Foot-(in-the)-Mouth Disease

(Freudian and not-so-Freudian slips from the powers that be which made me raise my eyebrow a meter and a half high)


“We expect patients from every class and political spectrum.” (patients who can afford your world-class standards.)

-Jose F.G. Ledesma, SLMC president and CEO
On SLMC’s 2nd branch in the Global City


“They are all brand new and state of the art, but I think the charges are also state of the art.” (Excactly.)

-Noli De Castro, Vice President
On SLMC’s 2nd branch in the Global City


“In spirit and in substance, what I have done for my district cannot be denied,” (Uh-uh)

-Jules Ledesma, Congressman
On being “most notorious chronic absentee” in Congress

“It’s not about President Macapagal-Arroyo making the appointment.” (I argree, it’s about fairness and delicadeza which PGMA has nothing of.)

-Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera
On PGMA appointing CJ Puno’s successor.



“We should be thankful that Gloria Arroyo is the president, otherwise the economy would be in an even worse situation.” (Tell that to millions who are jobless and can’t even afford a decent meal save for noodles and sardines.)

Jose Salceda, Albay Gov. and Presidential adviser on economic affairs.
On the Philippine economy

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EDSA DOS : Part 2 OF JANUARIES

The closest I’ve come to the First Quarter Storm is my experience in EDSA 2.

You can say EDSA 2 is my political maturation. It came on my third year in college, more than a year after my very first, and rather innocent, taste of political activism.

I remember that months before January 16, the very first day of almost a week long EDSA 2, there has been a steady rise of political activities inside the campus. More and more students are signing up in signatures drives to petition the government to allot more budget for education instead of the All-Out War in Mindanao. “BOOKS NOT BULLETS!” the studentry said. Each day, teachers became more accomodating to activists who knock on their doors during class to ask for a short audience with her/his class, to shortly discuss some issues and invite the class to a mass meeting, a discussion group or a forthcoming rally.

By the second semester, when the campaign is heating up, I had to make the difficult choice of dropping my Bio 11. I thought, better to drop it than receive a 5. However, when January came and students and teachers, non-academic personnel and others were pouring out of the campus and into the streets, towards the EDSA Shrine, teachers were assuring the students that everyone would receive a passing grade if the campaign drags on.

On that fateful night of January 16, when the impeachment court voted against opening the 2nd envelop, I wasn’t part of the people who launched instant noise barrages. I had just come home from school when I received the message from the text brigade to converge at EDSA. I opted to stay in, turn on the television and be part of the growing text brigade.

The following morning, I am ready to go out by 6 am. Before I was out of the door, my parents gave their blessing for the first time for my political activism. It was a very good feeling.

On the trip to the school, I proudly wore my “OUST ERAP!” pin. In Quezon Hall, students and their teachers were already there. We cannot possibly fit into the jeepneys we can readily hire. We made the decision to march from Quezon Hall to EDSA Shrine. We were approximately 5,000 all in all.

The next day, our numbers swelled to 15,000. And everyday, our numbers keep on rising.

Under the sweltering heat of the tropical sun magnified by the concrete jungle, we marched the length of EDSA chanting “Erap, Resign!” and “Sumama na Kayo!” to the cheering crowd along the highway. People lined up along the streets and cheered us on. They honked their cars and buses to the tune of our chants. It was a very heartwarming feeling when you see that you and the people are one in this historical fight.

I spent most of my days in EDSA, going home only before the sun rose to take a refreshing bathm, then it’s off to school once again to march with the students.

On the fourth night of the EDSA vigil, the closest allies of Erap have withdrawn their support. Confetti poured. The jubilitation is high. Onstage, the speaker relatedly that the anti-Erap united front is still deciding on whether to push through with the march to Malacanang or just stay in EDSA. We were consolidating our ranks by the SEC building, talking about the day, about the march, about the plans. Just across us, a church group, Youth for Christ, is having a street party. But the fight is far from over. Talks were rife that Erap is getting ready to escape the people’s wrath. If people slip into complacency, Erap might very well do another Marcos and escape to another country, far from the reaches of the popular masses. I nearly cried in frustration. As certain as they’re having a party, Erap is maneuvering to freedom. This is no time to party, it is time to be vigilant and firm.

At about 3 am, word reached us that while most leaders decided to stay in EDSA Shrine and await Erap’s final moment there. The ND forces, however, decided to bring the fight and the people closer to the proverbial seat of power. By 5 am, we were organising our forces and our fellow students who stayed overnight. We started marching towards Malacanang at 7 am. I don’t know our exact number but we were one long line of militant marchers, waving red banners and chanting slogans. We arrived in Malacanang at about 12 noon.

And the rest they say is history.

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Foot-(in-the)-Mouth Disease

(Freudian and not-so-Freudian slips from the powers that be which made me raise my eyebrow a meter and a half high)

Whatever is the title of the song that starts with “It’s now time to make a change….” A song that is a kind of discussion between a father and a son, where the son goes “from the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen…” which is very true.

There are so many things that people want to talk about but cannot. Workers want to talk about how they lost their jobs, maybe even their limbs. Mothers want to talk about how creative they are to make do P50 for a family of five. Drivers want to talk about how little net income they get to take home after the paying for the gasoline and daily boundary of the jeepney, cab or bus they’re taking out. Students want to talk about how they weren’t allowed to take the final exams beacause of an outstanding balance. People want to know why they keep on getting short end of the stick when they were assured time and again that everything is fair and just.

But they don’t get to do this sometimes, or even at all. Because are being pushed to silence by their upbringing, beliefs and often times by the state. Since 2001 almost a hundred journalists have been killed. There have been 1,118 extrajudicical killings, 204 enforced dissapearances and numerous others tortured.

The State, however, has and uses every means to perpetuate itself and the things it believes in no matter how wrong or skewed it may be. It has many image consultants, advisers and what have you whose main goal is to make the State look lovable, caring, compassionate, which it is not. It has access to the tri-media and can impose a news black out on any issue it deems too harsh to its image. And when the dam of lies could not be contained anymore, send in the spin doctors to lie about the dam of lies.

This fact made me want to compile the long list of “quotable quotes” by those from the government which could be a Freudian slip or a calculated move on their part. And so, this Friday and every Friday thereafter (I promise, I’ll try to be religious about this), I will post some of these quips that I found amusing during the week. I encourage you, dear readers, to add to this roster of fine politicism.

**********

“We keep coming back to the same principle—equal application of the law, equal application of regulations for everyone in this particular case.” (This principle seems selective of its application, if Olivar has not yet noticed.)

-Gary Olivar, Presidential Spokesperson

On the Ampatuan’s VIP treatment in jail

“I will give it (Comelec) an 8 [out of 10]. I’m very confident that there will be automated elections.” (That’s it, positive thinking, come on now.)

-Jose Melo, Comelec Chairman

On Comelec “level of readiness” even as the Commission is months behind it’s election calendar.

“We leave it up to Congress to proceed on this issue as best as they see fit in their collective wisdom as legislators.” (That is, if wisdom resides in them.)

-Gary Olivar, Presidential Spokesperson

On Congress making final Con-Con push

“Not guilty.” (And his nose grew a thousand mile-long.)

-Andal Ampatuan Jr.

On his arraignment for 41 counts of murder

“The President is not popular, but this doesn’t mean that she’s a failure.” (Hahahahahahahaha!)

-Gary Olivar, Presidential Spokesperson

On GMA’s sinking popularity

“She governs for posterity.” (Two meanings: for ALL future generations and for all of SOMEBODY’S generations, which is which?)

-Gary Olivar, Presidential Spokesperson

On GMA’s sinking popularity

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All I want for Christmas......

Christmas remains by far the most celebrated holiday of all time. Although its roots are pagan and Jesus' actual birthday is debatable, which I'll leave to the experts, Christmas is thoroughly and joyfully celebrated.

To my memory, I have never had a Christmas I didn't enjoy. It is so much fun than birthdays. Perhaps because everyone is in a happy mood, and everywhere you go to is all dolled-up. Christmas serves as our oasis in the middle of nowhere.

Yes, it is an escape. Traditionally, enmities between political rivals halt momentarily. Issues that hogged the headlines year-long winds down. And the mood changes from combative to loving.

Except maybe this year.

As 2009 takes its last breath, we are left in the ruins of a Strong Republic gone very, very, very bad. This last quarter alone has left us with little hope for the future. And this is where Christmas plays its historical role of giving hope amidst hopelessness.




I am not so jaded as to not have my own wishlist to send to Santa.

Now, all I want for Christmas is....

.....that the Philippine economy recover faster than a speeding bullet or a ray of light so that it may help Filipinos lead better lives here, not abroad. The Greater Depression of the first world has depressed us even more.

.....My family has only been recovering from the great flood that is Ondoy. I know how hard it is start over again and I wish that the victims of natural disasters, especially Ondoy and Pepeng, find peace and hope in their hearts, while striving to make the government accountable for their very grave mistakes.

.....The Copenhagen Climate Change Forum touted as the culmination of at least two years worth of effort to curb gas emissions has just ended with a mere pfffft as the US remain bullish on its stand not to monitor its gas emissions. I wish that people realize Climate Change is irreversible and a fact of nature, but that it can be slowed down by holding accountable the industrialized (read: imperialist) countries that emit the most toxic fumes


......I am abhorred by the crime/s that this powerful clan can/will do and has done all because it has enjoyed the close ties with that woman in Malacanang. I wish that the Ampatuans squeal like a pig roating in a pyre on the vote-rigging that happened in their hometown last two elections and for once, be at the right and moral side of the fence, and take that *%$#@!@#$%^&%$&* woman down with them!

.....Inline with this I wish that the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre find justice and gain support from the government in pursuing the case against its primary perpetrator.

..... I just hate hearing, even seeing, Remonde and Fajardo on the radio and TV, knowing that they're goona be spewing out nothing but rubbish. So I wish that the Palace SpokesPEOPLE's noses grow one meter for each lie they tell the people.




.... After the infamous Proclamation 1959 that served as a test case and was pulled out even before the check and balance part of a democracy set kick in, has sent both Houses into disarray, one asking for a legitimate explanation for it and the other doing the explaining In times to come, I wish that the Senate remain oppositionist and that Congress, especially Prospero Nograles, be able to look farther than their own noses and hides in making policies and political stands on national issues.

.... The Supreme Court has approved the petition for an ectended voter's registration to heed the call of the electorate but Comelec Chairman Melo seems to be doing everything in his power to make this exercise annoying and futile. I hate him. I wish that the Comelec will not be an instrument by the state itself to disenfranchise its constituents all for the glory of the status quo

.... Due precisely to the efforts of the state itself to render the electoral exercise as futile as possible, floating various scenarios like No-el, hybrid elections etc., that people should realize the importance of their votes as part of a democratic exercise and fight to be counted, to fight for a change.

and lastly,

.... Nine years is enough, more than half of it is even a contested, if not illegal, stay in power, it is because of this that I wish GMA grows some delicadeza this holiday season and in the spirit of giving, give everyone piece of mind and bow out of the public eye for once and for all. Plus, she should also be indicted for every crime she has tried to evade during her de-facto presidency.

I think I have said enough. Santa must be impatient to read other people's letters.

Oh, one last wish... I wish for world peace. : )

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The devil’s advocate

This might be a tad late but I just have to say my piece on Neal H. Cruz’ column last December 7. It was titled “Maguindanao folk welcome martial law?”
Mr. Cruz started by commemorating the Pearl Harbor bombing on 1941 and the bombing of Manila a day after it. He further said that today we “have been hit by another sneak attack” that is “homegrown this time”, referring to the recent highly-criticized Martial Law declaration in the province of Maguindanao. He clearly states that he is against this proclamation, saying it is an “overkill,” even going as far as reminding the readers that a previous edition of his column has already “predicted it, quoting a Muslim leader Amina Rasul.”

Then, Mr. Cruz proceeds to share the views of “several friends and relatives living in Maguindanao” which incidentally are the opposite of the prevalent animosity to the proclamation.

Mr. Neal H. Cruz plays the devil’s advocate when he posed the question which “people on the receiving end fo the terrorism of the warlords”, would prefer “between a rock or stone wall.” He then proceeds to echo the reasons the administration made to justify Proclamation No. 1959 and taking a stab at the High Court’s statement disproving allegations that the local court has not been functioning and is one of the reasons why Martial Law had to be declared. As an afterthought, Mr. Cruz said that Congress will convene “anyway” to decide whether or not to revoke the declaration. Even more lamely, he ended that “in any case, Martial law lapses in 60 days.”

This is the kind of defeatist logic that we do not need today. A state of emergency in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao and Cotabato City was announced a day after the murder-massacre. Was that not enough? Day after day, arms caches are being unearthed almost everywhere. The Ampatuan arsenal is enough to arm a battalion or two. Is the AFP inferior to that force that they cannot handle it without having granted extraordinary powers to them?

Could Mr. Cruz not see that this Martial Law is part and parcel of a grand design of the devious sort to cover-up a huge can of worms that stinks to heaven? I understand that it was done all for the sake of journalism and fair play, to tickle our senses, jumpstart our brain cells, to present another angle of the biggest story of the year. I even understand the sentiments of his friends and relative, who after being scared to death of “fully armed goons” which has “the police and military… in their employ,” now are living in the midst of a “war zone” were countless uniformed men roam the place, replacing the goons. What I cannot understand is that apart from warning his friends and relatives to “be wary” because “in time, soldiers will also commit abuses”, reminiscent to Marcos’ version of Martial Law, Mr. Cruz, seems to be taking this matter sitting down.

I only found appeasement when I saw that his was a voice in the wilderness in that December 7 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, his column being fenced in by others very critical of the proclamation.

One such column is Kris-Crossing Mindanao which Ms. Noralyn Mustafa authors. The columnist of Kris-Crossing Mindanao, in her column that day paid tribute to the 57 victims of the brutal killings by “making sense out of the senselessness” after it apparently pushed the president to declare Martial Law therefore “generating more fear and uncertainty among the long-suffering and long-oppressed people.” Unlike Mr. Neal H. Cruz, Ms. Noralyn Mustafa ended her prose with a clenched fist thrust in the air, appealing to everyone who ‘do not wish to live under a continuing reign of eveil, of slavery, hunger, oppression and fear’ to ‘stand up NOW’ (emphasis mine) because ‘we may never have this chance again.’

THIS is what I, and possibly, most people, want to hear. The voice of action and inner strength, of trust in the power to change things deemed unchanging. I remember a part in the movie SAKADA *insert Hyperlink to old entry* where a farmer was trying to organize a union, he said “Mahirap talagang kumilos kung nakaluhod, pero kung nakatayo, lahat magagawa. (It is indeed hard to move when on your knees, but when you’re on your feet, everything is possible)”

Whereas Ms. Mustafa translated herself to be one of the many movers of change, Mr. Neal H. Cruz is an agent of the status-quo. With Ms. Mustafa calling the Maguindanao Massacre the “metaphor of Ms. Arroyo’s reign of evil,” Mr. Neal H. Cruz might also very well be playing the part of a devil’s advocate literally.

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REBELLION: Ticket to Freedom

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The cat is out of the bag: GMA running for Congress

Tsk,tsk,tsk.

That is for whoever wins the presidency next year. Any president who gets elected next year cannot and should not relax one bit if GMA wins a seat in Congress (which in all probability might happen.) He might eventually face an ouster from a GMA-led Congress if and when the ChaCha trains gains speed once again.

Lest we forget, GMA is an ravid (rabid + avid) fan of Charter Change. For one, an amended constitution would make the Philippines more viable to foreign investors, selling it piecemeal or wholesale, as it would relax the provisions on foreign ownership of companies and land in the country. For two, this would ensure her unlimited stay in power. Either her term as president gets extended or she gets a seat in Congress, be the House Speaker and eventually the Prime Minister. this leads us to reason number three, as president or Prime Minister, she will remain immune to criminal charges that have been hounding her for as long as she had been President.

For almost a year, GMA has been ducking questions about her plans after her term as president ends next year. Speculations started to buzz when trips to her hometown in Pampanga become more frequent. Then came the news that a mansion was being there in preparation for her candidacy. Her lawyer Romulo Macalintal
almost preempted the news when he granted an interview with the media quoting him saying that the president didn't particularly tell him she plans on running for Congress, merely asked if it is allowed by election laws. All the law says is a prohibition for presidents to run for a second term as president. So there! When this was cleared up, the "GMA for Congress campaign" became more aggressive. People supposedly from Pampanga continuously trooped to the Malacanang Palace to ask her to be their representative. Her son, Rep. Mikey Arroyo, who was also the subject of unexplained wealth controversy early this year, even went so far as pledging that he will step down and nor run for reelection if his mother would grant the people's clamor. The drama ended early this morning with a statement that the President's CoC will be filed by 9 am today.






Assuming that GMA will win her bid for the Congress, she has a very big chance of being elected as the House Speaker, with the representatives being virtually under a single party, Lakas-Kampi-CMD. I have to admit that GMA has been very wily and resilient, surviving political upheavals and military threats with a widespread division of spoils. Realizing that she could not run for the Presidency (and after her immunity) without people attacking her for it, she opted for Plan B, thereby achieving the same goal via a different route.

Just look at who their party is fielding for the top posts, a virtual nobody and a tv host! If this doesn't smack of desparation, if not an ulterior motive, I don't know what will. Gilbert Teodoro, a Department of National Defense secretary, has yet to prove his political mettle. Why, he even failed the test when the twin disasters struck despite his tv ad about disaster preparedness. We have no guarantee that he will not be a pushover, letting a GMA-led Congress make all the calls.

Honestly, I think this election would essentially be a protest election. A protest against everything GMA stood for, incompetence, greed, partial politics, iron-fisted disclipine on assumed dissidents. GMA doesn't really stand a chance on winning the presidency even if she managed to have the CHACHA passed. People have had enough of her and those who still believe in democracy will use their power to vote to keep her off the highest seat in the country. Although local politics have a different dynamism, I think it would be hard for her to HONESTLY win this seat as most victims of her Oplan Bantay Laya 2 (OBL2) are from Central Luzon and they would surely campaign against this fire-breathing bitch.




Tsk,tsk,tsk.
This is for GMA and her cohorts who think that they can fool the people into thinking that public service is all she really is after.They really should think again.

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A Chiz-y Presidentiable No More

The clock is ticking, it is only seven months before The Big Turn Over. And the road to the presidential elections is littered with candidates who have fallen before the race even began.

Months before the official filing of the certificate of candidacy, presidential aspirant Ping Lacson, stepped aside as old issues with the deposed president Estrada now-presidentiable again hounded him more rabidly.

Veep Noli de Castro also succumbed a few weeks after Ping. With the political situation very volatile, candidates switching parties faster than a speeding bullet, and an endorsement from the incumbent president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, De Castro was treading the political path very slowly, making sure that no misstep ends up blowing him to bits. However, he moved ve-e-ery slowly and missed the presidential train.

Today, a popular candidate once made the death bell toll. It is Chiz Escudero.




Chiz Escudero, a fledgeling senator, was once a district representative of Sorsogon who was at the forefront of the impeachement campaign against Arroyo. A very eloquent speaker, he is perceived as the least trapo (TRAditional POlitician literally, but trapo also translates into dishrag which most traditional politicians turn into) and is very popular among the idealistic Filpino youth.

Hoping to maintain an independent image, Chiz (I prefer to call him on a first-name basis) resigned from his party on the day that everyone was expecting him to make his formal announcement. Everyone was surprised, even his supposed running mate Loren Legarda. It spurred rumors that he will be running under Manny Villar's presidential bid. But, no, he went ahead and reiterated his previous statement against running with Villar. Chiz made it clear that IF EVER he would run for the presidency, it will be as an independent candidate, free from party affiliations and obligations.

The death of Chiz' presidential bid could also be a case bad timing. On the eve (not literally of course) of the Chiz' formal announcement of joining the presidential rat race, along came the twin disasters ketsana and parma. He decided to wait awhile and let the nation grieve first before the big announcement.Although that was a a fitting move for a gentleman and sensitive politician, putting the nation first before his own ass, but I also think it was a carefully calculated move to further bolster Chiz' popularity.

Anyway, today, Chiz's third (Imagine!) D-Day wasn't the bombshell everyone was expecting it to be. Early this morning he announced that he would no longer be in the running for the presidential bid, he wanted the presidency "but not at all costs". It would have been more dramatic only if it didn't coincide with the Maguindanao Massacre. Again, bad timing.

However, with Chiz dropping out, the ever-growing list of presidentiables, nuisance candidates and all, has trimmed down. And the nation has one less candidate to think about.

More importantly, with Chiz dropping out of the race, the opposition, busy with in-fighting themselves, has unintentionally become more united and more concentrated against the Evil Witch.

Now that's the silverlining in the dark, dark sky.



Thank you Michael Rodgers for the picture.

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The Amazing Race Presidential Edition

The Amazing Race Presidential Edition has just commenced!

Less than a year to go before the national elections, presidentibles have lined themselves up and declared, in words or in deeds, their intention of winning the highest electoral post.

Political analyst Tony Gaimaitan has counted 14 candidates for the presidency. That's easy you say, even a layman can surmise who's in the running and who wishes to be in the running. There have already been lots of talks, speculations if you will, as to who will team up with up, surveys of "winnable" candidates, a barage of tv ads (and radio blocktimers) that espouse so many pro-poor advocacies, and muscle-flexing of political machineries.

What are the perks of this job that people just can't resist signing up and pursuing this inspite of a meager salary?

One, winning this coveted price entitles you to your very own army. Nobody can just push you around (except those that you let) or say things that will be detrimental to you stature. Anyone who doesn't toe the official line gets booted out, for life sometimes, or just scared out their wits permanently by hooded motorcycle-riding gunmen in broad daylight.



Second, this entitles you and your family to countless government contracts that you can effect in office. Every government contract automatically allots a percentage of "goodwill money"
for you and the first family.

Thirdly, the winner of The Amazing Race Presidential Edition secures your place in a society
of bootleggers and speculators. You get to travel the world, all-expenses paid by the Filipino people's taxes, with the entourage of your choice. Experience hobnobbing with world figures and hope that their popularity rubs off on you.



And lastly, this ensures immunity for you and your family inspite of getting embroiled in the dirtiest of scams. As long as you hold the title to the crown, you can rule as long as you want, however you want to.


All you need is a well-oiled political machinery composed not neccessarily of the most intelligent and sincere public servants but those who are thick-faced and strong of stomach politicians who can devise the most devious legislations to make your crimes legitimate.


All aspirants must submit their entry forms on November 2009.

Heck, you can start campaigning now!

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