind the lines? Looking at him from day 1, I think he is already enjoying the accolade and reception given him. I am not a PGMA fan! In fact, I did not vote for her in the last election, not even for the Vice-Presidency in '98! And FG Mike and Kangkongressmen Mikey and Iggy Arroyo are among the political personalities I distrust the most! If only they can be exiled to Timbuktu during the tenure of Gloria to spare the country from their greed. And that goes the same for JdV and his son Joey. Joey is just a sour-grape because he did not win the NBN contract. (I am against this NBN deal too! Why not create our own when we have the skills?) I don't believe that bishop (I forgot his name) when he said corruption cannot be cured anymore. Church leaders are supposed to give hope, not to dampen it! If that is his thinking, he does not deserve to be there! Perhaps, there is still a way. But the simplest might be, if the Government will have a deal with another entity, then the opposition leaders should also be invited to join the transaction, whether as co-signatories or observers. That way, they can guard against corruption. It they do not want to join because they feel it will only benefit the image of the President, then they waived their right to question the deal, much more to investigate, for they have become accomplices. Perhaps, that should be the law these senators propose and enact. All this bickering is not doing us any good. It only shows the crab in our being. Felipe Rommel Martinez, (by email), Feb. 23, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya : At last, you have ventilated what it seems has either been overlooked or more probably deliberately set aside by our mga "kababayans" who seem hell-bent on removing the present administration. Make no mistake, I am no apologist for the present adminsitration - I had voiced out years ago that I believe it has lost its moral ascendancy to lead our nation. However, I believe those who are in the forefront of the current demonstrations, prayer rallies etc owe us regular citizens this much - a presentation of their proposals for the 2 equally if not more important factors - replace with whom and how do we ensure that the new leaders will exert real, sincere and EFFECTIVE measures to ideally eliminate, if not realistically "moderate" graft and corruption. My family (including an octogenarian mother-in-law) and I were in the midst of the citizenry for EDSA I and EDSA II, but let us not kid ourselves - EDSA I and EDSA II were supposed to were have adddressed the latter factor - the graft and corruption. But these failed miserably - those new administrations did not even dent or alleviate the situation. Iin fact, the very same graft and corruption in the succeeding administrations apres the conjugal Marcos regime were exacerbated in escalating degrees. Tony B. Elicano, (by email), Feb. 24, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good day, Tony! You wrote: "They (presidential wannabes) are either for or against the constitutional process. If they are against, then they have no business occupying, or running for, any public office." These trapos are not known for their consistency. Their stand on issues depend on what suits their present interests. Examples: GMA said the world will not forgive us if we staged another people power is staged was beneficiary but she went along with EDSA 2 because it benefited her. On the other side, we see the likes of Lacson and Binay who tolerated Erap's crimes but are at the forefront of the Oust GMA moves. They exhibit selective judgments and double standards. Of course the best example is JDV. I wonder if, by some twist of fate, GMA suddenly initiates moves to reconcile with him and work to reinstate him as Speaker. One gets you ten he will bite and be more than willing to eat back his words (and so will Manay Gina, too) as if nothing happened faster than one could utter the words "Moral Revolution." Also, I don�t agree with FVR's reasoning that he favors the status quo until the opposition could present a viable alternative. Does it mean he is open to disregard the constitutional process depending on the choices at hand? Please enlighten me, Tony. You also said: "One last point. There are media reports that Sen. Panfilo Lacson met with Jun Lozada six times... If true, does this mean that the Neri-Jun avatar has found in Sen. Lacson that someone with the mystic vision of that elusive new order?" Me thinks they saw Sen. Ping to be the best person on the other side most likely to buy their story and facilitate their withdrawal of support from GMA. Ping would not require proofs of allegations from them which they didn't have. Remember he was the one who bled dry the Pidal issue even when veteran lawmakers like Pimentel have admitted the case was weak to nail down FG Arroyo due to insufficient evidence? Ping showed Nene that one doesn't need evidence. What he needs is any issue which could land him in the news for pogi points. And he is damn correct: the public lapped up every expose he made. Because of their hatred for the Arroyos, they are willing to disregard the universal(?) law that "A person is innocent until proven guilty." Other than being enshrined in our laws, I recall my parents, my school and my church taught me that, too.That is why I regret having joined the first EDSA (I was an ignorant 19 then), did not take part in the second, and will never be part of another one. Looking forward to your next essay. Best regards, Jojo Labayen, (by email), Feb. 26, 2008 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, Thanks for writing this way. Gives a fresh take on the politico-economic situation given this ZTE-NBN mess. You are right. We have no clear options but we must do something now. To let her stay longer and her ilk is like letting good tomatoes rot along with the bad ones. Pano na kaya tayo pagdating ng 2010. Some young decision-makers in the government are already engaging in corruption as we speak. Vitti Corpuz Valenzuela, (by email), Feb. 27, 2008 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO To subscribe, send a blank email with the subject heading Subscribe. 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