I guess everyone have heard the saying "Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows" but in the Philippines, this saying is driven to new heights.
Take the case of Genuine Opposition (GO) candidates Loren Legarda and Manuel Villar. Loren was the same senator who cried when the senators allied with then president Erap successfully blocked attempts to have the second envelope (containing damning evidence) opened during Erap's impeachment trial. Now she is with Erap's party on her comeback bid to the Senate (after her unsuccessful attempt for the vice-presidency 3 years ago). Manuel Villar, on the other hand, is credited for Erap's ouster when, as House Speaker, he sent the impeachment complaint to the Senate against the protests of Rep. Dilangalen (who was questioning the quorum). Bless this guy for that. But now, after calling for GMA to step down, he felt he can't run for reelection in the administration's party. Unfortunately, he joined GO instead and it is an awful mistake considering that he could still get reelected even if he run independent. He should have taken Sen. Pangilinan's cue who ran independent so that he can keep his dignity intact. Now, I felt that even with his proven track record, I won't vote for this guy either (not that I am able to vote anyway).
On the opposite side of the political spectrum, the Team Unity slate is not free of these opportunists also. Take the case now of former senators Tito Sotto and Tessie Oreta. These are Erap drones who ended up finding themselves not included in the opposition's senatorial line-up. Instead of just sticking with the opposition and help ensure its victory, they jumped to the administration who included them in the line-up (for they were having problems finding personalities who were sane enough to join the admininstration's line-up and in the process commit political suicide). Now they are in the most awkward situation anyone can think of. The same persons who callrd this admisitration bogus are now singing a different tune.
Yes, Philippines is the land of exotic creatures: the Philippine tarsiers (supposedly the smallest primate in the world), the Philippine monkey-eating eagle (supposedly on the the biggest eagles in the world) and the Philippine politicos (definitely the fastest in the world in terms of changing colors; the chameleon lames in comparison to them).
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
A Guide to Understanding a Corrupt Government
1. First Gentleman
Mike Arroyo enjoys this distinction but beware, that is the last thing this loser can be. Using his status as a "private individual", this guy harrasses every media critic of his president-wife with libel. In fact, he's been filing libel cases in tremendous numbers that I believe he lost count already. His influence in the president's cabinet choices are undeniable: you can always connect every cabinet member to him the same way you can connect every actor to Kevin Bacon. The only difference is you dont have to go to six degrees with Mike. One or two degrees are enough.
2. The Two Gonzales
This refers to National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, the devil's apprentices. Norberto Gonzales is the idiot who worked out the government deal with a US lobby group that will work on getting US funds to finance the Charter Change drive. This guy is the reincarnate of US Senator McCarthy; he blames the Red for almost everything, even the traffic in EDSA. Raul Gonzales on the other hand is the foul-mouthed geriatric that is the focus of my last blog post. He gives a new low to government service with his biased attitude toward current issues like political killings. He is a vengeful person, manipulating other government officials in the pursuit of his selfish ends. You can see his fingerprints all over the failed attempt to physically oust the legitimate mayor of Ilo-ilo City which happens to be his arch enemy.
3. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
Don't be fooled by its name; this is basically the Arroyo government's piggybank, hers to squander to ensure enough money is available to buy votes. Even right now, GSIS's vault is so dry the Gobi desert cannot even come close to it. Teachers who are supposed to retire this year are moving heaven and earth to clung to their jobs fearing stories from those who recently retired who still have to receive their pensions.
4. Ombudsman
The government's chief graft buster but with the Arroyo government, this word had a new meaning: the government's chief bully. The current Ombudsman Mercedita Guiterrez (which can be easily connected to Mike Arroyo in two steps, try it) is the enforcer of suspension ("harassment") orders to local government officials not sympathetic to the president. Examples of her recent adventures are the suspensions of very popular (but anti-administration) mayors Binay of Makati, Robredo of Naga and Trenas of Ilo-ilo. She is so blatant in her adventures that she even had the gall to suspend Binay during election period even if the law prohibits such suspensions. Whatever the protestations of this bitch, no one would believe that no one influenced her in calling for Binay's suspension two weeks before the election.
5. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
The defender of the islands and all its people...supposedly. The AFP has been turned into one big mean killing machine, systematically abducting, killing and disposing militant citizens and activists in their pursuit of peace and democracy. GMA is supposedly its commander-in-chief on paper but it is controlled by one devious individual named Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, one of the "Hello Garci" generals who helped GMA rig the 2004 presidential election. Its pathetic to watch Malacanang officials lost in their words on how to justify repressive actions made by the AFP in the media even though its clear they were not informed by the generals themselves. Thinking that Arroyo herself is indebted to them for crushing the coup d' etat two years ago, they are now on a murderous rampage to stamp on the communists rebels in this country. Unfortunately, like Norberto Gonzales, the AFP seems to have a worst case of the "red", seeing everything in red even legal actions of activists pushing for genuine reforms in this country's stinking political system.
6. Office of the External Affairs (OEA)
An office created by GMA's Executive Order no. 367, it's duties are basically to act as liaison with constituency groups and to build grassroot supportfor the administration's agenda and legislation. Unfortunately, with the approach of the election year, OEA metamorphed into a shadowy office that handles the government's plan to undermine popular leftwing parties in the coming party-list elections by organizing and financing organizations that will pose as legitimately representing the marginalized sector (believe me when I say the only marginalized sector of the society they represent are the dead and decomposing bodies in the cemeteries and morgues). Its head, Marcelo Farinas, was a signatory to an alleged Palace confidential memorandum to fund pro-administration party-list groups and discredit anti-administration party-lists in an attempt to thwart another impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. The worst part is, he is a nominee of one of these fake party-list groups.
7. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
An independent commission tasked to oversee clean and honest elections. Bad news is this office is far from being independent. Its director is Benjamin Abalos, a former mayor of the city of Mandaluyong and a close ally of GMA, hence he is a politico, deep down into the bones and has no place in such an important office. Who orchestrated his ascension into this office is of no concern right now; its what he can do on that position is the one that gives me the creeps. With the memories of the "Hello Garci" controversy still fresh in the citizens minds, the COMELEC is at its work again, shamelessly approving dubious Malacanang-funded groups like Agbiag, Babae Ka, etc. as legitimate organizations that can participate in this year's party-list elections. The worst part is, they have a standing memorandum of agreement with AFP to "protect" ( similar to "rig") the ballots for the upcoming elections.
Mike Arroyo enjoys this distinction but beware, that is the last thing this loser can be. Using his status as a "private individual", this guy harrasses every media critic of his president-wife with libel. In fact, he's been filing libel cases in tremendous numbers that I believe he lost count already. His influence in the president's cabinet choices are undeniable: you can always connect every cabinet member to him the same way you can connect every actor to Kevin Bacon. The only difference is you dont have to go to six degrees with Mike. One or two degrees are enough.
2. The Two Gonzales
This refers to National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, the devil's apprentices. Norberto Gonzales is the idiot who worked out the government deal with a US lobby group that will work on getting US funds to finance the Charter Change drive. This guy is the reincarnate of US Senator McCarthy; he blames the Red for almost everything, even the traffic in EDSA. Raul Gonzales on the other hand is the foul-mouthed geriatric that is the focus of my last blog post. He gives a new low to government service with his biased attitude toward current issues like political killings. He is a vengeful person, manipulating other government officials in the pursuit of his selfish ends. You can see his fingerprints all over the failed attempt to physically oust the legitimate mayor of Ilo-ilo City which happens to be his arch enemy.
3. Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
Don't be fooled by its name; this is basically the Arroyo government's piggybank, hers to squander to ensure enough money is available to buy votes. Even right now, GSIS's vault is so dry the Gobi desert cannot even come close to it. Teachers who are supposed to retire this year are moving heaven and earth to clung to their jobs fearing stories from those who recently retired who still have to receive their pensions.
4. Ombudsman
The government's chief graft buster but with the Arroyo government, this word had a new meaning: the government's chief bully. The current Ombudsman Mercedita Guiterrez (which can be easily connected to Mike Arroyo in two steps, try it) is the enforcer of suspension ("harassment") orders to local government officials not sympathetic to the president. Examples of her recent adventures are the suspensions of very popular (but anti-administration) mayors Binay of Makati, Robredo of Naga and Trenas of Ilo-ilo. She is so blatant in her adventures that she even had the gall to suspend Binay during election period even if the law prohibits such suspensions. Whatever the protestations of this bitch, no one would believe that no one influenced her in calling for Binay's suspension two weeks before the election.
5. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
The defender of the islands and all its people...supposedly. The AFP has been turned into one big mean killing machine, systematically abducting, killing and disposing militant citizens and activists in their pursuit of peace and democracy. GMA is supposedly its commander-in-chief on paper but it is controlled by one devious individual named Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, one of the "Hello Garci" generals who helped GMA rig the 2004 presidential election. Its pathetic to watch Malacanang officials lost in their words on how to justify repressive actions made by the AFP in the media even though its clear they were not informed by the generals themselves. Thinking that Arroyo herself is indebted to them for crushing the coup d' etat two years ago, they are now on a murderous rampage to stamp on the communists rebels in this country. Unfortunately, like Norberto Gonzales, the AFP seems to have a worst case of the "red", seeing everything in red even legal actions of activists pushing for genuine reforms in this country's stinking political system.
6. Office of the External Affairs (OEA)
An office created by GMA's Executive Order no. 367, it's duties are basically to act as liaison with constituency groups and to build grassroot supportfor the administration's agenda and legislation. Unfortunately, with the approach of the election year, OEA metamorphed into a shadowy office that handles the government's plan to undermine popular leftwing parties in the coming party-list elections by organizing and financing organizations that will pose as legitimately representing the marginalized sector (believe me when I say the only marginalized sector of the society they represent are the dead and decomposing bodies in the cemeteries and morgues). Its head, Marcelo Farinas, was a signatory to an alleged Palace confidential memorandum to fund pro-administration party-list groups and discredit anti-administration party-lists in an attempt to thwart another impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. The worst part is, he is a nominee of one of these fake party-list groups.
7. Commission on Elections (COMELEC)
An independent commission tasked to oversee clean and honest elections. Bad news is this office is far from being independent. Its director is Benjamin Abalos, a former mayor of the city of Mandaluyong and a close ally of GMA, hence he is a politico, deep down into the bones and has no place in such an important office. Who orchestrated his ascension into this office is of no concern right now; its what he can do on that position is the one that gives me the creeps. With the memories of the "Hello Garci" controversy still fresh in the citizens minds, the COMELEC is at its work again, shamelessly approving dubious Malacanang-funded groups like Agbiag, Babae Ka, etc. as legitimate organizations that can participate in this year's party-list elections. The worst part is, they have a standing memorandum of agreement with AFP to "protect" ( similar to "rig") the ballots for the upcoming elections.
I Accuse
It is alarming that for a country that has a small area of around 300,000 sq. km., the Philippines already has 90M souls (July 2006 estimate) with a growth rate of 1.8 (one of the highest in Asia). We have the Roman Catholic Church to blame for this problem.
I am not sure what the heck are these bishops opposing against artificial birth control method. If they had their way, they wanted everyone to just keep your cock in your pants till your wife is in the 5 day safe period. The church has this idiotic notion that sex has to be procreation. This is just pure horseshit. They should not impose celibacy to its flock just because they themselves can't enjoy it (although I knew a lot of people of the cloth who have mistresses).
Sex is natural and essential for both mental health and a happy marriage. If it was a sin, then why the heck did God had to add this natural urge for us to indulge in sex? The Catholic Church scares our political leaders into killing any legislation that tends to promote artificial birth control method in health centers around the country. In the process, they take away the citizen's right to choose their mode of birth control. The worst part is, these idiots (I meant the bishops) had the gall to declare that overpopulation is not the root of the rampart poverty in the countryside. To hell with this bishops!
The thing I hate the most is that being a devout Catholic, President Arroyo won't support any radical changes to the current population control policy (approved by the bishops themselves). She would sacrifice the future of this country just to appease the whims of these idiotic bishops. I myself am a Catholic but I speak for a larger part of the Catholic population of this country when I say to hell with the bishops stand on artificial birth control. Our country needs an aggressive educational drive on the importance of artificial birth control methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The bishops are not the ultimate authority on this issue. God gave us the intelligence needed to decide on these matters.
I am not sure what the heck are these bishops opposing against artificial birth control method. If they had their way, they wanted everyone to just keep your cock in your pants till your wife is in the 5 day safe period. The church has this idiotic notion that sex has to be procreation. This is just pure horseshit. They should not impose celibacy to its flock just because they themselves can't enjoy it (although I knew a lot of people of the cloth who have mistresses).
Sex is natural and essential for both mental health and a happy marriage. If it was a sin, then why the heck did God had to add this natural urge for us to indulge in sex? The Catholic Church scares our political leaders into killing any legislation that tends to promote artificial birth control method in health centers around the country. In the process, they take away the citizen's right to choose their mode of birth control. The worst part is, these idiots (I meant the bishops) had the gall to declare that overpopulation is not the root of the rampart poverty in the countryside. To hell with this bishops!
The thing I hate the most is that being a devout Catholic, President Arroyo won't support any radical changes to the current population control policy (approved by the bishops themselves). She would sacrifice the future of this country just to appease the whims of these idiotic bishops. I myself am a Catholic but I speak for a larger part of the Catholic population of this country when I say to hell with the bishops stand on artificial birth control. Our country needs an aggressive educational drive on the importance of artificial birth control methods to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The bishops are not the ultimate authority on this issue. God gave us the intelligence needed to decide on these matters.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
No Regrets
Last weekend, I was having dinner with Prinz and his wife when our discussion went into politics. Prinz knew I was anti-Erap ever since my UP days. I recall marking his State of the Nation Address (SONA) as a red letter day in my calendar. I never failed to participate in rallies outside the Batasan complex whenever Erap delivers his SONA. Unfortunately, I left Manila to go back to Iligan City, away from where most of the anti-Erap actions are taking place. Worst, Iligan City is Erap country; the guy's being treated like a God in that city.
During the start of the final days of Erap's government, a handful of brave souls (including myself) tried to organize a rally in the city plaza to denounce Erap. As expected, some people tried to interrupt our rally, snatching our streamers and cursing us tremendously. We were like chickens entering the lions' den. Fortunately for us, events in Manila were turning into our favor and eventually, the anti-Erap rallies in Iligan City were in full swing, culminating in one big rally in fron of the Diocescan centrum (the mayor which was pro-Eap never gave the permit to the organizers for the use of the city plaza). I can't forget that day; almost the entire physics department (with the exception of Jingle, Meinhart and Sir Willy, who were die-hard Erap fans) was in that rally. By late afternoon, news of Erap's departure from Malacanang hit the airwaves and the crowd was ecstatic. Once again, the Filipinos were able to overthow a corrupt president through people power and I felt that even I was already in Iligan then, I still was part of that momentous event in my country's history.
Prinz asked me a disturbing question: With how GMA ended up being much worse than Erap, did I regret participating in rallies that led to Erap's fall from power? My answer was quick and sure: NO REGRETS. I never hated him for being an uneducated womanizing drunkard; I hated the way he let these vices of him affect his responsibilities as the head of the land. He tried to surround himself with brilliant people as his cabinet but unfortunately as night falls, he surrounds himself with his drinking buddies who manipulates his drunkeness by pushing papers here and there for his signature, ultimately changing overnight government policies his brilliant cabinet have worked on. He has shamed the office of the president and deserved to be booted out of office. Unfortunately, the next in line to succeed him was GMA hence we are stucked with this scheming midget for a president.
During the start of the final days of Erap's government, a handful of brave souls (including myself) tried to organize a rally in the city plaza to denounce Erap. As expected, some people tried to interrupt our rally, snatching our streamers and cursing us tremendously. We were like chickens entering the lions' den. Fortunately for us, events in Manila were turning into our favor and eventually, the anti-Erap rallies in Iligan City were in full swing, culminating in one big rally in fron of the Diocescan centrum (the mayor which was pro-Eap never gave the permit to the organizers for the use of the city plaza). I can't forget that day; almost the entire physics department (with the exception of Jingle, Meinhart and Sir Willy, who were die-hard Erap fans) was in that rally. By late afternoon, news of Erap's departure from Malacanang hit the airwaves and the crowd was ecstatic. Once again, the Filipinos were able to overthow a corrupt president through people power and I felt that even I was already in Iligan then, I still was part of that momentous event in my country's history.
Prinz asked me a disturbing question: With how GMA ended up being much worse than Erap, did I regret participating in rallies that led to Erap's fall from power? My answer was quick and sure: NO REGRETS. I never hated him for being an uneducated womanizing drunkard; I hated the way he let these vices of him affect his responsibilities as the head of the land. He tried to surround himself with brilliant people as his cabinet but unfortunately as night falls, he surrounds himself with his drinking buddies who manipulates his drunkeness by pushing papers here and there for his signature, ultimately changing overnight government policies his brilliant cabinet have worked on. He has shamed the office of the president and deserved to be booted out of office. Unfortunately, the next in line to succeed him was GMA hence we are stucked with this scheming midget for a president.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
I Beg To Disagree
I was checking on the internet today for news on the fate of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez (hoping to finally hear that this guy has been axed) and I stumbled upon an on opinion by Comelec spokesman James Jimenez in his blogsite that Secretary Gonzalez is guilty of bad taste and not of vote-buying. To those who are not following on the mishaps of this unpopular government figure, let me state you the facts: last Saturday, Secretary Gonzalez announced (through his usual meetings with local officials in his home province of Ilo-ilo) that he would give cash incentives worth P10,000 to every village chief who can deliver a 12-0 votes for the administration in the coming election. When this move created an uproar, he meekly said he was trying to be pragmatic, adding that those statements where made by him on his capacity as a private citizen and that he can back it up with earnings from his wife's poultry farm.
I agree with Mr. Jimenez when he said that the center of the controversy lies on the definition of vote buying. In our country's election omnibus code, a vote is bought if a person gives or promises to give a something valuable -- money, employment, house, etc. -- in order to influence a voter to abstain or to vote for or against a certain candidate. Consider Mr. Jimenez's own opinion in his blogsite:
"Technically, I don't think any law has been violated by Secretary Gonzalez. First, the offer seems not to have been made to voters to influence them to vote straight for TU; rather the offer was made to people who could convince enough people to vote straight."
If Mr. Jimenez would use technicality to let Secretary Gonzalez off the hook with his latest misadventure, then I can argue on using this same opinion to prosecute Secretary Gonzalez on gross violation of election laws. Even if the prizes are not given directly to voters to influence their choice, these village chiefs are themselves voters and the fact that they can get $10,000 if they can deliver a 12-0 victory for the administration will result to one sure thing: a 12-0 vote in favor for the administration on the ballots of these village chiefs. Hence it is clearly vote-buying. Clearly, these village chief wont get a penny out of this devious justice secretary but the fact that a promise of reward has been made (he never denied it, and thats the only good thing about this guy: he always stands on his own words; hopefully it will led to his demise) makes him guilty as sinned.
Let me enumerate the statements which shows Mr. Gonzales' blatant disregard on proper decorum that his office should be upholding (courtesy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer):
1. Gonzalez showed his bias on the Subic Base rape case at the very start when he suggested that the victim “Nicole” only imagined the rape. He said that the charges against three of the four accused should have been downgraded but he decided to include them in the case “to appease the mob.” Clealy he is putting the interests of the Americans first before his own country. The irony here is that here in America, even if how drunk the girl is, a "no" means "no".
2. When Susan Roces, widow of opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., called for Ms Arroyo’s resignation, Gonzalez said that Roces was “a griping widow” whose husband was not fated to become president. This is one big insult to our traditions: always pay respect to the departed and our women.
3. Gonzalez vented his ire on the University of the Philippines, alma mater of scholars, militants and activists, and said it has produced only “dissenters and naked runners,” referring in the latter phrase to the fraternity men who have made a tradition of streaking once a year in protest against one thing or another. UP molded my desire to speak out against the ill of our society; it makes my blood boil for someone to mock the sanctity of a national institution like UP.
4. He tried to discredit the findings of United Nations human rights rapporteur Philip Alston, saying that he was just a muchacho (servant) who had no right to meddle and investigate the extradjudicial killings in the Philippines. This guy's place is in the marketplace and not the Department of Justice.
5. Gonzalez reached the height of insensitivity and tactlessness when he said that Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was “quite careless” and “a little irresponsible” and could have actually courted trouble when she walked alone on a mountain trail. I hope that with this act, the US government could put into good use its ability to pressure governments around the world and pressure our own dumb president (so much for a US economics graduate degree) into firing (and banning for life) from government service this foul-mouthed geriatric.
This government is already widely unpopular and Secretary Gonzales is hurting the government's reputation abroad so HE REALLY HAS TO GO.
I agree with Mr. Jimenez when he said that the center of the controversy lies on the definition of vote buying. In our country's election omnibus code, a vote is bought if a person gives or promises to give a something valuable -- money, employment, house, etc. -- in order to influence a voter to abstain or to vote for or against a certain candidate. Consider Mr. Jimenez's own opinion in his blogsite:
"Technically, I don't think any law has been violated by Secretary Gonzalez. First, the offer seems not to have been made to voters to influence them to vote straight for TU; rather the offer was made to people who could convince enough people to vote straight."
If Mr. Jimenez would use technicality to let Secretary Gonzalez off the hook with his latest misadventure, then I can argue on using this same opinion to prosecute Secretary Gonzalez on gross violation of election laws. Even if the prizes are not given directly to voters to influence their choice, these village chiefs are themselves voters and the fact that they can get $10,000 if they can deliver a 12-0 victory for the administration will result to one sure thing: a 12-0 vote in favor for the administration on the ballots of these village chiefs. Hence it is clearly vote-buying. Clearly, these village chief wont get a penny out of this devious justice secretary but the fact that a promise of reward has been made (he never denied it, and thats the only good thing about this guy: he always stands on his own words; hopefully it will led to his demise) makes him guilty as sinned.
Let me enumerate the statements which shows Mr. Gonzales' blatant disregard on proper decorum that his office should be upholding (courtesy of the Philippine Daily Inquirer):
1. Gonzalez showed his bias on the Subic Base rape case at the very start when he suggested that the victim “Nicole” only imagined the rape. He said that the charges against three of the four accused should have been downgraded but he decided to include them in the case “to appease the mob.” Clealy he is putting the interests of the Americans first before his own country. The irony here is that here in America, even if how drunk the girl is, a "no" means "no".
2. When Susan Roces, widow of opposition presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., called for Ms Arroyo’s resignation, Gonzalez said that Roces was “a griping widow” whose husband was not fated to become president. This is one big insult to our traditions: always pay respect to the departed and our women.
3. Gonzalez vented his ire on the University of the Philippines, alma mater of scholars, militants and activists, and said it has produced only “dissenters and naked runners,” referring in the latter phrase to the fraternity men who have made a tradition of streaking once a year in protest against one thing or another. UP molded my desire to speak out against the ill of our society; it makes my blood boil for someone to mock the sanctity of a national institution like UP.
4. He tried to discredit the findings of United Nations human rights rapporteur Philip Alston, saying that he was just a muchacho (servant) who had no right to meddle and investigate the extradjudicial killings in the Philippines. This guy's place is in the marketplace and not the Department of Justice.
5. Gonzalez reached the height of insensitivity and tactlessness when he said that Peace Corps volunteer Julia Campbell was “quite careless” and “a little irresponsible” and could have actually courted trouble when she walked alone on a mountain trail. I hope that with this act, the US government could put into good use its ability to pressure governments around the world and pressure our own dumb president (so much for a US economics graduate degree) into firing (and banning for life) from government service this foul-mouthed geriatric.
This government is already widely unpopular and Secretary Gonzales is hurting the government's reputation abroad so HE REALLY HAS TO GO.
Where's the EDSA spirit in us?
I was watching "V for Vendetta" last friday and I can't help but compare the fictitious state in the movie with the current state of our country. In the movie, US was already non-existent and Great Britain is under an Orwellian regime ran by a high chancellor who rants via a giant screen (reminds me of Big Brother in 1984). People are cowered to toe along party lines by maintaining an atmosphere of fear. Fear of being arrested in the middle of the night by policemen in masks. News was under government supervision and the print media as well.
It was strikingly similar to what is happening to my country these past few days. Although I am not physically in my country, I know that a state of fear is creeping across the country. Our "president(???)" seem to have found the perfect tool to instill fear into the heart of the country: PP1017. We've seen the numerous arrest done by virtue of this proclamation. Unfortunately, our people have succumbed to fear emboldening those in power to continue trampling on our rights. Look at what is happening these past few days: Secretary Soliman getting arrested for organizing a peaceful assembly along Baywalk, Sheila Coronel of PCIJ being sued in court by a person accompanied by no less than Mike Defensor (what happened to this guy? he used to be promising), "ngayon na bayan" getting kicked off in the air and the Batasan 5 still holed up fearing arrest. I am not a big fan of these 5 congressmen and in fact I hate the leftists and the principle that they fight for (Can't they see that communism is dead!). But I believe that the military-left conspiracy that the administration wants us to believe is just pure horse-shit!
The question now is: what are we going to do about it? In the movie, V was trying to blow up parliament to signal the downfall of the regime. But in the very end, he let Evey (Natalie Portman) make the decision whether to start the underground train that will blow up the building. He said that the future belongs to them hence they must decide the course of present events since it will affect the future. I am not suggesting we go blow up Malacanang. The last thing I will become is a radical. But lets try to at least do something to change the system. We should not leave the fight to those who are in the twilight of their life (like Pres. Aquino and that old lady who is in the forefront of any Gabriela rallies). Organize a weekly red shirt day or a 5 minute noise barrage or even a walk-out. The more we live in silence, the more embolden the administration becomes in terms of violating our rights: free speech, freedom for peaceful assembly, etc. We may say that it is none of our business coz it doesnt affect us but if not now, when? Are we going to just sit there and wait till one day we wake up realizing that our country has become the next North Korea?
It was strikingly similar to what is happening to my country these past few days. Although I am not physically in my country, I know that a state of fear is creeping across the country. Our "president(???)" seem to have found the perfect tool to instill fear into the heart of the country: PP1017. We've seen the numerous arrest done by virtue of this proclamation. Unfortunately, our people have succumbed to fear emboldening those in power to continue trampling on our rights. Look at what is happening these past few days: Secretary Soliman getting arrested for organizing a peaceful assembly along Baywalk, Sheila Coronel of PCIJ being sued in court by a person accompanied by no less than Mike Defensor (what happened to this guy? he used to be promising), "ngayon na bayan" getting kicked off in the air and the Batasan 5 still holed up fearing arrest. I am not a big fan of these 5 congressmen and in fact I hate the leftists and the principle that they fight for (Can't they see that communism is dead!). But I believe that the military-left conspiracy that the administration wants us to believe is just pure horse-shit!
The question now is: what are we going to do about it? In the movie, V was trying to blow up parliament to signal the downfall of the regime. But in the very end, he let Evey (Natalie Portman) make the decision whether to start the underground train that will blow up the building. He said that the future belongs to them hence they must decide the course of present events since it will affect the future. I am not suggesting we go blow up Malacanang. The last thing I will become is a radical. But lets try to at least do something to change the system. We should not leave the fight to those who are in the twilight of their life (like Pres. Aquino and that old lady who is in the forefront of any Gabriela rallies). Organize a weekly red shirt day or a 5 minute noise barrage or even a walk-out. The more we live in silence, the more embolden the administration becomes in terms of violating our rights: free speech, freedom for peaceful assembly, etc. We may say that it is none of our business coz it doesnt affect us but if not now, when? Are we going to just sit there and wait till one day we wake up realizing that our country has become the next North Korea?
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