GMA's game for May 2010

While a lot of people are rallying, blogging, ranting & pulling their hair out, GMA has been laying down the groundwork for her goals for years now.

She got incompetent speakers so people will get distracted by them and it frees her to move in the back ground.

She has been courting international powers like China & the US through trade concessions and visiting forces agreements. They will support her or at least look the other way when she makes her move.

In an unprecedented move, she's running for Congress. The guesswork is that she'll make moves within the Congress to create a constitutional amendment to change the form of government in the Philippines which would consequently allow her to become Prime Minister.

She's fielding a lame candidate for President, Gibo and even lamer vice-president Edu. If they win the elections using her machinery, she can easily unseat them as she performs a coup within the Congress.

Nuisance candidates like Erap has been allowed to run again to dilute the votes further from the front runner Noynoy Aquino.

It is rumored that she also has back door dealings with second runner up, Manny Villar.

It's being set-up as early as now that with Noynoy's overwhelming popularity it's impossible for him to lose and that only cheating can prevent his ascendancy as the next President. When that happens, there could be a failure of elections and an ensuing civilian agitation, necessitating her to remain as interim President.

She's allowing agitation in Mindanao which would eventually require American intervention and consequently a US Military Base in Mindanao.

She's all over the nation, in the fields, solidifying her power base in the provinces.

She's all over the world, positioning herself as a power figure in this country whether in an elected position or not.

Whoever wins or loses, she has her foot in the door. VERY SMART. I applaud her mind games & effort.

But it won't work.

This country's nature is chaotic and contrary. It can also be aggravatingly stubborn in a passive aggressive manner. Anyone who seeks to control it's people with an iron fist or manipulative schemes is in for a huge disappointment.

So GMA, go forth and do what you think is right. But you are just being used by fate to move this country forward. Do not be surprised when within the grasp of total victory, you will lose it all.

Maguindanao Massacre: A different perspective

When news of this massacre first broke out, the first thing that went through my head was "F#$%@! American Business Interests."

I was horrified by the event. I still am. But something about it just did not add up.

Infighting amongst warlords in the Philippines especially in that region is common, especially now that the May 2010 presidential elections is just looming around the corner.

What made me stop and think was that this was too vicious and too blatant. They usually try to keep it within them so as not to attract attention.

This was different: It involved women and journalists and they were murdered in the most heinous fashion. It almost feels engineered to spark riots or a rebellion.

Then it occurred to me, of all 'coincidences', after years of being ignored by Washington, wasn't Hillary Clinton, the current Secretary of State of the United States of America, just here for a visit about 10 days before the massacre? One of her main agenda for coming here: 'peace talks' in Mindanao.

And didn't Gloria just visit Hillary in Washington before that?

Then I remembered, aren't Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Hillary Clinton also related? Gloria was Bill Clinton's classmate at Georgetown University and Hillary's the wife of Bill.

It got me into thinking. It's too much of a coincidence.

Arroyo is the wiliest living politician I have ever come across. You just have to admire her from that point of view, despite wanting to crucify her from a moralistic standpoint. I just know she's hedging to become the next Prime Minister by entering the Congress and manipulating things from there. But she knows that you need US support for that. Or at least non-interference.

GMA must be dangling something for the US, and it's somehow related to American Business Interests in the area, but what?

What does Maguindanao have to offer anyway?

Where is Maguindanao? Courtesy of Google Maps, I was able to center it in perspective to the world. It's right smack in the middle of the Asia Pacific Region. If there will be some sort of military base there, it would provide good access points to US, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia as well as great jump off point for mainland Asia (i.e. China).

Had the perpetrator's plans worked perfectly, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) would have been blamed. The local terrorists. Terrorists. Terrorist who trained with Al-Queda. Al-Queda: founded by Osama Bin Laden. Bin Laden, the US' most wanted terrorist.

Currently the US & Philippines have a Visiting Forces Agreement. Basically this allows the US to have US base-like privileges here without having a US Military base in the country. US Military personnel are present here and conduct 'military exercises' in this country. (Note that these exercises are done in Mindanao).

If the 'guilt' of these terrorists have been established, the US would have swarmed all over Maguindanao to 'help'. They already have the forces in place. And if they succeeded, whooopteedo, grateful Philippines would be more than willing to host another military base in Maguindanao.

It's a good thing the whole thing was marred by a comedy of errors: the yellow backhoe left on the scene being a prominent clue. How this case will end still remains to be seen.

What else could make Maguindanao appealing? What is that thing that US went to war for again? Oh, yeah, OIL. I'm sure the wealth of other natural resources like minerals and timbre in the area isn't something to scoff at either. And oh, wasn't there another APEC summit before this all went down?

TIMELINE

• February 1, 1996: Drilling for Oil in Maguindanao goes full blast
• November 22-26, 2009: APEC 1996 Summit - Subic, Philippines (First time Hillary Clinton came to the Philippines with Bill Clinton. Gloria was Senator back then.)
• July 2, 2009: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo meets Hillary Clinton in Washington
• November 11, 2009: Hillary Clinton Arrives in Manila
• November 13-14, 2009: APEC 2009 Summit - Singapore
• November 23, 2009: News about the Maguindanao 'Ampatuan' Massacre broke out.
• May 10, 2010: Philippine National Elections

Sources:

The Ampatuan Massacre: a map and timeline: http://www.gmanews.tv/story/177821/the-ampatuan-massacre-a-map-and-timeline

Philippines 'poll-related' deaths reach 57: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8377875.stm

Witness: 'We just followed orders': http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/11/2009112654959580381.html

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/11/2009112711929847698.htmlpacific/2009/11/2009112711929847698.html

Clinton arrives in Manila: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/12/09/clinton-arrives-manila

Clinton vows Philippines support: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8356092.stm

Arroyo meets Hillary Clinton: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20090207-187990/Arroyo-meets-Hillary-Clinton

Profile: Gloria Arroyo: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/2614607.stm

DFA bares agenda for Clinton visit http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20091107-234828/DFA-bares-agenda-for-Clinton-visit

APEC 1996 Summit - Subic, Philippines: http://www.international.gc.ca/apec/summit-sommet_1996.aspx?lang=eng

APEC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia-Pacific_Economic_Cooperation

RP-US VISITING FORCES AGREEMENT: http://www.chanrobles.com/visitingforcesagreement1.htm

RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RP-US_Visiting_Forces_Agreement

Moro National Liberation Front: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moro_Islamic_Liberation_Front

Maguindanao Oil Drilling goes Full Blast: http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1370&dat=19960201&id=oJUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=IAsEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3708,425220

APEC CEO Summit 2009: http://www.apec2009.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100&catid=38

GMA's Last SONA

A lot of people had a fun time yesterday ridiculing GMA and her speech. Her outrageous Ursula-inspired dress, her 'unfounded' declarations, her 'outrageous' claims etc... etc...

They may be right. She may be planning to extend her term etc... etc...

But for me, I am glad that she was our president during these last years. This is my personal sentiment.

I have no charts, no studies, no surveys to validate this save my personal experience of how I and the people around me lived during her administration in comparison to the life before her.

She fixed the HUGE mess Erap made when he was in office. In all levels of the bureaucrasy (yes it is still corrupt), I've noticed the way things stepped up and got organized.

We remained relatively stable despite the world wide snafu.

I've noticed how easy it is for OFWs and Balikbayans to transact business here and send money.

I've noticed the way the traffic has flowed better (yes it is still agravating) when MMDA Chairman Bayani made all the necessary changes.

I've noticed how the roads have been cleared of illegal sidewalk vendors and how the illegal squatters in Metro Manila has been addressed.

I've noticed how the port, airport & road infrastructures have improved around the country.

I've noticed how she seems to be everywhere everyday in this country abroad. How she has the reputation for being efficient and on time.

She is not perfect. But I am happy with her.

However, no matter how satisfied I am with her, I do not want her to stay beyond 2010. Even if we get a lame president after her, I prefer this rather than render our democratic process futile.

Killer Con-Ass Move

I have to hand it to GMA. She has tremendous political will and prowess.

While people are being lulled to sleep by gentle rains last night, she quietly mobilized her allies in Congress to ram through the passing of House Resolution 1109. Before people can react and prevent it, it has been passed.

Basically, this will allow those in power to vote amongst themselves to create changes in this country's constitution to stay in power.

Brilliant. It's nasty, conniving & manipulative. But it's a brilliant move. Years from now, political scientists will be having dissertations on how this diminuitive Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo managed to grab and stay in power despite strong public opposition. And how what she did ultimately caused her downfall.

The following is not a logical analysis, but...

I believe that things happen for a reason. Certain things happen which seem unjust & unfair. It all works out in the end, even if we do nothing active.

For example, US railroaded & bullied many countries into this concept 'globalization'. What happened in the end? They set off a series of events that eventually doubled-back on them. Look: their economy almost collapsed, they're target of international 'terrorists/freedom-fighters' and they're in recession now.

I predict that though jubilant now, this move by Arroyo and the oligarchs will be their undoing in the end.

They ARE doing this to stay in power. Heaven knows for what reason. Money? Prestige? Fame? Karmically, they are already doing themselves in, locking themselves, their allies & their families in an endless unhappy struggle.

Despite their obvious intention, I believe they will be unwittingly creating a platform: a form of government whereby the Filipino people's WILL shall finally & genuinely be empowered.

Never underestimate the ingenuity of Filipinos. We have successfully turned democracy into a shadow of feudalism to suit our natures better. Whatever GMA & Co lays out for us, we will tweak it to our advantage.

Our problem is that we've never created our own system of government. We only copied and adapted what other countries have done with no consideration for our cultural nuances. We do not feel passionate about our constitution because it's not really ours. It's an ill fit. Like a native used to thongs forced to wear a three piece suit.

Maybe 'fate' is allowing this travesty to give us what we really need: a system of government apt for us.

Reference:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090603-208528/House-rams-through-Con-ass-resolution

My Unpopular Opinion regarding the Philippine Political Situation and My Rant against Intellectual-Elitists

There is graft & corruption in the government. People in power have 'compromised' something to get there. Anyone who denies this is either a fool or an idiot.

That's why I can't believe people who are aghast about Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Am I the only one who notice that the reason we have the luxury to lambast her is because she enables the structure that allows us to lambast her? She has stabilized the Philippine's situation financially & politically from the shambles Erap left it in.

They say she cheated. Why do people act so shocked?! This is NOT the first time someone running for a post has cheated. Even people running for baranggay level cheat. Even beauty pageant contestants cheat. I'm not saying cheating is good. And I am also aware that maybe she has spawned a new trend that may have lasting repercussions. I sincerely do not understand what makes her so intolerable? Because she cheated? Because she's corrupt? Because she appoints people wantonly? Really, now? In the history of man, give me a leader who did not make the necessary compromises to do his or her job.

Maybe people find her intolerable because she lacks the charm we like associating with our male leaders. Erap was so much worse, yet we tolerated him more. Gloria is working her ass off keeping this 3rd world country balanced and all we can think of is how she still remains in power despite the many impeachment attempts.

I find it very difficult to discuss these thoughts with people who give a damn about it because they're usually intellectuals. Specifically, political intellectual-elitists who are intellectual AND elitists.

It's very easy to sit in your armchair to criticize how someone is not doing their job as it's 'supposed' to be done. But who questions these unwritten rules as to how it's supposed to be done? Who dictates them? None other than political analysts who spend their day in and day out ruminating, talking & writing.

I dare these opinion makers to run a district or maybe even a small business from scratch with no family or political backing. I dare them to quit their jobs that gives them a steady salary no matter the economic situation. I challenge all these people: the media, the opposition... anyone who says they're filing all these impeachment complaints & blowing little issues out of proportion because they love this country . I challenge them, if they really love this countryto PEG their SALARIES and/or sell all their businesses & family holdings and INVEST SOLELY in the Philippine Stock Market. Let's see if their opinion as to how things should be done remain the same. Let's see if they will not be more careful with the issues they bring up or at least how they bring it up.

In my opinion, people who wantonly use their pens to create these issues are the ones who have little to lose by doing so. They are secure with trust accounts or pensions. If they're from the working class, these are people who can easily leave the country at the first signs of civil unrest or nationwide fiscal problems. The ones who are not being heard these days are the ones who have thrown in their lot with this country for better or for worse, soldiering on every day trying to build a living, and far too BUSY to bother with all these fanfare. Their voices are the ones I'm trying to echo now.

I think Gloria is doing a relatively good job despite the circumstances. She's keeping this country from sinking despite the current world snafu. She keeps the political circus in this country in check. This relative stability she's providing us is very important just so we can get back on our feet.

I am not ignoring her many mistakes & evils. I am first to grimace at the way she flip-flops on issues & the kind of people she appoints. The appointments & decisions she makes are obviously made to appeal to certain people or to stem unrest from certain parties. But I can see the logic behind it. She needs to quiet these rabble before they create chaos or problems, so she can function on the things that matter. And in a weird way, her flip-flopping is teaching people that their voices can be heard.

Think about it people, the rabble I'm talking about are the trapos in our political circus. They are the ones that dictate the path of our nation. Look! They are the same personalities & cronies from the time of Marcos! Even Enrile & Maceda's still there. The rest are 2nd or 3rd generation or even 4th or 5th generation political families. It's not solely our presidents that causes the problems, it's these power-mongerers & mongrels. Any of our presidents are tasked with the Herculean task of managing them. (Them, and of course the incessant US intervention--but this is a topic for another day.)

She cannot solve every problem we have, she's too busy putting out fires. For that, she's very useful. And a clue for the impeachment complaint sukis: The reason your drive's not working -- the quiet majority actually know she works, metaphorically & literally. That's why your cause is not and will not gain enough ground.

I hope we can all wait till 2010. I think we owe ourselves a chance to empower our constitution & consequently our ability to govern ourselves.

And for those who keep saying that they doubt she'll step down 2010, she is only human. Her spirit may be willing, but her body IS weakening. But keep your vigilance. Constant vigilance is still important. It keeps her on her toes & provides us the political dynamism that's imperative in the maturing process of this country.