Why Nonong Cruz resigned, according to Malaya:
BY VICTOR REYES AND DENNIS GADIL
DEFENSE Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz decided to resign because he could “no longer guarantee” that the military would not be used to cheat in the mid-term elections in May, a defense official said yesterday.
The official said Cruz planned to tender his resignation in December, but the Supreme Court junking of the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 forced his hand.
Cruz handed over his resignation paper, which takes effect Nov. 30, to Arroyo on Sunday. He did not say why he was tendering his irrevocable resignation.
Last week, Cruz said at least three Cabinet members, whom he did not identify, wanted him out of the Cabinet because of his opposition to the Palace-backed people’s initiative.
Minimizing the military’s role in the conduct of elections was among the priorities of Cruz, along with transparency in the bidding for military equipment and supplies and modernization of the AFP.
Cruz last month signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Elections, limiting the involvement of the AFP in the elections. Among other things, the agreement provides that the canvassing of election results should not be held inside military camps.
Canvassing in military camps used to be held in election “hot spots.”
At least four military generals, including now AFP chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, were implicated in the alleged cheating in the May 2004 elections to ensure the victory of President Arroyo.
A military fact-finding body has cleared all the generals due to lack of evidence.
The generals were named in the “Hello Garci” wiretapped conversations between Arroyo and former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
The “Hello Garci” tapes on alleged electoral fraud, which was made public by the Palace in June last year, sparked calls for Arroyo’s ouster, including from 10 Cabinet and other key government officials, now collectively called the “Hyatt 10,” who resigned en masse.
Arroyo on national television later apologized for her “lapse in judgment” in talking with an election official during the election period. Cruz was said to be among Cabinet members who convinced Arroyo to issue the apology.
The Supreme Court on Oct. 25 voted 8-7 junking the consolidated petitions for people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution, branding the Palace-backed proposal to shift to a unicameral parliamentary form of government as “deceptive and misleading.”
The decision was penned by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Cruz’ fellow founding member of the law firm Villaraza and Angangco, known as “The Firm” which lists the First Family as one of its most prized clients.
Arthur Villaraza, the third founding member of The Firm, has been accused by some close advisers of Arroyo of being a “traitor” for allegedly lobbying with members of the High Court to junk the Sigaw and ULAP petitions for people’s initiative.
Some Cabinet members including Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez have allegedly blamed Cruz for the PI defeat.
The source said Cruz had warned President Arroyo that aside from the people’s initiative being constitutionally infirm, a favorable ruling on the petition could hamper her chances of finishing her term until 2010, pointing to the “impeach clause” tucked in the charter change draft of people’s initiative proponents.
CRUZ VS HAWKS
A source close to Malacañang said Cruz first caught the ire of “hawks” in the Cabinet when he opposed Arroyo’s decision to place the country under a state of national emergency in February.
The source said Cruz objected to using the military and police to suppress dissent and to projecting the country as one besieged by a radical opposition, which could later justify a martial law-type of declaration.
“As a good lawyer, Nonong could not support any form of extra legal means using the military,” the source, who has close links to Malacañang, said.
Arroyo on Feb. 24 issued Presidential Proclamation 1017 which placed the country under a state of national emergency. The proclamation, which Arroyo said was prompted by a plot to overthrow her government hatched by the Left, some members of the political opposition and “military adventurists,” was lifted after a week.
The source said Cruz’ objection to PP 1017 did not sit well with the “hawks” in the Cabinet, led by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, national security adviser Norberto Gonzales, presidential political adviser and legislative liaison officer Gabriel Claudio and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
The source said this was the reason Cruz was not included in the crisis body that was created to manage the threat before and during the declaration of PP 1017.
Cruz was visibly absent during those tumultuous days, leaving the task of managing the threat to Ermita, Gonzales and Michael Defensor, presidential chief of staff.
LAST STRAW
The source said Cabinet hawks suspected that Cruz also had a hand in the decision of the Supreme Court to declare PP 1017 unconstitutional.
“The PI (people’s initiative) was the last straw for Cruz. The hawks wanted his head,” the source said.
The source said Cruz also was disappointed by the decision of the Ombudsman clearing officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) involved in the fraudulent multi-billion MegaPacific contract.
The automation contract has been voided by the Supreme Court.
Cruz, the source said, also did not hide his discomfort over the issuance of calibrated pre-emptive response (CPR) policy to protests, and Executive Order 464 banning key government officials from attending congressional inquiries without permission from President Arroyo.
The CPR and EO 464 have been struck down by the tribunal.
Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz said resignation has long been in the DND chief’s mind,
“We’ve discussed this decision in private between the two of us for quite some time,” said the undersecretary for legal and priority concerns, who has worked with the defense chief for the past 13 years.
NO RUSH DECISIONS
Undersecretary Cruz, described as the closest to Cruz among the six defense secretaries, said the defense chief began to think of quitting even before Supreme Court’s ruling on the PI.
“The secretary is a consummate professional. He doesn’t make rush decisions and if I know him well enough, he would have given this decision a lot of thought,” he said.
“It is the product of deep contemplation, considering all factors so I wouldn’t consider it abrupt,” he added.
The undersecretary described Cruz as “a man of principle” who is “imbued with competence and integrity” and who “means well for this country.”
“His leaving the Cabinet is a big loss to the cause of good governance and pursuit of genuine reforms in our society,” he said.
Undersecretary Cruz expressed confidence Cruz’ departure would not negatively impact on reforms he initiated in the Armed Forces.
One of these reforms is the ambitious Philippine Defense Reform program, which calls for, among others, the acquisition of mission essential equipment for government forces.
Cruz resignation came at the height of negotiations for status of forces agreements with Australia, Brunei, Malaysian and Indonesia, and Singapore, among other countries. Cruz had said he hoped to sign the agreement before the year ends.
“We just hope that his successor will continue the important work he has began,” Undersecretary Cruz said.
No comment for the moment…
‘“Nonong” Cruz decided to resign because he could “no longer guarantee” that the military would not be used to cheat in the mid-term elections in May’
And to think that Comelec Chair Abalos,one of Glue’s super sipsips, just said recently “WALA NG GARCI”.
Kung tunay ang rason ni Atty Cruz,pwede pa ring purihin.
Ellen,
I don’t know if Cruz resigned because he feared use of AFP in poll fraud… I don’t believe that’s his true reason but if it is, then good on him.
From where I sit, his resignation is excellent stuff because Gloria is losing allies and I’m all for it.
Meanwhile, the Star editorial said this, “The AFP has a long way to go in terms of capabilities and professionalism. It remains dependent on foreign military assistance particularly from the United States. As members of one of the most poorly equipped armies in this part of the world, underpaid AFP personnel are also prone to corruption. ”
Frankly, there is almost nothing wrong with dependence on foreign military assistance, i.e., two of the countries we can site for its incredibly heavy dependence on US military assistance are Israel and Egypt.
There are a few countries in the world that are dependent on some form of assistance but when it becomes a habit, then it becomes wrong. When dependence is due to mismanagement of a nation’s meagre defence assets or the corruption by whoever is in government as well as the demoralization of the few remaining good officers and men, then it makes it even worse.
When will Gloria get the message that she too must quit?
What if Gloria appoints Miriam to replace Cruz in DND… or the brother????
OMG!!!!!!!
And for heavens sake, not Danny Suarez PLEASE!
Hold on, Max Soliven says, “One of the aspirants for SND who has surfaced early is a well-known Malacañang habitué. I wouldn’t mind his being a homosexual as much as his lack of integrity and his tendency to plot and conspire behind the scenes. There’s nothing worse, I think, than a gay Rasputin. Why put him in charge of all the men and women in our armed forces? Attack from the rear may be a sound military strategy, but putting this kind of character in charge of planning and reform would be simply too much. ”
Ellen, sino kaya iyan?
alitaptap,
She already got the message long time ago, but she just won’t quit. If she quits, there will be a million charges against her. Buti pa ang mamatay sa pwesto.
Anna,
“What if Gloria appoints Miriam to replace Cruz in DND…”
NANAKOT KA BA?:) Hahahhaa!
O Ana, did get the nuance of Max Soliven’s “attack from the rear”? Indeed Ellen, who coud this gay be?
Hindi kaya mag-spill the beans si Cruz? Naku! Malaking bakbakan siguro, at malamang maging dahilan ng pagbagsak ni Glue. If opposition is really only after the fall of Glue, then, they should invite Cruz to their ranks. Lawyer yan at marami sigurong naitagong ibidensya laban sa mga Pidals. He should have seen this coming.
If Cruz joins the opposition and use his inside knowledge of the Gloria’s administarion to the advantage of the opposition, then what make him any different from all the opportunistic others that will be considered in the end as the last minute ship jumper? No, I would not suggest such a scenerio. The administration can use it as a propaganda, calling it an alliance of ambition or even will go far as suggesting that Cruz might even been offered by the other side some concession for his defection. Raul Gonzalez can spin it like a wheel of Fortune on Golria’s side. I rather see his resignation as a signal to the rest of the Crook Lady administration to abandon ship Now, and let it sink on its own. It’s already leaking and listing for so long and a few more of her crew abandoning will just sink her faster than the Titanic…
You are right Vic. All those who will jump ship to join the opposition from this time on will be considered opportunists. If those that have been written so far are to be the basis though, i believe that Cruz is much better that Mr Noted Pangilinan. At least, Mr Cruz stood up with his convictions.
I did not know it before, but Mr Erap already invited Mr Cruz to join their senatorial slate, according to Inquirer news today.
No, it is the Daily Tribune, no the inquirer. Sorry.
sa sobrang kapal muk`s ni GMA lahat puwede niya gawin!! she thinks whatever she do..the filipinos can`t do anything..
subok na niya!!even si garci ang gawin niyang snd as replacement to mr cruz..wala tayong magagawa and she knows it because she had in her pocket the afp and pnp generals,and the judiciary..we all know she grabbed and cheated the presidency not once but twice,they all distorted any decission by the court whenever it is against them,they filed libel suit left and righ to journalist who exposed their corruption either you are a friend as the tulfo brthers or their foe,arrested every citizen and charge them with rebellion,kidnapped and tortured students who they suspect as communist,hyatt 10 resigned,even cory call for her resignation and now snd cruz resign,am sure they are cooking something this coming election if theres any election..but one thing for sure,if we don`t do something drastic within this year..and oust GMA and her evil minions..they GMA,FG,JDV and her evil minions,will be forever toying with us for a long long time..they had not perfected hitler or marcos or even saddam..but they are doing everything even to be called a second hand copy cat!!they are worst..they are the enemy of the filipino people!!
What I can’t understand is why wait this long before he resigned. If he is really opposed to the the previous unconstitutional EOs, he should have resigned then. The “firm” has been perceived as having protected the Arroyos and this has greatly affected its image. Could this be a way to somehow salvage the tattered image of the “firm”?
He should have resigned at the first signs of abuse by this administration. Had he done this earlier, I would have given him my respect and believed that indeed he is a principled man.
schumey,
I totally agree with you. And Cruz might have already been sensing the near death experiences of Glueria’s dying regime.
So, he has to act, while it’s not yet too late for him.
Chi,
The death of the PI is not the last straw but the sign that he has to abandon ship. No use staying around in a sinking ship. To wait for the coup de grace on the Con-Ass is suicide. The man has a career to protect. Its all about survival this time. We all know the administration has been gasping since the Garci Tapes and the PI’s death is the sign that the walls are crumbling. Even congress knows this, they’ve just run out of options that’s why they are trying to salvage whatever is left of the Cha-Cha. This administration is imploding and I expect more to jump ship soon.
Ellen,
Will you be able to make your Pakistan trip? I hope you can make it. John Marzan blogged about your situation. Its really a big hassle.
Schumey, I was not able to make it. The Pakistan Embassy tried to get another booking for me but there’s nothing available until Friday which is already too late.
It’s a hassle indeed. That’s precisely the purpose of Mike Arroyo for all these libel suits against us. But if he thinks, we would be intimidated, he is wrong.
kitamokitako Says:
November 7th, 2006 at 5:13 am
Hindi kaya mag-spill the beans si Cruz? Naku! Malaking bakbakan siguro,…
u c i c…next to “impossible” yan…he’s a lawyer of gloria..so “by ethics” hindi niya puwede gawin ‘yong “kumanta” ng mga baho ni gloria, unlike si chavit singson na “wala talagang kamodo-modo”…kaya “ala-soprano” pang ikinanta ang mga “lokbu” ni Erap, at may dagdag pa.
Ma’m Ellen, sorry to hear “the hassle” that you encountered on your proposed trip to Pakistan. Ganiyan ang mga inaasahan ni “tabang lamig”, ang “makaperwisyo” sa kaniyang mga “kritiko”, para nga naman baka “makapag-isip” na huminto na ang mga journalists na nagbubunyag ng kaniyang mga KATARANTADUHAN.
This statement of Press Secretaty Bunye today is funny. Two days after Cruz submitted, his “irrevocable” resignation, Bunye said “The President has accepted the with much regret the resination of secretary cruz. she is grateful for secretary cruz’s professionalism and key contributions in crucial areas of political,economic and security policy.”
Why, did she have a choice? The resignation was “irrevocable”.
Hahahaha…NAGPAPATAWA SI BUNYETA!
Malapit na talaga………..natatanaw ko na ang liwanag…bukang-liwayway na. time to pack things!!! Goobye..bansot and allies…….!!!
Ellen:
Iyan ang sinasabi kong pa-ingles-ingles, hindi naman yata naiiintindihan ang ingles. Natatawa nga ang mga kaibigan kong amerikano sa terminology na ginagamit ng mga ungas gaya ng mga mangmang din dito na iyong “inspiration” ay akala nila ay kapareho ng “intuition” sa wikang hapon. Itong si Bunye dapat sinisibak na iyan. Sobrang sipsip ang dating.
Ang nagagawa nga namang ng kaswapangan sa ipinamumudmod na pera ni Bansot na hindi naman kanila. Grabe daw ang pamudmod ng pera sa Tongress. Para daw baha gayong ang daming nagugutom kaya naglalabasan ng Pilipinas para mabuhay. Kung ako ang OFW, hindi ako magre-remit ng pera sa Pilipinas hanggang hindi bumababa si Bansot tuloy-tuloy sa kulungan kasama ng mga kakuchaba niya. Napapailing na lang ang mga foreign observers diyan gaya ng mga miyembro ng foreign correspondent corps diyan. Patay malisya na lang sila. May nagsabi nga sa akin, kinukumbida pa daw sila for nice dinners with pakipkip tumulong lang sila sa publicity stunt ni Bansot. What a crap! 😡
Corrupt din ang utak ni Erap. Why is he offering Cruz a place in his senatorial slate? Bakit wala ba siyang mapili sa Opposition?
Ditto to Schumey. I am not ready to give this Cruz a pogi point. Schumey is right. This guy should have resigned long ago as when I saw him being insulted by this Bansot in the video clips transmitted to a TV station here from Manila, and that when there was that landslide in Leyte 9 months ago.
Ako iyan, I won’t spare a minute to work under the Bansot, who is definitely one without any scruple or principle. Mahirap mahawa sa kawalanghiyaan sa totoo lang! Tignan mo naman lahat ang nakakabit kay Bansot at asawa niya. Golly, mukhang mga hayok, ganid at gahaman lahat!
ystakei,
Kung maririnig mo lang na magkwento ang kaibigan ko (staff sa Tongress) kung paano paghati-hatian ng mga Admin Tongressmen ang bilyones ng mga mamamayan, baka tuluyang matuyuan ka ng dugo sa bwisit.
Wala bang kasamang bebot ang nice dinners? Someone told me, hindi lang pakipkip na pera, meron pang kasamang iba!
I’ve been saying that something’s wrong with Erap’s brain these days. It could be as a result of his long detention in Tanay or constant communication with his ducks.
Why the hell should he include Kiko Pangilinan who was instrumental in the killing of impeachment last year? Why did he include Ralph Recto when this guy has always been with the administration? Why did he include Manny Villar when this was the guy who railroaded the impeachment to the Senate when he was then the House Speaker? Why still include the losers Sonny Osmena, Tito Sotto, Tessie Oreta? These three should now retire. And now, Erap is even inviting Cruz! I’m told that Erap is willing to support Mike Defensor even if he’s with GMA’s ticket just because this guy paid him a visit. What about the many of his loyal supporters, good political candidates, whose loyalty to him and the opposition have never been questioned? The problem with Erap is that he listens to what others tell him even if these guys betrayed him in the past. Just a visit to him in Tanay, he easily forgets and forgives those who wronged him and caused his ouster. If he keeps thinking this way and behaving this way, I prefer that he stays in Tanay permanently…and be convicted. Erap has somewhat lost my respect with his present behavior and judgment.
Kasama din yata iyon gaya ng kuwento ng isang DEA agent na hapon na nag-training sa WHO diyan.
Dinala daw siya sa isang klab at pinapili ng mag-aasikaso sa kaniya ng DEA agent na pinoy. Ang ganda daw at ipinilit pa ipasama sa kaniya sa hotel niya. Gosh, hindi daw niya malaman kung maiinis siya o matatawa na lang kasi daw sabi sa kaniya ng magandang “babae” na sumama sa kaniya, “Sorry, Sir, but I am not operated yet. I will just use my mouth!”
Susmalosep! Get mo? End of the story.
Tanong lang niya sa akin. Bakit daw maraming bakla sa Pilipinas!!! 😛
ystakei, that’s a good one, hahahaha!
npongco Says:
“Why the hell should he include Kiko Pangilinan who was instrumental in the killing of impeachment last year? Why did he include Ralph Recto when this guy has always been with the administration? Why did he include Manny Villar when this was the guy who railroaded the impeachment to the Senate when he was then the House Speaker? Why still include the losers Sonny Osmena, Tito Sotto, Tessie Oreta? These three should now retire. And now, Erap is even inviting Cruz!”
npongco, remember the saying “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” True, all these people you mentioned,somehow allied with the people who brought Estrada down. Erap could have continouosly antagonize them.
But remember also that lately, these people stood up against the abuses of the Arroyo administration because of their principles. They ceased becoming Arroyo’s stooges and they are now on the side of the people. Just remember the Civil Society groups of Dinky, Cory and others. They hurt Erap but yet Erap can now walk hand in hand with them because they now share the same principles and convictions.
Things change in npongco. Erap’s enemies before are now his friends and his friends before (Puno, Santiago, Paras) are now on the side of his enemies.
I see nothing wrong of Eraps moves. Anyway, Erap should have included Noynoy Aquino, Roilo Golez, Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino in the opposition slate. These are the people who really stood for their principles in the House during the two impeachment cases.
But may isa dyan na talagang oportunista. Si John Osmena. Hindi ko talaga matanggap kailanman.
“DEFENSE Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz decided to resign because he could no longer guarantee that the military would not be used to cheat in the mid-term elections in May,” a defense official said yesterday.
If that’s the reason why Sec Cruz resigned from his post, personally, I think it is not a wise move. What did it proved? If he is suspicious that the AFP will be used in the election, why did he quit? Did he quit from a good fight?, a fight against a dirty election? Does that mean that he is a quitter?, a loser? If he really espoused a clean and honest election he should have stayed and delayed his resignation at least after the 2007 election. He may not be able to effect full control on the activities of the military/generals who would be willing participants in the cheating, but at least, and I believe he can be some kind of a deterance. After all he is the head of DND and the entire AFP is under his department, that he is the boss and that his orders are to be followed. Well, he’s gone and what now?
The Glue will surely put somebody who will be a willing participant in the cheating this coming elections. And so the fear of Sec Cruz that the AFP will be used will come into reality without any resistance. They won by default.
Florry:
Iyong sinasabing reason ni Cruz para sa akin ay para lang washing off the hands na katulad ng ginawa ni Pontio Pilato. Golly, the AFP being used by the Bansot is nothing new as a matter of fact. Ginawa niya iyan noong 2001 and 2004, e bakit sumama pa siya kay Bansot?
I’d go for the other theory about the sourgraping and/or falling of grace because of the Fatso. There is really nothing heroic about this resignation so why are the Ejercitos jumping like monkeys about this? Nililito lang nila ang mga pilipinong nalilinawan na sana na puro palpak ang nagpapalakad ng pamahalaan nila. Time for a new generation of politician with more scruples and yes, real love of the Philippines, not something like “I love the Philippines, but I would not mind if the USA would invade the Philippines again.”
This should read: Time for a new generation of POLITICIANS with more scruples and yes, real love of the Philippines, not something like “I love the Philippines, but I would not mind if the USA would invade the Philippines again.”
Golly, ginagawa pang collateral ang Pilipinas sa mga utang ng ungas!!! Manang-mana nga sa tatay niya na puro utang din ang ginawa sa totoo lang! Sayang patay na ang history professor ko who used o drum into our young minds that Filipinos of my generation and future generations as the Filipinos of today would never be able to pay the debts the father incurred for the Philippines. Dinagdagan pa ng malditang anak! 😡
Yuko:
I am not really sold out with this guy Cruz. Sabi ko nga, kasama siya sa bogus na gobyerno sa pandaraya at pangngurakot. Hawak niya ang DND pero wala man lang siyang ginawa tungkol sa mga kaso ng mga general ni Garci. That means kasama siya sa panloloko sa mga Pilipino, at ngayon baka nararamdaman na niyang medyo papalubog ang barko ni Glue, kaya, it’s time to say good bye. Hasta la vista baby!
Sinabi mo pa, Florry. Siya ang DND secretary bakit pinapayagan niya ang ginawa sa mga bemedaled na mga marines, et al na nakakulong ngayon for saying that their loyalty is to the Philippines and not to the bogus president? Kaya hindi ako bilib!
lokal vocal…you can also add up the saying…”keep your friend close, but keep your enemy closer”…hehehe 😉
2 Medal of Valor awardees now in prison
By Jennifer Lazaro
11/07/2006
The “uncommon valor” of Marines on and off the battlefields of our nation’s history has created the mystique of the Philippine Marine Corps as an elite fighting force. From their creation in November 1950, the Marines have upheld a tradition of excellence which has instilled reverence, fear, and uncommon respect among the people and their enemies. The totality of a Marine’s life has made him the best of the lot. From the training to the discipline and values which are consistently instilled in each and every Marine, the ever combat-ready, rapid deployment unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines is the stuff legends are made of. But when the smoke clears and the battlefields are left behind, there are other stories that must be told.
These stories serve as
reminders to all of us that over and above the mystique that makes them a rare breed of men, the Marines are our brothers who put their lives on the line for the sake of our nation’s security. They are also people who laugh, cry, and hurt. But most of all, they are heroes in their own right who constantly live by the values they hold dear of KARANGALAN, KATUNGKULAN AND KABAYANIHAN.
Col. Ariel Querubin:
Selflessness is a virtue hard to come by. Perhaps more in situations of unimaginable duress like in combat, for example. Yet there are those, like Col. Ariel Querubin who STOOD OUT because he STOOD UP.
During an assault on an MILF camp in Lanao del Norte, Querubin’s battalion found themselves outnumbered and facing heavy artillery fire from enemy lines. Without thought for his own safety, he moved from one position to the other, drawing fire toward himself with the end view of revealing where the firing came from.
As Colonel Querubin himself admitted it did not occur to him for a while that he actually had a pregnant wife at the time who was about to give birth in a few weeks. “All I thought about was that my men depended on me, we have to survive and we have to achieve our mission” he said.
The battle raged well into the next day, and under his able leadership they repelled wave upon wave of enemy reinforcements and continued attempts to encircle his unit.
Inspiring his men to the hilt, Querubin’s unit broke down the last line of defense of the rebel stronghold. As a result they captured the MILF’s Camp John Mack, the group’s most strategic staging area for operations.
Colonel Querubin was awarded the prestigious Medal of Valor award in 2001 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a privilege and the highest military honor reserved for the most exemplary heroism and sacrifice displayed by a soldier beyond the call of duty.
“You should be proud of his courage and bravery,” the President herself stressed during a speech she gave in Col. Querubin’s hometown of La Union.
In recognition of the hardships that a soldier faces, the Medal of Valor award goes with some humble benefits including priority in promotion to the next rank, medical benefits, scholarships and tuition privileges for the awardee and their dependents.
He is fierce in maintaining that the Marines play an indispensable role in society. “We have to contribute to nation-building. But I believe to be able to completely eradicate conflicts with our brothers in the mountains… all the line agencies of government should work hand in hand to provide the basic needs of the people.”
The story of the likes of Colonel Querubin stresses the obvious, which a lot may forget. A Marine is also a human being, with aspirations, hopes and dreams. The service that they extend to the country oftentimes demands the loss of lives, and yet at the end of the day, they too, have families whose future depends on waging the battles that hope to secure for us a better future. All it takes to do his job, as Colonel Querubin has shown, is to think less of one’s self and more of others with HONOR, DUTY and VALOR.
Now, he, together with LCOL CUSTODIO PARCON the other Marine Medal of Valor Awardee and Col Orlando de Leon, Col Januario Caringal, Col Armando Bañez and LCOL Achilles Segumalian are incarcerated in a high detention cell in Fort San Felipe in Cavite City for standing up to their principles.
please take note of gloria’s hypocrisy and colonel querubin’s humility.
Raid
VIEWPOINTS
Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz
11/07/2006
It isn’t really uncommon to hear of police authorities and other complementary agents of government raiding neighborhoods, streets and even homes in search of criminals, goons and other suspicious characters. The raids are done surreptitiously, boldly and in full battle gear.
Silently the fully armed force comes. Swiftly the members of the raiding team enter halls and open doors. They make searches and ask questions. When the raid nets its targets, the raiders act with arrogance and speak with pride — with full media coverage. When the raid proved to be a big flop, forget it, that’s it.
Is it?
Church workers are harassed, churchmen are killed. A bishop was murdered. Now, nothing else than a convent of the Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd was raided. No search warrant. No suspect found. Sorry.
Is that it?
All these erratic acts sound familiar. They already happened before. It was during the martial law regime. Now it is supposedly a democratic leadership that is in place. But it is the same as far as political killings are concerned and in cases of sudden disappearances. It is also the same as in the case of the murders of media people. It is also the same in the violation of human rights and the disregard for human dignity. It is even worse in terms of the poverty and misery of a good number of people.
Is this it?
Unless the current administration stops being a progressively emerging clone of the past martial law regime, people can rightfully expect much worse things to come. The indicators are clear. The more social injustice there is, the more violations of human rights there are. The more authoritarian moves the current administration makes, the more probable is the country retrogressing to those times of shame and infamy.
What then?
(Reprinted with permission from Lingayen Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, from http://www.ovc.blogspot.som)
only in gloria’s administration.
Sabi ni Gonzales:
“Wala pang aksyon ang Pangulo sa isinumiteng ‘irrevocable resignation’ ni Cruz ngunit ayon kay Sec. Gonzalez ay wala umanong ibang magagawa ang palasyo kundi tanggapin ito.”
Sabi ni Bunyeta:
“The President has accepted with much regret the resignation of Secretary Cruz.”
Ayyyy, mga nagpapakatanga, irrevocable nga eh. Para namang meron silang magagawa, sabi nga ni Ellen.
Nagkakatarantahan na. Malapit na, malapit nang bumagsak si Glueria o ang deklarasyon ng martial law?
Mr Avelino Cruz failed to uphold the Rule of Law in the military when he allowed General Esperon to do as he damn well pleased with the so-called coup d’étatists…He should have insisted, in his capacity not only as SND but also as a lawyer, constitutional expert, to have Brig General Lim, Colonel Ariel Querubin and the other detainees brought to a proper military venue for prompt trial.
By not insisting on his prerogative as DND chief and de-facto adviser to Gloria to have these officers brought to trial, he becomes an accessory in the violation of the basic human rights and the elementary military rights of the said officers.
Like Schumey, I have nothing good to say about Cruz.
Speaking of violation of human rights, I just finished watching the HBO movie, “Strip Search” which depicts the unlawful detentions of of people being tagged as terrorists by such leaders as the mad man at the White House, or the Bansot at the palace by the murky river, reminiscent, I guess, of the dreadful reign of terror of Hitler in WWII.
On the other hand, these are signs of the times. Gotta get ready for the prophesied baptism of fire of this earth because of the iniquities of men.
I’m adding this movie to my collection for the viewing of this kind of movies that will be one of our activities for the year to come to educate Filipinos on true democracy, which is the government for, of and by the people, and how to demand for their rights and privileges.
For those who have no time scanning the morning papers,
Three out, more to go?
FRONTLINE
Ninez Cacho-Olivares
11/08/2006
The negative impact of Defense chief Avelino “Nonong” Cruz Jr.’s departure from the Arroyo Cabinet, along with the ponencia written by Associate Justice Antonio Carpio offers some very interesting insights, and includes too, all the public speculations over Cruz’s and Carpio’s actions, all of which should be a cause for worry on the part of Gloria and her government.
Less than a year ago, Cruz and Carpio, both of whom are identified with the Villaraza law offices, known as the FIRM, were not quite seen, in general by the Filipino people, in a positive light, having been too closely identified with Gloria and her spouse, Big Mike, and were the personal lawyers of the presidential couple, dating back to the time of her vice-presidential candidacy, and perhaps even earlier.
They were seen to have facilitated her accession to Malacañang in an unconstitutional manner, ensured that even her most unconstitutional acts would be ruled upon by the high court as constitutional and were even alleged to have been part of the big time poll campaign, whether in 2001 for the senatorial slate, or the 2004 presidential polls which were marked with massive electoral fraud.
There were other “funny deals” that were reported, such as the billion-peso Macapagal Avenue, known as the most expensive short strip of road in the country, if not the world — among other smelly deals forged. But as Gloria then had a friendly Senate that protected her corrupt ways, nothing much happened to such investigations.
The Firm was said to have been so influential and so powerful, that it could very easily control the regional trial courts in the metropolis, along with the appellate court and it had even made inroads in the Supreme Court, not to mention the Ombudsman’s Office, all because the law office was that powerful to have its “people” appointed to these very sensitive judicial and quasi-judicial offices.
Yet overnight, the negative image of Carpio and Cruz was gone and replaced by a positive one.
All it took in the case of Justice Carpio, was his well-researched and well written ponencia in the people’s intiiative (PI), although he had also voted earlier against Executive Order 464, Presidential Proclamation 1017 and the Calibrated Preemptive Response. It was as if, with his ponencia, Carpio was seen by the Filipino people as having cut his ties with Gloria and was now focused on doing right by the Filipino people — which is also the same perception given to Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, who was earlier seen as a Gloria lackey.
In similar fashion, with Cruz making his position on the PI and the one-House Constituent Assembly (Con-ass) public, which was followed by his resignation, there was created a positive image of him before the Filipino public.
What does this almost instant transformation of public attitude indirectly say whenever one close ally goes against Gloria? A good guess is that Filipinos are more than willing to forgive and forget the Gloria officials’ and allies’ past misdeeds as long as they cut off from her, which move they feel will hasten her fall. It also means that the Filipinos still desperately wants her and her government out.
Even the speculations that arose from Cruz’s resignation speak of the crimes committed by this government, such as Cruz wanted out because he feared Gloria would still use the military and the police to cheat for her bets at the polls in 2007. There were also speculations that even as he went, and not very amicably, as can be gleaned from his terse two paragraph letter of resignation, Gloria can’t quite touch him, as he and his law partners are alleged to know too much about the presidential couple. If they hit him, there are ways of hitting back, which may hurt the presidential couple more.
The reason for Cruz’s departure couldn’t have stemmed from his position in the PI and the Con-ass. Cruz is a lawyer and his training teaches him to accept that which the courts rule, whether it goes against his arguments, or favor them. He has been in the power business for so long, and knows how to play the power game, as he did in the past six years. He wouldn’t have been appointed Defense chief if he didn’t know how to fight for that post.
What is more probable is that Cruz, as well as Carpio, could see where the presidential couple were treading — and on very dangerous grounds for the country and the people, while having more and more power for the couple. The FIRM boys started to act, to rein in the power and pelf greed of the presidential couple.
All three former law partners who have joined her government have chucked Gloria and Mike.
It couldn’t have all been because of policy differences. Their policies dovetailed with hers for too long a time for them to suddenly cut their ties.
Gloria and her hawks should start worrying.
Received this message: “…Cruz wanted to resign during the later part of 2005, but after his meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, Cruz was told to stay to blunt any attempt by Gloria to declare martial law…” Hmmmm, I wonder how true this is.
Chabeli,
Hmn…isip, isip. Rumsfeld might have intercepted a plan by Glueria, et al. Or the US must be having a strong hunch re Glue’s declaration of martial law. Aha, if that is true, sinusubaybayan pala ng mahigpit ng US si Mrs. Pidal. Konek kaya ito kay Jocjoc’s arrest?
BREAKING NEWS FROM TODAY’S MALAYA
Ellen, am I pre-empting you? Sorry, Can’t help it. 🙂
Manila court rejects Tatad
bid to quash Mike’s libel suit
THE Manila regional trial court yesterday dismissed a motion of former Sen. Francisco Tatad to quash the information for a multi-million libel case filed by presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo against him and editors and reporters of Malaya.
In a two-page order, Manila RTC Branch 26 Judge Silvino Pampilo Jr. set Tatad’s arraignment for Wednesday.
The court rejected the stand of Tatad and co-accused Malaya chief of reporters Ellen Tordesillas that the case has prescribed because Arroyo filed the case a year after the article was published on May 19, 2004.
Arroyo filed his complaint against Tatad and Tordesillas last Oct. 16.
Tatad and Tordesillas posted a bail of P10,000 after they were reinstated as respondents in the case.
“While it is true that the crime of libel prescribes in one year, the filing of the complaint on June 4, 2004 has interrupted the prescriptive period as regards the libelous article published on May 19, 2004. The June 28, 2005 resolution absolving the accused was only approved and released on June 15, 2006, and it is only from this date that the prescriptive period shall commence to run again,” the court said.
Tatad and Tordesillas were originally included in the complaint filed by Arroyo against Malaya publisher Amado Macasaet, editors Enrique Romualdez, Joy delos Reyes, Ma. Teresa Molina and Minnie Advincula, and reporters JP Lopez and Regina Bengco, but the information against them was dropped.
Upon the filing of a motion for reconsideration, Tatad and Tordesillas were reinstated as co-accused, but since the trial of the case against the other co-accused has already started, the case against them were raffled to another court.
The complaint stemmed from a Malaya article quoting Tatad as saying Mr. Arroyo was involved in cheating in the May 2004 elections in behalf of President Arroyo.
Mr. Arroyo has said he was in Manila during the elections.
Arroyo has filed about 46 libel charges against journalists and media organizations and is seeking about P70 million as damages through all of these suits. – Evangeline de Vera
Opppps, nasama pati Top and Metro News…so sorry :). nagmamadali kasi ako, dahil on and off ang blog na ito.
Chi,
Maybe some folks here can help us figure out the possibility of that info I got…I even had second thoughts in posting that, but I just wanted to find a way to verify, or analyse that info…
“Konek kaya ito kay Jocjoc’s arrest?” Baka nga, pero not sure.
Chi,
Sikat na sikat si Ellen sa Internet blocking (not blogging) ng mga Internet Brigaders ni Bansot.
I doubt if the Americans are really doing such stupid maneuvers amidst their own problems. Wala naman silang mahihita. Gusto lang sabihin ni Bansot na mahal siya ng mga kano even when in fact, suyang-suya na rin sila sa kaniya. Hindi nga maimbita sa US kundi pa ipagsaksakan ang sarili kay Dubya. Chikinini niya! Papapel lang siya pero wala naman ibubuga!
I believe Senator Magsaysay when he said that he was the one who requested for US cooperation in stopping Bolate’s entry to the US para hindi makawala katulad ni Garci. Now the Americans are holding him in prison because the Bolate requested to be held there believing that his lawyers will be able to have him released as a free man on special asylum permit instead of being deported to the Philippines and face the scrutiny of Magsaysay, et al even when his patrons may try another trick to fly him out elsewhere where he can hide ala-Garci with the help of the sipsips in the government.
There is really nothing unusual or extraordinary about this. You just have to be acquainted with the criminal mind to know how these criminals do their thing to evade the law even by making crazy claims like the US is in cahoot with them to keep the Bansot in the palace by the murky river.
The Americans will not like it if they know how the goons in Malacanang claim that the US is in cahoot with them, and that the Bansot can do anything with the blessing of the mad man at the White House! 😛
I’m glad there’s now a balance of control of this blog. Thanks Chi for your consistent letters and posting of articles. Your presence minimizes the monopoly by one or two members here. The more the merrier. Now, I get to read a more balance view; not always about how good a particular country is.
Chabeli, your posting it was a very good info (for me at least :)).
ystakei,
kahit nga ipagsiksikan, wa epek pa rin. nakita ko ang footage noong libing ng Mahal na Papa. Naiiyak pa mandin ako, bigla na lang focus ang kamera sa mga VIP’s, at bigla rin akong asar ng makita ko ang dwende inching her way, parang ahas, pasikot-sikot (she’s near the back row, si Bush and Condi were in the 2nd and 3rd, respectively) hanggang sa makarating sa likod ni Condi na hindi man lang siya pinansin. And then, napalingon si Bush at nakita ang ngiting-aso na tianak.
****
My husband a (tunay) Phd in Management Information Systems said that a huge amount must be working to hack/block Ellen’s blog. It’s not just anybody good in hacking can do this kind of internet interference. Magagaling daw talaga.
npongco, there’s always been the “more the merrier” in this blog.
now, if we all stop whining against each other and just focus on the issues at hand, we’ll all be “merrier”.
npongco, i learn a lot from reading and practice and listening to the view of others even when they do not conform with mine.
thanks a lot for the laughs (from Sajid Khan to Divina Valencia) :). that was so cool.
ystakei,
Aha! I bet you’re watching “Criminal Minds” on TV.
And thank you, too, sa lahat ng kasali sa Divina Valencia episode. Nakakatuwa 🙂
Chi,
Ellen’s blog is definitely being monitored by these people. Apektado ang mga blogger.
Just make sure you have proper protection like having those applications that I have recommended to our barkada like getting a spyware and cleaner aside from the virus busters. At home, I have two desktops and a laptop (Panasonic Let’s Note CF-R3).
You bet, malaking pera ang naka-invest diyan. May pera sila kasi 5M pesos for example ang asking price for contributions from the gambling lords according to my informer. Hindi lang makalitaw ang mama kasi baka daw masara ang gambling den niya. “Make the Fatso happy and you are alright,” sabi niya.
Oops, gotta go to bed now. May trabaho pa ako sa umaga.
Nope, Chi, I don’t watch that program on TV. I work as an interpreter in the police, court and prison in Japan, and I get to meet real criminals.
I’ve been in this job for more than 20 years now so that I have become kind of an expert, something like being able to recognize a criminal when I see one! 😛 Kakataka nga kung bakit hindi makakilala ng kriminal ang mga pulis sa Pilipinas at bintang lang ng bintang!!! Dapat hinuhuli nila iyong Bansot, Fatso, et al.
Thanks, Chi for posting the update on our libel case. Our arraignment is today, 8:30 a.m.
Chi, you’re welcome. But, when I said I looked like Sajid Khan, it was true and not a joke. That’s how my wife fell for me the first time she saw me. But, that was over 20 years ago. Today, my wife doesn’t even look at me.
ystakei Says:
“Corrupt din ang utak ni Erap. Why is he offering Cruz a place in his senatorial slate? Bakit wala ba siyang mapili sa Opposition?”
ystakei your first sentence is a given. everybody in the philippines possessing a fair degree of intelligence knew of that long time ago. the problem with the marginalized poor consisting of the majority voting population is they would never knew they are being used. erap fully utilized the hero-worshipping voters to the hilt. they knew that erap lacks the quality of a leader who can handle complex problem of the country for them. they knew he was a womanizer, but they voted him into office with a wide margin because in all of the erap movies that entertained them and enabled them to momentarily forget the pangs of hunger of their empty stomach, he was champion and hero of the poor in every movie plot. they did not even realize that it was them who made erap rich because it was them who patronize erap films and made them block-buster. of course, experts could attest of the fact that hunger could oftentimes disable a human mind from distinguishing reel from real, truth from fiction. i pity them because in a desperate desire to improve their lot, somehow they honestly believe that erap can deliver them from the bondage of poverty that locked them up since birth.
your second and third sentences reveal so much how deeply partisan you have become. it simply means your definition of truth and lies merely depend on who is saying it. if it is the opposition parroting a line, then it must be true. on the other hand, if it is the administration parroting a line, it must be pure lies. what a flawed and convoluted logic that is!
i feel it is very unfortunate that one claiming an intellectual like you missed one important point that, erap’s indorsement of senatorial slate behind bars, sound very much like an order of a mafia boss. it is nothing but a consolation to himself that after his botched short stay in office as president, he is still a force to reckon with. if philippine politics cannot rise above that idiotic level, then we should be truly sorry for this country. administration after another administration, irregardless of what political party dominates the reign of political power, governmental institutions could not truly move towards real reforms and development because there will always be rabid critics who will derail even the most noble government project because opposing is just a matter of course expected of the opposition. while politicians in power (including those in the opposition) laugh away to the bank with more commissions from their pork-barrel, the poor will continue to suffer the effect of a poor economy because a divided government cannot put its act together.
Ellen,
I’ve been following developments about this particular libel case of yours and other journalists since I read the first news, because it’s not just a simple case of libel, but a play of arrogance and SUPER EGO on Mike Pidal’s part. Kapag bagsak na si Glue, sila naman ang titirisin ng mamamayan. Ito ang administrasyon na hindi kayang lumaban ng patas…it’s very weakness, in my opinion.
Fencesitter:
You are not me, and you do not know me to assume that I have no brains of my own and I am basing my own opinion on the Opposition. I am not you so you’re wrong. I am me and I think on my own. Don’t put words into my mouth. If you cannot take my word for it, stop analizing me, because you won’t succeed. Not even my parents have really understood me as a matter of fact. Sobra ka naman!
For your information, Fencesitter, I have better source of information than you do, I guess. One thing sure is I often go where the action is, so to speak, and I use my five senses to form my own opinion regardless of whether my own opinion and observation tally with anybody’s. So, please stop trying to analize me and saying things that are not really me!!! Kabastusan iyan especially when you have no right to insinuate that I don’t think on my own!!! I hate that as a matter of fact.
Para kang si Ale Boba. At least, in my case I have had direct contact with the Bansot for me to form my own conclusion based on my own standard for example of propriety and sense of morality and decency for example.
Pakulo lang iyang resignation ni Cruz. Lahat ng nangyayari sa Palasyo puro gimmick lang. Baka pain lang ni tiyanak si Cruz para kunwari sa opposition siya at kumuha ng mga sikreto. Eto naman si Pareng Erap kagat agad. Alok agad sa isang puwesto sa kanyang partido. Puro pato kasi ang kausap araw-araw kaya utak pato na ngayon. Tingnan niyo na lang si Angara at ubod ng tahimik ngayon…kasi walang kakampi. Walang may tiwala sa kanya kahit anong grupo. Siya ang sumabotahe sa grupo ni FPJ. Siya ang tsu tsu at traidor kaya hindi nagkasundo sina FPJ at Lacson. Pakawala iyan ni tiyanak sa opposition. Kung meroon man tayong naririnig na kaunting ingay mula kay Angara na parang kontra kay tiyanak, iyak lang iyan ng isang batang hindi binigyan ng kendi. Kasi atat na atat iyan na makuha ang puwesto sa Department of Education o Agriculture. Kaso…bad shot pa rin kay tiyanak. Ang nakinabang lang ngayon si Santiago na mautak talaga. Kung si Erap utak pato, si Santiago naman utak matsing.
Heheheh! Artsee, nagpapatawa ka na naman!
Kailang naman ako nagpatawa? Iba ang galaw at takbo ng utak ko kesa sa inyo. Iba ang level ko. Teka, bakit ibig pumunta sa Pakistan si Ate Ellen? Sasali na ba siya sa Taliban? Buti hindi natuloy at baka kung nagkataon ang tawag natin sa kanya Osawa Ellen Ladin.
Siyanga pala, alam niyo ba kung saan galing ang salitang Pakistan? Ang mga tao doon Fascists. Galing sa salitang “Fascist” o ang original na pangalan ay Fascistan. Get niyo? Buti at may natuto uli kayo sa akin ngayong araw.
according to the ABS CBN’s TV patrol news, the glue shall act as DND chief while waiting for any nonong cruz’s successor. PATAY!
Walang mahanap na kapalit in other words! Abuso na iyan. PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! Hindi niyang kayang ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas. Unang-una iyang susuko kung may lulusob sa Pilipinas! Why? Dugong aso kasi iyan!
Here’s an article posted in a Philippine forum:
Resigned DND secretary to remain Arroyo’s adviser
Resigned Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz will remain an adviser to President Arroyo, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Tuesday.
“The President told Secretary Cruz that she will continue to seek his advice on matters of governance as the situation arises,” Bunye said adding that Cruz remains a “trusted ally” of the President.
Bunye announced earlier that the President regretfully accepted Cruz’s resignation. “She is grateful for Secretary Cruz’s professionalism and key contributions in crucial areas of political, economic and security policy.”
Bunye said the President will temporarily act as secretary of the Department of National Defense while she is deciding who will replace Cruz.
Reports said the top contenders for the post are National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.
The press secretary said Mrs. Arroyo will appoint someone who can carry the Philippine Defense Reform program that was introduced by Cruz.
Cruz crafted the program shortly after he assumed the DND post in August 2004. It is a multi-billion project that calls for the acquisition of new military equipment to upgrade AFP’s capacity to conduct internal security operations.
Last month, Cruz signed a memorandum of agreement with the Commission on Elections limiting the involvement of the military in the conduct of elections. Among the conditions of the agreement provides that canvassing should not be held in military camps.
The May 2004 presidential election was marred by allegations that some generals, including AFP chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon, helped rigged the election results in favor of the President.
Cruz submitted his irrevocable resignation to the President during a 45-minute meeting at Malacañan’s Music Room.
Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor confirmed Monday that tensions between Cruz and other Cabinet members led to Cruz’s resignation on Sunday.
The defense secretary’s resignation drew mixed reactions on Monday with Sen. Manuel Roxas calling the departure a “loss for reason and right thinking.”
*****
If Ale Boba thinks that she has duped again the Philippine public with this kind of publicity, she is wrong. The truth is that Filipinos have gotten used to what they now consider as Malacanang’s gimmicks (kabulastugan) that they cannot care less whether or not her appointees resign, and who take their places although it must be exhilarating to hear about someone getting vexed and peeved by the bossiness and arrogance of the Ale Boba and the Burot Fatso as reported by the newspaper regarding the “irrevocable resignation”(whatever that is) of Nonong Cruz.
Frankly, the allegation above is not more in favor of the Bogus First Couple but an attempt to destroy the integrity and credibility of Cruz, who is being caricatured by Bunyeta, et al as a weakling!!!
This is my opinion sans any influence, etc. BS claim that I am merely mouthing what the Oppositions in the Philippines say. If they think like I do, fine, and I take it as a sign of political maturing of the rather politically immatured voters in the Philippines who can be contented with only a choice between two evils all the time. I use my sense of right and wrong and facts I gather from my more reliable sources!!!
My choice has nothing to do with whether or not I am intelligent. It is more to ensure that I can enjoy life to the fullest with my rights and privileges in exchange for which I do my duties and responsibilities.
The best thing that the Bansot can do really is to step down. PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! She she does not have the prerogative to govern nor can she govern at all. Puro yabang lang and publicity stunts!
alin o sino ba sa palagay ninyo ang mas nakakapagdesisyon nang tumpak, makatwiran at patas? ang may bait (principled) o ang may talino (intelligent)?
Re: “Resigned Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz will remain an adviser to President Arroyo, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Tuesday.”
What else can Gloria say? And of course, she heralds this through Bunye one sidedly, as if nothing was wrong at all between her and Cruz.
Buny and Gloria are first class con artists – media manipulating humbugs!
Mrivera:
I am of the opinion that principle and intelligence in the true sense go together. In our church, we are told that intelligence is the glory of God. You have both, you can make a real good decision. Kaso mo wala niyan si Bansot, et al., not even a tiny, tiny bit. Puro yabang lang at pakulo kasi diyan naman sanay ang maraming pilipino.
Magpapasikat kahit na hindi kaya!!! 😡
In other words, Mrivera, sa Pilipinas, hindi ka marunong magpasikat, walang papansin sa iyo. Kaya maraming keeping up with Joneses.
Fencesitter;
I would call your comments on erap as an analysis of an erap-basher-hater, and if I may add, it’s the general impression of a typical elitist that see nothing good about the man, but only his faults.
Erap was elected president with the widest margin ever in any election. And what you are implying is, all those who voted for him are stupid, idiots, or in Pilipino, mga BOBO at mga walang sariling isip at walang fair degree of intelligence. At sa mga mahihirap ay dala lang ng lipas ng gutom. Ang sakit mo naming magsalita laban sa mahihirap-generalization na parang nawala sila sa sariling pagiisip dahil sa gutom. I can’t believe it na manggagaling sa isang matinong tao ang pananalitang yan. It shows the arrogance. Sa totoo lang ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng ganyang panlala-it at pang-i-insulto sa kaisipan ng nakakaraming mahihirap and considering that per your resume, you came from down there and only through your sikap at tiyaga ay nakarating ka sa kinaroroonan mo ngayon. It could be that success gone to your head? Parang narinig ko na naman ang isang cardinal na nanlalait at nangmamaliit ng mahihirap nong edsa tres.
Did it ever occur to you na marami ng presidente ang nagdaan pero ang buhay ng mahihirap ay lalong naghihirap at ang mga mayayaman ay lalong yumayaman? Sino sa kanila ang nagpakita ng pagpapahalaga sa mahihirap maliban lang kung may election? At least nakita nila ito kay Erap at hindi mo sila masisisi dahil sa kahirapan at naghahanap sila ng kaunting pag-asa at hindi ito dala ng lipas ng gutom na gusto mong palabasin at sa kaniya nakita. Ang hindi lang naman nakakita ay ang mga elitists, mga mayayaman at mga civil “evil” society na namumuhay sa comfort ng kanilang malalaki at air-conditioned homes and offices. And to say that Erap used the poor people is an insult to their intelligence and judgment. You never knew the man. To me, I saw him in action, being a constituent of San Juan during his terms as Mayor but I was not a voter at that time. His love and concern for the poor is real and sincere that you can almost feel it. Majority of the people of San Juan just loved him that they felt orphaned when he went national. But by then, I was out of the country.
Ngayon, ilang taon bang naupo si Erap sa presidency? The elitists and civil “evil” society never gave him the chance to serve his full term, so anong epekto nito sa mga tao? Sino ngayon ang nakakaalam kung naging mabuti o naging masama ang kaniyang administration? Sinong nakakaalam sa quality ng leadership niya. So it’s premature to talk about and judge his leadership when he only served for less than 3 years. Good leaders don’t necessarily and exclusively come from exclusive schools, with masters degree, lawyers, economists and well-educated. I believed that leadership has a lot to do with common sense. In the first place, why then that they have to recruit people who are experts in their own field to be a member of your team as cabinet members and advisers? Our present bogus leader is supposed to be an economic expert, but look where we are now. It’s a hands down choice that it’s worse than Erap’s.
Kung ang endorsement ni Erap sounds like an order from a Mafia boss, then we can safely say that all his followers and supporters are considered as the mafia mob. Erap as the mafia boss, then majority of the Filipinos who still support him are his mob, ganoon ba yon?
After Marcos, experienced in administration and leadership, erap has it. He served as Mayor for several years, as a senator and vice president. Hinog na hinog na para sa presidency. Ang ayaw lang naman sa kaniya ay mga elitists, at evil society dahil hindi nila matanggap na ang katulad niyang drop-out at babaero ang mamumuno at mag-u-under sa kanila. A very typical narrow-mindedness of the elitists na naniniwalang walang mas magaling at mas matitino kaysa sa kanila, pero ang totoo mas maraming gumagawa ng immoral sa kanila, mga hypocrites at mga plastic.
My view from the outside, after Marcos, I consider Erap as the lesser evil and having the edge over his predecessors and the present bogus one. My basis, I believed he has the more superior team, no major scams and less corruptions during his short term, inspite of all the demonizing he got from his opponents especially Savit Singson, and peace and order are at it’s best. On Cory’s, there’s the Kamag-anak Inc., On FVR, Billions on the Expo and sovereign guarantees, ang the present, alam na natin yan.
Ang kasalanan ni Erap sabi nila babaero or womanizer. Well, FVR has his Baby, bakit hindi siya tinitira?, JFK has his Marilyn Monroe; Clinton has his Monica, countless priests bishops and even nuns who are supposed to be the image of morality has their own affairs-mabuti nga hindi siya nan-lalalaki, di ba?
Now if you’re hoping and looking for a perfect leader as president to lead the government, I’m sorry that you will be greatly disappointed. There’s no such thing as a government that is made in heaven. If you really believe that, then you are out of this world. Maybe in the Enchanted Kingdom of the Glue, wherever that is.
Magnificent ripost Florry!
Well said Florry. I read every bit of your post Am not really for Erap, but you’re right, he is the least Evil of them all presidents. I would rate the present one as the most.
florry, I am very proud of you!
Florry,
You said it better than me. Thanks. Ano bang tawag diyan? Oh yes, langaw na nakapatong sa likod ng kalabaw! Ang daming ganyan sa totoo lang!
I did not recommend Erap to my friends when he ran because of my religious belief, and I thought Filipinos should have a better choice than between two evils (lalong di ko gusto iyong mas lalong corrupt na si JdV), but he won the election in one of the so-called “cleanest election in Philippine history.” Kung nakakurakot si Erap, mas garapal naman daw itong si Bansot lalo na iyong asawa.
At least, si Erap marunong makinig as when I wrote him about the remittance business of his son in Japan that I knew was as illegal as the operations of Philippine banks in Japan that are operating without proper permits to operate as ordinary banks because of Japan’s protective laws. Hininto niya ora mismo! Iyong Bansot, hindi iyan makikinig kung malaki ang tiba niya!
In short, may delicadeza kahit papaano. Itong Macapal talagal makapal ang mukha!
Isa pa pala, iyong kaso ni Erap kung meron man ay malinaw namang bribery. Dapat hinuhuli din iyong Chavit Singson na ipinagmalaki pa ngang he tried to bribe Erap. Bribery is a crime in fact even in Japan.
Iyong kinukurakot naman ni Erap sa mga jueteng lords ibinibigay naman doon sa pareng nagpapalakad ng mga institutions na funded ng kaniyang mga foundations gaya na nga noong isang institution para sa pagtulong ng mga outpatient ng Tala na ang mga ginagawa ay ibinibenta namin sa Japan. Hininto na nga namin nang malaman naming inalis ang pareng kakutsaba ni Erap sa project na iyon.
Mahirap na lang magsalita, Florry. Kailangan na talagang patalsikin na si Bansot. Lalong mamumulubi ang Pilipinas. Kaya namulubi ang Pilipinas sa totoo lang hindi dahil talaga kay Macoy kundi dahil na rin sa tatay ng ungas na iyan. Iyan ang ipinupukpok ng history professor namin noon nang ang tatay niyan ay pangulo. Hindi kasi concern ang mga pilipino sa history ng bansa nila kaya iyong mga dapat na nalalaman nila ay hindi nila alam.
Florry,
Wow! Ang galing ng sinabi mo.
Majority nang Pilipino ay mahihirap. At kung lalaitin mo ang mga mahihirap at mga ginugutom, nilalait mo ang Pilipinas.
ystakei and florry,
the reason why the philippines cannot get a good leader is that many like you are better in critizising that in doing something. that is exactly what you are doing ystakei, analyzing other people especially those who keep your blood boil. you rant and rave till kingdom come. i don’t want to second guess on your own patriotism based on a foreign sounding name you feel so proud carrying about. yet i wanted to hear from you sharing with us your concrete acts of christian charity you did for the good of the hapless filipinos who have to endure the thoughsless politicians as they come and go in the revolving door of the government’s corridor of power.
you talk too much, even brag of your so many achievements abroad, and yet when somebody took notice of you, go ballistic. if you already have come of age and you still cannot tolerate contrary opinion, then you will leave this world bitter.
political beliefs are similar to religious beliefs in so many ways. you just believe in it come hell or high water. political loyalists became highly visible after marcos was ousted. despite the so many grievous sins of marcos and his minions laid before their eyes, they simply close their eyes of those grim realities and kept their faith on their idol intact.
florry, attacking one criticizing your idol and labeling them elitist will not change the grim reality inflicted on this country in his short sojourn in that ultimate seat of power. take a second look at your idol florry, because like his predecessors and now the successor which is the object of your ire 24/7, the damage inflicted on the nation will be felt for so many years more to come. eat your heart out as you enjoy the luxury and affluence of the foreign country where you sought refuge while the hapless poor seethes and continue struggling how to survive on a daily basis because their government cannot provide them their basic needs.
i am just so happy those i voted for during the past elections did not win. i can sleep soundly with the thought that i did not contribute to the misery of the filipino people because i was so negligent in my political choice.
Hoy, Fencesitter, pakialam mo if I talk too much? I have a lot to say. Dapat lang sabihin!
You have no right to stop me. You don’t pay for my Internet hook-up, and this blog is free except for personalan and sourgrapings like what you do.
I never actually understood what Filipinos say about crab mentality. With you, I think I now do. I said I went to UP and the Oxford U, but never for example did I say that I am better intellectually than any of the bloggers here. E, ikaw, ang galing mong mamintas.
Fencesitter,
So that’s how you skirt the issue. Ang issue natin dito ay ang mga mahihirap na sabi mo nalipasan ng gutom kaya bumoto kay Erap. Wala sa issue natin dito ang idol dahil wala akong idol. Ang totoo, never in my life na bumoto ako sa Phil election.I just want to give credit para sa sino man na dapat bigyan. What I am expecting from you is to defend your statements about the poor people na para bang mga nabuwang dahil sa kagutuman kaya ibinoto si Erap. Sobra naman talaga ang pang-lait at panginsulto mo sa mga mahihirap, astang matapobre, astang elitista, samantalang ang sabi mo galing ka rin sa mahirap. At saka sa mga presidents, past and present why don’t you just give specifics and not generalize about their accomplishments, or better about erap na lang good and bad kung bakit sa palagay mo ay siya ang pinakamasama. I just wonder kasi sa unang post mo, you singled out erap, and now you are talking about all of them, Bakit?
At tungkol sa pagiging Mafia boss ni erap, OK ba saiyo yong sinabi ko na mga mafia mob yong mga loyal supporters and followers ni erap? At sa pagkababaero, mayroon din pala sa FVR, kaya lang hear no evil, see no evil kayo sa kaniya, Bakit?
I don’t know who you are, but the line of your defense and offense are quite some kind of a pattern, almost similar to other bloggers. Their best defense, skirt, change or palabuin at guluhin ang issue. Could it be that they are all one and the same?
Thanks, Florry, you said it better than I can, especially when I lose my temper, and I go berserck! 😡 At least, your argument made me sober.
Me, too, I have never experienced voting in the Philippines, but I got involved in the OAV movement in Japan because I was invited to and I like such kind of advocacy. Besides, pambihira lang naman ang malalakas na makialam at mamuno lalo na dito sa Japan na halos lahat kundi katulong, Japayuki. In other words, underdogs, who are subjected to harassment, threat and intimidation kaya takot na takot.
I thought I could help after realizing that I have better protection by the Constitution and laws of these lands that are being enforced to the letter. So, when I was invited by some people in the US to join the OAV movement, I volunteered to not just join butlead!
It was a gratifying experience as a matter of fact battling with wits with the idiots who were doing their dumbest to limit the rights and privileges of the Filipinos overseas so they can continue to control them the way voters in the Philippines are being controled and actually deprived of the privileges to make their own choice and decision regarding people they want to lead them, not enslave them, or better still, do as they dictate on the premise that the government is OF, BY and FOR the people.
In fact, I had the opportunity to battle with wits with Raffy Biazon through the OAV movement that we carried out via cyberspace. It was actually an invigorating experience, and you feel really grateful knowing how you are able to help even a little.
As a Japanese, I cannot have dual citizenship, and rather than torture myself about the possibility of being harrassed, intimidated and threatened the way Ellen here is being subjected to, I’d rather remain free and privileged as a Japanese than try to get back my Philippine citizenship by virtue of my birth as a natural-born, and try to freely help as what I have done in joining the campaign for the OAV Law.
You say in response to this suspicious Internet Brigader, “I don’t know who you are, but the line of your defense and offense are quite some kind of a pattern, almost similar to other bloggers. Their best defense, skirt, change or palabuin at guluhin ang issue. Could it be that they are all one and the same?” As a matter of fact, it is also what I suspect this guy or gal is.
Ang masagwa parang nakakaloko na kunyari against pa raw kay Bansot. Me? Kahit biro, I would not like to be connected with this crook! Puede pa nga si Erap kasi nakikinig kapag kinausap naman ng matino. Hindi na nga lang siguro maiwasan ang kalikutan sa babae although for me, it is taboo!!!
Again, salamat sa post mo.
I’m glad florry caught fencesitter’s panlalait ng mahirap before I did because I would just bungled it.
But, I would rather rely on the judgement of hungry and tired Filipinos, rather than the cheats and and people who sell their votes for money. That is because the poor has the hard real experience that builds character to make wise decisions.
Just a small example in this blog, most of us poor for commenting in this blog because we don’t get payed whatsoever. But look at hindinapinoy, Jun, anthony scalia, and others that have comments with no dignity and truth in them. We can easily see that these people are cheats and richly rewarded by the Malacaniang.
Sinabi mo pa Joseph. Hindi naman dapat kutyain ang mahirap sa totoo lang kasi ang buhay naman ng tao ay parang gulong sabi nga. Minsan nasa itaas, minsan nasa ibaba.
Ang mahalaga talaga ay huwag mawala ang kapurihan at karangalan, honor and dignity ‘ika nga. Sa totoo nga ay mas marami noong araw na mga mahirap na may puri’ dangal. Na-corrupt na nga lang nitong nakaraan lalo na kung ang mga pinuno ay mga palalong katulad ni Bansot.
Dito nga may mga homeless pero may puri’t dangal. Hindi namamalimos dahil ayaw nilang maduraan. Iyan din ang itinuro ng mga magulang ko sa amin ng mga kapatid ko. Hindi nalalayo sa itinuro ng mga biyenan ko halimbawa sa mga anak niya.
May kaya ang pamilya ng Mr. ko, halimbawa. Pero noon maliit pa ang biyenan kong lalaki ay naghirap sila. Samurai Class ang pamilya nila at nang ma-industrialize ang Japan ay naalis ang mga privileges nila kaya naghirap lalo na kasi ang pamilya ng biyenan ko ay ang tinatawag na “bunke” o extended family lang. Pero may tiyo siyang mayaman na kinuha siyang apprentice noong matapos siya ng Grade 6. Pinag-aralan niyang mabuti ang pasikot-sikot ng trabaho niya. Nag-self study siya at nakakuha ng lisensiya para magtayo ng isang engineering company nang magbinata siya. Noong giyera, hindi siya na-draft dahil flat-footed siya. Pinagawa na lang siya ng gatilyo ng mga baril kaya na-maintain niya ang kompanya niya. Nang matapos ang giyera, binigyan siya ng tulong ng gobyerno at itinatag niyang muli ang kaniyang engineering company. Lumago at nang mamamatay siya, ang Mr. ko ang pumalit sa kaniya dahil ayaw naman ng panganay na siya ang magpalakad ng kompanya.
Sinasabi ko ito, Joseph, bilang example na hindi naman dapat ikahiya ng isang tao ang kaniyang paghihirap. Maganda ngang motivation iyan para umangat. Mayaman kuno kung ang ugali naman ay katulad ng ugali ni Bansot at ng asawa niyang ganid, di hamak naman na mas daig pa sila ng isang mahirap na may puri’t dangal.
Sobra lang talaga ang toyo ng maraming pilipino na hinuhubog na maging alanganin sa totoo lang gaya nitong mga babaing hinihikayat na magputa sa ibang bansa kumita lang at makapagpagawa ng bahay sa buhangin!!! Iyan ang masagwa sa totoo lang.
Iyang ang idinidildil ni Bansot sa mga pilipino. Na kahit na ano gawin nila para magkapera sila, kahit na ibenta nila ang mga kaluluwa nila!!! 😡
At some point in time, hunger recognizes no law…Victor Hugo liked to delve in the unfortunate circumstances that led the poor, downtrodden characters in his book to steal to eat… Many of the English, British convicts exiled to Australia to purge their sentences were poor, impoverished creatures whose only crime was to steal in order to eat.
It isn’t farfetched to say that there are actually many homeless, impoverished, needy people around the world today who once possessed the kind of dignity that we the fortunate ones “still possess”.
Desperation often has the unwanted effect in the hungry. Up to us who are lucky to understand this “phenomenon”.
Yuko,
Hindi mo naman kinompleto eh.
Pagkatapos bulsahin ni bansot ang pondo at foreign aide para sa mahihirap, wala na silang mapuntahan kung hindi isanla nila ang kaluluwa nila sa putahan, at kung hindi doon pupunta sila sa katayan via medical (organ) tourism initiative ni bansot. Walang hiya talaga ang dapat tawag sa kanya ay kutung lupang halimaw.
Ano ba nasa kokote ng halimaw na ito. Baka akala niya maaabswelto siya sa pagnanakaw kapag nagkakwuwarta ang mahirap sa putahan o katayan. O kaya baka talagang pinakahalimaw itong halimaw dahil gusto niyang magkalomisyon sa putahan at katayan.
Pigang piga na ang mahirap sa Pilipinas. Meyron pa bang mapipiga ha, halimaw??
josephs, anna, ystakei,
nakakapanlumo, nakakakilabot at nakakapagpuyos ng kalooban ang mga nangyayari sa administrasyon ng kawatan. kaming mga karaniwang manggagawa dito sa ibayong dagat ay pagod na rin at gusto nang magpahinga sa pilipinas, pero ang iniisip namin ay ang kalagayan ng ekonomiyang minamanipula ng mga henyong dorobo. dito nga, palad sa palad lamang ang sinusweldo at halos kapos sa pagpapaaral ng mga anak namin, paano na kung sa pilipinas pa na halos lahat ay nakatingala sa langit at naghihintay ng bituing mahuhulog sa pag-aakalang bolang ginto itong magiging sagot sa aming mga pangangailangan?
tapos meron pang lumalait sa aming pagiging maralita? haahayy!!!
“It isn’t farfetched to say that there are actually many homeless, impoverished, needy people around the world today who once possessed the kind of dignity that we the fortunate ones “still possess”.
Anna,there’s still a lot of them in Tondo, to name one. Some became my friends when I did a survey on urban population back in Manila years ago. They’ve gotten older, still homeless and impoverised, but the last time I checked on them in 2004, they still have their greatest possession in tact, dignity. Hinding-hindi raw nila ipagbibili sa “lamang-lupa” ang kanilang dignidad dahil iyon na lang ang natitira sa kanila. Hinding-hindi raw sila matutulad kay Mang Pandoy, na matapos ipagbili ang dignidad, ay hindi na makatingin ng tuwid sa kapwa.
They keep me inform of their small projects, para makatawid sa hirap, through correspondence. Kaya, tuwang-tuwa ako sa kanila.
Chi,
What you say is very heartwarming news… truly good news!
Mrivera:
Maraming ganyan dito sa Japan. Gusto nang umuwi dahil malungkot na malayo sa pamilya. Ako nga noong student ako sa UK na wala namang kamag-anak, talagang homesick na homesick ako. Lalo pa siguro iyong mga nagtratrabaho at nag-aalala sa mga pamilya nilang malayo sa kanila.
Pero dahil nga sa wala namang babalikang trabaho sa Pilipinas nagtitiyaga na lang sa lungkot at pagkaaba lalo na iyong mga walang bala at exploited. Marami sa kanila nasasangkot pa sa krimen. Kaya kung humirit ako talagang maraming masasaktan. Nakakagigil kasi! Dudugo ang puso mo doon sa ibinenta na yata ang mga kaluluwa mabuhay lang sila at mga pamilya nila! Tapos mababalitaan mong panay ang good time ni Bansot at pamilya niya paid for with taxpayers’ money! Grrrrr! 😡
Les Miserable, Anna. I’d rather quote from the Bible. This one I take to heart as a matter of fact “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12: 24)
I abide by this precept as a matter of fact: “And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” (D&C 130: 21). And for this, I have not found myself wanting.
Yuko, you’re very welcome.
Anna, Chi, Kitamokitako, Yuko, & josephs,
Thank you for the time you spend reading my post, but especially for the compliments. I really appreciate it.
Thanks again!
Alam mo, Florry, hindi naman kami mahirap, but I always have a heart for the less privileged and deprived. Maliit pa ako, kapag may namamalimos sa bahay namin, pinapapasok ko at pinapakain. Nagagalit ang nanay ko kasi baka daw may TB kasi uso ang TB noon.
Ang daming mahirap dahil nga katatapos ng giyera at maraming nawalan ng tirahan at mga kamag-anak. May salbahe dito na mukhang pinakikialam ang edad ko e kundi ba naman isa pang bobo sinabi ko na ngang contemporary ko si Bansot, e ipinagpipilitan pang kasing edad ko si Mahoma! Nababaklaan tuloy ako!
Ang daming mayabang sa Pilipinas. Kahit sabihing mayaman sa totoo lang hindi ako nasisindak. Katwiran ko, e ano kung mayaman siya. Bakit hahatian ba ako ng yaman niya? Natatawa lang ako kapag nakaka-meet ako ng mga pilipino na trying hard talagang magpasikat, wala namang ibubuga.
Foster family ko sa UK, matataas na tao, pero nungkang nagyabang. Aristocrat ang dating pero sobra ang pagka-humble lalo na ng foster Mom ko na anak ng isang Baroness. Nagpunta kami sa kastilyo ng nanay niya sa Brittany sa France. Boy, buhay prinsesa ako! Pero kung magsalita iyong Baroness, mapapahiya iyong burot na nakaupo sa Malacanang. Walang sinabi sa totoo lang. Trying hard na magmukhang prinsesa pero lalo lang nagmumukhang super atsay gaya ng ginawang publicity stunt ni Syjuco! Bakyang-bakyang kumilos.
Social graces hindi pa marunong! Tapos magmamalaking mayaman daw sila. Kundi pa natin alam kung saan nanggaling ang yaman nila. Mahirap na lang magsalita.
Salamat sa posts mo. Binigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na lumaban. Ayoko na lang ngang mag-aksaya ng panahon sa mga bastos at mahirap kausapin sa totoo lang. Kamote naman ang mga sinasabi.
Ooops, nawala ang “s”! Dapat Les Miserables!
ystakei, sa maniwala ka O sa hindi, ang familia incredible na ayaw umalis sa malakanyang ay pinakamayaman sa buong pilipinas at ito ay supported by facts not available in any bank or financial institution or income tax return and real estate tax files sa BIR kundi listed sa mukha ng bawat mamamayang pilipino. PINAKAMAYAMAN SILA SA DAMI NG KAAWAY!
“PINAKAMAYAMAN SILA SA DAMI NG KAAWAY!”
Sinabi mo pa, Mrivera. 🙂