| OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to Reconcilliation or Revolution" Well said,Tony. Thank you. I have sent a copy to all whose e-mail addresses I have. Must however express my surprise that B. Fernando has thrown his hat into the wanabe-VP ring. The slate of wanabe- Prez's excluding Roco, don't deserve BF. Halagaan muna natin siya. All the best, Dick Powell, [email protected] November 28, 2003 ��������������� your articles are always interesting. i'm glad to have met you.... i always feel it's such a shame about the philippines -- the international press is definitely not portraying your country under a good light also i've heard that the violence and of course, kidnappings are getting worse leading up to election times. i hope it gets better. thanks again. Ming Lee, [email protected] November 28, 2003 ���������������. Tony, this is offie bakker-mananquil in singapore. Thanks for keeping me in your mail list. This cabalen Offie has lost respect and support for that woman. What she mouths about is the complete opposite of what she does. A good leader will at most times be unpopular because she makes decisions which are for the common good. This one she makes decisions that will only suit herself and her retinue of leeches including her insensitive husband. I supported her because she is a cabalen but from day one she has been electioneering and trying to promote herself, decisions she bungled like her crime prevention, fight against corruption.. such as when that friend of hers at MTRCB abused like no one ever did at the small agency... GMA said name names and so I named her (dinglasan) after several months she was dismissed bc of a strong clamor for her dismissal. but I found out later on she put her as board member of the Baguio Country Club with even bigger fees just for her to sit in that stupid board there. This woman has no delicadeza. I tell you she is different from the first children of Kong Dadong...this one who is the daughter of the arrogant Eva has no manners, she is arrogant like her mother, no scruples and no sincere feelings for the plight of our country and people. Just look at her kowtowing with the likes of Mike Velarde just to ensure her votes from that ignoramuses who get exploited by that ugly obscene Mike Velarde. Anyhow, whatever she does, her husband's greed and hypocrisy, which they are are, will always hang above her head...he has no respect for her...a man who has no respect for his wife in her position is bound to destroy her no matter what credentials she has...at the state visit in Singapore, he sat down at the entablado while she was delivering her speech...he was busy with his NOKIA texting...people, foreigners, Singaporeans, government people of Singapore asked, who is that man, the husband? Now what kind of a husband is that? i think it is for show and for their greed that they cling to each other....action speaks louder than words Tony and what this two keep mouthing is putting them further down. Filipinos can do better to elect the best man in that selection of candidates, one not tainted with corruption, one with a good tract record of splendid government service, dedicated public servant, husband, father, friend, a real Gentleman... Do we have this man? yes we do but Filipinos are so star struck crazy immature lot. In the final analysis, if we do not educate our masa of voters, we will be back to the Erap Magpapahirap years with FPJ... this is why we are mobilizing the OFW communities to have just one voice in the coming elections to vote for just one man.... Thank you for listening Tony, I appreciate your articles. yes I agree without justice there will never be reconciliation in our country. Offie Mananquil Bakker, [email protected] November 28, 2003 �������������������. Tony, You are asking for the impossible. Filipinos are not Koreans. So, forget it. And all this talk about a revolutionary situation has been going on since the 60s. Mag-rebolusyon na! Bakit ang tagal? Hindi ba nila kaya? I think optimism and participation in a positive and constructive manner in the present system can do the trick. There's just too much negativity, poisoning the atmosphere. The ideals of our democratic system should be focused and be the guiding light of Filipinos. But, alas, the bad side is always the emphasis, as though nothing good at all can come out of it. Of course, if people will be bombarded with the thought that our system is bad, no good can be expected to come out of it. People and leaders will just be cynical. They forget that no system is perfect. And it is up to the people and their leaders to make things right. And they can do it they all get together and start from scratch and decide to do things right. Goodwill should be cultivated. Pere, pare ko, kung ayaw nila, eh, di magpatayan na para matapos na. At tingnan na lang kung sino ang matira, at abangan ang susunod na kabanata. Kaya lang mga duwag din, eh. Gras Reyes, [email protected] November 28, 2003 MY REPLY. Look who's talking? If you will reread your past letters to this writer, all archived in the website www.tapatt.org, you will note that you have been saying all along that nothing can be done to make things better because it is the Filipino character that is at fault and unless that character is somehow changed drastically all attempts to make improvements in the politics, economics, etc are futile. That's PERMANENT negativism, devoid of all hope since no national character can be changed. ����������������. Tony, You're right! The observation still holds true. Unless Filipinos change in character no system can work. Has anything worked since "rebolusyon" has been mouthed in the 60s? Gras MY REPLY. You're complaining that "there is too much negativity poisoning the atmosphere" and yet you say that nothing can change unless the Filipino character is changed, which is the ultimate statement of permanent negativism, since the Filipino character cannot be changed in one human lifetime, ergo you are the one poisoning the atmosphere permanently with negativity. This is a constant refrain in your reaction letters. And then you say "I think optimism and participation in a practical and contributive manner in the present system can do the trick." But this would be utterly useless since, by your own standard, nothing can be made better unless the Filipino character is first changed, a process which could take several generations or a few hundred years, assuming there will be good leadership through all that time. Don't you see the contradiction you have gotten tangled in with your habitual negative reaction? |
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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Reconciliation or Revolution? By Antonio C. Abaya November 26, 2003 In Ricky Carandang�s morning TV program on ANC Ch. 21 today, I reiterated my points that President Arroyo�s offer of �total reconciliation� with the many enemies of her government is an implicit repudiation of the rule of law in favor of political expediency; that it is a sign of weakness incompatible with previous palaver about building a �strong republic,� a weakness that will likely be exploited by her enemies; and that it will cause her to lose support from the middle class, other than her tribal cabalens, who want to see the judicial processes run their course first before any talk of forgiveness or reconciliation. I gave as an example of true reconciliation, with justice and under the rule of law, the case of two former presidents of South Korea: Gen. Chun Doo Hwan (president from 1980 to 1988) and Gen. Roh Tae Woo (president from 1988 to 1992). In 1995, the two former presidents were indicted, tried and convicted of corruption, treason and complicity in the 1980 killing of student demonstrations in the city of Kwangju. This extraordinary trial, during which the prominent accused faced the judge handcuffed and dressed in prisoners� garb, took place during the presidency of Kim Young Sam, South Korea�s first civilian president since 1961, whose own son was accused of corruption and influence peddling and was tried, found guilty and sent to jail while his father was still president. In August 1996, the two former presidents were duly sentenced: Chun to death, Roh to 22 � years in prison. In December of the same year, Chun�s sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, while Roh�s sentence was reduced to 17 years. In December 1997, during the presidency of Kim Dae Jung, two of whose sons were also accused of and tried for corruption (and one was convicted and jailed), the two former presidents were granted presidential pardon and released from jail. The above episode sent a message loud and clear, not only to the Korean people but to all civilized people everywhere: that in South Korea, no one � not even presidents and their children � is above the law; that the rule of law is paramount over political expediency or concerns about humiliation and loss of face; that there is room for forgiveness and reconciliation, but only after the judicial process has run its course, not before. It is noteworthy that this extraordinary process took place among a people who are predominantly Buddhist and who therefore do not even believe in a god, �only� in a path of righteousness to preserve harmony in society. Yet, here we are, the only Christian and Catholic country in Asia, where the leaders (and their followers) are always on their knees praying for divine guidance and intercession even while they make deals with criminals and lawbreakers to short-circuit the judicial process in order to preserve their political skins. There is only one word to describe it. Disgusting. ***** I also mentioned on television that to help her sell her �total reconciliation�, President Arroyo named two religious leaders as �negotiators� with the various enemies of her government: Archbishop Fernando Capalla, incoming president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, and the Rev. Romeo Intengan, Father Provincial of the Jesuit order. Capalla accepted. Intengan wisely declined. In a paper sent to Malacanang, Intengan listed three conditions that would make reconciliation �authentic and morally acceptable�: sufficient acknowledgment of offenses committed against the common good, substantial restitution and reparation, and desistance from further activities that destabilize democracy and harm the common good. These conditions are certainly farthest from the minds of Erap Estrada and his mob-for-hire, of Danding Cojuangco and his Pacman mafia, of Gringo Honasan and his Magdalo power-grabbers, of Ping Lacson and his shady Chinese patrons, of the CPP-NDF-NPA and their Leninist revolutionaries, of the MILF and its jihad warriors. So what is there to reconcile over other than the re-election of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Not one to exaggerate anything, Fr. Intengan also warned that the Philippines �is now in a revolutionary situation� arising from �the efforts of a wide spectrum of opposition groups.� Fr. Intengan described a revolutionary situation as �one in which there is widespread desire for radical socio-political change among the people; groups could emerge that could lead or effect change and the prevailing system is under serious attack; the holders of state power are hard put to maintain the system or change in the direction they want; societal institutions are under serious challenge and there are real prospects of seizure of power by forces other than the present besieged wielders of state power.� (Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 13, 2003.) I also said on television that the 2004 elections should be postponed for at least three years; that a provisional government be empowered by societal consensus to take over the management of the country when the Arroyo government expires on June 30, 2004; that a respected elder statesman, such as Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., be empowered by societal consensus to head that provisional government. Those three years should best be used to revise the rules of engagement in our electoral system in order a) to drastically reduce the cost of running for office (to recover and multiply which is the main animus for corruption); b) to establish more stringent minimum educational and moral qualifications for all candidates; c) to do away with political dynasties once and for all; and d) to accelerate and conclude all pending investigations of and court cases against all candidates for and claimants to high offices (including their spouses, such as Loi Ejercito, Laarni Enriquez, Alice Lacson, �Jose Pidal�, and the spouse and heirs of Ferdinand Marcos) so as to establish guilt or innocence way before the next elections. ***** The bulk of this article appears in the December 06, 2003 issue of the Philippines Free Press magazine. |
| .................................................................. Tony, No. If the change in character takes place, then there is hope. But if it takes a hundred years, saying "change in character" now is just one tiny step. Pointing at the negativity including mine is a way of accentuating the "bad character" of the Filipino people, and also a way of expressing one's frustration. Contradiction! Of course. But when one expresses his frustration he is not about to go into syllogism. But don't get mad. I don't know how in the first place you got my email address and started you sending your pieces, which by the way, are quite stimulating. Others like yours that come in unsolicited are simply deleted by one of my negative fingers. I said once that "I hope people will listen to you, particularly GMA, and heed your call for a 'strong leadership'" that will launch some kind of a revolution. Well , so far it looks like it fell on negative ears. No one seems to be listening. Isn't that frustrating? Gras Reyes, [email protected] December 01, 2003 MY REPLY. I always believe in being logical even when I am frustrated. .............................................................. Gloria is not only incompetent to run a government but godawful at communications. I'm glad there is some intelligent alternative to this presidential circus. Ross Tipon, [email protected] December 01, 2003 MY REPLY. Intelligent, yes. But visionary? Extraordinary? Revolutionary? Nah. ................................................................... (Through the pilipinasforum egroup) Hi Tony, folks, I go along with your points, except those in the last couple of paragraphs. I wouldn't take the risk of no elections this 2004. It reminds me of Lord Acton: power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The "provisional government" powers will likely corrupt even the very honorable Chief Justice ... and his cohorts. I'd rather take the risk of the devil being elected by the people than have an angel appointed to govern human affairs. Cheers, Roy Picart, [email protected] December 03, 2003 MY REPLY. Spoken like a true namby-pamby liberal. And it�s not even original. Quezon said as much about 70 years ago, and unexpectedly got his wish a few decades later. ................................................................. (Through the pilipinasforum egroup) --- "Antonio C. Abaya" <[email protected]> wrote: > Reconciliation or Revolution? > It is noteworthy that this extraordinary process > took place among a people who are predominantly > Buddhist and who therefore do not even believe in a > god, "only" in a path of righteousness to preserve > harmony in society. > > Yet, here we are, the only Christian and Catholic > country in Asia, where the leaders (and their > followers) are always on their knees praying for > divine guidance and intercession even while they > make deals with criminals and lawbreakers to > short-circuit the judicial process in order to > preserve their political skins. There is only one > word to describe it. Disgusting. ***** > ===> I almost missed this. So are you suggesting changing faith? Or electing Buddhists? Or jailing Catholics? MY REPLY. Not any more than I am suggesting that South Koreans convert to Catholicism. As for jailing Catholics, especially big-fish Catholics, why the hell not, if they are guilty of committing crimes? That�s just the point, isn�t it: in this Christian and Catholic country, the big fish - usually Catholic, sometimes not - often do not go to jail. ===> Don't put too much meaning on how one candidate practices his faith. Years ago, here in London, I almost wanted to maul a visiting congressman from the Philippines who -- I learned from his aide -- had just received a digital (10 digits) "gift" from a company that wanted to put up a telecom company. The congressman was a member of the committee on franchises. But I remember we were on the Holy Communion line that time. At the end of the day, everyone believes in a supreme being. And your faith teaches you to be kind. Kind of silly, right? MY REPLY. Why shouldn�t one �put too much meaning on how one candidate practices his faith.?� Religion is supposed to provide each believer with a moral anchor so that he/she behaves in an ethical manner. If religion does not compel the believer to do that, then it is a failure, for beyond ethical behavior there is nothing substantive and meaningful in religion, only mumbo-jumbo. > > I also said on television that the 2004 elections > should be postponed for at least three years; that a > provisional government be empowered by societal > consensus to take over the management of the country > when the Arroyo government expires on June 30, 2004; > that a respected elder statesman, such as Supreme > Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., be empowered > by societal consensus to head that provisional > government. > ===> Now that is something: societal consensus. How would you obtain that? ===> Interesting also that you mentioned CJ Davide, who escaped impeachment by a technicality. (If I am not mistaken, the High Court decided to perform a "solemn duty" rather than allow a House commitee to proceed with its illegal move.) Are you now suggesting that the entire nation forego their solemn duty to elect its leaders and just opt for an unconstitutional process of .... societal consensus? MY REPLY. In 1958, when the French Fourth Republic was on the verge of collapse, Charles de Gaulle was called in from retirement to save the nation. He was not elected to the highest office, nor did he stage a coup d�etat to get it, nor was he installed by the military, nor was his re-ascent to power according to the constitution. Instead, he was prevailed upon by prominent persons representing a broad spectrum of French society to assume the burden of leadership in the middle of a life-and-death crisis. That�s an example of �societal consensus.� In 1986, Cory Aquino was installed President even though she was not the official winner of the February snap elections. She was made president through an extra-judicial and extra-constitutional process. So was Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in January 2001. Two examples of �societal conscensus� among the Philippine middle class. You can now wipe away that superior sneer from your face. In all, I believe the problem of the Philippines is its inconsistency. There are times when you want the system to work and times when you do not want. Taxes are generated using conflicting regulations satisfying and hurting the tax base. (The vehicle sector is one.) Government leaders and managers should spend time leading and managing rather than spending their time looking for the soft spot in the back to plant their knives with. The civil works system is flat out ugly. You can't even move people comfortably and safely. The entire system spirals crazily predicting bleak scenarios rather than moving mountains to prevent them. I don't know FPJ, but it seems all the problems of the NEXT 6 years are already being heaped upon him. (A rather unkind joke passed on to me is this newly-elected President FPJ's first official instruction, in his standard few-words fashion: Filipinos, Pasig ... Jump.) You are right: the Philippines is in a revolutionary state. But when did it ever stop revolting? Good day! Ansel Augustin, [email protected] December 09, 2003 ......................................................... |