In its letter to majority floor leader Senator Miguel Zubiri to act on a 2008 Senate resolution allowing detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to participate in the sessions and other legislative functions through remote or electronic means.
They called on authorities to “ensure that the resolution is implemented without further delay.”
“The Philippines is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which enshrines fair trial guarantees and that, as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, it has pledged to uphold the highest standards of human rights,” said the IPU.
With 150 members, the IPU is the official international organization of the parliaments of the world’s sovereign states. It was established in 1889 and is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The IPU lamented that not implementing the resolution prevents Trillanes from exercising his mandate meaningfully and deprives his electorate of representation in parliament.
Zubiri did not submit the required report on the resolution but the Senate President had already approved the proposed videoconferencing project with the necessary budget in place since June 2009, according to the Governing Council.
They expressed concern that Trillanes has been on trial and remains in detention for more than six years, a violation of his fundamental rights based on international jurisprudence.
His allegations of graft and corruption against the Armed Forces of the Philippines also merit further investigation, the IPU stressed.
In a press statement, Zubiri threw back a question to the IPU: “So, my question to the letter of the IPU is: is there a parliament anywhere around the world that allows legally detained members to participate in their sessions?
“So far, all resource persons that I have spoken to and who attended the hearing could not point to any. They pointed out parliaments in the world that allow electronic voting and electronic participation, but those are for members of parliaments that are on official mission, not legally detained or are prisoners of their judicial system. That is a big question that still has to be answered.”
Zubiri said the Committee on Rules has already drafted a proposed resolution to be tackled on the floor. Under the proposed draft resolution Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV will be allowed to participate in committee activities, or hearings through interaction with the senators and resource persons.
“Under the draft resolution, a duly elected Senator under judicial detention prior to conviction may be allowed to participate in any committee proceedings and cannot vote nor can he participate in any plenary sessions. Why? Because under the 1987 Constitution, Senate Rules and the rules of most parliaments around the world, the presence of the legislator is needed in voting and in the establishment of a quorum. Therefore, if the senator is not present in plenary, he cannot participate in any parliamentary activity.
“The proposed draft resolution which is still subject to plenary debate provides that such participation shall be subject to the authority granted by the court having jurisdiction to the case.
“It is up to the judge to allow him to participate or not because he is under the jurisdiction of a separate branch of government. And, as a legally detained person, jurisdiction of his liberties is up to the judge handling his case. Any lawyer can tell you that.”
“As to the IPU itself, during our initial hearings on the said resolution, no resource person could point to any parliament in the world that allows legally detained parliamentarians to interact and perform their duties with their respective parliaments.
“There is not one that could be presented. Therefore, this discussion took a long time because it could result into a precedent of sort. That we (the Philippines) maybe the first parliament in the world that will allow judicially detained members of Congress to perform their duties while their case is pending in the court.”
“Legal luminaries have questioned the special privileges given to those individuals because under the law all prisoners or judicial detainees have limited rights; giving a particular group such special privileges maybe “unconstitutional.” That is why during our initial hearing almost all our legal luminaries in the Senate were against the proposal. They include Sen. Joker Arroyo, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Sen. Edgardo Angara and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
“So, there is still a big legal question. Nevertheless I, as a Majority Leader will finalize and present the proposed draft resolution to be discussed in plenary, and will request the authors of the said resolution especially Sen. Pimentel who is the legal luminary of the group of individuals who filed the resolution to defend the legal question.
I agree.
Is there also a democratic government in the world where a president was never elected by the people; where the president was caught cheating and she continues to hold power?
Opinion only…
The disposition of the case of Senator A. Trillanes is being DELAYED and this is not JUSTICE! It may be “unconstitutional” to provide a judicial detainee with special privilege, i.e. to participate in the senate as in the case of Senator Trillanes, but is it really? He is not yet convicted, won as a Senator with a clear mandate, and has been in jail for over six years ongoing! Can this administration disregard the people’s voice all the time by delaying everything? Is it more “unconstitutional” to deprive ones liberty or right by being detained indefinitely not bringing his case to conclusion? Only tyrannical administration does it to anyone who disagrees, as in the case of the good senator.
And even though they found him guilty of rebellion, is it really rebellion?
Six years is more than enough. It’s time to FREE Senator A. Trillanes and let him serve as the people wishes!
The legal luminaries very well know that “Justice delayed is Justice denied” causing the delays and legal question for Senator Trillanes to serve or not to serve as a Senator and I just hope they look at it differently with dignity!
None? but tyrannical government of pandak in the guise of a democratic government!
Is there also a democratic government in the world where a president was never elected by the people; where the president was caught cheating and she continues to hold power? — Ellen
Can’t think of any… except Zimbabwe perhaps?
The Philippines is really rather UNIQUE in that sense (and the Filipinos for that matter.) The nation does possess a democratic system of government, at least in form, but perhaps not quite in substance. A country that boasts of democratic form of electing their president but which in reality is only all a form of show when the people allow the most unscrupulous and unspeakable individuals to steal their votes.
Now if allowing cheats, thieves and liars of politicians to rob you of your right is part of democracy, then, I guess the Philippines can boast of possessing a strange form of democracy, or at the very least, a unique interpretation of democracy.
Legal luminaries have questioned the special privileges given to those individuals because under the law all prisoners or judicial detainees have limited rights; giving a particular group such special privileges maybe “unconstitutional.”-Zubiri
What about giving privileges to the election cheaters like Gloria and Zubiri himself? That’s no doubt “unconstitutional in all ways.
I may not be a Trillanes fan but one thing that I’ve always defended, and this has been from the very beginning, was his right to a military trial which was part of the agreement or terms of surrender at Oakwood.
The government broke the terms of agreement, i.e., that the junior officers would surrender on the condition that they would be charged under Articles of War, tried by a military tribunal and not in a civilian court.
Cimatu, negotiating on behalf of the government gave his word. Gen Efren Abu, who was poised to attack at the time and was privy to what was going on during negotiations — (he also had direct line to Malacanang at the time or during the terse moments), and who later on became CSAFP, knew that they would break their word.
In this country, there is no such thing as “My word is my bond!” It’s an unknow quantity, just doesn’t exist! So, to me, the junior officers owe absolutely nothing to politicians nor to their military superiors and definitely not an iota of loyalty to the dwende in Malacanang.
As to what Zubiri is saying — all coming from his backside. He’s merely farting from his mouth.
What he is alluding to is pure, unadulterated shit!
Who the fuck does he think he is? The people of the land have decided. Trillanes possesses a clear national mandate from the people of the Philippines authorising him to perform Senate duties. The people have spoken. How can an elected Senator of the land whose authority emanates from the people perform his duties from a dog cage?
Zubiri is mouthing imbecilic gobledygooks because he is afraid! He fears that if Trillanes is allowed to exercise his mandate within the Senate walls, Trillanes might pounce on him and neuter him! Fucking coward!
Trillanes did not rape anybody, he did not massacre a group of journalists nor did he harm women politicians. He did not kill anyone to achieve his status. And more specifically, he did not cheat or steal.
His fault was that he didn’t succeed in toppling the illegitimate leadership in place. His fault too was his naiveté when he believed that he was talking to fellow military officers whom he thought possess a word of honour and thus accepted to be tried by a military tribunal.
Zubiri should therefore just shut up and quake in his boots in silence instead of uttering imbecilities!
True, the Philippines can boast of possessing a strange form of democracy when it let a president, never elected by the people, was caught cheating and continues to hold power!
In my view, this is not intended. This is so because the people are confuse, or was confused by the ruling few. No one can really say now who is who with certainty since most in government or ruling few representing the government, in all of it’s branches and the military, administration or opposition, are one of the SAME. They protect one another regardless of what one does, with very few exception or situation, when action has to be taken base on the level of dissatisfaction of the people.
For obvious opposition to anything that the ruling few does, whether making money or maintaining what they use to do, are normally discredited or punished regardless using the Law.
In the end of the day, people where just ask to vote to legitimize their roles without giving people true representation, by having them select from the less evil of the choices using the system that they can tweak to their favor anytime they wish, who to lead between themselves with exception depending on greed, nothing more! They will do whatever they want being the “Ruling Class” regardless.
I hope that time will come for them to realize, it is to their best interest to consider the people and change their ways to include policing themselves of excesses, else time will come their will be nobody to govern. Anarchy in the midst! (…and I hope I’m wrong with my view!)
[…] that he was talking to fellow military officers whom he thought possess a word of honour and thus accepted to be tried by a military tribunal, but instead, was roundly tricked and hauled off to an illegitimate government’s civilian court!!!
Quite extraordinary! Absolutely gobsmacking in the extreme how Filipinos could sit by idly and accept this sort of behaviour from people in government they did not elect!
In my view, this is not intended. — Olan
I should hope not (intended)!!!
At the end of the day, cruel as it may sound, if people accept the status quo, i.e., they do nothing to change the situation, one can only say that they deserve the government they have….
people where just ask to vote to legitimize their roles without giving people true representation, — Olan
Nothing is ever written in stone as far as the citizenry is concerned.
It’s the people who either break or make their own government. It is within their power to do everything to correct this state of affairs. The Philippines after all is not under authoritarian rule. The country, fortunately, is still a democracy, however strange that brand of democracy is.
What is democracy?
La démocratie c’est le gouvernement du peuple par le peuple et pour le peuple.
Democracy is a goverment of the people, by the people for the people!
La démocratie est devenue un système politique (et non plus un simple régime) dans lequel la souveraineté est attribuée au peuple qui l’exerce de façon directe, indirecte ou semi-directe.
Democracy has become a political system (a no loger just a form of regime) in which sovereignity is attributed to the people in either direct, indirect or semi-direct way.
The democratic system fundamentally runs counter to the aristocratic form of governance in which the elite class rules (the latter is so Philippinesque!)
In other words, Trillanes, who, in my view, has not committed any judicial crime (not even committed a crime against the state), has been elected by the people to perform duties for the people, hence he must be allowed to perform these duties in the Senate (even if he has to be brought back to his prison cell in handcuffs at the end of each day’s work just to please Zubiri).
Legal luminaries have questioned the special privileges given to those individuals because under the law all prisoners or judicial detainees have limited rights; giving a particular group such special privileges maybe “unconstitutional.” That is why during our initial hearing almost all our legal luminaries in the Senate were against the proposal. They include Sen. Joker Arroyo, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Sen. Edgardo Angara and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.
Okey, sige. Nakakulong si Sen. Trillanes. But is he already convicted? Was there a proper reading of charges against him and for what crime? Was there an established prima facie evidence that would require his indictment?
How long had he been detained without being arraigned? Is it not a provision of the law “that any person is still considered innocent unless found and proven guilty by the court?
Legal luminaries? Kanino bang mga kakutsaba ang mga ‘yan? Lahat ‘yan bayaran ng bruhang nasa malakanyang at ‘yang si Michelle Showgirlie ay baklang taratitat na lahat ng sinasabi ay walang basehan at batayan. Takot siyang makasama si AT4 sa senado dahil alam niyang parang multong laging nakabuntot ang kwestyunable niyang pagkapanalo.
Kahit ano’ng alibay niya ay hindi lulusot kung naipapatupad ang equality before the law sa kanilang gobyerno kung saan silang mga kakampi ng putang bruha ang nagtatamasa ng lahat ng pabor sa mga batas at ang kontra sa kanila ang nagpapasan ng bigat.
Babalik na naman tayo sa dati – kasalanan ni Kiki Panghilinan ang lahat. Noted?
Sino ba ang sobrang ipinagpipilitan kung ano itinatadhana ng mga batas?
Di ba’t sila ring malimit kaysa hindi ay siya ring unang lumalabag?
Silang mga takot sa sariling anino.
““So, my question to the letter of the IPU is: is there a parliament anywhere around the world that allows legally detained members to participate in their sessions?”
Wala!
But in Philippines, allowed to perform their legislative duties ang mga dubious winners of recent electoral contests where their votes exceeded the number of registered voters.
Sige pa, Michelle Showgirlie, tanong pa at babalandra sa makapal mong mukha ang mga kasagutan!
Legal luminaries have questioned the special privileges given to those individuals because under the law all prisoners or judicial detainees have limited rights; giving a particular group such special privileges maybe “unconstitutional.”-Zubiri
What special privileges are these luminaries talking about? Attending sessions is not a special privilege- it is a duty Trillanes has to perform on account of the 11 million voters who chose him to perform such duty.
I hope magawa na ni Trillanes ang dapat niyang gawin.
Zubiri perhaps wants to know who cast the first stone.
Zubiri is on the defensive — he’s afraid that if Trillanes gets to attend sessions, he (Zubiri) just might have to zip it, zap it, lest he gets neutered.
Sa guapo ba naman ni Sonny sa kanyang barong e patayan-patayan talaga ang “taratitat Michelle Showgirlie”. Baka lalo pa syang mamatay kung tabunan sya ng talent ni Trillanes, so he didn’t want to implement the agreed video conferencing for the jailed Senator. Takot ang anak-anakan ni Ampatuan e!
Election cheater Zubiri trying hard to be one of the “legal luminaries” in the Senate, what a joke!
Para sa mga katulad ni AT4, attending session through teleconferencing is seen as a special privilege that should not be granted according to these legal lunatics, este luminaries pala.
If they do not want this “special privilege” to be accorded to Sen Trillanes, then they should pass a bill pressing the evils of malakanyang and even the judge in charge of AT4’s case (para saan?) to release him from jail in order to perform his constitutional duties as one of the elected senators of the land.
The souvereign will of the people, our voices, we who voted for him should be heard and MUST prevail over these lunacies.
After all, we are their employers and they draw their salaries and corrupted pork barrels from the taxes we pay.
They are just our paid servants, they should know. In case they still do not know.
Another reason why the senater of Maguindanao does not want AT4 sa senado ay baka bumigay ang kanyang kunyaring pagiging barako.
That is why during our initial hearing almost all our legal luminaries in the Senate were against the proposal. They include Sen. Joker Arroyo, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Sen. Edgardo Angara and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago. – Zubiri
Bloody hell! I made a terrible mistake. It’s true that Zubiri has the right to align himself with the legal luminaries in the Senate he listed above. Noted!
Do we still have any true bloodied legal luminaries in the Senate?
Chi,
Luminaries nga daw. Ibig sabihin – mga diwata.
He he he heeh.
Hindi ba’t si Zubiri ay katulad ng isang matimtimang dilag kaya inihahanay ang kanyang sarili sa mga ada ng batas.
Oooopsss! Balckbelter daw ‘ata ‘yan sa martial arts. Master in kurutan tekniks.
This is one way to force GMA to cut down on her travels,
or at least prevent her from entering England.
Maybe the same tactic can work — Brussels.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100105/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_israel_britain
Zubiri did not submit the required report on the resolution but the Senate President had already approved the proposed videoconferencing project with the necessary budget in place since June 2009, according to the Governing Council.
Anong power ba meron tong si Zubiri as Majority floor leader at kaya nyang harangin ang implementation even approved na ng Senate President?
Luminaries nga daw. Ibig sabihin – mga diwata. – MPRivera
Bwahahahaha!!! Ala e si MiGirl SoVery (kay tongue yan) ay Diwatang Walang Ningning!
Yun ibang luminaries naman sa kanyang listahan ay narausan na o sadyang hindi nagkarun ng ningning, hehehe! Noted!
2008 pa pala tong resolution. Kailangan pang makiaalam ang international group bago umaksyon! Yung maritime tragedies, sana pakialaman na din ng international communities!
Perl, meron si Zubiri na power. Power na bigay ni Ampatuan at Garci sa order ni Gloria.
Bakit hindi kulitin ng Senate President lolo Johhny ang letseng Zubiri samantalang inaprubahan niya ang video conferencing?
Being a majorette floor leader means Michelle Sogirlie has the power to influence her co-administration senaters, especially Senater Dicky Gordon.
Malakas ang power nila lalo’t may subong pink lollipop.
“So, my question to the letter of the IPU is: is there a parliament anywhere around the world that allows legally detained members to participate in their sessions?”
Naknampucha naman o! Anong kaululan ang pinagsasabi ng mandarayang mestizong hilaw na yan?
1. Trillanes was in prison but he was allowed to run. Eh bakitt pa pinayagan tumakbo kung hindi din naman pala papayagan gampanan ang position kung manalo?
Ang sagot dyan ng legal luminaries ay si Jalosjos pinayagan tumakbo, nanalo pero di pinayagan tulad ni Trillanes.
Pero pinayagan sumumpa sa Comelec si Trillanes. Pinalabas pa nga ng kulungan. Para sa ano pa yun sinumpaan niya kung hindi naman pala siya pwede mag serbisyp?
2, si trillanes at si jalosjos ay parehong binito kahit nakakulong sila. At pareho silang nanalo. Pareho silang charged with a non-bailable offense. Ang kaso nila parehong People of the Philippines vs…
Eto ang pinagkaiba ng dalawa..
Si Jalosjos binoto ng kanyang distrito lang. They are people of the Philippines but not the People of the Philippines so walang ibig sabihin para sa nakakarami kung anong katarantaduhan ang ginawa ng distrito niya.
Si Trillanes nanalo sa national election. Sa madaling salita pinatawad siya ng People of the Philiipines sa anuman pagkakasala niya sa kanila dahil sa Oakwood. Hindi na People of the Philippines vs Trillanes kasi People of the Philippines with Trillanes na.
So anong pinagsasabi ni zubiri at mga legal luminaries? Kalahati lang ng istorya ang tanong nila.
Binalewala nila ang hatol ng bayan. Sila dapat ang ikulong for rebellion against the people’s will.
Meron bang FB si Tsubiri? Isasampal ko lang sa kanya ang poste ni mb.
legal luminaries? ang dilim dlim nga ng kanilang paliwanag..
..democracy ni putot..government of gloria by gloria and for gloria..
..ang rebellion for gloria: ang sino mang ang komontra sa
kanya ay rebel…
ang kasagutan lang sa problema natin ay pugotan siya ng power sa Mayo..pugotan siya ng ulo…people should choose right kung sino sa palagay nila ay dapat ibotong pangulo…isang leader na may takot sa Dios..let’s play sipa…sipain si putot!
In a press statement, Zubiri threw back a question to the IPU: “So, my question to the letter of the IPU is: is there a parliament anywhere around the world that allows legally detained members to participate in their sessions?
Why ask the question instead of using your head to address this? Legally detained..huh? You know very well that Senator A. Trillanes had a very clear mandate. That the government did not honor it’s agreement with him and that he is being punished for political reasons! That he had been in jail for over six years ongoing.
You can copy my answer to your question…FREE Senator Trillanes and let him serve as the people wishes!
na alala ko..ang tawag ni Neri kay putot- evil!
ang tawag naman ni Salceda-bitch!
ano naman ang tawag ni “oh my gal so very?..
Had Trillanes pleaded guilty before the elections, and been pardoned by the Glue, he would be able to serve. That is based on the principle that to the President, has been delegated, sovereign powers, including the power to pardon transgressions against the people.
But why is the pardon of a mere delegate of greater validity than the direct pardon of the people?
Note that Trillanes is charged with a political crime, not an ordinary crime (rape) like Jalosjos. So the only “damage” occasioned is the damage to the political process. Trillanes is accused of wanting to subvert the people’s political will, by unseating an alleged elected president. But the fact that Trillanes has been chosen by the people to represent them, indicates that he has been forgiven that political offense; because conviction and punishment are diametrically opposed to election as the people’s representative.
In the decision on Trillanes’ petition (G.R. No. 179817), the Supreme Court, through Justice Carpio-Morales, stated that:
Bago yan. There is no precedent, whether under Philippine or American jurisprudence. It defies logic, because both the election and the ratification of the Constitution are direct acts of the people, and therefore, on the same footing, as expressions of the sovereign will. It also defies legal principles, as explained below:
The Constitution was ratified in toto, meaning, all of its provisions were presumably ratified with one yes vote. It was, as it were, a “package deal”. Some may have ratified with reservations as to a bicameral system, preferring a parliamentary system. Others, may have agreed only to the Bill of Rights, but not to the restrictive economic provisions, etc. The ratification is, in fact, a general act of assent to the Constitution.
But the issue on Trillanes was specific only with regard to him. True, twelve names were written, but the people purposely wrote Trillanes’ name. The same cannot be said, as far as the ratification of each and every provision of the Constitution.
So on the basis of the principle of the specific over the general, the specific election of Trillanes prevails over the general asent to the Constitution, including the provision that states that a person charged with a capital offense may be denied bail.
Besides, Trillanes is being prosecuted under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code, an enactment of mere representatives of the people (Congress). The direct pardon, clearly, prevails over the act of mere delegates of the people.
Begging to differ Mr. Senator. The only legal luminary in the Senate is JPE. I have seen him perform on the Senate floor. His only equal is Jovito Salonga. Ernie Maceda is a close second.
Joker, the name says it all. His only claim to glory was being anti-Macoy. But when in a pinch, who do people turn to, for litigation? His classmate, Estelito Mendoza. Kiko, name me a case that he has litigated. Edong is known more for managerial and corporate skills than litigation skills. Mirriam? Ask practitioners who appeared before her when she was an RTC judge. Gordon, same thing; more of a politician than a practitioner.
One big difference between between Trillanes and Jalosjos is that Jalosjos was convicted and Trillanes has not been convicted.
Si Trillanes, kagalang-galang. Si Jaloslos, kasuklam-suklam!
justice delay is justice denied. ibig sabihin wala talagang hustisya sa Pilipinas. dapat magkaroon na na chacha tanggalin na ang Secs. 16, Art. III at 15(1) Art. VIII ng Constitution.
Bastusan na rin lang. Since the majority in the Supreme Court reopened a case that has been rendered final and executory (the case of the 16 municipalities), maybe Trillanes should ask for a reopening of his case citing the 16 cities decision as a precedent.
I see that HEINOUS CRIMES are forgivable anywhere, in the Philippines, in the middle east, etc. POLITICAL CRIMES may be forgiven if one admits guilt.
Chi: ang unang basa ko sa post mo sa itaas..”bakit hindi kurutin ni Lolo Johnny si “oh my gal so very..” kulitn pala..
It’s the people who either break or make their own government. It is within their power to do everything to correct this state of affairs. The Philippines after all is not under authoritarian rule. The country, fortunately, is still a democracy, however strange that brand of democracy is. – AdeBrux
_____
It’s the people who either break or make their own government. It is within their power to do everything to correct this state of affairs
Agree with you 100%! And people needs to know and understand this.
But I beg to differ on your opinion on “The Philippines after all is not under authoritarian rule. The country, fortunately, is still a democracy, …” considering that the president is technically unelected and rules without a mandate, with the help of her minions in congress and the military, making her rule authoritarian, as can be seen by how she recklessly abuse the power of the office of the president to suppress truth, freedom, and justice in many occasions such as Martial Law in Maguindanao and abuse of the use of executive privilege for issues related to graft and corruption to name a few. In addition, the people technically have no voice and true representation, as can be seen by how Congress acted on their behalf during the impeachment proceedings, as an example.
There are many more to write such as the many summary disappearances and killings of journalist and political left recognized by our constitution as party list groups, harassment of known political opposition to include Senator A. Trillanes, currently incarcerated, to name a few to highlight my point and/or observation/opinion. Over all those years have you seen them do something to protect the integrity of this democracy? Or respect it institutions? How about the people’s welfare and future?
On paper maybe (drawing lang sabi nga nung iba) but in practice it’s not. It’s Philippinesque Style of authoritarian rule in guise of a democratic government.
Sometimes, it came into my thoughts, the “OUT LAWS or LAW BREAKERS ” are in power, and the Law abiding and good heart-
truly-patriotic citizens are in jail. Therefore, seems Philippine Democracy or true freedom is chain and locked.
While the scripted and untrue freedom lovers ( wealth-Power-
Greed-corrupt-human rights-violators ) are the one controlling
the poor-exhausted-dying Mr. Juan de la Cruz. I / we could not understand why the country is like that, running in the
guise of demo-crazy !!!… We have to wish the 2010 election will make the change, and not cheated, again and again !!! to result into a truthful democratic leadership, not run by unfits and cheaters. God Bless the Philippines,and the new voters, like America.
considering that the president is technically unelected and rules without a mandate, with the help of her minions in congress and the military, making her rule authoritarian, as can be seen by how she recklessly abuse the power of the office of the president to suppress truth, freedom, and justice in many occasions such as Martial Law in Maguindanao and abuse of the use of executive privilege for issues related to graft and corruption to name a few. — Olan
Agree with you on the details but her ability or the abuses with which she exercises these powers is only possible because the people make it possible — they allow it.
Let’s face facts:
The country holds elections and can freely choose their officials (this despite cheatings and thieving at the polls); free speech exists, i.e., people do go about criticising their leaders and overall, can get away with it; the citizenry can hold gatherings to denounce Gloria’s brazen acts of power, etc., etc., etc., so it’s not quite right to say there’s authoritarian rule.
That the elite or the oligarchs collude with her is another matter, that your elected representatives choose to betray their electorate is reprehensible, that government officials are corrupt, that thieving and cheating at elections, looting govt coffers go about without let up, etc., etc., but at the end of the day, it is the people ultimately allow these things to happen.
When people get easily awed by the personalities “on offer” to them, choose to vote with their feet instead of with their minds, they themselves become a big part of the problematic status quo. What is astounding is that there seems to be no thought processing involved in that one singular voting act that should otherwise determine their lot… Seems to me that fiesta mentality prevails even during the most important moments in the nation’s history.
True, Gloria is pushing the envelope of greed and power but there is no question that the nation accepts it, allows it or at best, tolerates it, so at the end of the day, as I’ve said, it is within the power of the people to make or break the state of affairs but if people choose to continue with the status quo, then they are left with the government they deserve.
I agree there are no easy solutions to problems but it is not by taking the easy way out that problems can be solved. Interpreting the state of the nation as being under authoritarian rule is like taking the easy way out.
The fact that Gloria was allowed to get away with stealing the presidency in 2004 which, to my mind, is one of the most cowardly acts that the Filipino voting nation as a whole ever committed, does not translate to the existence of authoritarian rule.
The pinoys who allowed Gloria’s cheating in the 2004 elections proved democracy at work in Pinas, only towards the bitch’s glory not theirs. It’s nowhere authoritarian, it’s nothing but a twisted democracy.
…nowhere near authoritarian…
Thanks for sharing your point of view AdeBrux and Chi. Gloria was not allowed more on the people were betrayed by many without naming names (since the fall of Pres. Estrada) and are exhausted trying very hard to be peaceful and cooperative! Others opted to leave to live, instead.
In my view, it’s not about describing what it is technically by definition but more on what it is in reality that’s why the details, not my making but what transpired! I’m just afraid knowing that one day people will wake up and will come to their senses, and I don’t think it will be like EDSA I! (Hope not)
Message is…Don’t push it so hard, people are not that stupid!
“…majorette floor leader means Michelle Sogirlie…”. MPRivera, binisto mo na siya, binisto mo pa pati si Richarice Gordona. Ikao ay napaka pillo!
jose miguel,
fafaano va nahman, si tita migz eh ayaw niyang fayagan si Papa Sonny na makapagtravaho sa senado.
Ito naman si Tita Rich, fumafayag sa katarayan ng bru.