Fearless Forecast of the Upcoming 2010 Philippine Elections and What Comes After

60% Noynoy will win. If he doesn't there will be numerous street protests and he will be eventually be instituted as President.

40% Villar will win through popularity augmented by cheating.

Gordon, Bayani, Gibo will eventually be given various government or key positions in huge corporations. Binay will once again rule Makati (through his son). Loren will once again demand for a recount (HO-HUM). Erap will die out of a broken heart for losing. The rest will fade into history or jockey for another position.

Now, what will happen if Noynoy becomes President?

1st Year is a Witch hunt: Noynoy will go after GMA, her cronies & midnight appointments. Meanwhile, in the background, Drilon & Mar will be consolidating their power base and plotting their alliances.

2nd Year people will start to murmur about his dictatorship type of ruling: "What I say goes, screw due process and the Constitution. There is no separation of powers. It's just me. And I have the divine right because the people gave it to me." Former allies will start to grumble and one by one turn against him.

3rd Year Late third year, sensing Noynoy's weakness, there will be a coup attempt. This will fail because the military will sense that there's no civilian support.

4th Year Noynoy will be questioned as to what has he accomplished. What happened to his promises? Why are the same trapos in power doing what they want? Another coup attempt or more possibly a Constitutional coup by the Congress & Senate to change the government & consequently unseat him. (Gloria will lead the charge but will be shunted to the side once her task has been completed.)

5th Year Noynoy will have a nervous breakdown and subsequently die of a heart attack. (No, he never marries Shalani.) Mar becomes President or First Prime Minister if the Constitutional change is pushed through.

6th Year Mar starts campaigning for President for 2016 or angling to remain Prime Minister.

Just for the sake of being thorough, what will happen if Villar becomes President?

1st Year: There will be numerous rallies against him, accusing him of cheating. He will not even have a honeymoon period with the media.

2nd Year: Several questionable deals will be bared and there will be numerous Senate inquiries, until one monumentally greedy one comes into the surface and causes a major stir in the population.

3rd Year: There will be another EDSA type revolt to unseat him. Old enemies Mar, Binay, BF, Gibo etc... join together. Although whether successful or not, this becomes a non-issue as Congress and other parties insist on a Constitutional Convention to convert the government type to Parliamentary. Senate will give in, because they will be given interim positions and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairs to serve out the remainder of their positions as well as twice or thrice the voting power and pork of other members.

4th Year: Villar is impeached (thanks to the documentary evidence presented by none other than Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) and replaced by Mar as new head of the Parliament until the end of his term.

5th Year: Things will simmer down a little with occasional pockets of protests because of the new system of government.

6th Year: Everybody prepares for the most vicious election yet as Congressional seats because highly contested.

Applauding GMA's Deviousness for the upcoming elections

Wow. If this is not an example of political prowess, I don't know what is.

GMA became senator mainly through a poster pose of her looking so much like Nora Aunor in a barrio-lass setting.

Instead of running for President, she became vice-president to the most inept Philippine President ever--ERAP. Consequently, he got deposed and she became President.

Presidents' terms are limited, but she got around that because she just took over Erap's presidency and got 're-elected'. This despite the "Hello, Garci" controversy and the grievous US diplomatic ties fiasco.

Now, she nominated a peon for President while she's running for Congress in an unprecedented move.

Everyone knows she's doing it so she can manipulate Congress into a Constitutional change that will change the form of government to one which would allow her to become Prime Minister. (Good luck with that. Wait till she come across the barriers of multiple SELF-INTERESTS.)

Now let's take a look at how the elections are coming along:

Noynoy who once had a COMMANDING LEAD and was a sure-win for President is slowly and steadily losing his lead. How?

The 'Surveys' are being crafted.

The fielding of too many presidentiables dilutes the vote. At first, I didn't believe that there was a plot, but when the incompetent Erap was allowed to run, that's when I became convinced that there is a move to dilute the votes. I believe that they do this, so come elections time if the fielded unpopular admin candidate wins by oh, 6%, people will accept it and not sense any foul play.

Now they're working on Villar, the next most popular candidate, Mr. "C5 at Taga".

And in the off-chance that Gibo will not be popular to take it, it is rumored that Gordon is the palace's 3rd bet. (Gibo the official, Villar the real candidate, Gordon the spare)

How can this be counter-acted?

Simple.

Other candidates must back-off in favor of Noynoy. They could also die.

But what makes this option, so hard? SELF-INTEREST. Who among the remaining candidates are selfless enough to back-off to make this happen?

Or, let me place myself in their shoes... If I will back off, how sure am I that Noynoy will protect me from the sharks later on? The indecisiveness he is exhibiting does not make me confident about his ability, nor his tendency to let other parties dictate his actions.

Of all the candidates, I know Dick Gordon could take them. He has the balls for it. But he's too unpopular right now.

The only way Dick Gordon could take this election is if Villar's campaign is thoroughly ruined by the C5 at Taga and Noynoy collapses from exhaustion. Between him and Gibo, he is more reliable.

Gibo's just a peon who passes off blame and work on everybody else. If the top two collapses, I doubt that people's votes will filter to him.

The majority who can make a difference in this election are quiet but they are closely observing the proceedings.

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.

Presidential Elections 2010: Manalo, Matalo, sila-sila pa rin

At this point, I can deal with either Noynoy, Gibo, Villar or Gordon becoming president.

At the end of the day, they're all one and the same to me. They are members of the oligarchs who may be enemies now, but ultimately will stand together first before standing with the masses.

Noynoy & Gibo are cousins. Conjuanco cousins. One of the biggest and oldest landed elites of the Philippines.

Villar is a member of the elite business sector: The billionaire club. You can say that he's a prodigious urban-mountaineer who married someone from a wealthy and landed family.

Gordon is a member of the political elite: a wily politician who can outmaneuver & outwit the best of them. To his credit, amongst all the other candidates mentioned here, he has clear and concrete accomplishments. But he comes across as desperate arrogant asshole. No surprise that in this race he's not even in the top three.

There are talks of GMA (this is getting old) being the real power behind the throne. She's backing Gibo, but she's also in talks with Villar, even Gordon. The way it's being said, it seems that the only way GMA can be shut out is by voting Noynoy. (Please see previous blog entry why I think this is not so.)

Gibo has the political machinery of the present administration to boost his numbers. The present administration is famous for having 'magical powers' when it comes to 'arranging for favorable election results'.

Villar has billions to burn to augment his popularity with votes bought.

Noynoy has the extremely long shadow of his legendary parents and infamous sister to boost his popularity.

Gordon is well, not a threat and is just there, struggling.

But at this point, knowing how things work in this country, I am not that concerned who officially gets crowned in the end.

What matters is whoever gets elected will not sell out my country to the US, or China or anyone else.

What matters is that everything remains as stable as possible.

What matters is that civil liberties will not be curtailed or mandated.

What matters is that the rest of us can get on with our lives and can concentrate on making each of our little lives better.

This way, the rest of the population can gather their strength. Even slowly. BUT surely.

Then in time, the political playing field in this country would be more level.

Then the game becomes more interesting...

Why I cannot vote for Noynoy Aquino

I cannot, in good conscience, vote for Noynoy Aquino.

For a long time, I really considered him because at first it seemed he was a symbol of a return to decency.

I turned a blind eye to the way he took advantage of his mother Cory Aquino's death, to launch his presidential bid. I brushed away his choice of a younger mate who's motives seem to be questionable. I tried to ignore the way he vacillated when there was a clamor to have him run for President--even if I really found it laughable that he still had to consult with his sisters & went on a retreat to 'accept his destiny'. It was charming when Cory did it, but with him it just felt choreographed. I didn't mind that his achievements personal or as senator were neither noteworthy nor relevant.

We were tired of savvy trapos (traditional politicians) who manipulate and fool us to our faces. Noynoy was the messiah against these evils the same way his mother was against the most infamous dictator of all--Marcos.

Then he started cavorting and dealing with the very politicians we were trying to reject.

Then he made this statement:

"If elected President, I will not recognize a Chief Justice appointed by the outgoing President,”

That made me sit up. How can he be that thoughtless and tactless?! The unconsciousness of the implication of his public statement is what alarmed me the most. It's not just because he's threatening the balance of power of the branches of government. It's a bad signal as to his general attitude.

His popularity right now is directly pinned on how most people hate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. They're marketing him as the anti-Gloria. How he will be everything she is not. That would mean that he's going to be forthright, 'good' and not power hungry.

But that's his marketing. And to me it's largely untested. An honest man is not someone who has never lied. An honest man is someone who, being given the opportunity to lie, did not. At this point, I am becoming certain that it's just the image they're projecting on him.

It also came to mind that this incident is the sign of a petty man bent on vendetta more than on good governance. Just like his mother was. I am afraid of history repeating itself: That instead of using the people's rallying support to manage this country better, he would spend his time undoing and going after everything GMA-related. This is exactly what Cory exhausted her efforts on when she was President: getting back at the Marcoses and their cronies. Here is a man who could believe that popular support would give him a free hand to re shape the governmental structure as he pleases. Screw the repercussions (if he knows what they are.)

It is with a heavy heart that I came to this conclusion. I really wanted to vote for him.

But as the way things are, I have deduced for myself that Noynoy does not have the savvy, backbone nor compassion (malasakit) for this country.

You do not trash the system just because your predecessor is closely identified with it. There are ways of managing that personal directive without publicly challenging a pillar of this society.

If he lacked the foresight and tact to avoid saying inflammatory statements this early in the game, then he lost my vote.

I cannot in good conscience vote for some clueless individual as President. The margin for error is much much smaller at that high level.

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.

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

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.