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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Snappier Elections
By Antonio C. Abaya Written on Nov. 14, 2007 For the Standard Today, November 15 issue In my earlier article titled Snapped Elections (Nov. 06), I had argued against the proposal of three Roman Catholic bishops of the Kilusang Makabayang Ekonomiya (KME), supported by former vice-president Teofisto Guingona, for the nation�s president (Gloria Arroyo), vice-president (Noli de Castro), Senate president (Manuel Villar) and House speaker Jose de Venecia to all resign from their positions, and give way to snap elections in six months. I argued that six months are not long enough to make meaningful changes in our electoral system, absent which the proposed snap elections will just reinforce �the same cheating, the same violence, the same dirty tricks, the same vote-buying, the same sloppy management, the same inevitable controversies, the same Big Money politics, the same unresolved complaints, the same predatory trapos, the same octopus-like political dynasties, the same feudalism, the same corruption, the same rape of the democratic ideal�.� (Enteng Romano, convenor of the Black and White Movement wrote to say that BnW was not part of, nor does it support, the KME�s advocacy of �snap elections in six months,� that they �supported such a position two years ago,� but now they support the constitutional mode of succession. �We believe that two years under an incompetent Noli presidency is far better than two more years of a corrupt and despotic GMA regime�.�) Comes now a full-page ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Nov. 13) calling for even Snappier Elections in sixty days, after the demanded resignation of Gloria and Noli, on the grounds that it is called for by the 1987 Constitution: to wit: �The Congress shall, at ten o�clock in the morning of the third day after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in accordance with the rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President and a Vice-President to be held not earlier than forty five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. xxxxx (Sec. 10, Article VII) (Emphasis theirs.). Which, in my opinion, proves that the drafting of a constitution is too important to be left in the hands of lawyers, which most of the drafters of the 1987 Constitution were. As are apparently most of the 30 individuals who signed the above one-page Inquirer ad. I thought that six months were bad enough. Sixty days are definitely a fast track leading to nowhere. Not being a lawyer, I have practical objections to this advocacy. Such as, who is going to manage and oversee these Snappier Elections? In the highly unlikely event that Gloria and Noli do resign from their positions today, we would be mandated to hold these Snappier Elections in 60+10 days, or by Jan. 25, 2008 at the latest. Since Benjamin Abalos remains chairman of Comelec until his resignation takes effect on, I believe, Feb. 28, 2008, he would still be the chief executive officer of this stumblebum commission, which up to now cannot locate its own errant factotum Lintang Bedol to arrest him for contempt. Are we really ready to entrust another election to Abalos? In the more likely event that Gloria and Noli do not resign, as demanded, she retains the presidential prerogative to name the successor of Abalos. Do we really believe that she will name someone who will be hostile to and uncooperative with her political game plans for 2008, 2010 and beyond? In the also unlikely event that Gloria and Noli are forced out of office on or before Feb. 28, 2008, who will have the presidential prerogative to name the successor to Abalaos? Is that covered in our kilometric 1987 Constitution. If not, who decides? In the even more unlikely event that, out of 88 million Filipinos, we are able to find and appoint as successor to Abalos someone who like Lee Kwan Yew - a lawyer � is both scrupulously honest and impartially efficient, can he or she make a difference in just 60 days? Can he or she, for example, dismantle the political dynasties that have clamped a progressively tighter stranglehold on our electoral and political systems, despite a constitutional prohibition against such dynasties? In 60 days? Of course not. Can he or she confiscate all or most of the loose firearms in the hands of private armies and warring political factions that account for the embarrassingly high (higher than in Africa) fatality rate during our elections? In 60 days? Of course not. Can he or she implement an electronic voter�s ID card and a computerized electoral process to minimize electoral cheating, which we have been debating on since the 1980s? In 60 days? Of course not. Can he or she level the electoral playing field by enforcing a ban on all political ads in print and broadcast media and thus remove the malevolent influence of Big Money in our politics, the biggest single source of corruption in government? In 60 days. Of course not. Can he or she arrest and prosecute Virgilio Garcillano and Lintang Bedol for complicity in electoral fraud in 2004 and 2007, respectively, to send the clear message that electoral fraud will from now on be swiftly punished to the full extent of the law, even if the trail leads to Malacanang Palace and Camp Aguinaldo ? In 60 days? He or she will be dead before those 60 days are up. So if our putative Filipino Lee Kwan Yew cannot possibly accomplish any and all of the above, why get hot under the collar about Snappier Elections in 60 days? .Plus ca change, plus la meme chose. The more things change, the more they stay the same. I suspect that some or most of the 30 individuals who signed that one-page Inquirer ad realize the impossibility of their advocacy and are only deliberately fanning the embers for another EDSA People Power revolt, similar to the 1986 watershed event.. As everyone knows, the snap elections in 1986 were officially won by Ferdinand Marcos and Arturo Tolentino, according to the Comelec then. But it was the deliberate strategy of Mrs. Aquino and her advisers to unilaterally declare that she had won the snap elections. And a million or more of her supporters, mostly from the urban middle class, trooped to Luneta to back up that claim, while some two dozen Comelec computer programmers tearfully confessed that they had been ordered by their superiors to fudge the data to show a Marcos win. Whatever the truth or half-truth about those claims, it worked. Marcos was boxed into a corner from which he could not extricate himself, especially after reformist elements in the military � led by Juan Ponce Enrile, Fidel Ramos, Gringo Honasan and the RAM � staged a mutiny and were saved from extinction by Cardinal Sin and the middle class. In 2007, a similar scenario may be in the minds of those calling for Snappier Elections. But they have no Cory Aquino, and they have no Cardinal Sin, without whom I doubt if they can gather one million middle class supporters in Luneta. In 2005, following the Hello Garci expose, the most they could gather in Jejomar Binay�s Makati was 20,000, mostly mobs-for-hire from his squatter colonies. Without a Cory Aquino around whom the middle class can rally, no EDSA People Power revolt will prosper, even if the object of their scorn is as hateful as Ferdinand Marcos. The proffered alternative will always make the difference. Who exactly is the alternative that those pushing for these Snappier Elections want to foist on us? If you examine the 30 individuals who signed the Inquirer ad, you will note that at least ten of them � the biggest single bloc in the group - are known allies, supporters or henchmen of the convicted but unrepentant plunderer Joseph Estrada. So this is essentially an Erap initiative, just like the Oakwood Mutiny of July 2003 and the pseudo-EDSA and Marine stand-off of February 2006. And the object, then as now, is to force the overthrow of President Arroyo and her government, to be replaced by a junta or revolutionary government of their choice, preparatory to an Estrada Restoration, just as Marcos was replaced in 1986 by a revolutionary government led by Mrs. Aquino. And who would be in this revolutionary government? In 2005, in the aftermath of the Hello Garci scandal, Erap�s chief political lieutenant, Boy Morales � co-founder of the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines � openly named the members of what he euphemistically called a �transition council,� which, not surprisingly, included four Communists and �former� Communists. Named to head this �transition council� was former AFP Chief and Defense Secretary Renato de Villa � Mr. Clean himself. But when it was floated that Joma Sison might be invited to join this council and Joma said he would accept, De Villa � to his credit � announced that if Joma were invited in, he � De Villa � would resign. (See my article Devill�s Advocate [Sept. 11, 2005] and related articles). I am not inherently hostile to revolutionary governments. On the contrary, I have written several articles advocating it, starting with Revolutionary Government: Why Not? (Jan. 10, 2002), all archived in www.tapatt.org. . But I have no illusions that a revolutionary government can repair a broken country like the Philippines in only sixty days or even in six months. And I would not affix my signature to any demand for Snappier Elections whose net effect would be to foist on this god-forsaken country someone like � Good Lord! � Jinggoy Estrada or Jejomar Binay. ***** Reactions to [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Snappier Elections� More Reactions to �Snapped Elections� On Support for Gov. Fr. Ed Panlilio Pagbabago 2010 �This Government is Condemned� A Message from George Carlin Hi Tony, right you are. May I add that a weak society gets the government it deserves. A revolutionary government over a weak society is a recipe for disaster. I prefer cultivating a revolutionary movement amongst the youth to work for the recovery of our moral compass before a revolutionary government is installed to restore excellence in governance. That's a better way to assert the people's supremacy. All the best, Raffy Alunan, (by email), Nov. 15, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, For the first time I will disagree with your prognosis Tony . A snap election would work in this country. Our judiciary branch headed by eminent Chief Justice Reynato Puno,could shake off its passive posture and be assertive as a co- equal branch of government. It could assert itself and revolutionized its own reforms by adopting the Grand Jury and Trial By Jury System which is now in the hands of the Chief Justice. I have made the necesary petition and other people may join and interevene. (Can you name one Asian country in the 20th-21st century that successfully changed its judicial system from trial-by-judge to trial-by jury? ACA). . A snap election with the jury system in place will mean strict enforcement and persecution of those who obstruct justice during election event. They can be prosecuted It is only when we have the proper judicial reforms as the jury system can we have a no-nonsense election. The Bidol and Garcellano operators will have difficult time going through the grand jury indictment and the trial by jury which usually last not more than 30 days under the proposal given to Chief Justice Puno. Mayor Jojo Binay may not exactly be your choice. But if can make the whole country like Makati , then by all means he would make the best and most sensible choice as President for our people.. (The Ayalas, not Binay, �made� Makati . ACA) Vic del Fierro Jr, (by email), Nov. 15, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony: Once again you have put some bright lights on this stupid and idiotic proposed snappier election. For every "of course not" that you succinctly exclaimed following your practical questions reveals the astuteness of your political mind. I must add though that the snap election in 1986 was made possible because, in a worldwide broadcast by ABC News, Ferdinand Marcos arrogantly proclaimed that he was so popular with the Filipino people that he wants to have a snap election to prove it. I know that for a fact because I watched him. Unless President Arroyo agrees to a snap election, nothing will happen. The only way to remove her is through the constitutional means of impeachment which is now unlikely as the result of that brazen bribe in Malacanang to majority of the House of Representatives. The political ad that you mentioned advocating snap election is an exercise in futility, another political posturing for a few frustrated people. I guess we just have to endure this administration until 2010 unless something big happens. Martin C. Celemin, (by email), Las Vegas , Nevada , Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Says the Black and White Movement: �We believe that two years under an incompetent Noli presidency is far better than two more years of a corrupt and despotic GMA regime�.� Buwahahahaha!! Wawa naman si Pinay kung ito na lang ang pagpipilian!!!! Alexander Po, (by email), Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: SNAP REVOLT. That's the most immediate option. Not 60 days. Not six months. Who'll do it? Let's just be ready. I'm sure there are many plots in process. I just hope they get together soon to rid us of this pestilence, which consists not only of the present administration but almost the whole set of false leaders. True, many will get hurt. Maybe even die. But since we never learned the necessary lessons, let's go through this next educational process: the civil war we've always managed to postpone or the revolutionary junta the elite have so feared. Let's just get this done ASAP. And if it's more bombs that will do it, let's go. Time's a-wasting. Tito Osias, (by email), Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Mr.Abaya, Thank you again for the forwards and this Snappier Election, in the second paragraph, you very eloquently summarize the very true ,sad and brutal state that our politicians are mired in,,(Greed) except for a few who will never win against this evil situation, these evil people. Teddi .Wender, (by email), Hamilton , Ont. , Canada , Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: When will we ever stop deluding ourselves into thinking that elections in the Philippines, whether "snap" or "snapped" or what-have-you, will ever lead to the kind of political, economic and social changes that have tragically eluded the country since the time it achieved its so-called "independence" in 1946? Millions of Filipinos can go through the rigmarole of "snap" elections not earlier than 6 or 9 or 12 months--but what can they expect after all the sound and the furry and after the political dust settles? Nothing much in terms of fundamental and critically-needed changes in policies which have pinned the country down all these agonizing years to the status of a "sick man"--that's what. For millions of Filipinos it will certainly be more and more of the same. The country would still effectively be in the clutches of a politico-economic elite which is determined to perpetuate itself in power at the expense of those millions. Filipinos have finally to come to the painful realization that so-called "democratic" elections are certainly not the right prescription for what ails their country. Since it is crystal-clear that this politico-economic elite which has placed the country in its stranglehold all these years, it is this politico-economic elite which is the problem. The right prescription, it follows logically, is to break this stranglehold--by force as the situation now demands since so-called "democratic" elections--so many of them over the last 60 years or so--have proved futile. Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, I admire your guts for calling ERAP, "the convicted and unrepentant plunderer," ditto with the context in which you mentioned Jinggoy Estrada and Jejomar Binay at the end of your article. It appears to me that you are a fearless and honest man. I'll continue to read your articles, it's the only way I can think of to encourage you and others in media to thrive by these virtues. Shane V. Flores, (by email), Sacramento , CA , Nov 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I think instead of diffusing or wasting our energy on snap election or other people-initiated movements, we should conserve our resources until we find the right people to replace the trapos and corrupt incumbents in our government. We need to prepare for a huge mass movement to transform our rotten political system that perpetuates corruption in government. So, in preparation for that moment, preferably in 2010, we need to align a group of potential leaders with moral integrity, passionate patriotism, intelligence and courage to uproot corruption from our government. In thinking of such potential leaders, I would like that our Mr. Antonio Abaya, our insightful columnist to be one of them. At least, he should be a senior presidential adviser if he is not interested in being the president. The people are just waiting for the right replacements to rally behind and be actively involved in saving our country. The reason why the people seem to be quiet despite the piling up of scandals of enormous proportion, is because we do not have potential replacements that we know will make the drastic changes in our government. With the prolonged suffering, disappointment and outrage of our people, it would be easy to defeat the corrupt incumbents in a clean election. Our people are now sick and tired of the massive corruption with impunity. As part of our preparation for overhauling the government, we must now plan a strategy to watch the next election and thwart any attempt of the incumbents to cheat. We should invite foreign observers like Senator Lugar and others (who were instrumental in the demise of dictatorship). Bart Saucelo, MD, (by email), South Bend , Indiana , Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, If we have been failing to solve our main problem as a nation, it is mainly due to the fact that we have not correctly identified it. Moral bankruptcy is our main problem. Or put it another way, we are not a true Christian nation. We are 92.5% Christian (Catholic and Protestant) nation in name only. But most of us do not strictly follow the Ten Commandments, hence the cheating, lying, killing, and graft and corruption in our society. Our political, economic, and social problems are directly and indirectly connected to moral bankruptcy. If (Christian) churches are responsible for setting the moral standard and direction in our society, then the group that has miserably failed the Filipino people is the religious sector. Let us, therefore, ask our religious leaders to re-examine their role in our society. How many priests, nuns, pastors, and other religious leaders support and coddle the CPP/NPA/NDF rebels who are the enemies of the state? Religious leaders marching in the streets? Many of them do not know their theology. If they have been failing in their calling to lead their flock to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, then they should resign and change careers or jobs. I am strongly against snap elections. They are a waste of taxpayers' money. They will not solve our problems. They will just hasten the transfer of power from one group of crooks to another. Hector Tarrazona, (by email), Nov. 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Snapped Elections� (Nov. 06, 2007) To say the least, a good number of our countrymen/women have lost hope with the current administration. Past and recent scandals have rocked their basic trust and confidence with our country's democratic polity. Some are opting for a snap elections, while others are calling the military or even radical ideologues in our society to lord over the helms of government. Undoubtedly, the occupants of the Palace have done everything but to appease and pacify the clamor for better governance. What we have are people in government and other people who used to be part of government but were displaced because of some political dynamics. Past and present movers and shakers of the political society have in some way or another offended the very people who have put them in the corridors of power. Those leading the clamor for change, usually, are the very people who have been stripped off authority and no longer harbor a genuine sense of affection. Change should be predicated and pursued on the essence of nurturing the greatest good for the greatest number of Filipinos. Inasmuch as many are unhappy with the way things are in government, i.e., corruption, bribery, etc., one has to bear in mind that we are a nation of laws, not by men, irrespective of how undesirable the men/women who are in charge of crafting, executing and interpreting the laws of the land. Given that the 20010 elections is just around the corner, the Filipino populace must see to it that our civilized and lawful ways are not hampered, disturbed nor disrupted by irresponsible rogue elements in society whose sole deplorable motive is to grab power at all expense and aggrandize themselves with the very things the civil society detests and considers nefarious in the first place. Thus, come 2010, let us make sure that the people we vote into office are not prone to corruption, bribery, etc., lest we want no change in the present system. As always, thank you very kindly, Tony Dr. Eulogio "Amang" R. Magsaysay, (by email), Nov. 18, 2007 AVE Partylist wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, The snapped election many people have been advocating is meant to abruptly shorten or legally terminate the term of an elective incumbent. It is counter productive in every shape and form. The ensuing transition creates a nightmare. A new set of leaders does not really bring a real change that people dream about. It could only bring old faces who have received Botox treatment to their wrinkled thoughts and deeds. A snapped election saps the energy of its people; it snaps the current economic momentum the country is experiencing, and it gives birth to a new monster ( a president) whose potential for harming the country is almost certain and predictable. Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City , Nov 19, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, The KME proposal appears to have been prepared with inadequate understanding of the minimum time-frame for proper preparations to be ensured for National Elections. At this point, the most crucial FIRST step is to ENSURE that the COMELEC Commissioners' posts shall be manned by patriotic Filipinos, who will not bow down or kowtow to the whims and caprices of those who shall be involved in their appointments, and who shall take it upon themselves to leave as legacy to present and future generations of Filipinos that the National Elections in May 2010 shall be completely computerized and with all possible appropriate systems and procedures to ensure honest, clean and peaceful elections. That already seems to be a "tall order" by itself, considering the present context within which the appointment of COMELEC Commissioners has to be addressed legitimately. Instead of a military junta or a revolutionary government as a transitory phase, which will also require at least 24 to 30 months to install the policies, systems and procedures needed for honest, clean and peaceful elections, the Filipino People represented by enough number clamoring with just One Voice can demand both the House of Representatives and Senate to pass the required legislation on the following: 1) SINGLE tenure for ALL elective posts (NO re-election) 2) NO compensation for ALL elective posts (PURE service to the Filipino People for 1 term) * elective posts to be deemed just like the ROTC Adoption of the proper legislation for just those 2 items will inevitably CHANGE the dynamics of Philippine politics. And that is assuming that the incumbents in both the House of Representatives and the Senate will allow such legislations to be adopted. Whether it is recognized or not, the present political issues and problems are rooted in legislation. That in the end, perhaps what is needed is an honest-to-goodness revolution here in the Philippines , just like what had happened in England , France , Germany , and Russia for real change to transpire. [email protected] , Nov. 20, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On Support for Gov. Ed Panlilio (Copy furnished) Officers and members of over 2,000.00 strong Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance, a civic organization based in Richmond, B.C. Canada, with satelite offices in the States of Washington, Los Angeles California, New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Houston Texas, Oregon, Las Vegas, Nevada, Washington,DC., and in the Provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, in Canada, wishes to express our support to the present Governor of Pampanga, Philippines, Among Panlilio for his courage to tell the truth about the cash gift he recently received from the Office of the President, Malacanang in the amount of half a million pesos, the purpose of which is still unclear to us and therefore we would like to oblige Philippine President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo to tell the truth about it, why it was given to him as well as other Governors, Congressmen and other local officials and where the money was sourced from. I have talked to some Filipino overseas foreign workers here in several cities in our province (British Columbia) they are way over 50,000.religiously sending Canadian Dollars to their families in the Philippines, our benighted country to save them from hunger and help no matter how small to keep the Philippine economy affloat and they said.. they wish PGMA would come clean and tell the truth not only on the issue of cash gift but also on so many issues against her. Some are even saying she "PGMA" should go on leave and designate Vice-President Noli de Castro as Acting President and direct him to investigate fairly all issues against her and come out with an honest to goodness result and report it to the public. Mike M. Moreno, (by email), Richmond , BC , Canada , Nov. 19, 2007 Chair, Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished) To Father Ed Panlilio, I understand that your detractors, politicians, members of the media, vice Governor, Mayors, and Board Members are trying to discredit you because you boldly admitted the 500,000 pesos that you received in a bag when you attended a Malacanang meeting which was allegedly given to spend as you want and to get your support that will ensure the strength of the present administration, and avoid impeachment. Some of the attendants were given up to 1 million cash and no one has admitted where it came from, but understandably it came from Malacanang, because it was handed to you by a Malacanang staff. You showed it to the public and branded that since it came from the people, you will use it for projects for the people. Some attendees confirmed that they also received such great amounts of money in cash because you started it, and some denied it. The source was very mad at your exposure and kept denying that it came from them. These led to the people close to the Administration to gang up on you and try to do everything to destroy you and your credibility to the people. They will try everything to put you down, take you out of your position, destroy your name, and make you suffer. It's the very thing that's destroying our country, nobody has ever stood against the corrupt people in power, but you started to make the difference. You started right in correcting the collections of quarry taxes in your province, which the former Governors have made millions or even billions out of it. You defied the people making money out of it and moved that money to the Government where it belongs. You were elected because of your true heart and intentions, your being a Christian and your love for the people. In our own little ways, you can be assured that WE ARE BEHIND YOU IN YOUR CRUSADE, AND WE WILL STAND BESIDE YOU IN EVERY WHICH WAY WE CAN. Continue the good work and GOD is behind you, you may be the CHOSEN ONE to end the sufferings of our people. It's a long way to go and a major battle to fight, you are amidst all evils in the government, but we will pray for you, and continue to pray for your success. Mabuhay, PILIPINAS......... Fred Santos, (by email), San Ramon , CA , Nov. 22, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I really hope that you will join the group being organized by the name of "PAGBABAGO 2010" mentioned in the messages I am forwarding to you. You could be a very important member of this group that could overhaul our government once and for all. You could be this group's nominee for senator and I think you would also be a very valuable adviser to the president. This group could be our only hope to change our miserable condition. With the unhappiness and outrage of our people, I am almost sure that our people will overwhelmingly vote for the alternative to this corrupt and inefficient government. The incumbents have weakened themselves by piling up scandals over scandals that their stolen wealth would no longer be a strong weapon which can be overpowered by a massive and strong public opinion. I hope that you will seriously consider entering politics not necessarily for the love of it but in compassion for the poor and victims of injustice and abuse of government officials as well as to elevate our national identity and image from the dark bottom of world opinion. Bart Saucelo, MD (by email), South Bend , Indiana , Nov. 20, 2007 To: [email protected] Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2007 07:57:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: [bangonpilipinas] PAGBABAGO 2010 Dear Andoni, I want to join you in your efforts to start our support for PAGBABAGO 2010. I was wondering if you could include Dr. Bautista of the Kapitaran Party and the well-admired columnist-journalist Antonio Abaya for senators. Mr. Abaya has a good grasp of the problems of our country. He is the founder and president of Tapatt Foundation (www.tapatt.org) If you have been reading his articles, you will know how he can be a big help for our cause. I am a retired physician, founder and president of GLOBAL FILIPINOS FOR PROGRESS (http://www.globalfilipinosforprogress.com) I invite you to visit our website and know about our programs and read our articles. I know I can help and I would like to tell you in confidence the strategy that can insure our victory when the time is right. Bart --- Andoni Valencia <[email protected]> wrote: NOW THAT THE 2010 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IS ALREADY 2 YEARS FROM NOW... LET US MASSIVELY ORGANIZE AND TRUMPET THE CALL ONCE AGAIN FOR CHANGE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE GOVERNMENT... LET US SHOUT AND PRAY FOR A TANDEM BETWEEN BRO. EDDIE VILLANUEVA FOR PRESIDENT AND AMONG ED PANLILIO FOR VICE-PRESIDENT... THIS TANDEM IS A MODEL OF UNITY AND RIGHTEOUSNESS... LET US ALSO FILL UP SENATORIAL CANDIDATES WITH RIGHTEOUS MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE MORAL ASCENDANCY IS BEYOND QUESTION... NOW THE QUESTIONS IS, ARE YOU WILLING TO FIGHT THE BATTLE AGAIN? ARE YOU WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR IT? ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND YOUR OWN MONEY FOR THE SAKE OF OUR CAUSE? ARE YOU WILLING TO GO OUT IN THE STREETS AND SEND THE MESSAGE OF HOPE TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE??? THINK ABOUT YOUR BELOVED COUNTRY, YOUR CHILDREN AND ESPECIALLY THE POOR WHO FOR SO LONG HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SOCIAL INJUSTICE AND EXPLOITATION... SHOULD WE WAIT FOR ANOTHER LITTLE GIRL TO COMMIT SUICIDE BECAUSE OF POVERTY? BEFORE WE COME TO OUR SENSES AND REALIZE THE NEED FOR GENUINE CHANGE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE GOVERNMENT? ONCE AGAIN I SHOUT, BRO. EDDIE FOR PRESIDENT! AMONG ED FOR VICE-PRESIDENT! LATER COULD MEAN TOO LATE... WE MUST ACT NOW! MANIWALA KA, BABANGON TAYO! Andoni Ll. Valencia wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Forwarded to Tapatt on Oct. 25 by Gregorio Rizal, [email protected] This Government is Condemned Young Enlisted Soldiers, Active and Retired Military-Police for Solidarity (YES-ARMS) Bulletin 07-10-04 THIS GOVERNMENT IS CONDEMNED My military career was full of opportunity to rise above others but was also fraught with heartbreaks and despair. My ship RPS Catanduanes PG62 was assigned with Task Force 31 in the Sulu frontier in 1963, patrolling the borders of Indonesia and Sabah . Millions worth of smuggled goods were entering Philippine southern shores and the Bureau of Customs can only account 10% of the influx. An emergency situation called for an emergency action. Atty. Tulawie�s wife in Jolo town had severe bleeding due to ectopic pregnancy. She must reach a hospital in 24 hours or she dies. Air transport was not available. Prompt radio dispatches, through the best communications available that time to us, were sent through the Chain of Command. Atty. Tulawie preferred that his wife be evacuated to Manila for obvious medical reasons. As bleeding continued, by sundown and without reply from my commanders, I authorized the patient and her escorts to board my ship, and we cast off our lines for Manila . The whole night, PG62 sliced the Sulu Sea waters at flank speed. Twenty-three hours after, the ship was moored at Yacht basin, behind the Philippine Navy headquarters, which caught all authorities by surprise. I executed the action, what I believed the orders could have been. The patient was rushed to a hospital. Both mother and child were saved. News back in Jolo praised the Philippine Navy for saving a member of the respected Tulawie clan. And what did I get? For that act, I was investigated and castigated. But, wisdom finally dawned on the Navy Command. The ship was given a two-week break. The crew was given recreation after eight months� stay in Mindanao . Hereinafter, the ship was back again in the south apprehending millions of smuggled goods monthly for the Command. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE Reminiscing this happy but sad episode, and now retired after completing 34 years of active military service, I am thinking it would have been BETTER if the Navy Command dismissed me for disobedience. I was ready for that decision whereby I could have started a civilian career unencumbered by unnecessary knowledge and meaningless experience. Back to civilian life, I could have relearned my navigation subjects, got a license and joined ocean going vessels or I could have trained for a job on board CRUISE ships catering to the rich and jet setters plying the scenic spots of the world�s continents. Above all, I could have honestly earned my millions in dollars many times over. I could have honed up my skills and knowledge on latest technologies and gained a job with large companies in foreign lands. LIFE IN A STATE OF MISERY � AS A VETERAN Today, contrast my life, as almost all veterans do with theirs. Surviving a colorful military career that definitely was not lucrative, we are victims of APATHY, NEGLECT and manifest OPPRESSION, by a government led by a doubtfully elected president. Veterans gallantly served this nation, many died so the citizens can live in continuous peace. For the last ten years, the veterans daily yearn to get what the law provides. They are demanding payment to their claims on disability, burial, education and differentials. By now, this amount must have reached P44 BILLION owed the veterans. When government wants to spend, there is money such as the case of the recent P500,000 given to congressmen and governors in Malacanang. But when 286,000 veterans, the number is still growing, ask for their long overdue pensions, the answer is �NO FUNDS AVAILABLE.� Honorable Filipinos, look around you. Dozens of high profile investigations are being conducted simultaneously for LOSS OF FUNDS, CORRUPTION LOSSES unquantifiable to quote, corruption of our laws and institutions, with the Supreme Court, the AFP and the PNP not spared. A GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED � We now have a government that exercises AUTHORITY but does not accept ACCOUNTABILITY. Just refer to EO 464, Proclamation 1017, General Order #5 and Calibrated Pre-emptive Response edicts. � It is a government run by people who ram through citizens� throats, policies to perpetuate themselves in power. � It is a government that initiates programs shrouded in secrecy, and worse, do not carry legal authority; programs that do not directly address the nation�s problems. � Illegality is this government�s crowning glory. � Greed is this government�s reason for being. � It is a government that sponsors and supports global commitments that killed thousands of our local industries, and failed to provide safety nets. � It is a government that provides this country with no industrial base. � It is a government that does not pay its veterans the accumulated amounts legally due them. P10 BILLION promised during the �Araw ng Kagitingan� on April 9, 2007 dims in comparison to the present P44 BILLION arrears since 1995. NOT A CENTAVO WAS RECEIVED FROM THIS EMPTY PROMISE. TO COMPARE OR CONTRAST In many civilized countries, the veterans treated as they are here in the Philippines , would have gone berserk and would have driven these political discards and quislings to where they belong. In more violent societies, these veterans would have flagged down those who cause their misfortunes; in extreme cases, they would have hanged or burned their oppressors on stakes or lined them up against the wall and would have shot them dead. NOT WITH OUR VETERANS. They have taken a solemn oath to defend and protect the Filipino people and the sovereignty of the Republic. They have served honorably their country, and now, they are looking for the duty of the government to support its veterans. WHO IS TO BLAME? Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has miserably failed our veterans and our people. She has reneged on her oath to the Constitution, to protect and execute its laws equally to all. SHE HAS ONLY HERSELF TO BLAME FOR ALL THE MISERIES THE COUNTRY IS IN. Would she now be ready to reap a violent upheaval or a bloody revolution? APPEAL AND SEVERE WARNING We appeal to all freedom-loving Filipinos. HELP YOUR VETERANS. Help them in their twilight years We call on the generals around GMA. REMEMBER YOUR VETERANS, COMRADES AND FRIENDS. More importantly, REMEMBER THE FILIPINO PEOPLE THAT YOU HAVE SWORN TO SERVE AND PROTECT. NOUS VERRONS CE QUE NOUS VERRONS. WE SHALL SEE WHAT WE SHALL SEE. Though how long it may take, it will happen in that day of reckoning. BAD KARMA WILL TAKE ITS COURSE. OUR MESSAGE TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE CAST THEIR FUTURE IN THE PROFESSION OF ARMS: WEIGH HARDER YOUR OPTIONS. Some day, you too will be veterans. REMEMBER THE FILIPINO PEOPLE. They long for you to protect and serve their will. ISMAEL D. APARRI Commodore, AFP (Ret.) Spokesperson wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww A Message from George Carlin Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate. The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less. These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete... Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares? OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |