by Enteng Romano
Convenor, Black and White Movement
As soon as the Manila Pen siege was over, there was a flurry of pronouncements from just about every political group as well as personalities from both sides of the political divide. Invariably, the statements depicted Trillanes and Lim as misguided, military adventurists, rebels, criminals, or arrogant fools for repeating the same mistakes in Oakwood and in 2006. At best, some would say they sympathized with Trillanes’ and Lim’s cause, but did not agree with their methods.
But why did they have to wait until the standoff was over before they spoke their minds? Simple. They weren’t really sure about how the incident would turn out and they didn’t want to be caught with their feet in their mouths just in case Trillanes et al prevailed.
This is probably why no politician of significant stature came out during the siege. Most of them were probably somewhere in Makati, on standby, monitoring how things would develop. And if it looked like regime change was imminent, they were ready to make a grand appearance, abandoning all current loyalties, reminiscent of EDSA 2.
Even more worrisome, at least to the administration, was the non-appearance of military top brass during the critical, early hours of the standoff. The most natural thing for the administration to do in order to show that it was still in control of the chain of command was to arrange for some star-studded generals to declare their unequivocal loyalty. Esperon was in Mindanao. But where were the service commanders? They, too, were seemingly on standby, caught by surprise, unsure if Lim and Trillanes had the numbers. They did not declare loyalty for either side, most likely not wanting to be caught on the wrong side when the dust settled.
There was one text message I received from an unknown number that I found rather amusing, “Panawagan ni Trillanes na mag-aklas, dinedma! Sawa na sa gulo ang ating bayan, tama na! Magkaisa na lang sa pagsulong ng bayan.”
I think that declaration was way off the mark. How do you explain the spontaneous show of support from office workers cheering and waving, motorists honking their horns in support as Trillanes and company were marching towards Manila Pen? How do you explain the surveys showing the people outraged at the impunity and brazenness of corruption by this regime?
I get these opinions all the time – text messages, email, or even chance encounters in public places from people I don’t know, “You’re doing the right thing. Don’t give up. Keep the faith!” At times, I’m tempted to ask them, “What about you? What do you plan to do about it?” I don’t bother, because I have an inkling of what they will say, “I’m sorry, but I’m busy… busy trying to earn a living, or trying to make ends meet.”
Was Trillanes misguided? Maybe. But not in the usual sense.
I think he read the people’s mood correctly. They are outraged. They want regime change. But they’re not willing to take an active role in effecting change. They just want to be saved from this wretched regime!
I believe Trillanes was misguided, maybe even betrayed, by people who committed to give their support but did not deliver.
CHED Chairman Romulo Neri, could have been an interested party. It was rumored that he was supposed to join the group at Manila Pen to finally reveal what most people already know anyway – that after he told GMA about the bribe offer by Abalos, she asked him to ignore it and gave specific instructions for him to work on getting the ZTE project approved by the NEDA Board in time for her China trip, which was only 2 days away.
In past interviews, Neri has refused to reveal what he knows, claiming that his revelations might trigger an EDSA-like uprising. He reportedly finds the idea of regime change by the same old, recycled politicians, revolting (pun intended). However, rumors abound that privately, he has intimated to being open to a post-GMA scenario that would include his reform agenda.
Let us suppose that Neri may have communicated these ideas to the Magdalo. These revelations and ideas by an official of this administration probably emboldened them to plot the Manila Pen siege. Now, the Magdalo had a just cause around which to rally the people.
Let us suppose there were the unit commanders who were poised to leave their barracks to join Trillanes and Lim. They were perhaps waiting for Neri’s defection as their signal to move. Instead, they saw Argee Guevarra and JV Bautista beside Trillanes at the Pen. To the military, these are the poster boys of communism. Seeing them would have planted seeds of doubt in their rightist hearts. “Are we risking everything, just to turn it over to commies?” they probably asked. The man in the wig was the clincher, turning the whole exercise into a farce.
And so, they all decided to stand by. But they waited too long. Esperon would later report, “the other group was pre-empted”, whatever that means. The rest of the story you already know.
Trillanes apologists will claim, “the end justifies the means” regarding his latest caper. I do not buy that. But I do believe that this administration has shut off every legitimate venue for redress.
What do you do when the major mode of making a President accountable – impeachment, is bastardized by a rubber-stamp Congress? Where do you go when an unimpeachable witness like Fr. Ed Panlilio testifies that bribery of the highest order may have occurred at the Palace involving scandalous amounts given to political allies? Certainly not to a Department of Justice headed by a GMA stooge.
When you have an administration that selectively applies the rule of law and methodically perverts it for self-preservation, you will, for the same reason always have people who will resort to extra-constitutional means to seek justice.
Personally, I think what Trillanes did at Manila Pen is not much different from what Ramos did at EDSA 1 or Angie Reyes did at EDSA 2. If EDSA 1 and 2 failed, Ramos and Reyes would have been labeled no differently from Trillanes and Lim – misguided, misadventurists, rebels, or even fools.
What a difference success makes! Even heels (remember Chavit Singson in EDSA 2?) can become heroes. Failure does the exact opposite: would-be heroes are called fools.
Digressing a bit, I heard that Manila Pen is planning to sue for damages the rebel group. Nevertheless, the hotel is willing to give a 20% discount considering the participation of senior citizens like Guingona, Dodong Nemenzo, and Bishop Labayen. It would be truly comical, were it not tragic and pathetic, to see octogenarians leading the fight against moral bankruptcy in government.
Where are the youth in all of this?
Most of them are on standby, waiting for their work visas from various embassies. This is proof of the depth of hopelessness when the aspirations of our youth are reduced to wanting to leave the country at the earliest opportunity.
Well… I think I will just join the rest of our people on standby and wait for this regime to crumble from its own weight of greed and corruption. Already, there are cracks in the alliance in Congress, they’re all fighting over the spoils. With Puno now ascendant at the Palace, the other officials will necessarily be diminished, if not completely defrocked. That spells trouble.
Greed and addiction to power will propel them to overstay beyond 2010. Already, charter change is back at the top of the agenda in Congress. I think the administration is already crafting a martial law template that will be declared at the flimsiest excuse. The unconstitutional 5-hour curfew was merely a trial balloon.
And then it will happen. It will reach a breaking point that will lead to a popular uprising. Such has been the cycle we go through in our modern history.
A new order will be established. History will be rewritten, and it will give a kinder account of the Manila Pen siege. It is merely a pre-cursor of things to come. Trillanes and company are not fools after all.
For now, all we can do is pray that God hasten the cycle of change. God bless our country.
This is Enteng Romano on standby.
“Uulitin ko: Hindi ako sagabal sa ambisyon ninuman.
But make no mistake. I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be.”SONA 2007”
I give you three (3) good reasons why GMA will not give up power in 2010:
1) She really loves to travel!
2)She does the opposite of what she declares (When Gloria broke her promise not to run in 2004, she also employed extraordinary ways and means to commandeer government resources to achieve ‘victory’).
3) Ronnie Puno.
Proud black & white movement? I challenge Mr. Enteng Romano about your group’s loyalty to the Constittution.
Sariwa pa sa aking diwa ang inyong pong grupo (B&WM), isa kayo sa yumurak sa ating Saligang Batas noong 2001. Parte kayo sa paghihirap ng ating Bayan sa ngayon.
Ang lakas ng inyong mga loob na papaniwalain ang Masang Pilipino na ang gobyernong Arroyo ang siyang sagot sa palpak na pamumuno ni (HON.)Erap. Pinagkaisahan nýo ang gobyernong Estrada upang ibagsak, para lamang maagaw ang Malacanang.
Nagsipagwagi kayo, pero di nýo nakuha ang suporta at simpatya ng Masang Pilipino except yon lamang mga TRAPO, BALIMBING, MAKAPILI, HUNYANGO.
Eh ano ngayon? Maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw ang ginawa ng bosing nýo, puro kahihiyan at ano 800+ extrajudicial killings but iniluklok pa upang maging champion daw ng Human rights.
Naghihirap ang Masang Pilipino kasi po nakaw dito nakaw doon sa kabang-yuman ni Juan De La Cruz.
Wala na kayong gutz, ang suspetsa ng Masang Pilipino eh kayo ang nagkanulo kina AT4/Gen. Lim last PEN standoff.
Di ba ang B&W movement eh sipsip na elitistang grupo kay GMA. (di lahat ng civil society groups kasi nautug na ang iba at kumalas na kay GMA).
Ang civil society groups na konektado kay GMA ang siyang maypakana ng lahat ng ito para ibunton sa mga taga-oposisyon ang sisi sa palpak na PEN siege.
ERAP still alive and kicking! Watch-out kasi po laya na siya at may oras na para makipag txtmate sa kanyang balwarte.
Humanda kayo di man sa larangan ng pagsipa kay GMA ngayon eh sa 2010 tapos na ang maliligayang araw nýong lahat. Dapat kayong lahat eh kasuhan ng Rebellion+Conspiracy+Coup détat dagdagan pa natin yong bosing nýo ng Corruption+Extrajudicial killings etc. etc.
Damdamin ito ng isang Nationalistang Pinoy na patuloy na nagtatanggol sa ating Konstitusyon.
Matagal na akong nagdududa sa tunay na adhikain nitong grupong ito! Gusto raw umalis si gulerilla sa pwesto e wait n’ see naman sila! Siguro kung nakinita nila na panalo si Trillanes and Co. ay sugod sila sa Pen!
Calling Mr. Enteng Romamo, ang Ellenville Bloggers Brigade ay taus-pusong nag-iinbita sa inyong lahat na mga taga-B&W movement na makipag-jamming naman sa amin upang mabuksang ang inyong mga puso sa katotohanan.
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Jn. 8:32.
Ang breakpast, lunch, and dinner namin sa Ellenville ay putahing GMA (Gatas, Manok, Ang steak). Syiempre habang nag-e-snack eh pwedeng magyosi TABAKO ang brand klas ito at galing abroad.
Tuturuan namin kayo ng arithmitic, music o kaya drawing at iba pa. Dito magaling ang mga taga-Ellenville, kung papaano talakaying at pag-usapang ang mga sumusunod na subject:-
1) arithmitic (e.g. 500T + 1M = 1.5M gift ito kay Gov. Panlilio at Mendoza);
2) Music (e.g. Garci Tape wow galing ng himig ng mga awitin dito & ABCDEZT a nursery rhyme);
3) drawing (e.g. North Rail project, D. Macapagal Arroy Blvd, IMPSA, National Broadband, PIATCO etc.)
4) lawnessness (e.g. 2001 Rebellion/Conspiracy/Coup détat)
5) cooking (e.g. 2004 election, 2M dollarman, Jose Pidal account, Cyber education).
6) peace and order (e.g. extrajudicial killings, PEN standoff, Oawkwood siege, Fort Bonifacio Marine standoff, Glorrietta and Batasan bombing etc.)
Iwan nýo na yang B&W movement nýo kasi nabasa namin sa isang pahayagan na sa halip na civil society ang tag-uri sa inyo eh evil society daw po.
Magpakatutuo naman po kayo!
Hi Klasmayt Chi,
Di ba ang BWM eh siyang nag-udyonk kina Guingona, Bishop Labayen at iba pa. Tuta ni GMA yan. Hanggang ngayon eh di pa yan humihingi ng tawad sa 11 Milyong Masang Pinoy.
Kung tutuusin natin yong 11M last 1999 pa yon + 7-years additional na botante mga anak bumoto kay ERAP. Ilang milyon na yon this year 2007?
Naku po more than 11M na ito ngayon, kaya kayo BWM eh wag nýo nang bolahin ang Masang Pinoy wala namang naniniwala sa inyo kasi pakawala kayo ni GMA at mga Eletistang negosyante.
Ang mga bosing nýo lang ang yumayaman at ang taong-bayan eh naghihirap.
Balweg,
Si Bishop Labayen ay lumalaban na kay Gloria nun pa, and si Guingona naman ay baka nga nagsisisi na sa kanyang role sa tabi ni gluerilla ng agawin nila ang trono kay Erap.
Ang duda ako ay ang layunin ng grupo ng itim at puti na may press release dito. Sabihin na ayaw nila kay FPJ dahil artista lang (mga elitista yata sila), pero ikinampanya nila si Noted Cuneta last election. Ibig sabihin ay OK sa kanila ang dayaan nuong 2004 presidential elections at ang ginawa ni Kiko na “noted, noted, noted” na walang katapusan?!!! Anong klaseng pagmamahal sa bayan ‘yan, ayaw ituwid ang kasalanan ni Kiko sa sangpinuyan! Huh, nag-iinit na naman ako!
In a real war, the fight polarizes people into two camps. Never mind if former foes are now friends. For me, I would tolerate the B & W movement joining the ranks of the people who want Gloria out, although many of its members were the same people who installed and helped her legitimize her position in 2001. I personally don’t like some of those from B & W, but their voice helps us articulate and add strength to our cause. Let the force against Gloria grow, and stay united til her end comes.
This is just my personal take.
Chi and Balweg: Do not glorify! We all know how to weed out right from wrong and good from evil!
Gotcha, JC.
Chi/JC,
Ito ang blogsite ng BnW movement!
blohttp://blacknwhitemovement.blogspot.com
Duda ko sa grupong ito, mukhang pakawala ng gobyernong Arroyo.
Sa mga kaparian naman natin eh, mas marami ang pro-GMA lalo na sa Mindanao, atleast sa Luzon eh nandiyan ika mo si Bishop Labayen, Cruz, Bacani, at ilan pa.
Kaya lang si Cardinal Rosales eh namamangka sa dalang ilog.
Si Bishop S. Villegas eh bata ni Sin yon kaya GMA pa rin!
Dapat arestuhin din iyan mga naka-standby at kasuhan ng vagrancy. Kung kelan dumating na ang pagkakataon, saka pa naduwag.
Baket? Dahil hindi sila ang bida? O dahil hindi sila nakonsulta sa plano. Lagi bang dapat kasali at makapagdikta ng mga interes bago sumuporta?
Dismayado ako sa B&WM. Blink and Wait Movement!
“Blink and Wait Movement”. Das it!
“Blink and Wait Movement”. Dat’s it!
Nadoble. Ellen, pls paki delete and isa pati ito. thanks.
Perhaps the B&W Movement is waiting for the ‘spoils of war’ just in case Trillianes group had succeeded to topple Gloria Arroyo and her corrupt regime. Makisaw-saw na lang ang mga elista.
Was it coincidence that Ellen mistyped Black and White as “Black ang White” in the subtitle?
Ang tindi talaga ng talas ng mata mo, Tongue.
Yun na nga ang ibig sabihin, at least for me. heheh!
Economy is getting wild. Theres just too much money to move mountains of dissent. Black is black, white is white, but money could be black or white. Standby na lang.
There’s something else that bothers some of us. Why do we spend a lot to spring out death convicts in other lands. Why not make it fair with the locals, no need to spend , just unlock all our jails and reward them with passports. Saves money, make available more labor, besides they are not death convicts at all. The more they stay in jail, they become hardened and master the tricks from the other inmates.
Valdemar, that idea is radical as radical can be! We can give them a new name, OFCs! Overseas Filipino Convicts, hahaha!
hmmm…. how to deal with the B&W movement? I’d say, instead of antagonizing them, we should accomodate them …
Mao Ze Dhong : The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Sun Tsu : A good general destroys the army of the enemy. A great general captures the enemy’s army intact and turns it into an ally.
hmmm…. the “neri” factor is a new twist to me… trillanes was expecting this from neri? … but how could that be possible when we have seen that neri has no “balls” during the senate hearings ? … perhaps later on, we’ll find out the real story …
for now, i do expect trillanes, lim and others being charged in court, not to say anything that can pin them down for rebellion… this does not mean that they chickened out…
now, it’s somewhat clearer to me why their speeches during those times are “calculated”, why they didn’t do a “show of force” … etc… things that one normally do in an attempted uprising… they are actually careful in making sure that the charges of rebellion will not stick if the move fails… at least they got that portion covered… proof that they’re not stupid as some claimed them to be…
hey atty36252,
mukhang kasama yata kayo sa pagplano nito, ah… he-he-he…
Black and White are all suffering from Post-concussion syndrome, is the name given to the people’s power who have a minor closed head injury such as Erap’s dementia and experience a range of symptoms such as mood and Glria’s anger problems, concentration difficulties, headaches and fatigue that may persist on Trillanes .More often than not these people are treated for the symptoms with little if any efficacy. The most common symptoms is cowardice and Enteng’s Alahoy!Alahoy!
balweg et al:
Naniniwala pa rin ako sa bmw este B&WM.
Naniniwala ako ng nagkakape pa rin sila ng kapeng ‘bara coup’.
Kung nuong nakaraang taon ang uso ay coffee shop, ngayon ay chewing gum na.
Syangapala, may maipropaganda na rin ako sa inyo.
Itong isang kaibigan ko na mahilig na magtambay sa hotel coffee shop, isang beses na magkita kami ay napansin ko na iyong trouser na suot nya ay may bakas na dikit ng chewing gum.
Ah alam ko na? kaya sya nabiktima ng dikit chewing gum,
mahilig kasi syang mag-de-kwatro sa mga coffee shop.
Hulaan nyo kung sino sya?
Mahilig syang mag-drive ng bmw.
Ano kaya kung mag-apiran(high five) kapag nakitakita ang mga burgis?
Malamang maraming masisira o mababasag na PDA.
Palm, BlackBerry o iPaq, mga mamahalin ito pero keychain lang yan para kay Artsee.
Natuloy na kaya ang pagkikita nina pechanco at ang paborito nyang nurse?
Kung Blueberry cheesecake kaya ang ipang-apir ng matapobre sa isang social climber?
Ano kaya ang mangyayari?
Tyak yon, sasalubungin ito ng BUnganga.
balweg,
dahan dahan. ang puso mo. nakasibat na lamang ‘yan baka pa malaglag.
pero tama ka. ang hunyango kasi ay makikilala lamang kapag bumalik sa dati niyang anyo at kulay.
I think people chose to just stand-by and hesitated to join with the group of Trillanes because the people don’t see who will be in the reins or would be the figure head to lead the country after Gloria goes down. Maybe if the revolutionary group can give the people an acceptable leader, then the people will surely come! Erap Estrada may not be acceptable to the civil(evil) society group who are participants in his ouster, but the majority of the people will! Besides siya ang inagawan ng pagkapangulo and it is just right to give the presidency back to him. Maybe that what God wants! Even I did not vote for Erap but God chose Erap to win in the 1998 election fair and square! He chose him for the Filipino people!
balweg,
Kaya nga Black & White Movement sila eh, itim at puti, sala sa init sala sa lamig, parang pareho na rin ng balimbingin o hunyango! Pwedeng oposisyon ngayon administrasyon bukas. Di pwedeng pagkatiwalaan! Maingay lang at mapapel ang mga evil society na ito pero sila rin ang may malaking parte sa pagbastos sa ating konstitusyon nuong pinatalsik nila si Erap. Kaya ngayon ay nasadlak na sa burak ang Pilipinas.
“Kaya nga Black & White Movement sila eh, itim at puti, sala sa init sala sa lamig, parang pareho na rin ng balimbingin o hunyango!”
Ang galing mo, Luz!
Chi,
Isip ko nga eh, kailangan yung mga may partisipasyon sa pagluklok kay Gloria at pagnakaw ng pwesto ni Erap na inihalal ng tao ay magsisi na. Dapat mangumpisal muna itong mga evil society na ito at humingi ng tawad sa mamamayang Pilipino bago siguro sila paniwalaan. Baka sakaling mangyari na ang himala na ating hinihintay at iligtas tayo sa kuko ng mga halimaw sa katauhan ni Gloria at alipores niya!
Luz,
Nakakaduda nga e, hanggang Neri lang ang kanilang laban!
TT,
Press conf is still on. Ermita just said the OFC gives her more money thats why she could not afford to lose the cash. And to the local convicts, go to hell. Mga walang pakinabang. wawa naman tayo. The moral of the story is to go abroad and do your thing there. Not here.