By Yvonne T. Chua
INQ7.net
IS PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in danger of being ousted in a military coup the way Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was last Tuesday?
It’s unlikely for now for at least two reasons. Filipinos are strongly attached to democratic values and traditions. Plus, they’re more scared of the military than of Arroyo.
That’s the prognosis of University of the Philippines-based political scientist Jorge Tigno who co-authored with Social Weather Stations’ Linda Luz Guerrero a recent study that looked into the staying power of three highly unpopular heads of state: Arroyo, Thaksin and US President George Bush.
“A dislike of the leadership per se doesn’t automatically translate to a decline in political resilience,” according to the study, which was done for the Social Weather Stations based on data from the cross-country Comparative Study of Electoral Systems. “Democratic preference…needs to be taken in account.”
In the case of Thailand, Tigno and Guerrero found in the pre-coup data that nine in every 10 Thais (94 percent) felt that democracy was still better than any other form of government. But the number of Thais who remained satisfied with the way democracy was working in their country had reached a dangerously low 12 percent. This certainly made Thailand ripe for extraconstitutional means to change a constitutionally elected leader.
The mid-April meeting between Thaksin and revered Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who had asked Thaksin not to assume the post of prime minister shortly after the elections, was already a sign of the nondemocratic process at play in Thailand. “The nonacceptance of Thaksin to be prime minister can be seen as coming in the wake of his meeting with the king of Thailand,” Tigno said in an interview. “The idea of changing the leader didn’t come from the democratic process but from the king.”
So when tanks rolled into the streets of Bangkok late Tuesday night, bearing yellow ribbons to signify loyalty to the king, most Thai people calmly accepted the military coup, the first in 15 years, and the removal of the 57-year-old Thaksin.
It’s a different story in the Philippines. Hounded by charges of electoral fraud and corruption, the 59-year-old Arroyo is to date the country’s most unpopular president since democracy was restored in 1986. Yet she remains ensconced in the presidency.
That’s partly because Filipinos, like the Thais, consider democracy as a better form of government. That’s also because Filipinos, unlike the Thais, are still satisfied with the way democracy works in the Philippines.
Tigno and Guerrero’s paper found more Filipinos satisfied (53 percent) than dissatisfied (47 percent) with how democracy operates in the Philippines. “Filipinos still feel a strong attachment to democratic principles, no matter who their leader is and no matter how much they dislike their leader,” said Tigno.
What this also means, according to SWS president Mahar Mangahas, is that “Filipinos are more patient in not wanting to destroy the (democratic) structure to change their leader.”
On top of this, cynicism has gripped a segment of the populace, and this obviously works in Arroyo’s favor. One in every five Filipinos hardly cares who their leader is, declaring it won’t make a difference who is in power.
Clearly, too, not many Filipinos embrace a military coup as an option to remove the unpopular Arroyo. Shortly after the president declared a state of emergency last Feb. 24 to thwart what she said was an attempted coup by elite units of the military, a nationwide poll taken by the SWS found that one-third of Filipinos agreed, another one-third opposed, and almost one-third took no side when asked if ousting Arroyo by a military coup would be good for the country.
Tigno attributes this to the Filipinos’ fear of the military whose notoriety as an abusive institution began in the martial-law years and persists to this day because of its suspected involvement in the spate of political killings. The party-list Bayan Muna blames many of the 717 deaths on military elements.
Neither is the Philippine military perceived to be as professional, efficient, united and prestigious as its Thai counterpart as to gain acceptability among Filipinos to become their leaders, according to Tigno. Instead, the Feb. 24 aborted coup attempt appeared to have left with the public an image of a military that is divided and incapable of launching a concerted political initiative to replace the current government, he noted.
“For many Filipinos, a military takeover is just as objectionable as the sitting president,” Tigno said.
Yvonne T. Chua is a journalism professor of the College of Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
i agree with the reasons given here but in reversed order.tigno and guerero seems to be biased saying 53 to 47 percent in favor of satisfied on how democracy operates in the pinas since a margin of error of only 3 percent would have made it a 50-50.they also did not say when was the pre coup data taken, i mean before or after the king reportedly told thaksin not to accept the prime minister post.
The US could have been surprised by the recent Thai military coup; but they could have also allowed it. The US-CIA knows before hand what would happen in any political event in countries they have great influence. The US will not allow this to happen in the Philippines…at least, not yet while America’s enjoying all the benefits under this fake Arroyo government. The Philippine Military will not move without signal from the US. Gringo Honasan learned this painfully. Those coup attempts against Cory would have succeeded if not for America’s interference. In one heated combat action, US fighter planes were seen flying in the skies threatening Gringo’s men down in the streets. That also happened to Marcos’ last moments. The US Marines were all over the city and US helicopters surrounded the Palace. What’s in exchange for this US protection? Nicole’s rape case? US business interest? Oil price manipulation? US troops’ unhindered operations in Mindanao disguised as humanitarian and medical contingents? Then, why are US troops fighting the Muslim rebels with the Philippine soldiers?
We don’t have to abandon democracy, but exercise the democracy as it’s designed. It’s the will of the people what make a democracy, and not fascist authoritarion regime of Gloria. We can all agree, there is no such thing as democracy in the Philippines with Gloria in Malacanang. Certainly, illegitimate Gloria Arroyo wasn’t an elected head of the State and her position in Malacanang has been bought and her legitimacy yet remain to be proven in to non-partial court of the land. I can make an argument that Philippines is not a democracy, but a totalitarian regime, not a democracy as we know it. And when Gloria declared fake in disguise martial law and raided an established newspapers, that wasn’t democracy, it was Stalinicism or Heil Hitler.
As you can imagine, with illegitimate Gloria at the helm, with the guidance of well paid subjects, Miguel the behind the scene real power broker of Malacanang, democracy is a failure. We are just kidding ourselves, we don’t have democracy, all we’ve is the power from one single person to remain in power, that’s her highnest immoral illegitimate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
It’s a joke to think that we have democracy!
I agree with you, Npongco, that “there is no such thing as democracy in the Philippines with Gloria in Malacanang.”
To add to what you have said, I think that the Philippines is a Kleptocracy. It is “ruled by thieves.”
Oooops, sorry for the mistake! I meant to comment on what Toney Cuevas said that it is a joke to think the Philippines is a democracy. What I should have said was:
I agree with you, TONEY CUEVAS, that “there is no such thing as democracy in the Philippines with Gloria in Malacanang.”
To add to what you have said, I think that the Philippines is a Kleptocracy. It is “ruled by thieves.”
The military perhaps is the backbone of the country, as we now witnessing the power of the USA as the only super power. Military what make USA a great nation, is yet to be debated, if we learned our history, it was the determination by the majority of the people of the United States of America. As an student of history, Americas attitudes and behaviors and respect for the law, and their obedient to the written documents, the Constitution what make them superior and envy of the world. In contrast, the Philippies just the complete opposite, we don’t hardly recognized the constitution. The people’s behavior has been corrupt with due credit to poverty. We tend to find a short cut to richness instead of through honest hard work. Those with haves would rather exploit the innocent and the hopeless citizenry instead of helping them to get out from under. And illegitimate Gloria Arroyo is the master, as she perfected of how to lie, cheat and steal.
Npongco,
A thought came into my mind based on what you said that the the U.S. “could have also allowed” the coup in Thailand to happen since “The US-CIA knows before hand what would happen in any political event in countries they have great influence.” Isn’t this the U.S. who, if I am correct, didn’t want to support Cory during EDSA 1 until the “11th Hour”? And who had difficulty of giving up a Marcos?
Democracy is undoubtedly a preferable government if I have to make a choice. But, Philippines is not ready for democray as yet, and what we need is an honest person with a whip and an iron hand to put those corrupt people in their places. It’s not an easy task to reform Philippines, we are deep in shit, and we are running out of choices. Illegitimate Gloria Arroyo can’t go on, she has technically with her lying,cheating, stealing suspended the rights of the people. Bogus Gloria has taken over the 7/8 of the Congress, in other words fake Gloria owned Congress. And what more need to be said about our judicial system, of course, it’s all in the name of fake Gloria and Miguel.
In democracy, the wealth of the country are distributed among the people of the country. But, half of the country’s population are can be considered in poverty, and the other of the halves struggling to make the day, and still the remaining from the portion of the halves are working OFW’s. As you can see, very few are rich by its own right, only those connected to the power.
We all know, in our suppposedly democracy, Executive, Legislative and Judicial are co-equal with their own unique responsibilities to the people. But, we can make an argument, it is not so. Only because, fake Gloria said so. I tend to believe fake Gloria since she has been right all along that she’s the law and only answerable to god. So, is it Democracy? Or, fake Gloria’s law?
It don’t matter who does what and/or we take the high moral ground. But the only thing matter now and we can’t be confused is that illegitimate Gloria can’t remain in Malacanang. Bogus Gloria has no moral authority to be in our house. Reasons are overwhelming against bogus Gloria. Illegitimate Gloria is not an elected head of the State. She grabbed power and cheated her way to Malacanang, among other crimes she has committed against the people. End of story.
Amen to you Toney Cuevas. Kahit anong studies o analyses pa ang palabasin ng mga (fake at totoong) scholars, ang katotohanan ay walang demokrasya sa Pilipinas with Glue Pidal. Democracy? Naku naman…baka Kleptocracy!
Yes Chabeli, the US was undecided about Marcos until the last few days when he was hard to manage. Who knows what Cory and her group had agreed and negotiated with the US before the US gave in. There were many promises made. And these promises continued until this day to the great disadvantage of the Filipino people. And this is the same strategy being made by Gloria to remain in power. If you think the US is a country that cares about others, you’re dead wrong!
Aside from the military reasons given, one of the arguments that has been mentioned on several occasions—as to why, as this title has suggested, a “Thanksin fate unlikely to befall Arroyo”—is that the Philippines does not posses a King Bhumibol (who tilted the balance to General Sonthi’s favor in the recent events in Thailand).
In a commentary I read in the Tribune, the article mentions that foreign journalist, like “Christian LeMiere, Asia editor of Jane’s Country Risks, said there are constant rumors of coup threats in the Philippines…” Another foreign journalist, “Jennifer Harbison, research director of Control Risks, said Equatorial Guinea and the Philippines fall under the category of “persistent rumors” of something happening.” The article further says that “Leadership in the Asian region seems to follow a cycle. The era of dictators, good or bad, is at its ebb in the region…”
It seems then that there is that PROBABILITY after all of Thanksin’s fate befalling Gloria. The Philippines could possess a king to provide the balance: it’s name? United States of America.
The Philippines does not need a king like Thailand. American Emperor George W. Bush can decide the future of bogus President Gloria Arroyo and a known U.S. puppet. The U.S. cannot “drop” Gloria as long she cooperates in Bush’s pre-emptive war against Islamic radicals in the Philippines. The U.S. Special Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are engage in combat operations in the Mindanao and Sulu Islands in attempt to flush-out Al Qaeda allies- Abu Sayaff and JI partisans. Despite needing to circumvent a constitutional ban on foreign combat troops in Philippines, Mrs. Arroyo has given U.S. forces combat operations under U.S. Forces Visiting Agreement. A Bush administration strategy calls for the preemptive use of military and covert force before an enemy unleashes weapons of mass destruction, and underscores the United States’s willingness to retaliate with nuclear weapons for chemical or biological attacks on U.S. soil or against American troops overseas. The Sulu archipelago becomes the U.S. battleground in the War on Terror. The great pretender Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is Bush’s “unreliable ally” in the War on Terror. The U.S. State Department and the CIA knows the real score of Gloria Arroyo.
Why Emperor Bush is tolerating the human right abuses of the Arroyo regime? Why the U.S. provided new military aid when the military is number one human right violators? Uncle Sam it’s about time to kick-out your unreliable ally!
nakaranas na ba kayo ng martial law? ang batukan ng military dahil lang sa haba ng buhok mo? at pagkatapos na batukan ka, pinutol pa ang buhok mo. sabihin na natin na matupad ang nasa ng iba dito na magkaroon ng military hunta, sinu-sino ba ang bibigyan natin ng tiwala na bubuo ng military hunta? ng mga iuupo nilang sibilyan? yan ang malaking tanong. ang pilipino ngayon ay parang bolbol. palaging magulo. kahit anong gawin mung suklay, sabog-sabog pa rin. si glue, si erap – kompleto na ang pinas ng kahihiyan. isang babae, isang lalaki. may naparusahan na ba sa kanila? si marcos, hindi pa naililibing, ang kaso ni erap mauuwi sa wala. ang mahihirap, mahirap pa rin. dahil sa kahirapan, ito ang ginagawang dahilan kung bakit sila walang disiplina. tayo namang ‘middle class’ puro bunganga.
walang problema sa pag-ngawa kung sasabayan ng gawa. tanungin mo ang sarili mo, pag sakay mo sa pampasaherong sasakyan, sumasakay ka ba sa tamang sakayan? kung lumabas ka ng bansa, naglalagay ka ba sa airport para hindi maabala?
bumibili ka ba ng CD/DVD na peke? kung gumamit ka ng hotel, hindi ka ba nagnanakaw ng ’souvenir’?
The crux of the matter is that we don’t have a professional armed forces who know WHEN or HOW to toe the line.
Our armed forces have a private army mentality.
talking about coup…..
By Marc Santora
THE NEW YORK TIMES
At a news conference after his spirited address to the United Nations on Wednesday, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela expressed one regret: not having met that icon of the American left, the linguist and MIT Institute Professor Noam Chomsky, before his death.
Thursday, a call to Chomsky’s house found him very much alive. In fact, he was struggling through “10,000 e-mails” he had received since the remarks by Chavez, who urged Americans to read one of Chomsky’s books instead of watching Superman and Batman movies, which he said “make people stupid.”
At 77, Chomsky has joined the exclusive club of luminaries, like the actor Abe Vigoda and Mark Twain, who were reported dead before their time, only to contradict the reports by continuing to breathe.
“I continue to work and write,” he said, speaking from his house in Lexington, Mass.
Chavez, while addressing world leaders at the United Nations, flagged “Hegemony or Survival: America’s Quest for Global Dominance,” which Chomsky published in 2003, as a must-read. Chomsky said he was glad that Chavez liked his book, but he would not describe himself as flattered. “We should look at ourselves through our own eyes and not other people’s eyes,” he said.
Chomsky said he had taken no offense at Chavez’s remarks about his being dead. In fact, Chavez’s promotion of the book propelled it Thursday into Amazon’s top 10 best sellers.
While retired from teaching full time, Chomsky still goes to his office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, occasionally lecturing and also working on a new book.
At the United Nations, the remarks by Chavez on Wednesday set off a firestorm that almost overshadowed the visit by Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose country has been under intense global scrutiny for its nuclear ambitions. From the podium of the General Assembly, the Venezuelan leader said he smelled lingering sulfur, left by President Bush, who had spoken there the day before and whom he branded “the devil.”
Chavez continued mocking Bush on Thursday in Harlem, where he announced the expansion of a program to send cheap Venezuelan oil to poor families in New York. He told a group gathered on the street that the president was an “ex-alcoholic” who had “a lot of hang-ups” and tried to walk “like John Wayne.”
Chomsky said that he would not choose to use the same harsh oratory, but added that the Venezuelan leader was simply expressing the views of many in the world. And he said Chavez’s anger was understandable.
“The Bush administration backed a coup to overthrow his government,” he said. “Suppose Venezuela supported a military coup that overthrew the government of the United States? Would we think it was a joke?”
Proving that he was still up for a lively debate, Chomsky then went on to talk about income inequality in Latin America, the history of the United Nations, Iraq, Iran, Fidel Castro and, finally, the man who so fervently admires him, Chavez.
“I have been quite interested in his policies,” Chomsky said. “Personally, I think many of them are quite constructive.” Most important, he said, Chavez seems to have the overwhelming support of the people in his country. “He has gone through six closely supervised elections,” he said.
hindinapinoy,
I agree with Chomsky that Hugo Chavez has some constructive ideas and also why there’s not much love lost between him and Bush or the US per se.
Chavez, may look like a commic book character (dresses like one too, dark shirt, dark suit all buttoned up to the hilt, white socks and dark shoes, clearly not a man of sedate taste or “classy” fashion), he can also be polemical and downright confrontational, but he’s one leader who tries to do things well for his country and his people.
On the whole, his political record at home is quite good and not as bad as the Americans portray him – I mean, I reckon he’s notches higher than the immoral bansot we have at home.
Americans can’t stand Chavez because he says “No” to them, in the same way they despised Mahathir who had the temerity to face them head on, particularly when Mahathir threw US’s most important CIA asset in prison: Anwar Ibrahim.
Americans are fundamentally, overbearingly self-righteous and rightly or wrongly, they believe they are more moral than the others.
Malaya’s editorial “A coup by Esperon? What a laugh.” Yeah, what a laugh, and little did we know Assperon has been laughing all the way to numerous banks or to his strong boxes. My guess, of course, guilty as an assuming, I’m sure he’s not doing it only because he believes on fake Gloria. And why should the sneaky Assperon coup, as explained in the editorial, AFP Cheap General Hemorrhoid Assperon already got his wealth well pretty much secured for life and unearned bonuses, high position in fake Gloria’s regime. Illegitimate Gloria had made sure of that, and others Henerales connected to Hello Garci. As all of them, the like of Assperon, Ermita, et al, laughing all the way to their secret accounts, most obviously Pilipinos were the victims.
Spot on analysis, Diego!
Of course Thaksin fate will unlikely to befall Gloria Aroyyo. Allegation of corruptions of Thaksin government aside, do they have political Killings in Thailand? Do they have the personal vindictiveness of Filipino cultures? Gloria fate will be worse, in and when there is a successful coup in the Philippines. Whereas in Thailand the Military Command made sure that the coup was conducted to avoid spilling blood, ours, we are clamoring for flood of it. But then again looking back, at the Macosses, maybe I could be wrong again..
anna, i like chomsky too.
toney cuevas, any idea who should lead the country after these clowns are gone?
Yes, he’s a good one, the last real thinker of his species… but he had better be careful. American neo cons will never forgive him. They believe he is a traitor and un-American.
Hindinapinoy: “sinu-sino ba ang bibigyan natin ng tiwala na bubuo ng military hunta? ng mga iuupo nilang sibilyan? yan ang malaking tanong. ang pilipino ngayon ay parang bolbol. palaging magulo. kahit anong gawin mung suklay, sabog-sabog pa rin”
Di na kailangan pang mag-upo ang military junta. Tatanggalin lang naman si Gloria at Kabayan. Ang automatikong uupo ay si Villar na mamumuno hanggang mag-eleksyon at mag constitutional convention. Sinunod natin sa paraang demokratiko at konstitusyonal, maliban sa pagsipa sa puwesto.
Ang ginamit mong metaphor e bulbol. Ewan ko pero hindi pa ako nakakita ng taong nagsuklay nito para ayusin. Inutil na gawain iyan. Mas tamang ahitin na lang.
I just came across this in the Inquirer:
““My prediction is that General (Hermogenes) Esperon will be the poster boy for no coups in the Philippines,” (DND Chief)Cruz declared at a Manila Overseas Press Club forum in Makati City Thursday night.
“He said Esperon’s “sharp mind” and “passion for reforms” would stamp out further restiveness within the military””
If Esperon’s “sharp mind” is for helping cheat in elections for Gloria, for violating the legal, human and military rights of BGen Danny Lim who remains incarcerated without any military charge as warrants “erring officers”, or for keeping spot loyalty checks on the AFP rank and file, then Esperon is not the right man for the job.
As chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Esperon’s (the unfit man) job is to MANAGE the AFP so that the rank and file in the entity could be the professional military component of the Republic that it should be, eg, protect and defend the citizens of the nation against ALL enemies of state, within and beyond, ensure the well being of the troops and lastly to ensure that the AFP’s loyalty is to the Consitution of the Republic.
Esperon is doing it all wrong! He’s turned the AFP into high power police to abuse the citizenry and to be private army to his patroness, the immoral bansot in Malacanang.
So, to Cruz, I say, fukkoff Cruz, you don’t know nuthin about anything on leadership save that when Esperon makes tuwad to your mistress and playing her police attack dog, that to you is being of “sharp mind”.
You don’t know anything about the military!
Vic,
Marcos was a matured person, who may be a despot but he surely loved his people, and would have done better if not for the cronies and relatives who were sucked into graft and corruption.
What they have there now is a spoiled brat who have not learned to act and think like an adult as even when they say, “Whatever Gloria wants, Gloria gets.” Reminds me the song when I was a kid named “You got a booboo!” Look at how she gets into a tantrum when people do not do as she tells them to, throws papers and pens at professional journalists, and even at her cabinet members who are supposed to be professional people.
Never heard over here where the members of the PM’s cabinet are party members who cannot be treated as atsoys and atsays!
Everytime, I watch this cheat and liar on TV with her bucked teeth, like Spartan and the rest of us bloggers here except for the paid Internet Brigader blogging in various names, I feel like throwing something at my TV but that is beign childish, too, so I stop, and just change the channel.
This fraud will not have any qualms to kill her compatriots or anyone who will block her way to becoming a queen. I understand JdV is in Canada right now selling the ChaCha and change of government that will be worse because is would be unicameral with all power vested on who can cheat more in the election, and I understand he is saying now about some timeline. By all means, this should be STOPPED. God willing, Filipinos will and can do that sans any foreign intervention especially now that the US cannot even solve its domestic problems!
Why Thaksin fate won’t befall Gloria?
Here’s my take:
For instance, because Pinoys tolerate the likes of Defensor, PCGG men, Esperon, top civil servants, etc.
I’m certain there are brighter, more intelligent, equally hardoworking young men and women in Pinas, positively more upright qualified to do top, sensitive and demanding jobs, but why, oh why can’t Pinas get rid of dumb jerks like this guy Defensor?
Pinas has a penchant for being sooooooooooo patient! That’s an extremely good quality but at the same time, when that quality is stretched too much it becomes a horrible defect. Pinos have got to flex their musles a bit!
(But here’s the paradox, Pinoys can be overindulgingly patient but they’re also hot heads and easily get pikon!)
C’mon, when leaders or civil servants or appointees or what have you aren’t performing anymore, kick them out, give ’em the boot, as simple as that! Why tolerate idiots in government? That’s masochism!
All these talks about the US loving Ale Boba is bullshit. Dubya definitely does not, but he has to pretend to support her especially when she willingly offers anything there for his taking, and that is all.
Hindi nga makumbida iyan sa White House kundi pa ipipilit ng envoy niya sa America, pero tignan mo kung sino lang ang humaharap sa kaniya.
In contrast, look at how Dubya for example went all the way to fetch Koizumi in Canada to bring him to Graceland and do a Presley! Inggit nga si Pandak diyan sa totoo lang.
Considering the fact that the Philippines is the only country in Asia that remained a faithful ally/servant to America, the Ale Boba in fact is getting a cold shoulder and not enough consessions for offering Mindanao to the Americans on a silver platter regardless of whether or not the Moslems there are all sent to Kingdom Come! Pwe!
You bet, dear Anna, the word is masochism, and Filipinos lap it up. Tignan mo na lang ang theme ng mga pelikulang tagalog—pagtitiis! Just that, no tiyaga!
Comments like the US having to do with the coup in Thailand is something I don’t buy. Let’s not give too much credit on the CIA despite the bungled up covert operation everywhere.
I’d rather listen carefully to what CNN, etc. say about this coup, and what I read is that Americans would prefer having Thaksin there and getting corrupted each day than risk another killing field. In short, it is a purely Thai affair, nothing to do with the warmonger in the White House, who, however, may be praying hard that this will escalate to a civil war and see if he can sell the Thais some old bombs leaking in his father’s warehouse!
ToungeIna, i bet you some will not agree with you with villar. get a vote from the posters here and i guarrantee, iba iba ang lalabas. may maka-marcos, maka-erap, maka-gloria. tama siguro ang sabi mo na ahitin na lang – lahat tayo yun kasi sa atin din nanggaling ang mga pulitiko at militar natin.
example – “marcos was a matured person” ……wow.
Patient, Anna, I doubt. Patience is enduring to the end. Filipinos don’t have that virtue in general, lamentably speaking.
Palipat-lipat nga iyan ng mga trabaho and even loyalty as a matter of fact. Point is, Anna, there are just too many cooks spoiling the broth as a matter of fact. Filipino trait—lahat gustong maging bida! Walang gustong sumunod! Bastos pa nga! Imbes na magpasalamat kung ano-ano pang kabulastugan ang pinagsasabi! Worse is when they lap up the statements to mislead by the lurkers from Malacanang in forums such as this. And bang, sira ang usapan!
Thaksin’s fate unlikely to befall Gloria.
The fact is Thailand’s military has already been beaten by Ate Glue in staging a coup against their government, not only once, but twice. She did it in 2001, with the traitor angelo reyes and his cabal of generals, the supreme court headed by hilarious divide, the church, and the civil (evil) society. The second time around was during the elections in 2004, this time with several officers of the comelec , with special mention to Garci, AFP and PNP generals, in the persons of assperon, lomibao et al, and firmly noted, executed and put in place by sira-ulo goon-zales and kiko “sharon-cuneta” pangilinan.
Ate Glue’s fate will be different from that of Thaksin. Their sins are identical, stealing lying and cheating, not to mention massive corruptions. The similarities of their situation ends there. Thaksin compared to The Glue is an amateur. She have all the bases covered by pampering all the top echelon of the military and police. Whatever they want, they get, and so with The Glue. It’s “these are for you and these are mine plus your protection”. It’s a symbiotic relationship, and they are all happy and satisfied with their given roles, so, who among her generals will do an angie reyes act?
Who says the US had to do with the Thai coup? What I mentioned was the US could have allowed it even if she was surprised by the move. If the US wanted to stop these Thai soldiers, it would be like driving chickens away. The US just let it go this time. The US has a lot more serious things to take care of. But one thing is certain…whoever replaces Thaksin would be friendly to the US. This, the US will make sure….
Mali, when Ms. Chua’s article said that coup is unlikely because “Filipinos are strongly attached to democratic values and traditions.” I had to stop there because from the very beginning, Arroyo adminstration never came from “democratic values and traditions.” No more excuses, please! The only thing that holds together the Arroyo government are “stealing lying and cheating, not to mention massive corruptions,” and killings. So a coup is a must if “Filipinos are strongly attached to democratic values and traditions.”
That kind of government is very weak. “Man cannot lived by bread alone.” There is more to life than money and power. Filipino people should stand together thinking that through hard work and honest means Philippines can be and will be better than what we have now. Search for the right ideals, learn them, and teach them to others. Also find Filipinos who are willing to fight for these ideals. So through coup or any other means let’s take Gloria out of her thrown. Enough is enough. Easier said than done, but please never discourage Filipinos, rather fight with us.
If Thailand has Thaksin, the Philippines has Taksil (GMA).
“Thaksin’s fate unlikely to befall Gloria!” Wow, what a statement! I’d say, sure na ba kayo? If you ask every Filipino you’ll meet on the street if he believes on this statement, he’s most likely gonna look if there are cops around, and if there aren’t any, he’ll say, “Ay, ang tagal na naming ipinagdarasal na sana mapaalis na siya sa puwesto! Hirap na hirap na talaga kami sa buhay ngayon! Unlikely, yes I do believed, as long as her paid generals and PNPs are surrounding her. I do however disagree that Filipinos are “strongly attached to their democratic values and traditions!” If not for the guns and weapons around Gloria, noon pa yan tumalsik!
Kaya nga, one can’t blame other Filipinos who would accept any means to oust Gloria. What matters, she’s OUT!!!
Hey now, hey now
Don’t dream it’s over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know they won’t win
– Crowded House
So baby dry your eyes,
save all the tears you’ve cried
Ohh thats what dreams are made of
Oh baby we belong
in a world that must be strong
Ohh thats what dreams are made of
– Van Halen
Dream on… – Nazareth
hindinapinoy:
“Who should lead country after these clowns are gone?” Quite an interesting question, and I don’t really have any preference. But, if I’ve to hand pick a person from the present crops we have at the moment, I’d perhaps be leaning toward Sen. Ping Lacson, only because of his records when he was Chief of PNP. Like I’ve mentioned, the country can use some with a whip and Senator I believe possesses such quality on the person. How honest of a person he would be it’s yet remain to be answered until he gets to Malacanang.
I’m strongly a supporter of the law of the land, strictly by the book. It’s the only way we can change the perception about the Pilipinos. We should only consider a person with excellent records, credibility beyond question and with impeccable character. Quite impossible to find such person most especially at the present atmosphere, but we shouldn’t be discouraged. Philippines must be vigilant of a quest to find such person that can lead. Adventurers the likes of Gloria Arroyo should never happened, and what she did to President Estrada was unforgiveable when the Constitution is very specific. And the only way that can be repaid is to prosecute fake Gloria and ultimately found guilty of subversion. If the Philippines to reform, this is now the moment in time, opportunity presented itself. Philippines, unequivocally must set an example, a precedent that over throwing unconstitutionally will not be tolerated, ever.
It’s of my opinion in order to satisfy the law of the land, President Estrada must be reinstated to the Presidency. If while serving in office, the interrupted impeachment must once again proceed, as dictated by the law. However, in the present circumtances, and I’m lead to believe now that after over 5 years of prosecution by fake Gloria’s justice, President is not guilty of the charges. Why they’re still holding him is easily can be understood of fake Gloria’s desire of how badly wants to remain in power, the cost matter not.
There’s no substitute for fair justice!
You bet, Elvirra. Nakaabang agad ang mga sipsip na militar pretending to be policemen. Nakita mo naman ang nangyari doon sa mga mahirap na supporter ni Erap. Pinagbababaril. I still keep a picture of a young Filipino in beach sandals shot in the head pointblank by a policeman that I downloaded from Malaya. That is to remind me never, never to be hoodwinked by anything this Bansot says, for this woman is a damned good liar and a cheat!
Bow down before the one you serve.
You’re going to get what you deserve.
Bow down before the one you serve.
You’re going to get what you deserve.
You know who you are.
Head Like A Hole – Nine Inch Nails
it is good people are still allowed to dream. in some countries they even interfere with your brain.modern technology can interfere with freedom of speech and this is one of the very first thing people in power can do whether military or not.
By Phil experience, everytime there is a change of administration, it proves to be much worst than the previous, generally. Would it not be an excercise in futility to oust Glue, if the next one will be just doing the same, or even worse? Hindi kaya mas bulok and papalit sa bulok na si Glue?
Sabi ni Erap, ‘wheather-wheater’ lang yan. I believe now this is the motto of everyone in power in the Phil. Then it becomes a cycle. Oust, install, oust … This is what we have been doing since Marcos.
I think what we should also do is look to the future. Who do you think will make a good President for the PHIL? Ano kaya maghanap tayo nuong walang kamaganak at walang asawa, at wala ding kaibigan, meron kayang taong ganyan?
kitamokitako
“Ano kaya maghanap tayo nuong walang kamaganak at walang asawa, at wala ding kaibigan, meron kayang taong ganyan?”
Mahirap yan!
But based on name recall and on some of the criteria you put, why not someone like Manuel L Quezon, III? What do you think?
I gathered his kamaganak is limited, no asawa but possibly a partner, kaibigan (loads perhaps)…
Otherwise, why not make a list of presidentiables – come up with a matrix and we will see.
This forum could very well be a start-up forum so that we can draw up the presidentiables and by doing that the criteria required of an effective presidency.
For starters, I nominate Ping Lacson!
Why? Because he sounds like a man who has word of honor, not corrupt, has got courage (with a capital C), very tactical and reasonably strategical, people I know swear he’s reliable, he’s educated, also, I believe he’s a born LEADER.
Now, how about you folks?
Here’s an item from the Manila Times:
Magsayay Jr. would make a good president
By Dr. Dante A. Ang
LIKE many others I, too, have been following the case of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante and why his visa to the United States was canceled. According to the latest news, his visa was canceled by the nonimmigrant visa branch of the United States Embassy in Manila upon the representation of Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
No, my piece is not about Bolante or about his alleged caper. It has more to do with Senator Magsaysay.
Senator Magsaysay is one of the few public officials I truly respect. He is gutsy, honest to a fault, a man of few words.
In the few times I had talked to him, he impressed me as a very sincere, principled person. We often talked about his scholarship programs for the youth, his thoughts on entrepreneurship and ways of improving productivity in agriculture, among other national concerns.
Our conversations would invariably shift to the problems of the country and of the President of the Philippines. You can feel that the man was in pain, not for himself but for all of us. Occasionally his gaze would wander afar, as if in deep thought, as if mourning how our people seemed to have lost faith in our leaders and our future.
He would lament how we have allowed opportunities to slip past us because of internecine politics. He seemed impatient, perhaps because his term ends in 2007 and he is barred from seeking reelection. He strikes me as a man in a hurry. He wanted to do so much for the country in his remaining years in the Senate, yet he knows he is no Superman. He would heave a deep sigh, giving me the impression that he wanted to do more for the country.
If I were to support Charter change, it would be for Magsaysay and for public leaders like him. We need public servants like him?sincere, honest and devoted to the people.
But, regrettably, my principles do not square with the motives of a constitutional change that would benefit many politicians who pale beside the moral stature of Magsaysay. I believe that most people feel the same way I do?they will not dance to the cha-cha beat the way it is being played?in this instance, through a sneaky people?s initiative.
The senator did not say it, but I can sense that he would want nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of his father. That would have made the late President mighty proud of his son. Like his father, Senator Magsaysay would make a good secretary of national defense and, who knows, maybe president of the Philippines in 2010. But it?s too early to exhaust the possibilities. There?s a challenging world out there for the dynamic Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
E-mail from Jay Cynikho, who has difficulty loging into this blog:
As can be expected, the fake president immediately put
both her feet on the threshold of martial law, by insinuating
marcos? created events to pave the way for dictatorship.
which she hinted she will not hesitate to duplicate.
her advantage over marcos is that he did it when turmoil
in the country was not as grave; when people look up to
marcos sans the hatred people now felt for gloria and his
family.
during marcos time, the military was not simmering,
military heroes were not in gulags, the star officers
have not tasted the sweetness of looted spoils. the
point is before Marcos martial law the direction of loyalty
THEN goes one way. Now in gloria?s time declaring martial
law comes from two directions from two kinds of
loyalties that could mean for her: BEING BOSS or being
VICTIM. she is riding a more ferocious tiger. So
what are the possible scenarios:
How the fake president and her legion of supporters and beneficiaries
is wracking their brains for strategies they can use to make the Thai coup
model to their benefit and be in power for life. Their choices:
1) gloria and her generals to stage manage bloody incidents to warrant
declaration of martial law and close everything inimical, men (put away),
offices and institutions. The iron hand of miltary coup can be upstaged by
the president by abolishing institutions; could be a hundred times worse
than
Marcos who then has no reason or hate to punish his people.
Instead of a smiling martial law, this one smirks and spits, tortures and
murders. Blatant, unabated, and merciless. Marcos?s generals were
girlie-girlie generals compared to the mutants who will enforce this thai
coup inspired martial law. PRAY THAT GOD REMAINS MERCIFUL
NOT TO ALLOW THIS AS GLORIA?s PREFERRED OPTION.
2) gloria’s generals can re-think their position. . why not them calling the
shots? they have the guns, goons (scalawags to Ramos) and more guns.
They only have to about face and point their armalites, glocks and 9mms to
these civilians who control their strings and make them dance. What ermita,
esperon, mayuga, palparan, tolentino think of m defensor, goonzalezes,
claudio, garci, de venecia, and those tongressmen who made them sweat
and beg in the Commision on Appointment may finally met their
comeuppance. All of them preceded by the arroyos, the pidals, the
macapagals WILL BE THEIR MAIN REASON FOR SAVING THE
COUNTRY, FOR GETTING THE SUPPORT OF THE ANGRY
BLOGGERS, THE MILITANTS AND MASS ACTION GROUPS. it was
bad enough to wrestle with one?s conscience every night, to be a yes robot
everyday while their children looks at them with pleading eyes. DOING
AWAY WITH THEM AS HALLMARKS OF HISTORY SEEMED LIKE
BEING LICENSED FROM HEAVEN TO GIVE LIFE TO THEIR
SOLDIERS ROLE. BUT, IT?S THE BIGGEST BUT, DO THE
GENERALS HAVE THE GUTS TO DO BETTER THAN MARCOS
GIRLIE GENERALS. AND COME OUT FROM BEHIND THE SKIRT
OF THE CAUSE OF IT ALL? pray to the mericiful God that if and when
she troops the line of her honor guards, because that?s the generals? final
choice, she salutes them with smirks and spittle. The people should rejoice
when
rejection meets this option because military power is the death of integrity
and the “no sir” values, because military power is Myanmar and Hitler’s
Lutwaffe and SS. .
3) gloria and her non-military pavlovs will opt for the status quo and rein
in
the generals. no coup but more wealth and perks to their starred uniformed
counterpart pavlovs. Of course, they will contemplate ESCAPE for
ther own elephant hides and their family if the wind changes direction.
This
is likely option for everyone. Keep the goodies flowing and watch your
back. AND THE BISHOPS WILL BE WITH THEM PRAYING TO THE
ALMIGHTY TO PREVENT BLOOD SHED AND MAINTAIN THE
NUMBER OF BURIALS to a few thousand every six years…
4) JOEMA’s reds and the NPAs will of course be at the ready, ears on the
ground and eyes on the next man, ready to join but not to lead in this
opportunity to change the country’s destiny. A coup by the reds. NO
WAY!!. REBELLION IS THEIR THING. FIGHT AND RUN, RECRUIT,
TRAIN AND STRIKE (BUT ONCE) LIKE LIGHTNING. WAIT FOR
THE RIGHT MOMENT, THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY.
OPPORTUNISM MAY NOT BE THE BROTHER OF COMMUNISM
BUT THEY ARE FRIENDS, VERY GOOD FRIENDS. no prayers here
because they are not supposed to believe in God.
5) THE FILIPINO PEOPLE?S reaction to the THAI COUP? , NO MORE
EDSA FOR THEM. FOR DECADES THEY ARE SAYING: “politican are
all the same, a few good ones from rotten thousands LYING, CHEATING,
STEALING BASTARDS. SO THE PEOPLE FINALLY GOT IT. WHY
RISKS YOUR LIFE TO REMOVE THE CROOKS AND CHANGE
THEM WITH HUNGRIER CROOKS. AND THE CROOKS
ADVOCATES ARE PUZZLED LIKE IDIOTS ASKING : WHY PINOYS
ARE NO LONGER JOINING THE RALLIES AND JUST CONTENT TO
CRY IN THE SURVEYS. IT?S IN THEIR GENES TO BE GOOD
NATURED, FRIENDLY, HOSPITABLE AND DAMN BLOODY
AFRAID OF SHEDDING BLOOD. THOSE PINOYS WHO DIED IN
BATAAN AND IN THE CAPAS DEATH MARCH MUST BE
MUTANTS. AFTER THEY ARE GONE. THEY ARE GONE.
6) THE MILF AND THE ABU SAYYAFS are NOW THINKING HOW
THEY CAN BECOME HUMAN FILIPINOS IF THERE WILL BE A
COUP. THEY JUST WANT THEIRE LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES OF THEIR ANCESTORS. THEY ARE ALWAYS
BATTLE READY AND MAY EASILY JOIN THE MILITARY
PATRIOTS ASSIGNED IN MINDANAO. THEY KNOW WHAT IS
THEIRS AND WHAT THEY DESERVED. JOEMA SHOULD HAVE
BEEN BORN AN ABU. THE IRONY IS THAT NUR, JOEMA, EVEN
JOSE ABUEVA LEARNED LOVE OF COUNTRY FROM THE U P.
LUCKY FOR ANDRES BONIFACIO THERE WAS NO U P THEN.
SORRY, THAT IS NOT ABOUT COUP.
7) the soldier patriots and their generals surely will come from the
foundries
of battle, from anvils of knives and swords, where pajeros, bimmers and
chedings never roam, where a soldier sleeps with his eyes open. At a
distance from small outpost in Cagayan Valley, the impoverished Bicol, the
great divide of Antique, Capiz and Aklan. and the Mindanao 2 COMS, all
these forces from afar shall ignite and burst the blood of Bonifacio’s sons
and daughters to storm the bastille. IT IS NOT ROMEO WHO MUST DIE
FOR HIS JULIET. THE PEOPLE AND THE SOLDIERS THEN, THE
PRIESTS AND NUNS, THE TOOTHLESS UNWASHED, SHALL FILL
THE STREETS WITH THE BATTLE CRY: ALL CROOKS MUST DIE.
FOR WHAT THEY DID TO THEIR JULIET.
Thailand waits not for another NATION to do their thing. Thailand is constantly moving on MARCHING OVER THE DREGS OF POLITICS AND GREED while the Philippines sleeps and snore dreaming the dream of a perpetual nightmare.
Thanks, Ellen.
Is Jay recommending igniting an all out revolution?
Toney, I agree with you that Lacson is the best person to lead the country in ousting Gloria. However, he doesn’t have the support of all the opposition parties. For one thing, his differences with the FPJ camp hinder his momentum to move forward politically. It was due to some personalities in FPJ camp before and during the campaign/election that destroyed this relationship. I’m not even sure if Lacson is in the best of terms with Erap. Erap and Lacson have no quarrel; but it’s those around Erap who’s making it harder for Lacson to fully reconcile with them. Among the worst manipulators and traitors was Senator Angara. Unfortunately, Erap loyalists like Tito Sotto and Tessie Oreta sided with Angara in destroying Lacson. The two later realized their big mistake but it was too late. FPJ not only didn’t make it as President, he died without getting justice.
Lacson is handicapped by the above situation. Worse, there are people including some (one) in this blog who question his character and even gender. Gosh, he’s accused of being gay just because he’s reserved. No children? Come on!
Lacson has a vision. He knows that this Gloria will try her best to push the Cha-Cha and remain in power as long as she can. This is for her own survival because once she’s not in power, she would suffer the same fate as Erap or even worse. That’s why Lacson plans to run as Mayor of Manila. This is a prelude to his political plans for 2010. But this early, Malacanang is already sabotaging his plans. And one strategy that has worked and might be applied again is to place other popular candidates in Manila like Imelda Marcos. Even Manny Pacquiao is being considered as Vice…all these to block Lacson’s bid from winning in Manila.
The military was a key player in her road to Malacanang Palace. Mrs. Gloria Arroyo grabbed power thru KUDETA in 2001 and cheated the 2004 presidential election with the help of the so-called Garci Generals. It’s payback time. Mrs. Arroyo heavily relies on military and police support to stay in power. In two year, she appointed a record breaking more than 50 retired military officers to different civilian post. Retired military and police officers can be utilized as spies in the bureaucracy. The militarization of the civilian bureaucracy is not new in the Philippines. It had been a practice during past administrations. General Fidel Ramos government extended his power base with the appointment of more than 100 retired and active-duty military men to government post and government controlled corporations. He reactivated National Security Council with broad powers and appointed Retired Brigadier General Jose Almont as the NSC director general. Mrs. Gloria Arroyo is held hostage by the military after the aborted February 25 coup. There’s no doubt that the military are calling the shots in all-out war against the left. The Arroyo government promised to release 1 billion pesos to improve AFP war machines to end the communist insurgency in 2010. Military solution alone will not solve the insurgency problem. The repressive Arroyo regime should address seriously the agrarian problem and injustice in order the end the insurgency. The military establishment is one the most corrupt government agency. The increase of defense budget is seen at a bribe for the military to support Gloria Arroyo’s illegitimate government. I agree with Ellen, that the Phipppine military ay walang bayag pero malaki ang bayad.
Kung paano nila binatikos ang mga militar at pulis ni Marcos ngayon, mas tarantado pa ang mga maton ni tiyanak. Kawawang mga mahihirap na nasaktan at napatay noong Edsa Tres. Sayang, noon pa sana napatalsik na si tiyanak. Ang hirap kasi umatras ang mga taga-INK ni Manalo. Ang daming dumalo kasama ang mga taga-El Shadddai sa rally tapos biglang atras nang nag-martsa ang mga iba papuntang Mendiola. Tandang-tanda ko pa itong si psychopath na si Miriam na sumisigaw ng “Lusob sa Malacanang” sa entablado. Tapos nang huhulihin, nakalagay sa mesa ang baril niya sa bahay at hinamon si Gloria na dakpin siya. Eh ano siya ngayon? Sipsip kay tiyanak. Kasama pa sa trip sa Europe. Ang asawa eh may position sa goberyno…sabungero. Hanggang ngayon hindi ako makapaniwala na nagpakamatay ang anak niya. Malaki ang hinala ko na nabaril ni Miriam o ng asawa ang anak sa isang pagtatalo sa loob ng bahay. Biglang sarado ang kaso na hindi man lang na-imbestiga.
Balik sa militar ni tiyanak, mautak din ang bruha at ginaya si Marcos. Basta alagaan at payamanin ang mga Heneral, ayos na. Pero hindi pa rin siya nakakasiguro. Naasahan ba ni Marcos na sina Ramos at Enrile pa ang tratraidor sa kanya?
Sobrang busog ang mga halimaw-berdugo ni Gloria Pandaka. Sana sila’y mabangungot dahil sa katakawan. Baka ayaw pang tangapin ni Satanas sa impierno dahil sa tindi nga mga kasalanan.
The illegitimate Arroyo government will be fighting for political survival in different fronts. How long it can last without Uncle Sam‘s support?
Daily Tribune 9/24/2006
MILF ready for Gloria gov’t’s ‘outright’ war
‘Constitutional’ framework of peace talks unacceptable to Muslim rebels
If it will not lift a finger and just allow peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to break down, the Philippine government will have only three options left, the third of them being “outright” war.
MILF secretariat chairman Muhammad Ameen yesterday said the first option is “prone to war,” while the second option can push the peace process forward but is risky to the political survival of the Arroyo regime.
“And (with) the third (option), the government will repeat its all-out war against the MILF as what it did in 2000 and 2003, and the talks would collapse completely, because the MILF will not take this sitting down,” Ameen said in a statement posted on the MILF Web.
diego, takot din siguro si satanas na mapunta sa impyerno ang pamilya dorobo at sirkulo maligno dahil baka agawan siya ng trono. dapat lang sa mga ‘yan ihulog sa bulkang mayon para lusawin ng kumukulong asupre ang kanilang katawan at kaluluwa kung meron man sila.
Mrs. Gloria Arroyo is held hostage by the military after the aborted February 25 coup. ~-D.K.G.
Not once but twice!
the first was May 1,2001 – Edsa Tres
Ipinakita ng AFP na kailangan sila ni GMA.
Marami ang mai-inspire sa ginawa ni Angie Reyes at sa tinatamasa niya ngayon!
Anna..i second the motion for Lacson’s nomination for presidency..As of now, never mind that it seems he lacks political backing, financial support or whatever assistance that he might need….it will all come to place when the time comes, whter that will be legal or illegal..sad to say i have to say the last phrase. Y?..come on guys, magpakatotoo tayo…kahit isa sa mga naging presidential candidates, hindi ako maniniwala na walang may “haw-siao” (hokus-pokus) sa kanila, even fpj, roco, et al..evidently they may not be involved directly, which is alwys the situation. last election somebidy frm the palace ask my huby for support (they demanded what they wanted kc), so my hubby begged to pass..mahirap ma COA…nanahimik kami dito sa lungga namin and jst want a stable future nthing more..
going back, i always here this question “who is the better alternative”?…HONESTLY, no one has the proper and right answer to that question. Nor anyone is to be even called proper alternative. ALTERNATIVE yes, but not to say “proper alternative”. This alternative is thought of for the purpose of getting back what was illegally taken frm the country by this bogus administration. i have talked to many people frm other countries and they themselves need not be geniuses to think deeply that what happened to our supposedly democracy is an abuse, abuse of power and of the illegal snatching..there was no proper legal justification..
legal proceedings all seems like moro-moro…all of them, frm marcos, to erap and sadly of what is happening in the case of bolate, et al…kulang nalang may mga singers para maging ala-broadway para full blown..then maybe, bitch witch pandak bruha will be in the middle singing “Tomorrow” or Evita’s song(forgot the title)…kaso, babatohin siya sigurado ng bugok na balot penoy, at ilog na maalat!!!
Anna, join ako with your ROPE ha…i can be the typist, oks lang, hehehe..and my email is with Ellen, u can just ask frm her :-)…
having read for almost 2 hours everything that i have missed for the past days is making me dizzy..but one thing that keeps me addicted to blogging here is the spirit in everyone of us..whether there are the balimbings, the fakes, the moles, tongressmen, senatong, tongbernor…even bitch-witch,(i doubt fatguy cz he cant comprehend this deep, alam lang nya magbilang ng payola ksama si chavit)…i am moved by the bloggers here who would really commit to fight to the end for the justice that this country so deserve…the country that used to be at the helm in the region even without EO’s, PD’s, and whatever restrictions these presidents made just to stay in power with their greed…
norpil, thanks again…..
yuko, thank you also 🙂
Soleil:
Sorry, hindi ko pa napadala ang emergency kit that I am getting from our ward office for your perusal because I have been busy with my translations. In betwee, tumutulong pa sa mga pinoy.
Got a visa for a Filipina and reacquisition of nationality of her child. Ang saya ko. Will go to the ward office on Tues, and hopefully, I can send your emergency kit then.
Gotta go to bed now. 2:30 am na dito.
hi Yuko…its fine Yuko…your thought and generosity is so much…first things first 🙂 ur a very valuable asset in the community and advocacy that you are into…the likes of u and Anna, Ellen, et al (sori if i cant mention all) are examples that i personally feel we must adhere to and take u up as models or atlst be an inspiration to do ur ‘own thing’ to wherever we are…
thank u for the info re 21 Sept in the Arkibo site…it will give us some form of push here…as Chabeli mentioned b4, its jst a matter of time….we will have heroes…we jst pray that it will not be with the blood of innocent people..
good nyt guys…till next blog…
This is a note from Roby Alampay, executive director of Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance. Sorry for psoting only now. SEAPA sent it to my old e-mail address which I opened only now.
Better late than never.
Thaksin was portrayed as greedy and power-hungry, as evidenced by designs to install a one-party system alongside private investments that tended to monopolise every industry they touched. But as to the charge that he was a tyrant, what stuck was his heavy-handed dealings with journalists.
ganito rin naman ang isinusulong ng mga gahaman sa kapangyarihan sa pilipinas, di ba? maliwanag pa sa sikat ng araw, ayaw lang aminin ng ibang nagbubulagbulagan!!!
taken from ninez cacho-olivares column:
For a time, Gloria and her propagandists succeeded in creating a perception of her being too strong to be toppled, especially after the second impeachment complaint was killed by her puppy dogs in the House, and with several high ranking military officers arrested and detained for a coup that never was.
And then came the Thai coup, which had a strong impact on Filipinos, mainly because of the many similarities shared between Gloria and the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was perceived as being corrupt, arrogant, confrontational and using strongman tactics.
Yet in a sense, Thaksin was in an even better position, since he was hardly an international pariah, something which is being achieved very rapidly by Gloria, due not only to her dismal human rights abuses record, but due too, to her authoritarian ways.
Today, Gloria is faced with more problems, and at a time when she is steadily losing international support.
let’s begin the countdown………..
Ellen,
Naalala ko nga rin pala noong 1985 at napanood ko sa TV News ang Coup sa Bangkok laban kay Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda.
Nag research ako sa internet at isa sa mga casualty ng Media noong unsuccessful coup laban kay Prem ay itong si Neil Brian Davis at William Bill Latch.
Sikat itong si Neil Davis sa Indo-China.
http://www.awm.gov.au/people/2684.asp
From the webpage of Society of Camera Operators:
“…Purdy was not impervious to the dangers of his profession. He was greatly affected by the tragic deaths of his colleagues, Australian reporter/cameraman Neil Davis and his sound man Bill Latch during the 1985 coup d’etat in Thailand. Davis, a legendary cameraman was so brave that at the end of the Vietnam conflict, while the Americans took out their last helicopter, he remained in Saigon so he could get the famous shot of a North Vietnamese tank crashing through the palace gates. After the war, Davis moved to Thailand, from where he covered all the hot stories in Southeast Asia. Coups were common in that area of the world. He covered them all. So when NBC’s Tokyo bureau chief asked him to cover the Thai coup, he was not particularly concerned.
Davis and Latch were given a routine assignment: to cover a radio tower that had been seized. Davis was so comfortable that he showed up on the scene in his tennis clothes, shortly after a game. A tank protected the gate. Davis set up his camera facing the tank and got ready to deliver his report. Without warning, the tank let go a round of ammunition. It hit a wall near Davis, killing him instantly. The camera fell to the ground, still running. Through its lens the shrapnel-scarred Latch could be seen crawling away from the blast. Latch died later that day in a Thai hospital from loss of blood. “The news world was stunned,” Bill ruefully recalls. “Neil was a careful guy. He didn’t make mistakes. Just when you think you’re safest, that’s when it hits you.”
The untimely deaths of Davis and Latch, as well as his experience in Manila, helped to convince Purdy it was time to throw in the towel and return to the United States. “I began to worry about my safety and anyway, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, NBC was beginning to trim back its overseas bureaus.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Naalala ko tuloy si Willie Vicoy