Stage is Set for Noynoy

One trait that is rare among Filipino politicians is the ability to swallow pride, but Mar Roxas did it even though swallowing with it the tens of millions of pesos spent on television, print and radio ads. Giving way to Noynoy must have been the toughest decision the senator has made and for that he will be forever remembered as one of those who defied common politics in the country and quite possibly turning the Philippines' fate around.

Now that it is almost set, can Noynoy live up to the hype? Its like 2008 all over again when Obama took the US by storm and raised the bar a notch higher in American politics. With the similar popularity, will Noynoy be able to transform it to policies benefiting the common Filipino people just as what his father dreamt of and his mother did? Only one way to find out.

Ninoy's Undelivered Speech

I have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to restore our rights and freedoms through nonviolence.

I seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national reconciliation founded on justice.

I am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my most valued political mentors.

A death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now pending with the courts.

I could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people especially in time of crisis.

I never sought nor have I been given assurances or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the end justice will emerge triumphant.

According to Gandhi, the WILLING sacrifice of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny that has yet been conceived by God and man.

Three years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored, that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.

Rather than move forward, we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has deteriorated.

During the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for Habeas Corpus. It is most ironic, after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that the Supreme Court last April ruled it can no longer entertain petitions for Habeas Corpus for persons detained under a Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and which under present circumstances can cover almost anything.

The country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.

The Filipino asks for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 Constitution — the most sacred legacies from the Founding Fathers.

Yes, the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait until that patience snaps?

The nation-wide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our Republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our differences with reason and goodwill?

I have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had the disputants only dared to define their terms.

So as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:

1. Six years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a Military Tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now time for the regime to decide. Order my IMMEDIATE EXECUTION OR SET ME FREE.

I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I am not a communist, never was and never will be.

2. National reconciliation and unity can be achieved but only with justice, including justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a Dictator. No compromise with Dictatorship.

3. In a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have to destroy in order to build.

4. Subversion stems from economic, social and political causes and will not be solved by purely military solutions; it can be curbed not with ever increasing repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy and more freedom, and

5. For the economy to get going once again, the workingman must be given his just and rightful share of his labor, and to the owners and managers must be restored the hope where there is so much uncertainty if not despair.

On one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the words of Archibald Macleish:

“How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”

I return from exile and to an uncertain future with only determination and faith to offer — faith in our people and faith in God.

GMA's Travel Do's and Dont's

You'll know when a system is wrong when somebody says that one can still spend even though the allocated budget for a particular expenditure has been exhausted and that's exactly what Malacanang said a few days back. I have told myself to stop writing about the Arroyos but this is just unacceptable. What I am talking about is the admitted 1.1 Billion pesos excess spending on travels both local and foreign. How do you justify that? How can your conscience stand that? It gives me chills.

In her eight year reign, GMA had allocated 1.4 Billion for her travels but actually spent close to 2.5 Billion. The palace crew however said that there is nothing wrong with this. Why? How? They said that this overspending is covered by the Office of the President's MOOE or Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses and is in fact allowable by law. I have to give credit to this administration though, because they can spot loop holes in the legal system of the country even with a blindfold on, figuratively speaking. They should remember that not all that is legal is moral, think about the development possibilities in the LGU's that money can afford.

Credit needs to be given where its due and I have to salute the president's decision to scrap the business jet purchase. This move might lighten public perception on her administration full of dark secrets and not-so-secret secrets. I hope that this will not be the last but the first of many good deeds Arroyo will do before she steps down next year. Fingers crossed.

by: Ivar

8/20/09 8:43 P.M.

We Don't Wanna Dance

One thing about politicians is that they tend to ride along the current events with regards to their policies and principles and immediately revert back to the original once the fuss has settled down. This scenario is manifested in the death of pres. Cory when some admin congressmen called on their party-mates to halt moves of ammending the constitution through constituent assembly but now that the late president had been laid to rest, they have reignited the cha-cha flame which apparently isn't that easy to put out.

Headlines in today's papers say that Nograles is not ready to bury charter change just yet. Somebody should open the eyes of the speaker that it is nearly impossible to convene the two houses of congress, barely nine months away from elections let alone ratify proposed changes in the fundamental law of the land. Another thing to consider is that the COMELEC is having a hard time with the funding of the Pampanga vote recount, how much more a national plebiscite which by the looks of it will turn out in the negative.

Much has been said about this issue but still the men and women under GMA's command in the house are refusing to listen, and I thought Cory's last sacrifice would be the amplifier of the voice of the Filipino people.

by: Ivar

8/18/09 8:36 P.M.

Presidentiables: Zero or Hero?

It doesn't hurt that his favorite color is pink, and try pinking all of Metro Manila if that's even a word. What hurts though is that he went overboard in an obvious effort to use MMDA funds for his presidential aspirations. I'm talking about no other than MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, in case you haven't noticed his posters here in Visayas. To think we are over a thousand kilometers away from his turf and still see it is just wrong. Precisely why I commend the effort of the senate finance committee, led by the good Senator Santiago to inquire about the legitimacy of this scheme by cabinet officials for their own political gains at the taxpayers' expense.

Bayani Fernando's other side is somewhat likable to say the least. Once served as the mayor of Marikina City, then a 4th class municipality. In nine years (1992-2001), he was able to transform Marikina into what he called a model Philippine city in terms of cleanliness and beautification. Subsequently appointed to the office of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman after his term and as stated above painted the town pink. He was first to declare his bid for Malacanang in 2010 and he might just have enough paint to cover the whole nation.

by: Ivar

8/15/09 9:55 P.M.

Presidentiables: Young and Vibrant

He is easily the youngest senator in the Philippines today and not yet even qualified to run for higher positions as of this moment but he is almost everywhere these days which hints that he might as well run, he will turn forty this October 10. Counting on the Obamania in the US perhaps, the youthful senator Chiz Escudero could pretty much pull it off with the right positioning and funding which is undeniably one of the most important in today's Philippine politics. This should not be a problem considering he is one of the two possible Nationalist People's Coalition party standard bearers come 2010, the other being fellow senator Loren Legarda.

Escudero attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1988 and Bachelors of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. He received his Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D. C. in 1996. At the University of the Philippines , Escudero was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines from 1992–1993. He also joined the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta Debating Team which was the 1991 U.P. Open Debate Champion. A consistent honor student, he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather or the U.P. Law Honor Society from 1989–1993.

It seems that everywhere he goes, he is mobbed by the youth for pictures and autographs but can his team capitalize on this next year? Only time will tell.

by: Ivar

8/11/09 8:57 P.M.

One Million Peso Dinner, Anyone?

What can a million pesos buy these days? About 33 tons of rice, or a decent home in the provinces, or even thousands of kilos of meat but a dinner for one night? It's ridiculously mad! President Arroyo and his cohort never fails to disappoint considering how many millions of Filipinos could not even have a decent meal in a day. How can they swallow such expensive food and savour those luxurious wines and call themselves public servants? For the sake of argument, let's believe the ever unbelievable Cerge Remonde when he said that Leyte congressman Romualdez paid the bill, is it now acceptable? I can't help but shake my head in total disgust.

Millions of pesos are allocated to each congressmen in both houses as PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) or commonly known as PORK BARREL. This fund is highly descretionary and subject to a lot of controversial transactions. With this kind of cash at his disposal, can we believe that Rep. Romualdez took money from his own pocket to feed his boss? Or is he just the "fall-guy"? Even more money is under the president's control, how can we believe that personal funds are used in an official travel?

President Aquino died as the most loved president in recent history because of her simplicity while in office. If only the current president had a quarter of Cory's conscience and morality, then the Philippines could have been a better place.

by: Ivar

8/10/09 10:24 A.M.

Presidentiables: Mr. Palenke to Padyak King

There are two sides of the coin, as they say. One could represent one story and the other could be of another but still the same coin. The analogy could very well be applied to the race for the presidency of two senators: Villar and Roxas. As presented in our last post, Villar invested heavily on the media for his campaign which is also true for Roxas but apparently not the same result, as Villar was on top of the survey and Roxas was tied with Chiz for third. Now the question: should he continue the fight?

Manuel "Mar" Roxas II is the son of former senator Gerry Roxas and the grandson and namesake of former president Manuel Roxas. Born with affluence, he was educated at Ateneo de Manila and University of Pennsylvania in the United States and was an investment banker before being elected as a congressman representing the first district of Capiz. Due to his experience in the US, he was appointed by president Erap as the Trade and Industry secretary in 2000 and kept this post even after Erap's ouster. He was elected as a senator with the highest votes garnered in the history of Philippine national politics in 2004 and was one of the then-administration senators who called for GMA's resignation after the Hello-Garci scandal together with Liberal Party-mates and was subsequently catapulted as party head and presidential nominee.

Ever since his stint in DTI, he was an advocate of slashing prices of branded medicines which he claims are over-priced compared to our Asian neighbors. This issue has somehow put the spotlight on him and placed him against his former boss, GMA. He was one of those who gained special mentions in the recent SONA for pussyfooting in implementing the cheaper medicines act and for allegedly using bad words in rallies.

I actually admire his credentials but I have to admit that I am not a big fan of his ads and PR. His press relations have gone overboard and it appears that he is using his relationship with popular newswoman Korina Sanchez for his political gains. His infomercials on the other hand are easy to remember but fail to register with the electorate the vital qualities for him to be the president, instead becoming a source of sms jokes. I believe he will be a good president but unless he fixes his PR, he won't win in 2010.

by: Ivar

8/9/09 8:16 P.M.

Presidentiables: Rags to Big Bucks

He charms his way into the audience's hearts and to the top of the surveys with his trademark sipag at tiyaga slogan and orange polo-shirt. Spending over a hundred million pesos already in "info-mercials" with themes ranging from OFW's he's helped to how his family lived in the 50's and the latest with a catchy jingle but the big question is: will he be able to cash in his investment? If the latest SWS survey is to be believed, he might. Gaining the top spot for the first time from VP De Castro with a commanding 33 percent rating. The closest rival is former president Erap with 25 percent and Noli is now fifth with 19 percent.

He was born on the 13th of December, 1949 in Tondo, Manila to a poor family. He finished Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines as a working student and in 1975 started his business empire with just 10,000 pesos and transformed it into what is now known as the Camella and Palmera Homes, one of the key players in the real estate market in the country.

After establishing himself as a successful businessman, he ventured into politics and was elected to congress representing the city of Las Pinas during the 1992 elections and was re-elected decisively in 1995 and 1998 when he became speaker of the house. Villar was actually the first speaker of the house in the country to impeach a president (Erap) in 2000. With his rise to political stardom after the impeachment case, he ran for senate and won in the 2001 elections barely nine years after his first election. Manny and his wife Cynthia consistently top the list of the richest legislators in the country. He became senate president in 2007 and was forced to resign over a year later due to scandals over his c5 road extension project but was subsequently cleared of all allegations. He formally declared his intention to run for president in 2010 on September 4 last year under the Nacionalista Party which he chairs.

With all the money he's got, opponents will surely have a hard time catching up but in my own opinion, his steady cash supply is not his best asset. With a rags to riches story which fascinates the Filipino people in telenovelas, he surely has this intangible advantage of belongingness with the masses. Whether this could translate to better presidential policies in favor of the poor and the oppressed if elected remains unseen.

by: Ivar

8/7/09 11:30 P.M.

Why the Number of Hungry Filipinos Increased?

Recent estimates show that there are over 92 million Filipinos. Based on this estimate there are 307 people per square kilometer of Philippine land. Of the 92 million, over 32 million or 35 percent are between the ages of 0-14. These statistics tell us that over the past 14 years, our population have increased by 50 percent and this could only mean that couples have stepped up reproduction to a point wherein sustaining the family meant sacrificed living standards for the children. Many have denounced the current administration’s fight against hunger mainly because it did not solve the root cause stated above.

One thing I would like the church to look into is the current “real” state of the nation’s people when they issue reactions on proposals made by congress. Instead of spreading negativity about the reproductive health bill they could have sat down and talked with the bill’s proponents so that in totality it would still adhere to the Roman Catholic Church’s principles and teachings. Church leaders never even thought of dialogues to patch up differences vital to uplift Juan de la Cruz’s standard of living. This should not be taken as a defence of the bill.

When most of its citizen’s are getting hungry, the last thing on the state’s agenda should be to lease out land to foreign corporations. 90,000 hectares of agricultural land in Mindoro will be controlled by a South Korean company for 25 years to grow corn. Of course the harvests will be exported to Korea but not for human consumption but as an ingredient for animal feed. How can the provincial government of Mindoro approve such a stupid deal? Somebody from the top must have pulled the strings on this one, who else could it be?

by: Ivar

8/4/09 10:36 P.M.

She Saved the Filipinos Even in Death

The Malacanang uttered words which brought to my heart mixed emotions, they have finally called on the House of Representatives to abandon plans of senate-less con-ass. I was happy because I have fought against charter change by way of constituent assembly ever since day one but at the same time I felt sorrow because it took the death of a democratic icon to move GMA's common sense and drop the hot potato.

Pres. Corazon Aquino managed for one last time to save the Filipinos against what could have been another dark episode of tyranny and hunger for power never seen in the country since the time of Marcos. GMA might exhibit coincidental similarities with Pres. Cory, being both women and both came to power in a bloodless revolution, but they differ in ways that matter the most and it was Pres. Aquino who stood in the frontlines against Arroyo's plan of perpetual regime until the very end.

With all my heart, I thank you President Cory Aquino, who happens to be the president during my foray into this world, for restoring democracy to the Philippines over twenty-three years ago. Thank you for dedicating your life in rebuilding a country once destroyed and most of all, thank you for stopping another eminent destruction even if it meant breathing your last. Finally, we promise to be ever vigilant to circumstances which might lead to the fall of the freedom we enjoy at this very moment that you have envisioned for all Filipinos.

R.I.P Corazon Cojuangco Aquino; 1933-2009

by: Ivar

8/3/09 10:42 P.M.

Cory Aquino: 1933-2009

Hitting Birds With Just a Stone

Some things can be done by the current administration which could at least save its face in the history books, and one of them is even mentioned in the SONA. Increasing the current rate of taxes on "sin" products such as cigarette, liquor and etc. would certainly be appreciated if not by today's hyper sucking and drinking generation but by the cleaner-lunged kids of the future with all the proven harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

It's actually a classic application of the age-old adage, hitting two birds on one stone. Not only we could breath freely but it could also mean increased internal revenue for the government. I just hope congress would act fast on the only topic that made sense on Arroyo's SONA. Knowing that most of these lawmakers are smokers and drinkers, this undertaking is all but easy. If only the congressmen and senators would think on the ripple effect this policy would have on the country. Healthy kids, more revenue for state education, roads and much, much more.

Lots of policies are needed to be put in action to improve the lives of our fellowmen, not just statistically and I know it won't happen overnight nor will it be taken lightly by greedy politicians whose personal interests stand in the way of national development. The cheaper medicines act surely underscored how tough it is to pass a law with the people's welfare on its top priorities in this bureaucracy we call home.

by: Ivar

7/31/09 10:03 P.M.

The Sun Still Shines

An Hour and Three Minutes in Wonderland

I soaked in, thought of nothing else. I left my oppositionist view behind and played my digital copy of Monday's SONA in the comforts of my bedroom. I was touched by her speech about how the country weathered the storm in 2008 in her command, she painted a state so beautiful with her words that I wanted to live there. For a moment I forgot that she was GMA, our own president delivering the "state" of our own nation. Memories of poor Filipinos rushed through my mind and the hour and three minutes of wonderland courtesy of Her Excellency was now nowhere to be found.

It is true that the country did not technically went under recession last year but for most Filipinos, recession started a long time ago. Yes, many Filipinos underwent improvements in the quality of their lives but more plunged into deeper poverty. Arroyo presented a good, strong economy on paper but somebody has to remind the president that paper is not edible. Hungry Filipino population got bigger and bigger as her reign got longer and longer. Just a point to ponder.

She related her "achievements" in education by hiring 60,000 teachers and building 9,000 more classrooms but never mentioned the current student-book ratio and even the error-ridden new books. I was a product of a public elementary school and can attest that books were not available for every student in our central school, how much more in primary schools? Another interesting thing she pointed out was the scholarships given out in the course of her presidency. Again, somebody should open the eyes of the president on how her scholarships are being implemented in the grass roost level, using the "palakasan" system. Why not increase the budget of STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES in order to have a zero tuition and other fees. The pocketed funds on different controversial projects could have been more than enough to realize this dream. More students could have been benefited.

She said that JOBS ABROAD SHOULD BE A CAREER CHOICE, NOT THE ONLY OPTION. As a matter of fact Mrs. President, in the current STATE of our nation, jobs abroad are the only option because OFW remittance is our shield against the recession and the reason why we are still floating.

The president might have lived in the bubble for the past nine years or maybe she was just misguided by I don't know who. Yes she has concreted roads and gave out one-time relief to the poor but we must know that she is in power for over eight years now. A teacher once said that six years is too short for a good president but too long for an awful one. How do we classify Her Excelleny?

by: Ivar

7/29/09 8:23 P.M.

Controversial Indeed: Miss Bohol International 2006

Black and White

City of friendship are the first words one will see upon exiting Tagbilaran City's seaport. The sandugo (blood-compact) is an act of friendship said to have taken place in Bool barangay although now "accurately" moved to Loay. It is in my deep dismay though that provincial media centered in and around the city have demonstrated signs of partiality in both radio and print and word wars have raged their pages and airtime in total incoherence with the monicker the city is trying to live up to. In the course of this post utmost impartiality will be observed based on what I have heard and read in the last couple of weeks.

First is the way below the belt hits between the DYRD-Bohol Chronicle and City Mayor Lim which apparently got hotter when the mayor ordered the city treasurer to audit past books of the said media establishment for unpaid taxes. Not to defend the mayor but ever since that fateful day I could not read anything about the mayor that's good or close to that. It is the right of every journalist to tackle government issues but a line should be left uncrossed. "Trabaho lang walang personalan" as a Filipino saying goes. I hope this would not be taken the wrong way by the aforementioned entities. The same also goes with paid programming which I understand is the lifeline of the radio stations but has become a source of misleading information to the public and fuelling further political unrest.

Another thing is the "latest" HNU survey on radio listeners throughout the province and just this morning as I was reading the SundayPost, words of congratulations from Guv-wannabe Cesar Montano to DYTR as the leading radio station here. As I grabbed a copy of the Bohol Chronicle, I could not help but scratch my head upon reading greetings to DYRD for being number one. I know that the respective papers are married to the stations but as far as I know, there is only one Holy Name University or could they mean another HNU? These instances have made media more and more cheaper (not literally though).

It is my humble prayer that issues would be presented black and white for the people to gain leverage in 2010 elections and beyond.

by: Ivar

7/28/09 9:46 P.M.

Long Live the Fearless Man: The Greatest Gift We Take for Granted

SONA: Democracy is at Stake

July 27, 2009 will be a turning point in Filipino democracy whether something "unscheduled" will happen or not. I say this because the SONA of PGMA might yield something that could put an end to what Cory Aquino fought for 23 years ago, ironically the former president is not in a good condition and still in the hospital as of this moment. We still don't know if the rumors are true that martial law will be declared based on the multitude of bombings a few weeks back or the Lakas-Kampi people will railroad one more time the highly controversial Con-Ass.

Another scenario might happen though, the President could once and for all silence her detractors and declare categorically, no ifs and buts that she will respect the fundamental law of the land which exists to uphold fairness and equality among Filipinos that she would step down from office next year and not seek for any other elective position in the government. By doing so, she could save her reputation as one of the most unpopular presidents of all time and leave with grace and dignity.

Saying that she won't run however does not constitute that she wouldn't really run. Quite amusing is the fact that one of the most untrusted persons in the country is the one who runs it. She has proven not once but a gazillion times that she can't help but lie. I need not specify because it has been apparent ever since she assumed the presidency in 2001. I would love to listen to her reveal the "true" state of the nation for one last time.

by: Ivar

July 26, 2009; 4:30 P.M.

Hope in Our Midst

A handful of the young populace of this country might be hesitant to cast in their votes for 2010 or even trust COMELEC enough to go there and enlist themselves as registered voters. A portion of the blame could be put on the media for blowing out of proportion the issues and to the opposition for creating scenarios which put the current administration in bad light but the majority of which should be on the administration itself. In the mind of the prospective first time voter, he may count himself out as early as now in the electoral process because maybe change is a word not found in today's political scene.

A young voter might remember 2004 elections when the current president won the tight race against the late FPJ. The same voter might also remember the next big thing in 2005 when the voice of her excellency was heard chatting with Comelec-man Garcillano re: cheating. I was in Sweden then visiting some relatives and I could honestly say that I was embarassed seeing her pictures in leading newspapers there with that information. The same young voter might now wonder, does my vote really count?

I registered a few weeks ago to vote for the first time in national elections and I am encouraging every qualified citizen to do the same (at least 18 years on May 11, 2010). I am not saying that I have full confidence in the COMELEC especially with a new system but my vote as well as yours are needed to make a better Philippines. It is our duty not only to vote but also to be vigilant and guard our votes for it to be an effective catalyst of change. It is not going to be easy but as long as the youth will work hand in hand, by our vote we can have a better Philippines.

by: Ivar

7/22/09 3:10 P.M.

Cheap Medicines for RP: A Long Shot

First issue, the Philippines drug prices are among the highest in Southeast Asia. Second issue, nobody seemed to care until this time when the 2010 elections is practically visible within the horizon. Another obvious and devious plan to get more points in ratings in time to bag their party's nomination or not to lose one in case of Sen. Mar Roxas. Slated for implimentation this month, the cheaper medicines act just turned ugly with talks of bribes with no less than the senate president Juan Ponce Enrile accusing the multi-national drug company Pfizer and her excellency PGMA. Word wars between the Malacanang and Roxas is on and could continue up until the SONA of Arroyo.

I have no problems with Sen. Roxas using the cheaper medicines act as his leverage come election time as long as the medicines are actually cheaper and not just a news maker to feature his face. If indeed the act will be true to its name, then the Filipino people will be of great relief which could be good for Roxas' presidential bid. I don't know who handles his PR but in my point of view he has become a laughing stock with an advertisement which lacks substance and his frequent guestings with girlfriend Korina Sanchez in different shows. The senator is clearly using his private relationship to connect with the voters instead of explaining his cheaper medicines act and other laws he passed that is crucial ian the ordinary Filipino's daily sustennce. Well, bad news for him is the fact that he is nowhere in the top 3 in recent surveys for presidentiables which goes to show that the country's voters have become more intelligent in choosing our future leaders.

by: Ivar 7/14/09 8:31 P.M.

The Curious Case of the Disappearing Load

It has been years now that the ordinary consumers of prepaid load from the giants of telecommunications; smart, globe and sun have been complaining of mysterious exhaustion of their credits. They say in vernacular, "Karon pa gani ko nagpa-load, check op na pud". Little has been done to remedy this problem but when the time came that the NTC acted upon the claims, meager resolutions were the outcome.

If the senate have not done an investigation in aid of legislation concerning the problem (although politicking can be very evident) the NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) would have just shrugged the problem off as irrelevant. Sen. Enrile was furious when he received unsolicited messages from his network thereby reducing his prepaid credits, in response, the network answered that the senator subscribed to songs by RnB star Akon which made Enrile more angry due to the fact that he don't even know who Akon is. Sen. Enrile is only one of millions of Filipinos who receive different contents from the networks without them requesting for it which in layman's term could be equated to stealing, a crime.

Results of the senate inquiry: extension of load expiry, another problem the people have endured over the years. Unsolicited messages which secretly eats our load credits would likely still bother us in the coming days. We hope the NTC would wake up soon and straighten these disguised crimes against consumers.

By: Ivar

7/09/09 9:53 P.M.

Automated Mayhem

As a first time voter next year, I feel very excited and anxious to exercise my right of suffrage. Automated or not, as long as there would be elections ( the Con-Ass move could stop the elections if we let them push through). Automation is a really huge step and I don't know if our Pearl of the Orient will be able to take such. Automation if done right, we'll have clean and accurate elections but if done wrong, we'll be lost in a system we've never encountered before which could result in a tilted democracy, another people power, or a civil war. It's a sad fact that losing candidates will never concede and may in fact find bugs in the hurried automation system to come up with unfounded allegations which in turn could unseat the real people's choice or the other way around.

The proposed automation for 2010 was on, or so the COMELEC thought, until they faced the senators. Sen. Escudero is very critical of the mechanics of the bidding and of the background of the winning bidder, Smartmatic-TIM partnership. Smartmatic is based in Barbados, an island nation in the carribean and is partly owned by the Venezuelan government. Hugo Chavez is the Venezuelan president and will likely to keep his post decades from now, thanks to Smartmatic? Some critics said that the referendum of extending Chavez's term indifinitely was handled by Smartmatic and the "yes" vote won inspite of massive protests against it. Does Sen. Escudero fear that the same could happen here?

TIM or Total Information Management is the Filipino partner of Smartmatic. According to the 1987 constitution, Filipinos should own at least 60% of any business ventures in the Philippines. News reports during the week infrormed of the withdrawal of TIM from the partnership due to inability to meet the 60% requirement needed but some say it is because Smartmatic refused to pay Jose Mari Antunez 500 Million pesos. Antunez's ties to the FG was also cited but he was quick to shrug it off.

Unless this Smartmatic-TIM marriage will work out, then 2010 will be old school.

by: Ivar

6/2/09 11:09 P.M.

Twisted Fate

Bohol's political scene is as of this moment a mess. As the deadline for filing of the certificate of candidacy (November 30) nears, the more blurry the situation become due to the fact that the ruling coalition provincial bigwigs of PGMA, LAKAS-Kampi CMD have not finalized gubernatorial and other capitol posts candidates for next year's elections. More and more aspirants from the aforementioned party have declared through their body language their desire for the top provincial positions. Cong. Edgar Chatto of the first district have not expressedly declared his intentions but the posters, letters and countless appearances in the district and beyond can speak for themselves. He is a LAKAS-Kampi member ever since he turned his back on former-governor and ally Rene Relampagos and joined hands with Gov. Aumentado. Much has been said of the congressman's performance and many are endorsing his supposed candidacy. Second district solon Roberto Cajes was once a speculated candidate but the May fiesta season proved otherwise. Why, you may ask? Posters of Cajes with fiesta greetings were hung side-by-side with Chatto's in the first district and the same could be said in the second.

Second aspirant from LAKAS is the incumbent Vice Governor Julius Ceasar Herrera. Aumentado annointed Herrera right after their win in the 2007 elections became apparent to be his successor which the VG has presumably accepted. This former Calape mayor is also a former ally of Rene Relampagos just like the congressman. Frequent release of financial assistance to different barangays can be a sign of the VG's intent, appearances have become more frequent too. Rumored running mate is HNU College of Law Dean and Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo, another first-second district tandem which makes it more interesting. Who is more influential in the second district, Cajes or Aumentado/Abapo? I Can't wait to find out.

The singing bee host and award winning actor-director Cesar Manhilot a.k.a. Cesar Montano is the latest administration-alligned politician to not just signify his interest but unequivocally declared his plans to run for governor with or without the blessing of Aumentado. It could be noted that the PGMA appointed Cesar through the recommendation of the governor as Philippine special envoy for film and digital cinema which could have given him the diplomat status. Cesar declined the appointment and decided to focus on his gubernatorial plans. Montano's panaghoy foundation scattered through the province stickers bearing the actor's face as if he needs more publicity. Running mate is still hazy and I can't name names simply because I can't think of anyone within the party who could defy Aumentado nor Chatto.

Who will I vote for? Your guess is as good as mine.

by: Ivar

July 1, 2009; 5:04 P.M.

Should the Youth Hate CON-ASS? I Do

A legislative district according to current Philippine laws should have at least 250,000 people or one province whichever is applicable so one congressman carries in his shoulder the voice of more or less a quarter of a million people whenever he goes to work at Batasang Pambansa. In this context, a congressman should vote in any proceedings not on the will of any political party but on the will of his constituents, failure to do so will mean betrayal of the trust of the people. As far as I'm concerned betraying the trust and confidence of the constituents entrusted upon the congressmen is unacceptable considering how much they get from our (taxpayers) money.

A couple of weeks ago, the house of representatives passed Resolution 1109 which seeks to convene congress into a constituent assembly most popularly known as con-ass. In this scenario, congresspeople (representatives and senators) would have the freedom to play with no less than the fundamental law of the land, the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Ammendments can be as straightforward as letting foreigners own Philippine land (according to the Con-ASS people) or as painstaking as converting our current presidential form of government into a fragile parliamentary form. Opposition lawmakers aren't in favor of the con-ass because thay say LAKAS-Kampi members could extend the term of their beloved PGMA wherein they are quick to respond that they won't. Of course they won't explicitly do it because if they will, their lies and deceit will be apparent, there's a lot of ways of killing a dog, the old saying goes.

Why would GMA want to stay in power, you ask? Do Jocjoc Bolante, Fertilizer Fund, ZTE-NBN, and Hello Garci ring a bell? Staying in power means immunity from prosecution is the simple answer. But the administration lawmakers just said that they won't extend her term? As president, no but as prime minister? See my point?

Questions, suggestions and reactions: pasiplat@gmail.com

by: Ivar

6/28/09 10:08 A.M.