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.

Bombing & the US

It's just too much of a coincidence.

North Korea has an ailing tyrant. North Korea has nuclear weapons. North Korea is near China. North Korea has recently done 'successful' test launches.

Even if I'm not a president or general, I smell blood. War is coming. Of sorts. Or at the very least, the fear that's being generated by the situation will require vigilance and armaments.

If I'm a weapon's manufacturer, I would already be hearing the roar of the cash registers.

Enter US. The world's biggest weapons manufacturer.

They're feeling the heat from North Korea. At the same time, they also feel the allure of the cash register. They need a base that can serve as an outpost, as well as a weapons cache should their 'allies' have a sudden need for weaponry.

What's a good place where they can locate this that near enough to be commercially viable but far enough to keep America safe from any war casualties. Hmnnn.....

Hey! The Philippines! The former colony who still desperately wants approval. If we can have a base in Mindanao, we gain a foot hold in Asia! Near enough but far enough. BONUS! Mindanao has a lot of natural resources we can exploit: from virgin forests to oil.

But they kicked our the bases long ago... how do we take root there again?!

Aha! Play the terrorism card! Strike fear! Bomb key areas in Mindanao so that country will be begging us to come back & protect them. It helps that current president is also an eager beaver who's assailed left and right politically. Hmn...

Send the CIA head there to assess the situation....

I desperately pray that they won't succeed in their endeavor. But I will not be surprised that before elections next year, they've managed to insinuate themselves back into this country.

How to start solving our country's problem: Filipino-Style.

The problem with our country is that we've never had a political system that's our own.

Every system we've had has been adapted from other countries. We did not evolve with it. It was just thrust down our throats. The consequence of this ill-fit is that we tend to improperly implement it as it's not attuned to our natures, our culture.

This is the only thing I learned in the one and only class of political science I took. But I think it resonated with me because of the truth of it.

Democracy worked in Europe because they've already matured politically. They have already gone through many system of governments that changed as their ideologies did. In our country, we went straight from slavedom to democracy. There's bound to be problems there.

Given that, what would be the ideal political system for us, as of today?

I've always believed that this country's future is in our patriarchal-church-led-feudal culture.

That sound's rather backward, doesn't it?

I have and will always blame the church's role in colonizing us and enslaving our minds to a point that generations after, we're still not free from our feudal thinking and roles.

But think about it, we have ingrained habits & values from our feudal and colonial past spanning generations of Filipinos. We are not a democratic nation in the truest sense of the word. We are not equals. Each man's vote does not count as one but as a commodity available to the highest bidder.

However, I also know that changing habits and status quo takes time. I believe in harvesting existing ways of thinking and living in a smart and enlightened fashion by people who really have this country's best interests at heart.

Our people are still feudal - clamoring for a patriarch/matriarch to guide them & lead them. It is sad but I have noticed no matter how talented a person is, if she or he has no claim to fame or famous ancestor, people do not see him/her as a leader. On the other hand, the witless son or daughter of the richest family in town is followed unquestioned because of their status.

It is because of this that I believe the future of this country lies in the enlightened elites of our society: Those who are thrust above others by default because of feudal conditioning. These are the spiritual leaders, businessmen, intellectuals and most specially the sons & daughters of rich and prominent families in their area.

The key is that they must have no ego problems. What we need are the people who are well-educated and forward thinkers to enter the system and work within in to transform it. And they do this because they really care about the country. Also, they will be less prone to corruption because they cannot be tempted by money, power or recognition as they already have it.

A few exist. I know that a few who really know better are out there and I implore them to get our of their cocoons and help in the best way they can.

They don't have to enter government. They can be centers of influence in their offices, baranggays, schools and the home.

At the very least, where they are, all they have to do is take a moral stand and direct people's values. It can be as simple as teaching children of today to be respectful to their elders, be mindful of their manners and to pick up their trash. The important thing is those whom people automatically look up to because of feudal perceptions should be conscious of their roles to serveas models for citizens.

For now, this will do. Enlightenment will take time. I eagerly await the next stage in our political evolution where wisdom can rule us, not crude magic or threats. (To paraphrase from CS Lewis' The Voyage of the Dawn Treader) . We have to start somewhere, and I believe this starting point is sound.

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

UP Cat Killer. Stop the Madness.

I've kept my peace about this, but something needs to be said because this is going WAY OVERBOARD.

Although the 18 year old kid might be guilty in killing that kitty in cold blood, the fact that he wrote that blog about it is already a cry for help.

He was already told that maybe what's happening to him now is the lesson he needs to learn: about how unjust it is to thrash a poor defenseless creature.

But he himself is a thrashed poor defenseless creature. This is his story.

Sources say, he's the favorite of his grandfather. When his lolo died, the inheritance went to him. For this,  he gets beaten up. And that's just tip of the iceberg.

He's a brilliant and sensitive, but troubled kid. He even got accepted to MIT, but he declined.

People, it is abysmally idiotic to expect a kid to have an epiphany overnight.  He is already sorry for what he did. Can you imagine what all this public ire is doing to him?!

And to demand for his education to atone for his actions?! That's the thinking of a mob out for blood, just because they can.

What he needs most right now is compassion more than persecution. He is obviously troubled. Counselling would be best for him right now.

It's one thing to be incensed about an innocent being unjustly killed, it's another thing to will the destruction of another who's innocence has been damaged by sadistic means. Let's not all become monsters. The cycle of violence must stop.

Public Perception is not equal to reality: PETA Killed 95% of animals in it's care

Like what I was saying regarding the "Earth Hour", the public relation firm's spin on things puts a smokescreen between the horrible reality and what they want the public to think.

The latest example is this: PETA Killed 95% of Adoptable Pets in it's care despite a $32M budget. (See links below for reference).

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)--the very organization that, in the public's eyes, was supposed to safeguard pets do not bother to care for animals in their care but just put them to slaughter.

I'm am VERY SURE that with it's multi-million dollar budget, PETA can hire a slick PR firm to say that it is more humane to end the lives of these pets rather than have them live on the streets.  Heck, I'm not even a genius and I can very well tell you that I would rather live on the streets than be put to death.

This is the horrible reality regarding pets care.

Can you imagine what is really going on in the world without the carefully crafted press releases?

Links: 

PETA Killed 95 Percent of Adoptable Pets in its Care During 2008

Supporting Documents regarding pet death toll

The Oligarchy in the Philippines

Forget issues on population, education, environment, pollution, crime & recession.

The number one problem in the Philippines is the prevalent oligarchy: the concentration of power in a few members of the elite.

To be clear, let me enumerate whom I think are the modern members of Philippine oligarchy:

• Political families that have members in different positions in local or national government for generations.
  
• Politicians and their relatives who have been there for the past 4 administrations (since the time of Marcos).
  
• Movie, TV, Sports celebrities/politicians.
  
• The richest families in the country that support some or all the political parties equally to make sure their interests are protected.
  
• The emerging "Lords": Drug Lords, Kidnap Lords, Smuggling Lords & 'Praise the Lord's.
  
• The leaders of different churches and religious sects.
  
• The business sector leaders
  

Basically, people who by reason of birth or circumstance belong to the elite circle that decides this country's fate.

I wouldn't mind if they would decide on things that would benefit the country. 

(Ok... that's being unrealistic. Let me revise that.)

I wouldn't mind if the corruption to benefit ratio is at least acceptable, but as time passes the ruling elite are starting to act with impunity and thoughtlessness as to the general plight of the majority.

They argue like fishmonger's wives in the market as to who's the top dog often using the 'poor masses' as banners to further their own interests. Oftentimes they just broker power amongst themselves anyway throwing aside whatever causes they used to get there.

Masses, I hope we all wake up to the fact that we're just being used as body count in this travesty of Democracy.

Sadly, I know we won't or we will only when loved ones start disappearing, getting tortured or killed. I attribute this to our tendency to keep our heads down brought by historical and cultural blah blah blah...

That leaves me only one recourse.

I'll just kill the really bad or prominent oligarchs with the curse of THE GINOSAJI

Among Ed for President

If Among Ed is going to run for President, I will seriously consider voting for him, even if it is kind of sticky.

He is a priest and the age old separation of church and state will be thrown into question. But he is already performing as Governor of Pampanga and I have yet to hear of a rumor with him using state powers to further the interests of the church.

(My biggest problem with him would be issues regarding population control where the dictates of the church will openly clash with what this country needs. But then again, if this is the only point of contention, I can let go. OLIGARCHISM is our biggest problem after all.)

Let's face it. In this country the spiritual leaders still play a part in managing the people. Look at how influential the opinions of Manalo and Velarde is on state policy or moves. During elections, their vote of confidence is still courted by presidentiables.

Among Ed will be the alternative to the trapo-dynasty infested political system that we have. He can be the banner carrier that symbolizes the people's real clamor for change and for good governance. He's not an answer to all our problems but he would be a good start.

There is subtle irony in Among Ed, a priest leading the way. A representative of the church who brought us to this situation is going to lead us out.

Should he win and it ushers in a period of revival, I'm going to call it even with the church. It will have come full circle.

Enrile Encourages Erap to Run in 2010

Go ahead Erap, run for President. 

So that the money you plundered can be ploughed back into circulation.

So trapos that need a boost can ride on your coat-tails.

So Filipino dignity can be trampled on again.

And I hope the strains of campaigning and losing will deal to you the 'final blow',  about 2 months before you do any real damage, maybe during a drinking session with lechon gorging so no one can spin it as an assasination.

Reference: 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090320-195279/Enrile-urges-Estrada-to-run-in-2010

Erap and Lacson ordered Dacer's Murder

That was what Inquirer's headlines proclaimed yesterday.

But let me make this swift:

Erap & Lacson will deny this charge.

They'll even spin it to say Mancao was forced to make this affidavit by the administration to discredit them because they intend to run for President.

Reference:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090320-195105/Mancaos-affidavit-Its-Estrada-Lacson

The Rape of Nicole

It has always been her dream to go to the US.

That's why she hung out in the areas where US soldiers gather.

That's why she got placed in a position where a rape could take place.

That's why the rape drama versus US Serviceman Daniel Smith ensued.

That's why after all's said and done, she's now in the US with her American boyfriend.

That's why she recanted her accusation of rape.

(Last I heard, she's recanting her statement recanting her accusation of rape...)

That's why I could just give her a swift kick in the...

But that's not the point of this.

I wrote this to point out how this 'rape of Nicole' has exposed how we still live and think like people colonized by the US.

In the whole drama one thing was clear: American interests take priority.

People took up the cause of Nicole because for decades when the US bases were here, crimes like what the serviceman did was commonplace. Even worse was the blatant murders of people scavenging for garbage on the trash heap of the US base, for which no one was put to justice because they did in on 'US Soil".  This time, we could and we rallied around her as a symbolic gesture of reinforcing our soveriegnity in these lands.

However, the serviceman, though found guilty, did not even spend a day in Philippine jail but under the custody of the US Embassy. It was even someone from our government who handed the serviceman to the Americans. That in itself is a rude blow to our sovereignity.

The situation was resolved 'coincidentally' on the eve of talks regarding the renewal of the "Visiting Armed Forces" agreement. 

And Nicole FINALLY and 'luckily' got a visa to go to the US and live with her American boyfriend. Amazingly she also recants her accusation.

I will not go into nitty-gritty detail. I'll leave that to newspapers columnists.

I just wrote this to point out how we were all raped by Nicole and gang-banged by America yet again.

References: 

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090318-194714/Nicole-wanted-death-for-Smith

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090318-194696/Nicole-recants-clears-Smith