It was the election period also not so long ago that we were made audience of a pitiful public apology from Gloria Arroyo that was scorned by the rest of the world and had intellectuals wondering what were her advisers thinking to actually propose the idea to her? This time, we are witnessing the very same advisers getting deep into action by prodding Senator Noynoy’s apology to SWS president for his honest, yet callous, comment regarding biased and deceiving survey results.
His comment supposedly meant firms other than SWS, but which other survey firms would he have been talking about when it is only SWS that supposedly matters? We need a decisive president at the helm, not someone who balks at his own comments and actions and expects apologies two weeks afterwards will make up for it. Is losing favor from a survey firm enough to retract your own belief and principle? With the presidency at stake, what else is the good Senator ready to retract for the sake of appearances? I have never felt a greater sense of déjà vu and dread for the coming election results.
Not trying to totally destroy Noynoy’s credibility as many of my acquaintances are dear friends of his but really, what are his qualifications to run for the presidency? He is but a puppet that certain politicians are using to justify their own selfish desires. Take the good Senator’s Empowerment platform. He has been in Congress and the Senate for numerous years already, has he not been able to maximize on this yet? Why only now when he had years and millions as pork barrel to have channeled the same thread to the very people he now wishes to completely and fully govern? What has he done in the past years to make him worthy of the post? It should all boil down to this really.
What is he made of? Strip him of his name and let us see the MAN behind the spectacles and the likeness of Ninoy. What has he done for us that we can expect the same when he gets more power? Pork barrel figures are no laughing matter. Lacson himself was able to say he did not spend a cent from it. Where did Noynoy’s go?
Before Cory died, I honestly have forgotten she had a son for a senator. And I know I am not alone in this sentiment. What does that make of him? Sometimes, there is a fine line between empowerment and having no guts to lead so you will obviously just give the responsibility to someone else. I hope Noynoy is not aiming for the very people worth fighting for to bite into that sham.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
A Call for Responsible Journalism
Lambasting the present administration is not really constructive criticism. If you are not part of the solution then surely you are part of the problem. Is it really fair, as a journalist to list down all the faults of PGMA and not at all mention her legit accomplishments? Are we really working for the good of our fellowmen?
I am in no way a great fan of PGMA but inciting bad press without providing alternate solutions cannot be considered good pieces—unless we are working for the opposition. Unless they were paying us to do nothing but criticize and push Juan de la Cruz further down the development ladder. Otherwise, there is really no greater purpose to let our fellowmen down.
So I am calling all writers who are still pursuing that perfect story for this coming election. Why not let it be about something positive for our country without biting into showbiz-like controversies? Let us do our job of perfectly snooping into the accomplishments and non-performances of our presidential candidates.
The new president’s leadership will soon affect all of us, not just in the media, but ALL of us. We should unite this once for this purpose at least. Then we shall see, and we shall let the entire country see who truly deserves our vote. Together we can do this. We already should know by now how powerful media can be in this country, let us stop denying it is in our hands than can make a positive change.
All it would take is responsible journalism at its best. Let us do our homeworks and let us remember what first brought us into this profession-the adventure of being in the beat, the victory of uncovering the story of a lifetime. Let this lifetime matter. Let us strive to at least try an honest President with no controversies and nothing but good old clean politics to his name. Shouldn’t Juan dela Cruz deserve to have a good government? No linkages to the left, no briberies with our police, no leftover porkbarrel to pocket—nothing but a clean name and an even more impressive accomplishment sheet. All our presidential candidates have been government servants for quite some time now, they should have enough credits to their name already to deserve the presidency. Let us discover who truly deserves to win and make ourselves count.
I am in no way a great fan of PGMA but inciting bad press without providing alternate solutions cannot be considered good pieces—unless we are working for the opposition. Unless they were paying us to do nothing but criticize and push Juan de la Cruz further down the development ladder. Otherwise, there is really no greater purpose to let our fellowmen down.
So I am calling all writers who are still pursuing that perfect story for this coming election. Why not let it be about something positive for our country without biting into showbiz-like controversies? Let us do our job of perfectly snooping into the accomplishments and non-performances of our presidential candidates.
The new president’s leadership will soon affect all of us, not just in the media, but ALL of us. We should unite this once for this purpose at least. Then we shall see, and we shall let the entire country see who truly deserves our vote. Together we can do this. We already should know by now how powerful media can be in this country, let us stop denying it is in our hands than can make a positive change.
All it would take is responsible journalism at its best. Let us do our homeworks and let us remember what first brought us into this profession-the adventure of being in the beat, the victory of uncovering the story of a lifetime. Let this lifetime matter. Let us strive to at least try an honest President with no controversies and nothing but good old clean politics to his name. Shouldn’t Juan dela Cruz deserve to have a good government? No linkages to the left, no briberies with our police, no leftover porkbarrel to pocket—nothing but a clean name and an even more impressive accomplishment sheet. All our presidential candidates have been government servants for quite some time now, they should have enough credits to their name already to deserve the presidency. Let us discover who truly deserves to win and make ourselves count.
A PUSHOVER FOR PRESIDENT?
I have no ill will against the son of revered former Pres. Cory Aquino. Senator-elect Noynoy Aquino, practically he did nothing wrong to the citizenry that his mother once sworn to serve. However, what ticks me is the part where he also had done nothing right. The two-termer in the Senate House is nothing but a breathing piece of suit. He remained unnoticeable in the senate other than being the only son of the EDSA Uno icon. He was simply the son of “someone” and the brother to somebody else. So why on earth would a “dormant” legislature think he has the capacity to assume the executive post?
It is no secret that Liberal Party simply casted Sen. Noynoy as a party “slacker” in terms of gaining political popularity. Noynoy was never the senator who made his name known unlike Sen. Mar Roxas who had his own indelible mark in the Philippine politics. So the big question is, why was Noynoy pushed for the presidency in the first place? Why should LP’s benchwarmer take on the heaviest load of the 2010 competition? Else, why ditch Mar over a mediocre politician?
There is nothing more dangerous than electing a moppet president who is more than susceptible to be shoved aside. Noynoy with his experience of being sidetracked and “silenced” proves that he would meet the exact same fate as former Presidents Erap Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. Apparently, among all three, Noynoy is essentially the weakest link with regard to political dependency. Erap depended much on his charm in the movie industry, while both Noynoy and Gloria gained their conviction from birth rights. However, Noynoy is on to blowing everybody’s whistle with his “I am my mother’s son” statement.
Being the son of the well-honored Cory and Ninoy simply made Noynoy outrightly “insignificant”. People should not be naïve and not notice that his family name is what’s pumping his career and nothing else. His parent’s shoes are too big for him to fill no doubt about that; but does the public really expect him to? He could have at least fought against the shadow and make a “man” out of his own right, his sister Kris has obviously done it so why can’t he? Noynoy chose politics and not the other way around. He should have been able to make it worthwhile; relying on his parent’s appeal makes him nothing but a political joke.
What change is he guaranteeing Juan dela Cruz? Why should we surrender government to someone who had not grown his own backbone after years of being elected in office? The Aquino name was perfumed through his parent’s dedication to country, Noynoy staled it with his sordid “fixation” and “flimsiness”. And just like a lost spoiled brat, Noynoy seeks comfort to TRAPOs in the likes of former Franklin Drilon who had been a renowned “balingbing” after ditching Gloria who he helped bring into Malacañang. Surely, Noynoy will be facing the same fate soon enough.
It is no secret that Liberal Party simply casted Sen. Noynoy as a party “slacker” in terms of gaining political popularity. Noynoy was never the senator who made his name known unlike Sen. Mar Roxas who had his own indelible mark in the Philippine politics. So the big question is, why was Noynoy pushed for the presidency in the first place? Why should LP’s benchwarmer take on the heaviest load of the 2010 competition? Else, why ditch Mar over a mediocre politician?
There is nothing more dangerous than electing a moppet president who is more than susceptible to be shoved aside. Noynoy with his experience of being sidetracked and “silenced” proves that he would meet the exact same fate as former Presidents Erap Estrada and Gloria Arroyo. Apparently, among all three, Noynoy is essentially the weakest link with regard to political dependency. Erap depended much on his charm in the movie industry, while both Noynoy and Gloria gained their conviction from birth rights. However, Noynoy is on to blowing everybody’s whistle with his “I am my mother’s son” statement.
Being the son of the well-honored Cory and Ninoy simply made Noynoy outrightly “insignificant”. People should not be naïve and not notice that his family name is what’s pumping his career and nothing else. His parent’s shoes are too big for him to fill no doubt about that; but does the public really expect him to? He could have at least fought against the shadow and make a “man” out of his own right, his sister Kris has obviously done it so why can’t he? Noynoy chose politics and not the other way around. He should have been able to make it worthwhile; relying on his parent’s appeal makes him nothing but a political joke.
What change is he guaranteeing Juan dela Cruz? Why should we surrender government to someone who had not grown his own backbone after years of being elected in office? The Aquino name was perfumed through his parent’s dedication to country, Noynoy staled it with his sordid “fixation” and “flimsiness”. And just like a lost spoiled brat, Noynoy seeks comfort to TRAPOs in the likes of former Franklin Drilon who had been a renowned “balingbing” after ditching Gloria who he helped bring into Malacañang. Surely, Noynoy will be facing the same fate soon enough.
EXTORTIONISTS OUT TO ROB PINOYS OF THEIR RIGHTS
Highly treacherous members of the New People’s Army bared their fangs yet again when they attempted to harass site surveyors of the Smartmatic Corp.-Total Information Management (Smartmatic-TIM) who were undertaking preparations - surveying for GSM transmission signals - in Quezon, Masbate and several Bicol provinces for the past few weeks.
These armed groups who have been preventing the site surveyors from reaching their target areas without first paying their monetary demands have now caused unnecessary delays to the success of the poll automation. In a nutshell, these bandits have proven yet again that they exist for money and money alone. They no longer operate because of ideology and has no desire to see our country, let alone their kababayans, experience the technical advancement of their electoral rights.
By wagging their M16 rifles under the nose of these terrified site surveyors, these lowly extortionists only showcased their duplicity and their knack for issuing coercive threats against unarmed civilians who are only doing their job to earn a living for their family. In addition to this, their aggressive stand against the poll automation attest to the fact that they are not the people’s protector but are in fact the very source of their misery. By allowing these disgraceful bandits to exist in any area within our country will only endanger our democracy and rob us of our rights.
They have now started to take away from us our chance to improve our electoral system, so any other effort toward development will surely be impeded by these extortionists. Aside from using the polls to make money and forcing their guns on our throats, these criminals will be our bane, that is, unless we do something about their existence.
These armed groups who have been preventing the site surveyors from reaching their target areas without first paying their monetary demands have now caused unnecessary delays to the success of the poll automation. In a nutshell, these bandits have proven yet again that they exist for money and money alone. They no longer operate because of ideology and has no desire to see our country, let alone their kababayans, experience the technical advancement of their electoral rights.
By wagging their M16 rifles under the nose of these terrified site surveyors, these lowly extortionists only showcased their duplicity and their knack for issuing coercive threats against unarmed civilians who are only doing their job to earn a living for their family. In addition to this, their aggressive stand against the poll automation attest to the fact that they are not the people’s protector but are in fact the very source of their misery. By allowing these disgraceful bandits to exist in any area within our country will only endanger our democracy and rob us of our rights.
They have now started to take away from us our chance to improve our electoral system, so any other effort toward development will surely be impeded by these extortionists. Aside from using the polls to make money and forcing their guns on our throats, these criminals will be our bane, that is, unless we do something about their existence.
FAVORABLE SURVEY RESULT FOR VILLAR A HOAX
When will these politicians learn? It seems that everyone is still agog over who gets the top rank in pre-elections surveys that they fail to see where such drastic activities will painfully lead to and how it has been virtually disrupting our country’s democracy. Despite calls to have this kind of surveys banned, political parties are still stubbornly commissioning these mind-conditioning activities to deliberately get ahead of their adversaries and to project a situation that is entirely bereft of reality.
Take the latest series of Social Weather Station (SWS) survey results where presidential candidate Manny Villar was shown to be slowly inching his way to the top and gradually closing his gap, in points, with presidential wannabe Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party. Because of these developments, almost everyone are now saying that the race between the two contenders has turned into a highly competitive race to the top and therefore expected to be an exciting electoral battle. Such statements only prove that the recent turn of survey events has glaringly and quite unfairly forced the Pinoy voters to accept the ludicrous notion that the upcoming May 2010 fight will only be between Noynoy and Villar.
Of course, such an absurd concept can only be so well planned. An unimpeachable source revealed that one of the stakeholders in the 2010 polls has crafted this “script” to calculatedly compel the Nacionalista Party to relax their campaign strategy but in the end plan to turn the tables on Villar, especially by ensuring the C-5 scandal will do its case. Such ploy is intended to show that no one can usurp Noynoy’s place – despite the onslaught of campaign ads their opponents plaster - as the most viable presidential candidate for the country. This is also aimed at creating a snowball effect among the voting populace and to intentionally create a problem in case another presidentiable wins. Apparently, Juan dela Cruz is indeed that gullible to fall for such cheap tricks.
Was it not the same allegation used by Senator Miriam Santiago – who topped almost all the pre-election surveys during the 1992 elections – against her stalwart adversary Fidel Ramos when the latter won the presidential polls? Will we see a repeat of such tactic? The answer would have to be on the affirmative.
Take the latest series of Social Weather Station (SWS) survey results where presidential candidate Manny Villar was shown to be slowly inching his way to the top and gradually closing his gap, in points, with presidential wannabe Noynoy Aquino of the Liberal Party. Because of these developments, almost everyone are now saying that the race between the two contenders has turned into a highly competitive race to the top and therefore expected to be an exciting electoral battle. Such statements only prove that the recent turn of survey events has glaringly and quite unfairly forced the Pinoy voters to accept the ludicrous notion that the upcoming May 2010 fight will only be between Noynoy and Villar.
Of course, such an absurd concept can only be so well planned. An unimpeachable source revealed that one of the stakeholders in the 2010 polls has crafted this “script” to calculatedly compel the Nacionalista Party to relax their campaign strategy but in the end plan to turn the tables on Villar, especially by ensuring the C-5 scandal will do its case. Such ploy is intended to show that no one can usurp Noynoy’s place – despite the onslaught of campaign ads their opponents plaster - as the most viable presidential candidate for the country. This is also aimed at creating a snowball effect among the voting populace and to intentionally create a problem in case another presidentiable wins. Apparently, Juan dela Cruz is indeed that gullible to fall for such cheap tricks.
Was it not the same allegation used by Senator Miriam Santiago – who topped almost all the pre-election surveys during the 1992 elections – against her stalwart adversary Fidel Ramos when the latter won the presidential polls? Will we see a repeat of such tactic? The answer would have to be on the affirmative.
IS NOYNOY THE NUISANCE?
What it takes to Lose People’s Interest
Is it not annoying when people claim they are better than everyone else? That they flaunt their well-off names and actually depend on it to have whatever it is they want to do? As if they themselves were sanctified by the names they inherited?
There is no question about the revered Cory Aquino in her role during EDSA I. She symbolizes the millions of Filipino who jam-packed Metro Manila streets to bring down the tyranny of Ferdinand Marcos. She was the “symbol”; and for that she was loved. But even the People Power icon was not immune to public ridicule nor is she incapable of committing mistakes. Our beloved Cory was not a saint and the public knows that. The same goes with the late Archbishop Cardinal Sin, who like Cory, was also the emblem of people’s peaceful revolt. But the revered bishop also committed his own oversights, human that he is.
Sen. Noynoy Aquino appears to actually think very highly of himself. It was as if the Aquinos were made sacred and that the presidential post was his by matter of birth right; like a spoiled brat that takes everything as “justly” his. Isn’t that annoying enough? “Nakakahiyang magbuhat ng sariling bangko”, is a cliché that Noynoy should actually keep in mind. Hearing him of how spotless he seems to be compared with the other presidential aspirants is very overbearing indeed. His bragging should mark him a “nuisance” to the voting public.
What has Noynoy made in the context of his name? What was it that pushed him to ever embrace a challenge as hard as the presidency, when he knows he had done nothing “worthwhile” in his second “senateship”? His political career remained “spotless” of biases or graft riddled programs simply because there was not a single program authored or started by him to ever start with. He was nothing but a suit inside the Senate floor for two consecutive terms. His claimed “untouched” name was made possible by his literal “inexistence” else evanescent career as a senator. Of course, who would pay attention to him when there he cannot offer something interesting that is worth the public’s attention? Ironically, this clean “ghost” also wants to haunt Malacañang. The absentee senator is now ambitioning to be the first ever absconding president.
Try and imagine just how Noynoy could possibly run the country like an empty suit walking. How will he survive the greedy wolves that are anxiously waiting to see him “trip” and turn himself into a laughing stock? Have we forgotten how Liberal Party biggies like former Sen. Franklin Drilon promised the public of reform in the hands of Gloria? What guarantees do we have that LP would not ditch Noynoy and queue their next favored TRAPO to take his place? Noynoy is among the “easy pickins” in Philippine politics. How long will it take for Drilon to sidetrack Noynoy who preys on his very family name? People accept every president’s fallibility as a natural blunder but not gullibility. Unfortunately, Noynoy exemplifies both at dangerous extents.
Is it not annoying when people claim they are better than everyone else? That they flaunt their well-off names and actually depend on it to have whatever it is they want to do? As if they themselves were sanctified by the names they inherited?
There is no question about the revered Cory Aquino in her role during EDSA I. She symbolizes the millions of Filipino who jam-packed Metro Manila streets to bring down the tyranny of Ferdinand Marcos. She was the “symbol”; and for that she was loved. But even the People Power icon was not immune to public ridicule nor is she incapable of committing mistakes. Our beloved Cory was not a saint and the public knows that. The same goes with the late Archbishop Cardinal Sin, who like Cory, was also the emblem of people’s peaceful revolt. But the revered bishop also committed his own oversights, human that he is.
Sen. Noynoy Aquino appears to actually think very highly of himself. It was as if the Aquinos were made sacred and that the presidential post was his by matter of birth right; like a spoiled brat that takes everything as “justly” his. Isn’t that annoying enough? “Nakakahiyang magbuhat ng sariling bangko”, is a cliché that Noynoy should actually keep in mind. Hearing him of how spotless he seems to be compared with the other presidential aspirants is very overbearing indeed. His bragging should mark him a “nuisance” to the voting public.
What has Noynoy made in the context of his name? What was it that pushed him to ever embrace a challenge as hard as the presidency, when he knows he had done nothing “worthwhile” in his second “senateship”? His political career remained “spotless” of biases or graft riddled programs simply because there was not a single program authored or started by him to ever start with. He was nothing but a suit inside the Senate floor for two consecutive terms. His claimed “untouched” name was made possible by his literal “inexistence” else evanescent career as a senator. Of course, who would pay attention to him when there he cannot offer something interesting that is worth the public’s attention? Ironically, this clean “ghost” also wants to haunt Malacañang. The absentee senator is now ambitioning to be the first ever absconding president.
Try and imagine just how Noynoy could possibly run the country like an empty suit walking. How will he survive the greedy wolves that are anxiously waiting to see him “trip” and turn himself into a laughing stock? Have we forgotten how Liberal Party biggies like former Sen. Franklin Drilon promised the public of reform in the hands of Gloria? What guarantees do we have that LP would not ditch Noynoy and queue their next favored TRAPO to take his place? Noynoy is among the “easy pickins” in Philippine politics. How long will it take for Drilon to sidetrack Noynoy who preys on his very family name? People accept every president’s fallibility as a natural blunder but not gullibility. Unfortunately, Noynoy exemplifies both at dangerous extents.
IS PPCRV IN CAHOOTS WITH THE COMELEC?
A citizen-based watchdog is now calling foul over a Catholic church-backed poll watchdog for supposedly using its close connections with several high ranking officials of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to block the group’s accreditation with the poll body. The National Citizens for Free Elections (NAMFREL), in a statement, revealed that the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has been opposing their application for accreditation to be an additional citizen’s arm in ensuring an honest and peaceful 2010 polls.
The unexpected stand of the PPCRV has naturally shocked the leaders of NAMFREL given that the two groups used to work together in several past elections and that the head of the PPCRV, Henrietta De Villa, also used to be the head of NAMFREL. Ironically, it was De Villa herself who claimed that there is no conflict in chairing both PPCRV and NAMFREL and that both organizations can work together to realize the goal of a clean, honest and orderly elections. As such, her sudden retraction is now being viewed with suspicion by the very people she used to work with.
Jose Cusia, NAMFREL Chairperson, also fails to understand why PPCRV is opposing the external unofficial parallel quick count that said organization plans to undertake since it will not overlap with the latter’s pre-agreed internal quick count during the upcoming polls which PPCRV has no plans of even making public. Cusia, further cited that several electoral watchdogs composed of academic and professional organizations, NGOs and various church groups have aired their concern about the PPCRV’s impartiality since it has questionable links and maintains too close a relation with the COMELEC.
Using said allegation as a cue, it was discovered that De Villa is a member of the COMELC advisory council in the automation project. An unimpeachable source also revealed that De Villa was also one of the convenors of the Moral Force Movement (MFM) launched by Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, who in turn is a very close friend of COMELEC chairman – also a former associate justice of the SC - Jose Melo. Apparently, it was SC Puno who worked for Melo’s appointment in the high tribunal before being appointed as the poll body’s head.
Also, perusing PPCRV’s prime movers has also emphasized the gnawing doubt that said watchdog cannot remain non-partisan and objective during the performance of their tasks in the upcoming 2010 elections. It was discovered that one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors, Johnny O.R. Cardeñas, is also the incumbent president of the movement called Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) which in turn launched the national political party called Ang Kapatiran who is endorsing presidential candidate Jose “JC” De Los Reyes. Clearly, the PPCRV cannot fully discharge its function as an unbiased citizen’s arm since some of its precursors have stakes or questionable interests in the upcoming elections.
The unexpected stand of the PPCRV has naturally shocked the leaders of NAMFREL given that the two groups used to work together in several past elections and that the head of the PPCRV, Henrietta De Villa, also used to be the head of NAMFREL. Ironically, it was De Villa herself who claimed that there is no conflict in chairing both PPCRV and NAMFREL and that both organizations can work together to realize the goal of a clean, honest and orderly elections. As such, her sudden retraction is now being viewed with suspicion by the very people she used to work with.
Jose Cusia, NAMFREL Chairperson, also fails to understand why PPCRV is opposing the external unofficial parallel quick count that said organization plans to undertake since it will not overlap with the latter’s pre-agreed internal quick count during the upcoming polls which PPCRV has no plans of even making public. Cusia, further cited that several electoral watchdogs composed of academic and professional organizations, NGOs and various church groups have aired their concern about the PPCRV’s impartiality since it has questionable links and maintains too close a relation with the COMELEC.
Using said allegation as a cue, it was discovered that De Villa is a member of the COMELC advisory council in the automation project. An unimpeachable source also revealed that De Villa was also one of the convenors of the Moral Force Movement (MFM) launched by Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, who in turn is a very close friend of COMELEC chairman – also a former associate justice of the SC - Jose Melo. Apparently, it was SC Puno who worked for Melo’s appointment in the high tribunal before being appointed as the poll body’s head.
Also, perusing PPCRV’s prime movers has also emphasized the gnawing doubt that said watchdog cannot remain non-partisan and objective during the performance of their tasks in the upcoming 2010 elections. It was discovered that one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors, Johnny O.R. Cardeñas, is also the incumbent president of the movement called Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) which in turn launched the national political party called Ang Kapatiran who is endorsing presidential candidate Jose “JC” De Los Reyes. Clearly, the PPCRV cannot fully discharge its function as an unbiased citizen’s arm since some of its precursors have stakes or questionable interests in the upcoming elections.
LP: WEAKER BY THE DAY
“Aquino and his Weakness”
The recent Pulse Asia survey that summed-up Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar’s ratings at a deadlock is seemingly the needed push to confirm the waning status of the Liberal Party. Apart from the sounding division inside LP’s campaign agenda with regard to Sen. Aquino’s fallible leadership, the public is also starting to condemn the kind of mud fight LP is trying to pull with Nacionalista. The snowballing of one contemptible issue to next between Aquino and Villar actually lowered public’s esteem on them. Stooping down that low has actually nailed Aquino’s presidential ambition to a “thing of the past”.
If Aquino cannot organize LP’s mere campaign committee without the meddling of a few TRAPOs like former Senator Frank Drilon, what kind of administration would he be leading if he ever gets elected? Unifying a political Party and even managing his own people inside LP is becoming a huge hurdle for Aquino at this point of the campaign period. All thanks to Aquino’s ever “dependent” attitude that is getting his people baffled. The LP presidentiable is apparently used to demanding what he desires and it being given to him that he pays little interest on how his people are actually handling his “candidacy”. This is what should concern people about falsified heroes that were made by TRAPOs like Drilon.
Other than the ill-managed campaign committee of Aquino, Noynoy’s insensitive impulse is also becoming a problem inside LP. First, it was his “disdain” against the Social Weather Station (SWS) who narrowed his lead against Nacionalista bet-Sen. Manuel Villar. The “surveys ay nabibili sa Quiapo” statement blew up on Aquino’s face and actually got him in a very awkward position with regard to private survey outfits that had been fueling his supposed “charm” to the people. If I may, the apologetic letter of Aquino directed towards the SWS management was read over deaf ears. Well, could we really blame the SWS management for putting up a snobbish front on the “ungrateful” LP bet? Besides, if LP was really sincere, Noynoy could have done better than writing a letter to SWS two weeks too late. If he was man enough, he would have made the apology on television where he made the disparaging remarks in the first place.
Maybe if LP briefed Aquino on every detail with regard to LP’s campaign antics and how the surveys helped him in ways a presidentiable could only hope to, they would not be currently facing such a dismal position. This is sadly the end of the Aquinos’ charm. Politicking pollutes a good name and LP knows of this mistake by now when they picked a presidentiable “na hininog sa pilit”.
The recent Pulse Asia survey that summed-up Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar’s ratings at a deadlock is seemingly the needed push to confirm the waning status of the Liberal Party. Apart from the sounding division inside LP’s campaign agenda with regard to Sen. Aquino’s fallible leadership, the public is also starting to condemn the kind of mud fight LP is trying to pull with Nacionalista. The snowballing of one contemptible issue to next between Aquino and Villar actually lowered public’s esteem on them. Stooping down that low has actually nailed Aquino’s presidential ambition to a “thing of the past”.
If Aquino cannot organize LP’s mere campaign committee without the meddling of a few TRAPOs like former Senator Frank Drilon, what kind of administration would he be leading if he ever gets elected? Unifying a political Party and even managing his own people inside LP is becoming a huge hurdle for Aquino at this point of the campaign period. All thanks to Aquino’s ever “dependent” attitude that is getting his people baffled. The LP presidentiable is apparently used to demanding what he desires and it being given to him that he pays little interest on how his people are actually handling his “candidacy”. This is what should concern people about falsified heroes that were made by TRAPOs like Drilon.
Other than the ill-managed campaign committee of Aquino, Noynoy’s insensitive impulse is also becoming a problem inside LP. First, it was his “disdain” against the Social Weather Station (SWS) who narrowed his lead against Nacionalista bet-Sen. Manuel Villar. The “surveys ay nabibili sa Quiapo” statement blew up on Aquino’s face and actually got him in a very awkward position with regard to private survey outfits that had been fueling his supposed “charm” to the people. If I may, the apologetic letter of Aquino directed towards the SWS management was read over deaf ears. Well, could we really blame the SWS management for putting up a snobbish front on the “ungrateful” LP bet? Besides, if LP was really sincere, Noynoy could have done better than writing a letter to SWS two weeks too late. If he was man enough, he would have made the apology on television where he made the disparaging remarks in the first place.
Maybe if LP briefed Aquino on every detail with regard to LP’s campaign antics and how the surveys helped him in ways a presidentiable could only hope to, they would not be currently facing such a dismal position. This is sadly the end of the Aquinos’ charm. Politicking pollutes a good name and LP knows of this mistake by now when they picked a presidentiable “na hininog sa pilit”.
NOY SAYS SORRY TO SWS
The race to being the next president is getting tougher as the May 2010 elections is fast approaching - less than 100 days to be exact. Latest survey results revealed that the gap between Liberal Party’s standard bearer Sen. Noynoy Aquino and Nacionalista Party’s Sen. Manny Villar is only eleven percent which is quite small compared to previous results. This might be the reason behind why Aquino blurted out that surveys are not reliable at all.
Aquino finally realized that something was wrong in his answer regarding the question on survey results during a presidential forum dubbed “Kilalanin: A Presidential Forum” held at the De La Salle Zobel School last January 9, 2010. He clearly states that surveys are only bought in Quiapo. It is just like saying that surveys are not credible and should not be honored.
Due to his wrongdoing, Aquino clarifies that Social Weather Station (SWS) is not part of those institutions being referred to as “incredible surveys” as stated in the forum. He even wrote a letter to SWS President Mahar Mangahas apologizing and re-affirming that the institution is competent in their services. A letter believed to be made by the political supporters of Aquino as a cover up for his lack of common sense.
The failure of Noynoy to think before he speaks undoubtedly brings him to dig his own grave. This eventually brought a lot of criticism from his detractors. Obviously, the voters had a gist on Noynoy’s own perception towards the questions being raised to him. His apology letter to the SWS is a preventive measure in the polling organization in case the great contender, Villar, outrun the number one rank of Aquino.
In a recent interview, he was asked: If he wins the presidential seat, will he allow to be dictated by the people around him? He did not answer the question and instead he blurted out his ideas on how to handle the country. This only proves that he immediately learns his lesson.
Aquino finally realized that something was wrong in his answer regarding the question on survey results during a presidential forum dubbed “Kilalanin: A Presidential Forum” held at the De La Salle Zobel School last January 9, 2010. He clearly states that surveys are only bought in Quiapo. It is just like saying that surveys are not credible and should not be honored.
Due to his wrongdoing, Aquino clarifies that Social Weather Station (SWS) is not part of those institutions being referred to as “incredible surveys” as stated in the forum. He even wrote a letter to SWS President Mahar Mangahas apologizing and re-affirming that the institution is competent in their services. A letter believed to be made by the political supporters of Aquino as a cover up for his lack of common sense.
The failure of Noynoy to think before he speaks undoubtedly brings him to dig his own grave. This eventually brought a lot of criticism from his detractors. Obviously, the voters had a gist on Noynoy’s own perception towards the questions being raised to him. His apology letter to the SWS is a preventive measure in the polling organization in case the great contender, Villar, outrun the number one rank of Aquino.
In a recent interview, he was asked: If he wins the presidential seat, will he allow to be dictated by the people around him? He did not answer the question and instead he blurted out his ideas on how to handle the country. This only proves that he immediately learns his lesson.
PPCRV VIOLATES COMELEC REGULATION ON CITIZEN ARM
On October 26, 2009, the COMELEC issued a resolution granting PPCRV’s petition for its accreditation as Citizen’s Arm for the 2010 elections after an exact and hasty twenty one (21) days of processing.
PPCRV’s accreditation as Citizen’s Arm is subject to the following conditions of the COMELEC:
1. That PPCRV is subject to the direct and immediate control of the Commission and shall comply with all lawful orders;
PPCRV clearly did not comply with the proper process it should undergo when filing a petition to become a Citizen’s Arm. One of which is the publication of its petition in a newspaper of national circulation for three (3) consecutive weeks. Clearly, a violation was committed because PPCRV only published once and in a relatively unknown newspaper at that. It can be noted that at the time PPCRV filed its petition to become a Citizen’s Arm the country was at the height of devastation as typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy slaughtered many lives and properties—an issue taken advantage by PPCRV to go to COMELEC unnoticed. The organization’s negligence of the process denied the Filipino voters their right to decide whether PPCRV is credible enough to be their watchdog in the coming elections. There is definitely no doubt as to why there were no oppositors to its petition.
2. That PPCRV shall be non-partisan and impartial during the election period;
It is noteworthy that Johnny O.R. Cardenas, one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors is the incumbent president of Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK). Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) is borne out of KPK and was accredited by the COMELEC as a national political party. Furthermore, AKP is the Political Party List of Presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva. How then could it serve its duty of being impartial?
3. That PPCRV shall not be under the influence whatsoever of any foreign government corporation, or entity and shall not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any contribution or aid of whatever form or nature from any government, corporation, or entity, and that neither shall said organization nor any of its members seek to achieve its objectives or programs through violence, or aim to propagate ideology opposed to the principles of republican and democratic governments;
To note, PPCRV has an existing MOA with Philippine Computer Society (PCS), a private organization. This is a discernible indication of PPCRV’s incompetence having to hire PCS for the development of a system that would pave way for effective information dissemination and monitoring on the automated elections in May 2010—one of PPCRV’s task. The latter unmistakably violated the above condition. To further stress, COMELEC’s laxity and inexplicable lenience of PPCRV’s misconducts poses an alarming issue.
A citizen’s arm plays a vital role in the elections and having an inept and ungovernable organization holding a very critical position is like hiring a nurse for an engineering position. The 2010 election is yet the most critical for us Filipinos, not only because it is the first automated election we will undertake but also and more importantly because the Filipino people are thirsty for a genuine societal change. Are we to wait for an electoral sabotage or fraud to take place before we act on this disquieting issue?
PPCRV’s accreditation as Citizen’s Arm is subject to the following conditions of the COMELEC:
1. That PPCRV is subject to the direct and immediate control of the Commission and shall comply with all lawful orders;
PPCRV clearly did not comply with the proper process it should undergo when filing a petition to become a Citizen’s Arm. One of which is the publication of its petition in a newspaper of national circulation for three (3) consecutive weeks. Clearly, a violation was committed because PPCRV only published once and in a relatively unknown newspaper at that. It can be noted that at the time PPCRV filed its petition to become a Citizen’s Arm the country was at the height of devastation as typhoons Pepeng and Ondoy slaughtered many lives and properties—an issue taken advantage by PPCRV to go to COMELEC unnoticed. The organization’s negligence of the process denied the Filipino voters their right to decide whether PPCRV is credible enough to be their watchdog in the coming elections. There is definitely no doubt as to why there were no oppositors to its petition.
2. That PPCRV shall be non-partisan and impartial during the election period;
It is noteworthy that Johnny O.R. Cardenas, one of PPCRV’s Board of Directors is the incumbent president of Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK). Ang Kapatiran Party (AKP) is borne out of KPK and was accredited by the COMELEC as a national political party. Furthermore, AKP is the Political Party List of Presidential candidate Eddie Villanueva. How then could it serve its duty of being impartial?
3. That PPCRV shall not be under the influence whatsoever of any foreign government corporation, or entity and shall not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any contribution or aid of whatever form or nature from any government, corporation, or entity, and that neither shall said organization nor any of its members seek to achieve its objectives or programs through violence, or aim to propagate ideology opposed to the principles of republican and democratic governments;
To note, PPCRV has an existing MOA with Philippine Computer Society (PCS), a private organization. This is a discernible indication of PPCRV’s incompetence having to hire PCS for the development of a system that would pave way for effective information dissemination and monitoring on the automated elections in May 2010—one of PPCRV’s task. The latter unmistakably violated the above condition. To further stress, COMELEC’s laxity and inexplicable lenience of PPCRV’s misconducts poses an alarming issue.
A citizen’s arm plays a vital role in the elections and having an inept and ungovernable organization holding a very critical position is like hiring a nurse for an engineering position. The 2010 election is yet the most critical for us Filipinos, not only because it is the first automated election we will undertake but also and more importantly because the Filipino people are thirsty for a genuine societal change. Are we to wait for an electoral sabotage or fraud to take place before we act on this disquieting issue?
RIGODON SA PAGITAN NG NAMFREL AT PPCRV
Nagkakarooon ng matinding sigalot sa pagitan ng National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) at Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) sa usapin ng pagiging lehitimong tagapagbantay sa darating na 2010 halalan. Iniipit umano ng PPCRV ang aplikasyon ng NAMFREL sa Commission on Elections (COMELEC) upang mapabilang sa listahan ng mga tagapagbantay ng boto upang masiguro ang pagkakaroon ng malinis at payapang eleksyon.
Ikinabigla ng mga namamahala ng NAMFREL ang naturang aksyon ng PPCRV dahil ang dalawang organisasyon ay nagtutulungan sa mga nakalipas na halalan at ang pinuno ng PPCRV na si Henrietta De Villa ay naging pinuno rin ng NAMFREL. Taliwas naman ito sa sinabi ni De Villa na walang gulo na namamagitan sa NAMFREL at PPCRV dahil maaaring magtulungan ang dalawang grupo upang maisakatuparan ang parehong layunin na magkaroon ng maayos at malinis na halalan. Ngunit biglang nabago ang lahat ng sabihin din ni De Villa na malilito lamang ang mga tao kung dalawang grupo, NAMFREL at PPCRV, ang magbabantay sa botohan. Hindi tuloy maialis ang mga kuro-kuro na may pinaplano ngang milagro ang PPCRV. Kung kaya’t tahasang pinaninindigan ng PPCRV na sila lang ang tanging magiging tagapagbantay ng boto sa halalan dahil masisira ang kanilang kredibilidad kung hindi magtutugma ang kanilang resulta sa ilalabas ng NAMFREL.
Hindi rin umano maintindihan ni Jose Cuisia, NAMFREL Chairperson, kung bakit kailangang hadlangan ng PPCRV ang kanilang plano na pagsasagawa ng pagbibilang para mailabas sa publiko taliwas sa inihain sa kontratang pinirmahan ng PPCRV na ang kanilang bilang ay hindi maaring maisapubliko. Nabanggit rin ni Cuisia na may mga ibang grupo/organisasyon na tahasang naghayag ng pag-aalala dahil nakikitaan ang PPCRV na may kahina-hinalang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisyales ng COMELEC.
Dahil na rin sa mga akusasyon, natuklasan na si De Villa ay isa sa mga miyembro ng konseho ng COMELEC patungkol sa proyekto ng automation. Nalaman rin na si De Villa ay napabilang sa mga nagtatag ng Moral Force Movement (MFM) na inilunsad ni Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, matalik na kaibigan ni COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo, na dating associate justice ng Korte Suprema. Lumabas rin na si SC Puno ang umayos para ma-appoint si Melo sa mataas na hukuman bago pa man ito mailuklok sa COMELEC.
Dahil dito, ang PPCRV ay hindi magiging patas at hindi maaaring walang kilingang kandidato. Hindi rin nito magagampanan ng maayos sa kanilang tungkulin bilang tagapagbantay ng boto sa darating na halalan 2010. Nadiskubre kasi na isa sa mga pinuno ng PPCRV na si Johnny O.R. Cardeñas ay nanunungkulan bilang presidente ng Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) na naglunsad ng partidong Ang Kapatiran. Ang nasabing partido ay ini-endorso naman si Jose “JC’ De Los Reyes bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa darating na eleksyon. Malinaw na hindi magiging lubos na matagumpay ang tungkulin ng PPCRV bilang taga-bantay ng boto dahil na rin sa mga taong bumubuo sa organisasyon na tiyak na may mga kinikilingang kandidato.
Ikinabigla ng mga namamahala ng NAMFREL ang naturang aksyon ng PPCRV dahil ang dalawang organisasyon ay nagtutulungan sa mga nakalipas na halalan at ang pinuno ng PPCRV na si Henrietta De Villa ay naging pinuno rin ng NAMFREL. Taliwas naman ito sa sinabi ni De Villa na walang gulo na namamagitan sa NAMFREL at PPCRV dahil maaaring magtulungan ang dalawang grupo upang maisakatuparan ang parehong layunin na magkaroon ng maayos at malinis na halalan. Ngunit biglang nabago ang lahat ng sabihin din ni De Villa na malilito lamang ang mga tao kung dalawang grupo, NAMFREL at PPCRV, ang magbabantay sa botohan. Hindi tuloy maialis ang mga kuro-kuro na may pinaplano ngang milagro ang PPCRV. Kung kaya’t tahasang pinaninindigan ng PPCRV na sila lang ang tanging magiging tagapagbantay ng boto sa halalan dahil masisira ang kanilang kredibilidad kung hindi magtutugma ang kanilang resulta sa ilalabas ng NAMFREL.
Hindi rin umano maintindihan ni Jose Cuisia, NAMFREL Chairperson, kung bakit kailangang hadlangan ng PPCRV ang kanilang plano na pagsasagawa ng pagbibilang para mailabas sa publiko taliwas sa inihain sa kontratang pinirmahan ng PPCRV na ang kanilang bilang ay hindi maaring maisapubliko. Nabanggit rin ni Cuisia na may mga ibang grupo/organisasyon na tahasang naghayag ng pag-aalala dahil nakikitaan ang PPCRV na may kahina-hinalang pakikipag-ugnayan sa mga opisyales ng COMELEC.
Dahil na rin sa mga akusasyon, natuklasan na si De Villa ay isa sa mga miyembro ng konseho ng COMELEC patungkol sa proyekto ng automation. Nalaman rin na si De Villa ay napabilang sa mga nagtatag ng Moral Force Movement (MFM) na inilunsad ni Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, matalik na kaibigan ni COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo, na dating associate justice ng Korte Suprema. Lumabas rin na si SC Puno ang umayos para ma-appoint si Melo sa mataas na hukuman bago pa man ito mailuklok sa COMELEC.
Dahil dito, ang PPCRV ay hindi magiging patas at hindi maaaring walang kilingang kandidato. Hindi rin nito magagampanan ng maayos sa kanilang tungkulin bilang tagapagbantay ng boto sa darating na halalan 2010. Nadiskubre kasi na isa sa mga pinuno ng PPCRV na si Johnny O.R. Cardeñas ay nanunungkulan bilang presidente ng Kapatiran sa Pangkalahatang Kabutihan (KPK) na naglunsad ng partidong Ang Kapatiran. Ang nasabing partido ay ini-endorso naman si Jose “JC’ De Los Reyes bilang kandidato sa pagkapangulo sa darating na eleksyon. Malinaw na hindi magiging lubos na matagumpay ang tungkulin ng PPCRV bilang taga-bantay ng boto dahil na rin sa mga taong bumubuo sa organisasyon na tiyak na may mga kinikilingang kandidato.
TRASH TALK AMONG PRESIDENTIABLES
Unhealthy Ratings are to blame?
The trash talk between the Liberal and Nacionalista Parties that started when the Social Weather Station (SWS) gave differing presidential standings is an example of “unhealthy” politicking. Apparently, Senators Manuel Villar and Noynoy Aquino both ditched their social decorum that had them doing away with all known civility and face live cameras while they belittle each other. Sad to say, this is how “elected” senators want to lose face in front of two million youth voters watching their every move. It would not be altogether strange to say that the executive post is nonetheless losing public admiration. Sad to say, those queuing to inherit Malacañang are far shoddier than the Gloria they accuse of graft.
What’s more startling between the two presidentiables’ squabble with regard to the surveys released by the SWS is that both of them have in fact “milked” the ratings for their campaign, not discounting their claims of the surveys either easily bought or manipulated. For one, Aquino has enjoyed his supremacy on SWS’ released numbers. LP has bragged it not just on presidential forums but on their campaign trips all across the country as well. Interestingly, those same numbers were immune to their now claimed “manipulations of the rich few”. Was it because nipping through those numbers mean digging-up their own money trail backing up surveys that say Aquino bags top spot?
If Sen. Noy is among those who doubt the credibility of surveys to state facts, why has he kept his mouth shut for the past months? Why squeal disfavor now right after his “supposed” lead against all other presidentiables was trimmed-down to 11%? So what if Sen. Villar paid for the survey to get a good feel out for his name when he has already doled out his millions to everything else to include buying Bayan Muna’s 2-million command vote that paved the way for Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza joining his camp? Should we put Villar to the stake for riding on the same “trick” his adversaries do? LP simply scrutinizing Nacionalista for “copy-catting” their political gimmicks?
It is alarming how numbers could dictate Juan dela Cruz’s line of thought; like how a few hundred who answer those survey sheets make a superficial majority. How the tri-media picks-up the survey results and publish it is a political scheme itself. A good rating is practically what LP greedily wanted to own without others’ meddling with it. Villar employing the same trick to get a sounding boost on his political career was more or less a “distraction” on LP’s controlled white wash with the assistance of various survey groups.
The suggestion to not trust surveys as they are easily bought on the outskirts of Quiapo should also include not buying the gimmicks of NP and LP who are obviously on a campaign to recycle their names. True enough the numbers are big lies and the people who cower behind those “ratings” are masking quacks.
The trash talk between the Liberal and Nacionalista Parties that started when the Social Weather Station (SWS) gave differing presidential standings is an example of “unhealthy” politicking. Apparently, Senators Manuel Villar and Noynoy Aquino both ditched their social decorum that had them doing away with all known civility and face live cameras while they belittle each other. Sad to say, this is how “elected” senators want to lose face in front of two million youth voters watching their every move. It would not be altogether strange to say that the executive post is nonetheless losing public admiration. Sad to say, those queuing to inherit Malacañang are far shoddier than the Gloria they accuse of graft.
What’s more startling between the two presidentiables’ squabble with regard to the surveys released by the SWS is that both of them have in fact “milked” the ratings for their campaign, not discounting their claims of the surveys either easily bought or manipulated. For one, Aquino has enjoyed his supremacy on SWS’ released numbers. LP has bragged it not just on presidential forums but on their campaign trips all across the country as well. Interestingly, those same numbers were immune to their now claimed “manipulations of the rich few”. Was it because nipping through those numbers mean digging-up their own money trail backing up surveys that say Aquino bags top spot?
If Sen. Noy is among those who doubt the credibility of surveys to state facts, why has he kept his mouth shut for the past months? Why squeal disfavor now right after his “supposed” lead against all other presidentiables was trimmed-down to 11%? So what if Sen. Villar paid for the survey to get a good feel out for his name when he has already doled out his millions to everything else to include buying Bayan Muna’s 2-million command vote that paved the way for Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza joining his camp? Should we put Villar to the stake for riding on the same “trick” his adversaries do? LP simply scrutinizing Nacionalista for “copy-catting” their political gimmicks?
It is alarming how numbers could dictate Juan dela Cruz’s line of thought; like how a few hundred who answer those survey sheets make a superficial majority. How the tri-media picks-up the survey results and publish it is a political scheme itself. A good rating is practically what LP greedily wanted to own without others’ meddling with it. Villar employing the same trick to get a sounding boost on his political career was more or less a “distraction” on LP’s controlled white wash with the assistance of various survey groups.
The suggestion to not trust surveys as they are easily bought on the outskirts of Quiapo should also include not buying the gimmicks of NP and LP who are obviously on a campaign to recycle their names. True enough the numbers are big lies and the people who cower behind those “ratings” are masking quacks.
KIMAY, GINAMIT NG NPA SA KANILANG PROPAGANDA
Ayon sa pambansang bayani na si Jose Rizal, ang kabataan ay pag-asa ng bayan. Ang mga katagang ito ay nagsisilbing inspirasyon sa karamihan lalo na sa mga kabataan dahil tumatatak sa kanilang isipan na sila ang magsisilbing gabay upang magkaroon ng malawakang pagbabago sa pamamalakad sa bansa. Kung kaya, malimit na nakikita ang mga kabataan at estudayante na nagtitipon-tipon sa kalsada upang marinig ng gobyerno ang mga hinaing nila sa isyung kinahaharap ng bansa ngayon. Ngunit alam ba nila talaga kung ano ang kanilang pinaglalaban? O nauto na lamang sila ng mga tao o grupong sadyang sumasalungat sa gobyerno?
Ang pagkamatay ni Kemberly “Kimay” Jul Luna na isa sa mga kabaatang miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ay binigyang parangal ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dahil sa kanyang pakikibaka sa murang edad. Bago pa man masali sa NPA, si Kimay ay kabilang sa “iskolar ng bayan” at nag-aaral sa Mindano State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). Ngunit nasayang ang ibinigay sa kanyang pagkakataon na makatapos sana ng pag-aaral dahil sa kanyang pagtalikod sa pag-aaral at pag-anib sa Partidong Komunista. Marahil, sa tamis ng pananalita at mga huwad na pangako ng mga taong nagrekruta ay nabulag si Kimay sa ideolohiya ng partido kung kaya hindi na niya kinailangan ang edukasyon.
Ang pangyayaring ito ay lubusang inabuso ng CPP dahil nagbigay daan ito upang makahikayat ng mga kabataan na umanib sa kanilang samahan. Ang pagkawala ni Kimay ay walang nagawang mabuti sa kanyang sarili at pamilya niya mismo. Ang NPA lamang ang nakinabang sa pagkamatay ni Kimay dahil ginamit nila ito bilang isang propaganda upang madagdagan ang kanilang puwersa sa pamamagitan ng paghihikayat sa iba pang kabataan para umanib sa kanilang kilusan.
Tama ba ang isinusulong na ideya ng CPP at NPA? Inaatasan nila ang mga kabataan, estudyante at propesyunal na sumali sa kanila upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari kay Kimay. Humihina na nga ba ang kanilang puwersa kung kaya ginagamit pa nila ang kamatayan ni Kimay para sa kanilang pansariling interes? Wala naman sanang masama sa kanilang pinaglalaban ngunit patuloy naman ang kanilang armadong pakikibaka na nagdudulot ng kapahamakan hindi lamang sa buhay ng mga rebelde at sundalo kundi pati na rin sa mga inosenteng mamamayan nakapaligid sa kanila. Ito ba talaga ang gusto nating kahinatnan ng mga kabataang pag-asa ng ating bayan?
Ang pagkamatay ni Kemberly “Kimay” Jul Luna na isa sa mga kabaatang miyembro ng New People’s Army (NPA) ay binigyang parangal ng Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) dahil sa kanyang pakikibaka sa murang edad. Bago pa man masali sa NPA, si Kimay ay kabilang sa “iskolar ng bayan” at nag-aaral sa Mindano State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT). Ngunit nasayang ang ibinigay sa kanyang pagkakataon na makatapos sana ng pag-aaral dahil sa kanyang pagtalikod sa pag-aaral at pag-anib sa Partidong Komunista. Marahil, sa tamis ng pananalita at mga huwad na pangako ng mga taong nagrekruta ay nabulag si Kimay sa ideolohiya ng partido kung kaya hindi na niya kinailangan ang edukasyon.
Ang pangyayaring ito ay lubusang inabuso ng CPP dahil nagbigay daan ito upang makahikayat ng mga kabataan na umanib sa kanilang samahan. Ang pagkawala ni Kimay ay walang nagawang mabuti sa kanyang sarili at pamilya niya mismo. Ang NPA lamang ang nakinabang sa pagkamatay ni Kimay dahil ginamit nila ito bilang isang propaganda upang madagdagan ang kanilang puwersa sa pamamagitan ng paghihikayat sa iba pang kabataan para umanib sa kanilang kilusan.
Tama ba ang isinusulong na ideya ng CPP at NPA? Inaatasan nila ang mga kabataan, estudyante at propesyunal na sumali sa kanila upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang nangyari kay Kimay. Humihina na nga ba ang kanilang puwersa kung kaya ginagamit pa nila ang kamatayan ni Kimay para sa kanilang pansariling interes? Wala naman sanang masama sa kanilang pinaglalaban ngunit patuloy naman ang kanilang armadong pakikibaka na nagdudulot ng kapahamakan hindi lamang sa buhay ng mga rebelde at sundalo kundi pati na rin sa mga inosenteng mamamayan nakapaligid sa kanila. Ito ba talaga ang gusto nating kahinatnan ng mga kabataang pag-asa ng ating bayan?
SURVEYS ARE NOT FOR REAL
Oh yes! They are not true and valid at all as Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III says that there are surveys that can be brought in Quiapo. This is the reply given by the Liberal Party’s standard-bearer when asked about his declining numbers compared to the surging ratings by other presidential candidates in a forum held last January 09, 2010 at De La Salle-Zobel School in Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa. He also insists that there are credible surveys where presumably he is the top choice among the presidential candidates. Along with Aquino were Nacionalista Party’s standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar, Bagumbayan Party’s presidential bet Sen. Richard Gordon and former Department of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD.
Obviously, the forums had greatly affected the voter’s perception as the survey results are still up for change. Popularity should not be part of the qualities taken into consideration in choosing a candidate. The presidency is not an heirloom that can be passed from generation to another or something that you can buy from the grocery. Knowledge and intelligence should also be considered to be able to lead the nation and its people.
The result of the surveys for the past months showed Aquino being number one consistently. Aquino’s rank was constant since his declaration to run for the presidential race. It was noted that the highest rating gained by Aquino was immediately after the death and burial of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. He firmly believes that Filipinos would support him as much as they supported his parents. However, his ratings started to decline as the emotional support and the so-called “Cory’s magic” started to fade off, which is already expected by his campaign managers and political backers.
Noynoy’s political career is way behind other candidates. Villar and Gordon are trying to make the public see that Aquino has not done anything worthy as a legislator. Though the race is tough, each presidentiable has a tactic to achieve their goal of the presidency. They should prove themselves through their works and achievements rather than sticking with the family’s legacy or using their wealth for campaign ads.
It does not follow that the child of a former president would and should be one also. President Diosdado Macapagal as revered during his term while her daughter, President Gloria, went through public criticism all throughout hers. In the same manner, Noynoy being the son of Ninoy and Cory alone does not automatically make him a fit president. Show us what you got, good senator then maybe, we would know for ourselves whether those surveys are indeed real or not.
Obviously, the forums had greatly affected the voter’s perception as the survey results are still up for change. Popularity should not be part of the qualities taken into consideration in choosing a candidate. The presidency is not an heirloom that can be passed from generation to another or something that you can buy from the grocery. Knowledge and intelligence should also be considered to be able to lead the nation and its people.
The result of the surveys for the past months showed Aquino being number one consistently. Aquino’s rank was constant since his declaration to run for the presidential race. It was noted that the highest rating gained by Aquino was immediately after the death and burial of his mother, former President Corazon Aquino. He firmly believes that Filipinos would support him as much as they supported his parents. However, his ratings started to decline as the emotional support and the so-called “Cory’s magic” started to fade off, which is already expected by his campaign managers and political backers.
Noynoy’s political career is way behind other candidates. Villar and Gordon are trying to make the public see that Aquino has not done anything worthy as a legislator. Though the race is tough, each presidentiable has a tactic to achieve their goal of the presidency. They should prove themselves through their works and achievements rather than sticking with the family’s legacy or using their wealth for campaign ads.
It does not follow that the child of a former president would and should be one also. President Diosdado Macapagal as revered during his term while her daughter, President Gloria, went through public criticism all throughout hers. In the same manner, Noynoy being the son of Ninoy and Cory alone does not automatically make him a fit president. Show us what you got, good senator then maybe, we would know for ourselves whether those surveys are indeed real or not.
I DON’T STEAL, ASK MOMMY?
“What it takes to elect an Honest Man in Malacañang”
As the 2010 election nears, voters scram in search for good candidates. This is where the “early politicking” actually makes sense. This is the time where claimed “infomercials” sounds more like “vote for me”. Frankly speaking, these premature campaigning serves its purpose in giving the public just the right idea to whom they should cast their votes, which unfortunately is to the less sounding “few”.
Arguably, the public should change its standard of who is “saint” or “sinner”, because it is not as simple as looking at the candidates’ last name that either rings good or riddled with controversy. For one, parentage does not guarantee anything. Sons or daughters do not live the lives of their parents nor do they inherit morality; genes have nothing to do with it. Leadership is never a privilege in a state where democracy reigns. Luck cannot be used as an excuse to force leadership in Malacañang.
If we are concerned with presenting facts and having someone as transparent as water to manage this country, why not start with the open secret that all these presidentiables cheated the law against premature campaigning by way of making “infomercials”; the son of our beloved EDSA-I heroine included. The smiles, the reform chitchats are proof of how dishonest they could be when it comes to pursuing political goals; preserving familial integrity did not stop either of them. Change should have been started with “abiding by the law” and not exploiting it for political advantage. Where is morality or honesty when one is already cheating the law at this point in time? What else would they bend when they are given much more power?
I pity hopefuls who use their comfortable family blankets. But then I was wrong. Presidentiables who like to live on a dream of being a saint amidst his wicked gimmicks does not deserve public sympathy. It is the people he unfortunately enticed to sanctify him that deserve empathy. If they are foolish enough to believe that honesty is inherited or bought by those multi-million PR financiers, then they will soon see how it will backfire to a serious state threat. The moment we swallow their infomercials/electioneering ads we are giving away our chances to actually vote for an honest state executive. The damage has already been done and the stench of politicking is already out but we choose not to see.
What is worse is when these presidentiables try to laundry out their names and act as if they are to the point of sainthood. They are hypocrites hoping to gag us up with nothing but propaganda. This writer would like to think we, Filipinos, are better than that.
As the 2010 election nears, voters scram in search for good candidates. This is where the “early politicking” actually makes sense. This is the time where claimed “infomercials” sounds more like “vote for me”. Frankly speaking, these premature campaigning serves its purpose in giving the public just the right idea to whom they should cast their votes, which unfortunately is to the less sounding “few”.
Arguably, the public should change its standard of who is “saint” or “sinner”, because it is not as simple as looking at the candidates’ last name that either rings good or riddled with controversy. For one, parentage does not guarantee anything. Sons or daughters do not live the lives of their parents nor do they inherit morality; genes have nothing to do with it. Leadership is never a privilege in a state where democracy reigns. Luck cannot be used as an excuse to force leadership in Malacañang.
If we are concerned with presenting facts and having someone as transparent as water to manage this country, why not start with the open secret that all these presidentiables cheated the law against premature campaigning by way of making “infomercials”; the son of our beloved EDSA-I heroine included. The smiles, the reform chitchats are proof of how dishonest they could be when it comes to pursuing political goals; preserving familial integrity did not stop either of them. Change should have been started with “abiding by the law” and not exploiting it for political advantage. Where is morality or honesty when one is already cheating the law at this point in time? What else would they bend when they are given much more power?
I pity hopefuls who use their comfortable family blankets. But then I was wrong. Presidentiables who like to live on a dream of being a saint amidst his wicked gimmicks does not deserve public sympathy. It is the people he unfortunately enticed to sanctify him that deserve empathy. If they are foolish enough to believe that honesty is inherited or bought by those multi-million PR financiers, then they will soon see how it will backfire to a serious state threat. The moment we swallow their infomercials/electioneering ads we are giving away our chances to actually vote for an honest state executive. The damage has already been done and the stench of politicking is already out but we choose not to see.
What is worse is when these presidentiables try to laundry out their names and act as if they are to the point of sainthood. They are hypocrites hoping to gag us up with nothing but propaganda. This writer would like to think we, Filipinos, are better than that.
ANOTHER YOUTH, WASTED
The nation stood aghast at yet another star that drastically fell in the grounds of the Reds—the death of Kemberly Jul Luna, a former youth activist and MSU-IIT student leader, indeed appalled and sorrowed many. The brainy beauty was fatally hit with a bullet that went through her chest and nape in the encounter of her NPA unit and the 8th IB in Brgy Concepcion, Valencia City, Bukidnon.
"Kimay is a revolutionary model who should be emulated by the youth and students and all of those longing for an end to the grave sufferings of the Filipino people,” the CPP flagrantly stated. After Kimay’s death, the CPP even had the guts to exploit it as a way of propagating their revolutionary struggle. Clearly, we need not a profound understanding of how the Reds work—they inculcate wrong ideas to the youth, agitate their innate sense of patriotism, anger their hearts through issues like that of Kemberley’s death and push them to the thought that waging armed revolution is the only way they can attain democracy. A flawed way of educating the youth will cause more to die.
Kemberly was Adriane, Joshua, or Ma’am Nurse to the people she had worked with in the highlands. She was the loving and ever-charming “Kimay” to her family and friends. For her NPA unit, she was a revolutionary student who willfully traded her comfortable life to be one with the peasants, but whose life ended in the arms of the NPA who vowed to fight for the people’s democracy— including hers. But what kind of democracy lies in the death of Kemberly and the many youth who have trodden the same road as hers? Surely, she could have spent more time with her family and friends; she could have used her talents more and shared it with others; given her brilliance, she could’ve been one of the next leaders of our country; and she could have helped more peasants, more poor, and more people. All these could have been possible if she was not led and deceived by those who are eyeing to use her brilliant mind to their advantage. “…Her early death was a great loss to all who knew and loved her,” the CPP said. But to the country, her early death is a signal to put an end to the erroneous abuse of the youth.
Cliché has it that the youth is the future of our country. Thus, their death is a great loss to the hope of our nation to become better. Just like a simple math problem that needs answers, the country in despair amid social and economic problems needs solutions and not the deaths of its future generation.
"Kimay is a revolutionary model who should be emulated by the youth and students and all of those longing for an end to the grave sufferings of the Filipino people,” the CPP flagrantly stated. After Kimay’s death, the CPP even had the guts to exploit it as a way of propagating their revolutionary struggle. Clearly, we need not a profound understanding of how the Reds work—they inculcate wrong ideas to the youth, agitate their innate sense of patriotism, anger their hearts through issues like that of Kemberley’s death and push them to the thought that waging armed revolution is the only way they can attain democracy. A flawed way of educating the youth will cause more to die.
Kemberly was Adriane, Joshua, or Ma’am Nurse to the people she had worked with in the highlands. She was the loving and ever-charming “Kimay” to her family and friends. For her NPA unit, she was a revolutionary student who willfully traded her comfortable life to be one with the peasants, but whose life ended in the arms of the NPA who vowed to fight for the people’s democracy— including hers. But what kind of democracy lies in the death of Kemberly and the many youth who have trodden the same road as hers? Surely, she could have spent more time with her family and friends; she could have used her talents more and shared it with others; given her brilliance, she could’ve been one of the next leaders of our country; and she could have helped more peasants, more poor, and more people. All these could have been possible if she was not led and deceived by those who are eyeing to use her brilliant mind to their advantage. “…Her early death was a great loss to all who knew and loved her,” the CPP said. But to the country, her early death is a signal to put an end to the erroneous abuse of the youth.
Cliché has it that the youth is the future of our country. Thus, their death is a great loss to the hope of our nation to become better. Just like a simple math problem that needs answers, the country in despair amid social and economic problems needs solutions and not the deaths of its future generation.
SHOULD WE CHOOSE AN HONEST IDIOT FOR PRES?
I cannot agree more with the article entitled “Who can be the worst possible plunderer among the 2010 bets?” It was far from being irrelevant on the mounting qualms on the nearing elections. However, like a good old “telltale” it went overboard and actually ended-up like an old PR for a presidentiable he claimed rightful of public vote out of “parentage”. Ironically, it was simply a campaign ad that tried to mask itself with neutral ideas.
For one, it is appalling to note that the article proposes the idea of someone’s birth right to be elected in Malacañang. It gave us the idea that we should elect those who preys on his family name, a privilege of fate that landed on his lap. He will make a soon to be president that managed to be “lucky” enough to get the “sounding” last name. Should you hail the son for the mother’s glory? Would that make sense in politics where familial lineage bends and does not guarantee good leadership?
Is Juan dela Cruz dumber this time? Being someone’s son does not make him a saint. What guarantees his supposed honesty to the toiling masses when he cannot even weed out his own backyard in Hacienda Luisita? What is “honestly” good about the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that swindled Luisita farmers of their rights to own a piece of land? Does playing blind and deaf regarding the Luisita tragedy make him a candid man? Where was this “sainted” son during the Luisita massacre last November 24th of 2004? Lurking behind the victory of EDSA-I is not a doing of an honest man. The champion of the People Power struggle should not be individually claimed. One should not take it as his own because that is just inappropriate and in fact plainly stealing credit.
Flimsy candidates that hide behind their multi-million campaign ads is nevertheless “edible” as someone who cowers behind his family name. If Villar and others get the right PR that gives them advantage on name recall, Aquino is having it as well with a bit more help from a sibling in “showbiz”. They are no different from each other. In fact, Aquino and Villar exemplify “buttfired” hopefuls that went campaigning for their names even before the campaign period starts. That is electioneering at its best. They were able to exploit the loopholes of the law and actually avoided the term “elect me” hoping the Filipino audience would be stupid enough to buy it as a simple infomercial ad. There was nothing informative about it.
The presidency is no laughing matter. It is the position where grander progress begins or else corruption sparks. Gloria being the daughter of the revered Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, who was known as the Champion of the Common Man, was not an instant heroine. She went through loud public skepticism. Noynoy being the son of Cory does not make him honest nor does Villar’s humble beginnings. The two presidentiables are as “deceitful” as every TRAPO there is. However, they differ with their “idiosyncrasies” since the latter worked his name up the ladder by himself while the other one just got his from “birth right”, what could be more idiotic than that?
For one, it is appalling to note that the article proposes the idea of someone’s birth right to be elected in Malacañang. It gave us the idea that we should elect those who preys on his family name, a privilege of fate that landed on his lap. He will make a soon to be president that managed to be “lucky” enough to get the “sounding” last name. Should you hail the son for the mother’s glory? Would that make sense in politics where familial lineage bends and does not guarantee good leadership?
Is Juan dela Cruz dumber this time? Being someone’s son does not make him a saint. What guarantees his supposed honesty to the toiling masses when he cannot even weed out his own backyard in Hacienda Luisita? What is “honestly” good about the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that swindled Luisita farmers of their rights to own a piece of land? Does playing blind and deaf regarding the Luisita tragedy make him a candid man? Where was this “sainted” son during the Luisita massacre last November 24th of 2004? Lurking behind the victory of EDSA-I is not a doing of an honest man. The champion of the People Power struggle should not be individually claimed. One should not take it as his own because that is just inappropriate and in fact plainly stealing credit.
Flimsy candidates that hide behind their multi-million campaign ads is nevertheless “edible” as someone who cowers behind his family name. If Villar and others get the right PR that gives them advantage on name recall, Aquino is having it as well with a bit more help from a sibling in “showbiz”. They are no different from each other. In fact, Aquino and Villar exemplify “buttfired” hopefuls that went campaigning for their names even before the campaign period starts. That is electioneering at its best. They were able to exploit the loopholes of the law and actually avoided the term “elect me” hoping the Filipino audience would be stupid enough to buy it as a simple infomercial ad. There was nothing informative about it.
The presidency is no laughing matter. It is the position where grander progress begins or else corruption sparks. Gloria being the daughter of the revered Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, who was known as the Champion of the Common Man, was not an instant heroine. She went through loud public skepticism. Noynoy being the son of Cory does not make him honest nor does Villar’s humble beginnings. The two presidentiables are as “deceitful” as every TRAPO there is. However, they differ with their “idiosyncrasies” since the latter worked his name up the ladder by himself while the other one just got his from “birth right”, what could be more idiotic than that?
NOYNOY PINATUNAYAN NA NAMAMANIPULA ANG SURVEYS
Mismong kampo na ni Senador Noynoy Aquino ang umamin na namamanipula nga ang resulta ng mga surveys na naglilipana ngayong papalapit na ang eleksyon. Marahil ang kanilang pahayag ay bunsod ng naulinigan natin mula sa isang mapagkakatiwalaang impormante na ang partido Liberal ay minsan na ngang nagbayad o mas kilala sa tawag na nag-commission ng isang survey firm upang magpalabas ng paborableng survey result patungkol sa kandidatura ng nasabing senador.
Dahil na rin sa kapusukan nito - ang pagbibitiw ng salita bago mag-isip – ay nahuli tuloy si Senador Noynoy na sila nga ay naglulunsad ng isang tinatawag na “mind conditioning” o ang pagkondisyon ng pananaw ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad sa ligal na raket tulad ng SWS o Pulse Asia. Napag-alaman na ang paglalabas ng survey - sa pamamagitan ng isang public relation firm na binayaran ng kampo ng Liberal Party - ay umiikot sa isang stratehiya kung saan ito ay makakapagpalabas ng isang paborableng senaryo na direktang ma-iimpluwensiyahan ang opinion o di kaya ang magiging desisyon ng mga botante sa padating na eleksyon.
Ang sinasabing stratehiya ay ang pagpapalabas ng isang survey patungkol sa performance ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na diumano’y may mababang grado bago ang paglabas ng survey na may paborableng resulta patungkol kay Senador Noynoy. Sa ganitong paraan ay na-diktahan na ng kampo Liberal ang taong bayan na si Noynoy lamang ang gusto ng publikong maging susunod na pangulo ng bansa at ang kandidatong sinusuportahan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ay hindi makakapagdulot ng mabuti sa bayan. Hindi ba’t ilang beses na nating nasaksihan ang ganitong senaryo sa mga nagdaang lumabas na surveys kung kaya’t masasabi nating totoo nga ang nakuha nating impormasyon?
Sa ganitong paraan ay naibababa na ng LP ang posibilidad na makalikom ng sapat na boto ang karibal ng kanilang manok dahil nakondisyon na nila ang utak ng publiko na ang 90 milyong Pilipino ay pabor kay Noynoy. Hindi ba’t matatawag na isang pandaraya ang ganitong gawain dahil hindi naman repleksyon ng tunay na sitwasyon ang isang survey? Hindi ba’t mismong si dating Senador Franklin Drilon ang nagsabi na nababayaran nga ang surveys upang magbigay ng resulta na aayon sa tao o kampo na nagbayad dito? Ang nakakalungkot, marami sa ating kababayan ang talaga namang na-iimpluwensyahan ng ganitong mga palabas at nakiki-uso lamang sa pagboto ng susunod nilang lider ng bansa kung kaya’t talagang kaliwa’t-kanang surveys ang pinapalabas ngayon ng iba’t-ibang mga presidentiables. Kung sino ang may bentahe sa lumabas na survey ay paniguradong siya ang nagbayad ng survey. Ito ang masaklap na katotohonan sa ating bansa kung kaya’t marami ngayon sa ating mga kababayan ang humihingi na ipatigil ang ganitong mga gawain tuwing eleksyon dahil ito lamang ay pailalim na pagdidikta sa mga botante.
Dahil na rin sa kapusukan nito - ang pagbibitiw ng salita bago mag-isip – ay nahuli tuloy si Senador Noynoy na sila nga ay naglulunsad ng isang tinatawag na “mind conditioning” o ang pagkondisyon ng pananaw ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad sa ligal na raket tulad ng SWS o Pulse Asia. Napag-alaman na ang paglalabas ng survey - sa pamamagitan ng isang public relation firm na binayaran ng kampo ng Liberal Party - ay umiikot sa isang stratehiya kung saan ito ay makakapagpalabas ng isang paborableng senaryo na direktang ma-iimpluwensiyahan ang opinion o di kaya ang magiging desisyon ng mga botante sa padating na eleksyon.
Ang sinasabing stratehiya ay ang pagpapalabas ng isang survey patungkol sa performance ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na diumano’y may mababang grado bago ang paglabas ng survey na may paborableng resulta patungkol kay Senador Noynoy. Sa ganitong paraan ay na-diktahan na ng kampo Liberal ang taong bayan na si Noynoy lamang ang gusto ng publikong maging susunod na pangulo ng bansa at ang kandidatong sinusuportahan ng kasalukuyang administrasyon ay hindi makakapagdulot ng mabuti sa bayan. Hindi ba’t ilang beses na nating nasaksihan ang ganitong senaryo sa mga nagdaang lumabas na surveys kung kaya’t masasabi nating totoo nga ang nakuha nating impormasyon?
Sa ganitong paraan ay naibababa na ng LP ang posibilidad na makalikom ng sapat na boto ang karibal ng kanilang manok dahil nakondisyon na nila ang utak ng publiko na ang 90 milyong Pilipino ay pabor kay Noynoy. Hindi ba’t matatawag na isang pandaraya ang ganitong gawain dahil hindi naman repleksyon ng tunay na sitwasyon ang isang survey? Hindi ba’t mismong si dating Senador Franklin Drilon ang nagsabi na nababayaran nga ang surveys upang magbigay ng resulta na aayon sa tao o kampo na nagbayad dito? Ang nakakalungkot, marami sa ating kababayan ang talaga namang na-iimpluwensyahan ng ganitong mga palabas at nakiki-uso lamang sa pagboto ng susunod nilang lider ng bansa kung kaya’t talagang kaliwa’t-kanang surveys ang pinapalabas ngayon ng iba’t-ibang mga presidentiables. Kung sino ang may bentahe sa lumabas na survey ay paniguradong siya ang nagbayad ng survey. Ito ang masaklap na katotohonan sa ating bansa kung kaya’t marami ngayon sa ating mga kababayan ang humihingi na ipatigil ang ganitong mga gawain tuwing eleksyon dahil ito lamang ay pailalim na pagdidikta sa mga botante.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL FOR REPONSIBLE VOTING COMELEC’S ACCREDITED CITIZEN’S ARM FOR 2010 ELECTIONS
The National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) is out of the picture as election watchdog for the upcoming elections. Though the position held by the NAMFREL is now filled by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). This was made into a formal pact as the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) proclaims the PPCRV’s accreditation in about 21-days.
The petition was filed last October 05, 2009 by the PPCRV and three days after, the COMELEC issued an order to publish its petition in major newspapers. However, I wonder why we haven’t seen or read in national broadsheets the petition made by the PPCRV. The petition was heard on October 14, 2009 wherein Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, Chairwoman of PPCRV is present along with PPCRV’s counsels. Since there were no oppositors, the COMELEC granted PPCRV’s petition on October 26, 2009, agreed upon by Chairman Jose Melo and 6 commissioners. Normally, the process would take 2 to 3 months, but PPCRV’s petition only took 21 days. As we recall, the day PPCRV filed its petition was when the country is busy with consecutive typhoons, particularly in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces – a right time and chance for PPCRV to file its petition without getting a lot of attention.
The accreditation of the newly appointed watchdog can abuse the power given to them by the COMELEC. They could manipulate and set the mind of the voters to whom should they vote for as the PPCRV’s one major role is to educate the people.
PPCRV’s role as a citizen’s arm is crucial as it connotes greater responsibility for the success of the electoral process. In the same manner, they are tasked to educate the voters on the new process of voting and provide assistance in actual elections. They will also be furnished a copy of the voter’s list, conduct poll watching during the canvassing of votes, and an access to the machines prior to the 2010 elections. The tasks given to PPCRV are vast yet they simply get the accreditation in a snap and without any difficulty.
What happened in the legal process that should be followed? It is clear that the PPCRV hid itself from the right of the Filipino people to know who will guard people’s vote as the Election Day is fast approaching. How can they be capable of doing huge tasks if they simply can’t be reliable enough to tell the voters what is happening around? Citizen’s arm plays an important role to have a successful 2010 elections yet it seems that the PPCRV has an underlying motive rushing the accreditation process. Should the Filipino people trust them with the election results?
The petition was filed last October 05, 2009 by the PPCRV and three days after, the COMELEC issued an order to publish its petition in major newspapers. However, I wonder why we haven’t seen or read in national broadsheets the petition made by the PPCRV. The petition was heard on October 14, 2009 wherein Ambassador Henrietta De Villa, Chairwoman of PPCRV is present along with PPCRV’s counsels. Since there were no oppositors, the COMELEC granted PPCRV’s petition on October 26, 2009, agreed upon by Chairman Jose Melo and 6 commissioners. Normally, the process would take 2 to 3 months, but PPCRV’s petition only took 21 days. As we recall, the day PPCRV filed its petition was when the country is busy with consecutive typhoons, particularly in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces – a right time and chance for PPCRV to file its petition without getting a lot of attention.
The accreditation of the newly appointed watchdog can abuse the power given to them by the COMELEC. They could manipulate and set the mind of the voters to whom should they vote for as the PPCRV’s one major role is to educate the people.
PPCRV’s role as a citizen’s arm is crucial as it connotes greater responsibility for the success of the electoral process. In the same manner, they are tasked to educate the voters on the new process of voting and provide assistance in actual elections. They will also be furnished a copy of the voter’s list, conduct poll watching during the canvassing of votes, and an access to the machines prior to the 2010 elections. The tasks given to PPCRV are vast yet they simply get the accreditation in a snap and without any difficulty.
What happened in the legal process that should be followed? It is clear that the PPCRV hid itself from the right of the Filipino people to know who will guard people’s vote as the Election Day is fast approaching. How can they be capable of doing huge tasks if they simply can’t be reliable enough to tell the voters what is happening around? Citizen’s arm plays an important role to have a successful 2010 elections yet it seems that the PPCRV has an underlying motive rushing the accreditation process. Should the Filipino people trust them with the election results?
SURVEYS DON’T COUNT!
“Swindled Ratings”
It is funny how clichés work in politics, especially with the statement that goes like “magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”. The brothel-like Senate floor that is now housing senators who are either aiming for the presidency or another “senate-ship” is this cliché’s rendezvous. In fact, the word war between Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar is one vivid example. Just imagine how Aquino easily trashed the Social Weather Station (SWS) when it published Villar’s commissioned survey result that trimmed-down LP presidentiable’s lead to 11%. Interestingly, SWS is the same survey outfit that disclosed Aquino’s lead on the presidential race for months. This was the exact ratio LP boasted on its regional campaigns, the very number that actually made Aquino look “all high and mighty” on public favoritism.
If the SWS are presenting nothing but good old trash in public, then are those ratings enjoyed by Aquino also superficial? That they do not count as factual but else propaganda paid for by LP’s “financiers”? Like what Sen. Noy said, manipulating the results is as easy as “stealing candies from kids”. Now, who can tell if LP’s margin of supremacy is indeed genuine? The former surveys nevertheless served well for his advantage, especially on having the mass think that voting with the majority that supports Aquino would be a better choice to take.
By far, surveys are nothing less than numbers that seemingly stand as a majority. Ironically, these phony ratings are good mind conditioners that actually mislead people to who is best voted for Malacañang. What the “majority” thinks as portrayed by these surveys matter to the eyes of the unwary Juan dela Cruz. The top ratings actually sanctify these presidentiables and make them look “good” regardless of whichever TRAPO they are link with. Take for example the case of Villar, who seemingly got necks turning his direction when he managed to dwindle-down Aquino’s supposed preeminence in the ratings. The Nacionalista-funded survey that reflected good ratings for Villar posed as if the “majority” is swaying their votes.
This is the sole reason why LP particularly Sen. Aquino cannot keep mum. He knows pretty well how public mindset easily bends. LP manages to use the masses’ volatility to ratings and it is no secret they would unlikely stand aside and have NP mess with their tactics. Frankly speaking, this is why Aquino tactlessly tossed-out SWS out the window with his remark unquote “…there are surveys that can be bought in Quiapo.” Survey outfits like SWS seemingly lost their significance on LP by the time they opened their doors for Villar.
“Ang magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”; this is a statement that works well with the word war between LP and NP. Surveys do not make a president, our votes do.
It is funny how clichés work in politics, especially with the statement that goes like “magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”. The brothel-like Senate floor that is now housing senators who are either aiming for the presidency or another “senate-ship” is this cliché’s rendezvous. In fact, the word war between Senators Noynoy Aquino and Manuel Villar is one vivid example. Just imagine how Aquino easily trashed the Social Weather Station (SWS) when it published Villar’s commissioned survey result that trimmed-down LP presidentiable’s lead to 11%. Interestingly, SWS is the same survey outfit that disclosed Aquino’s lead on the presidential race for months. This was the exact ratio LP boasted on its regional campaigns, the very number that actually made Aquino look “all high and mighty” on public favoritism.
If the SWS are presenting nothing but good old trash in public, then are those ratings enjoyed by Aquino also superficial? That they do not count as factual but else propaganda paid for by LP’s “financiers”? Like what Sen. Noy said, manipulating the results is as easy as “stealing candies from kids”. Now, who can tell if LP’s margin of supremacy is indeed genuine? The former surveys nevertheless served well for his advantage, especially on having the mass think that voting with the majority that supports Aquino would be a better choice to take.
By far, surveys are nothing less than numbers that seemingly stand as a majority. Ironically, these phony ratings are good mind conditioners that actually mislead people to who is best voted for Malacañang. What the “majority” thinks as portrayed by these surveys matter to the eyes of the unwary Juan dela Cruz. The top ratings actually sanctify these presidentiables and make them look “good” regardless of whichever TRAPO they are link with. Take for example the case of Villar, who seemingly got necks turning his direction when he managed to dwindle-down Aquino’s supposed preeminence in the ratings. The Nacionalista-funded survey that reflected good ratings for Villar posed as if the “majority” is swaying their votes.
This is the sole reason why LP particularly Sen. Aquino cannot keep mum. He knows pretty well how public mindset easily bends. LP manages to use the masses’ volatility to ratings and it is no secret they would unlikely stand aside and have NP mess with their tactics. Frankly speaking, this is why Aquino tactlessly tossed-out SWS out the window with his remark unquote “…there are surveys that can be bought in Quiapo.” Survey outfits like SWS seemingly lost their significance on LP by the time they opened their doors for Villar.
“Ang magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw”; this is a statement that works well with the word war between LP and NP. Surveys do not make a president, our votes do.
THE NEXT PRESIDENT UNDER MICROSCOPIC EYES
“Who can be the worst possible plunderer among the 2010 bets?” That was the question posed by William Esposo in his Philippine Star article last January 5, 2010. For years and years, in the electoral history of Philippines, the mass has always shown different tastes in choosing their next president—exceptional educational and political experience, popularity, charisma, personal background, character, credibility, and influence are only some of the obvious criteria the people sought after our past leaders. The Filipinos are in a continuous search for an effective leader after so many disappointments in the past—Filipinos are eager to choose the best possible leader in the coming 2010 elections that could bring about genuine and positive social transformation in our country. Ironically titled, Esposo’s article simply stresses that the next president of RP should be relied on trustworthiness and honesty. Esposo’s idea is agreeable but his reasoning, at the same time, is somewhat flawed.
Esposo’s essay underscored that “…our national salvation relies not on competence, as four of the five leaders have it—but on trustworthiness and character.” True enough, good moral background and character are ideal characteristics for a president. However, reality bites that a leader chosen solely because of trustworthiness and honesty is like giving birth to a political puppet easily manipulated by the more knowledgeable and erudite government officials. The country is in dire need of a more effective, performing government and the coming 2010 election is a critical point of acquiring it, thus, our choice should not only rest on a trust or loyalty basis but also and more importantly on capabilities and competence.
In his article, Esposo also subliminally conveyed his support to Sen. Noynoy Aquino, by merely mentioning that “the sons of genuine heroes are not inclined to join organized crime” pinpointing the senator as the most suitable presidentiable without having to mention any name. This could be of an advantage on the part of Sen. Noynoy however, if we are to look at it on a different perspective, it could also be interpreted as an insult stating that the latter is not as competent as the other presidentiables are.
The Filipino masses have witnessed too many faux pas in the outcomes of our national elections—a brilliant leader turned dictator, popular and dearly loved president turned plunderer, and so on and so forth. The mass clearly would not want to have a trustworthy and loyal, yet incompetent leader turned to a political dummy in the future. If we are to set a criterion for our next president, character, experience, and competence is deemed necessary for our economy to move forward and progress.
Esposo’s essay underscored that “…our national salvation relies not on competence, as four of the five leaders have it—but on trustworthiness and character.” True enough, good moral background and character are ideal characteristics for a president. However, reality bites that a leader chosen solely because of trustworthiness and honesty is like giving birth to a political puppet easily manipulated by the more knowledgeable and erudite government officials. The country is in dire need of a more effective, performing government and the coming 2010 election is a critical point of acquiring it, thus, our choice should not only rest on a trust or loyalty basis but also and more importantly on capabilities and competence.
In his article, Esposo also subliminally conveyed his support to Sen. Noynoy Aquino, by merely mentioning that “the sons of genuine heroes are not inclined to join organized crime” pinpointing the senator as the most suitable presidentiable without having to mention any name. This could be of an advantage on the part of Sen. Noynoy however, if we are to look at it on a different perspective, it could also be interpreted as an insult stating that the latter is not as competent as the other presidentiables are.
The Filipino masses have witnessed too many faux pas in the outcomes of our national elections—a brilliant leader turned dictator, popular and dearly loved president turned plunderer, and so on and so forth. The mass clearly would not want to have a trustworthy and loyal, yet incompetent leader turned to a political dummy in the future. If we are to set a criterion for our next president, character, experience, and competence is deemed necessary for our economy to move forward and progress.
COMMUNIST TRUCED ON MARCOSES
“Victims of Martial Law Trivial During Elections”
Who says one cannot be defeated before the 2010 election is over? Try to look at how Bayan Muna Rep. Saturnino Ocampo bends in the likes of presidentiable Sen. Manuel Villar for the sake that he gets the Nacionalista Party cut. Other than subjecting himself to Traditional Politicians (TRAPOs) like Villar, he now an “ass-wipe” for former enemies likes the son of former dictator- Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos. All three are making an unlikely friendship for the sake that their merged support blocs gets them in higher positions? Even before the elections, Ocampo has already admitted defeat. Defeat in terms of his very own principle which he is trying to recycle for the public to buy. What good is a hopeful politician when he is nothing but a downright serving his interest among everything else?
By 2010, what could be expected of these three? What would a divided picket do for reform or progress? After they get elected in office, what else would we look forward to than riddling back-stabbing? Or better yet, we could pay interest on Ocampo making a public apology for his allegiance to a corrupt “president to-be”; as if the admittance made it worth his fancied clemency. But are we not tired of hearing political excuses? The “I am sorry” of Gloria was rudely swallowed by Juan dela Cruz, why would Ocampo think his would be taken differently? Is it because his activist’s storyline would make a good cover-up?
Ocampo, who was a former NPA commander and had served long in the Communist Party’s kangaroo court, is also the same person who asks us to run down the city streets and make a picket. He had urged people to protest against people like Villar, to whom he now serve like some deity. If he had called it quits on the fight against abusive politicians who continue to benefit on public ignorance, then what else is true in the political platform he is trying to make us gulp? To which, who or what is his loyalty and service offered for?
It is an open secret that the Communist Party has dole-out millions for his senatorial campaigns. In fact, his political Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or MAKABAYAN has accepted 50 million worth of fund machinery from the CPP hierarchy. Around 1 billion of CPP-NPA “red money” was given away for his candidacy. Is this not a cause for alarm? Why would the Communist Party support some political hopeful? Is it because Ocampo already swore commitment in the plot to eradicate the instituted democracy and have Jose Maria Sison as a shadow decision-maker behind his senate seat?
Ocampo is serving both a Communist tyrant (Sison) and power- greedy TRAPOs like Villar and Bongbong. One considers this as Ocampo’s act of desperation. He had worn-out his welcome in Kamara, politically speaking, as he was seated for three consecutive terms already. Aiming for a higher post such as the senate is the only trick Ocampo has in his pocket, all TRAPOs do, no matter how they try to deny being one and tries to laundry their names. They wanted the votes that do not fit their character. This is how politicians steal our rights. This is how Ocampo tries to win.
Who says one cannot be defeated before the 2010 election is over? Try to look at how Bayan Muna Rep. Saturnino Ocampo bends in the likes of presidentiable Sen. Manuel Villar for the sake that he gets the Nacionalista Party cut. Other than subjecting himself to Traditional Politicians (TRAPOs) like Villar, he now an “ass-wipe” for former enemies likes the son of former dictator- Ilocos Norte Rep. Bongbong Marcos. All three are making an unlikely friendship for the sake that their merged support blocs gets them in higher positions? Even before the elections, Ocampo has already admitted defeat. Defeat in terms of his very own principle which he is trying to recycle for the public to buy. What good is a hopeful politician when he is nothing but a downright serving his interest among everything else?
By 2010, what could be expected of these three? What would a divided picket do for reform or progress? After they get elected in office, what else would we look forward to than riddling back-stabbing? Or better yet, we could pay interest on Ocampo making a public apology for his allegiance to a corrupt “president to-be”; as if the admittance made it worth his fancied clemency. But are we not tired of hearing political excuses? The “I am sorry” of Gloria was rudely swallowed by Juan dela Cruz, why would Ocampo think his would be taken differently? Is it because his activist’s storyline would make a good cover-up?
Ocampo, who was a former NPA commander and had served long in the Communist Party’s kangaroo court, is also the same person who asks us to run down the city streets and make a picket. He had urged people to protest against people like Villar, to whom he now serve like some deity. If he had called it quits on the fight against abusive politicians who continue to benefit on public ignorance, then what else is true in the political platform he is trying to make us gulp? To which, who or what is his loyalty and service offered for?
It is an open secret that the Communist Party has dole-out millions for his senatorial campaigns. In fact, his political Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan or MAKABAYAN has accepted 50 million worth of fund machinery from the CPP hierarchy. Around 1 billion of CPP-NPA “red money” was given away for his candidacy. Is this not a cause for alarm? Why would the Communist Party support some political hopeful? Is it because Ocampo already swore commitment in the plot to eradicate the instituted democracy and have Jose Maria Sison as a shadow decision-maker behind his senate seat?
Ocampo is serving both a Communist tyrant (Sison) and power- greedy TRAPOs like Villar and Bongbong. One considers this as Ocampo’s act of desperation. He had worn-out his welcome in Kamara, politically speaking, as he was seated for three consecutive terms already. Aiming for a higher post such as the senate is the only trick Ocampo has in his pocket, all TRAPOs do, no matter how they try to deny being one and tries to laundry their names. They wanted the votes that do not fit their character. This is how politicians steal our rights. This is how Ocampo tries to win.
SATUR PLASTIK, DI TUNAY NA AYAW KAY BONGBONG
Muli nating napatunayan na isang magaling na artista lamang itong si Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo dahil ito ay nagpaka-plastic sa mismong Christmas party na idinaraos sa compound ng Nacionalista Party ni Senador Manny Villar. Dati-rati ay parati nating nakikitang nanggagalaiti itong si Satur upang itanggi sa publiko ang kahit ano mang ugnayan niya kay Bongbong Marcos ngunit sa nasabing pagdiriwang ay bigla itong kumabig at nakipag-kamay sa nasabing personalidad. Ano ang motibo sa likod ng kaniyang biglang pagkabig?
Sa tulad nating mga botante, isa lamang ang mensahe nito. Ito ay ang patunay na tulad ng mga pulitikong binabatikos ni Satur Ocampo ay siya rin pala ay isang sertipikadong TRAPO na may kakayahang talikuran ang prinsipyo para lamang makakuha ng pogi points sa publiko at media at upang matiyak ang kaniyang pagkapanalo sa dadating na eleksyon sa 2010. Kung dati ay madalas natin naririnig ang boses ni Satur na kaliwa’t kanan na nagsasambit ng batikos laban sa kung sino man ang kaniyang gustong siraan, ngayon ay madalas na natin itong nakikitang naka-ngiting aso.
Nakakaawa na madali niyang nalinlang ang kaniyang mga taga-suporta na mga NPA na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na lumilikom ng pera para sa kaniyang kandidatura. Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman ay na nabenta na pala ni Satur ang kaniyang prinsipyo at ngayon ay gahamang nag-aambisyon na lamang ng mataas na pwesto para sa sarili lamang niyang kapakanan. Kumpletong-kumpleto na talaga ang ginagawang pagbabalat kayo ni Satur Ocampo bilang “sugo” ng mga NPA sa pagpasok sa pulitika ng ating bansa ngunit sa katunayan ay ginagagamit lamang niya ang mga ito upang palawakin ang kaniya tsansa sa 2010 at upang makalikom ng pinansyal na resources.
Tulad ng isang TRAPO, makikita natin ang kagalingan ni Satur sa pagpapabango ng kaniyang pangalan at ang pakikipag-alyansa nito maski sa mga grupong may salunggat na paninindigan kesa sa kaniya at sa grupo na sumusuporta sa kaniya. Napag-alaman na ang pag-alis ni Satur at Liza Maza sa senatorial slate ni Senador Villar pagkatapos ipasok si Marcos ay isang stratehiya lamang upang ipamukha ng dalawa ang mawawalang boto sa Nacionalista Party presidentiable sakali sila ay tuluyang ilaglag.
Dapat palakpakan si Satur Ocampo at Liza Maza sa kanilang magaling na pagbabalat-kayo at panlilinlang na ginagawa sa publiko at pati na rin sa mga NPA na parang mga puppet na sumusunod sa kanilang layaw. Kailan kaya sila magigising sa katotohanan?
Sa tulad nating mga botante, isa lamang ang mensahe nito. Ito ay ang patunay na tulad ng mga pulitikong binabatikos ni Satur Ocampo ay siya rin pala ay isang sertipikadong TRAPO na may kakayahang talikuran ang prinsipyo para lamang makakuha ng pogi points sa publiko at media at upang matiyak ang kaniyang pagkapanalo sa dadating na eleksyon sa 2010. Kung dati ay madalas natin naririnig ang boses ni Satur na kaliwa’t kanan na nagsasambit ng batikos laban sa kung sino man ang kaniyang gustong siraan, ngayon ay madalas na natin itong nakikitang naka-ngiting aso.
Nakakaawa na madali niyang nalinlang ang kaniyang mga taga-suporta na mga NPA na hanggang ngayon ay patuloy na lumilikom ng pera para sa kaniyang kandidatura. Lingid sa kanilang kaalaman ay na nabenta na pala ni Satur ang kaniyang prinsipyo at ngayon ay gahamang nag-aambisyon na lamang ng mataas na pwesto para sa sarili lamang niyang kapakanan. Kumpletong-kumpleto na talaga ang ginagawang pagbabalat kayo ni Satur Ocampo bilang “sugo” ng mga NPA sa pagpasok sa pulitika ng ating bansa ngunit sa katunayan ay ginagagamit lamang niya ang mga ito upang palawakin ang kaniya tsansa sa 2010 at upang makalikom ng pinansyal na resources.
Tulad ng isang TRAPO, makikita natin ang kagalingan ni Satur sa pagpapabango ng kaniyang pangalan at ang pakikipag-alyansa nito maski sa mga grupong may salunggat na paninindigan kesa sa kaniya at sa grupo na sumusuporta sa kaniya. Napag-alaman na ang pag-alis ni Satur at Liza Maza sa senatorial slate ni Senador Villar pagkatapos ipasok si Marcos ay isang stratehiya lamang upang ipamukha ng dalawa ang mawawalang boto sa Nacionalista Party presidentiable sakali sila ay tuluyang ilaglag.
Dapat palakpakan si Satur Ocampo at Liza Maza sa kanilang magaling na pagbabalat-kayo at panlilinlang na ginagawa sa publiko at pati na rin sa mga NPA na parang mga puppet na sumusunod sa kanilang layaw. Kailan kaya sila magigising sa katotohanan?
NPA strikes Quezon twice
In keeping with the Yuletide celebrations, the government and the rebels declared a ceasefire from December 24-26, 2009 and from December 31, 2009 to January 1, 2010. Despite the said truce, the province of Quezon once again drew public attention when a band of Communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels heartlessly burned eight classrooms in Doongan National High School on the early dawn of December 26 turning to ashes an estimated 3.5 Million worth of properties. The rebels even hoisted an inverted Philippine flag at the school’s flagpole before leaving the area haughtily showing their disgrace for our democratic system.
Prior to the above incident, a band of NPA rebels raided a police station in San Narciso town, Quezon, and carted away five(5) M-16 rifles, four(4) shotguns, four(4) 9-millimeter pistols, a .38-caliber Revolver, ammunition, as well as the wallets of those in the station. Visibly, the rebels are again at it on showing-off power to intimidate the locals of Quezon, the NPA’s usual way of garnering votes for the nearing elections. As the Communists consider the democratic ways such as the elections, they do not abandon the armed way of “fighting for democracy” thus, the continuous conduct of ruthless acts like the ones in Quezon.
Aren’t we tired of hearing stories of political warlords like the Ampatuans who made use of private armed groups in driving the people to follow their demands or those who forced their way to victory like Rep. Satur Ocampo who used the NPA to induce fear in the people and manipulate their votes?
Furthermore, the Communist Party of the Philippines is at the height of celebrating its 41st founding anniversary when this incident took place. What do these rebels expect the Filipino people to think after torching a school just to celebrate its founding day? No casualties were reported and only the burnt building is the evidence of the rebels’ cold-blooded atrocity. Indeed, schools can be rebuilt; incidents like this will fade when another Headline story comes out; but what do we do about the trauma the school children of Doongan National High School will face after this? What do we do about the mere deprivation for learning and the act’s subliminal message of promoting illiteracy? And what do we do about the rebels and all those who are incessantly abusing the helpless people for their own gain? Until these all-powerful acting rebels are fully extinguished, it is certain that more and more lives and dreams of innocent civilians will be put to ashes. The NPA claims that they are an organization for establishing the people's democratic government. Clearly, this is not the democracy we need.
Prior to the above incident, a band of NPA rebels raided a police station in San Narciso town, Quezon, and carted away five(5) M-16 rifles, four(4) shotguns, four(4) 9-millimeter pistols, a .38-caliber Revolver, ammunition, as well as the wallets of those in the station. Visibly, the rebels are again at it on showing-off power to intimidate the locals of Quezon, the NPA’s usual way of garnering votes for the nearing elections. As the Communists consider the democratic ways such as the elections, they do not abandon the armed way of “fighting for democracy” thus, the continuous conduct of ruthless acts like the ones in Quezon.
Aren’t we tired of hearing stories of political warlords like the Ampatuans who made use of private armed groups in driving the people to follow their demands or those who forced their way to victory like Rep. Satur Ocampo who used the NPA to induce fear in the people and manipulate their votes?
Furthermore, the Communist Party of the Philippines is at the height of celebrating its 41st founding anniversary when this incident took place. What do these rebels expect the Filipino people to think after torching a school just to celebrate its founding day? No casualties were reported and only the burnt building is the evidence of the rebels’ cold-blooded atrocity. Indeed, schools can be rebuilt; incidents like this will fade when another Headline story comes out; but what do we do about the trauma the school children of Doongan National High School will face after this? What do we do about the mere deprivation for learning and the act’s subliminal message of promoting illiteracy? And what do we do about the rebels and all those who are incessantly abusing the helpless people for their own gain? Until these all-powerful acting rebels are fully extinguished, it is certain that more and more lives and dreams of innocent civilians will be put to ashes. The NPA claims that they are an organization for establishing the people's democratic government. Clearly, this is not the democracy we need.
NPA PROVED THEMSELVES TO BE ANTI-YOUTH
While most of us are sleeping out the fatigue of the holiday cheers not to mention remembering the reason for celebrating such an event which is the birth of Jesus Christ, a group of rebels were patiently waiting to carry out a sinister plan against an unguarded public high school in Tanauan in the province of Quezon. Excited to mark their 41st founding anniversary, four armed NPA members eagerly burned eight of the nine classrooms of the Doongan Ilaya National High School in Barangay Doongan Ilaya as early as one o’clock in the morning of December 26, 2009. The incident which totally razed to the ground eight classrooms cost an estimated damage of 3.5 million pesos.
In an apparent attempt to further show their aggressive nature and earn the approval of their top leader, Jose Maria Sison, the four rebels even raised an inverted flag - the red part flown above - on the school’s flag pole. The atrocious act which was launched despite a pre-agreed ceasefire between the rebels and the government from December 24 to December 26 was rightly condemned by the local residents and by the very students of Barangay Doongan Ilaya who were literally robbed of their future when the rebels carried out the arson.
Despite agreeing to the ceasefire, the Communist Party of the Philippines still allowed their minions to launch atrocities, thus proving that the Party is quite treacherous and has a backhanded nature with regard to negotiating peace with the government. Significantly, this was also the second attack which was instigated by the rebels in Quezon province this month alone. The first being the raid against a police station in San Narciso on December 20 which was pulled off by 25 armed rebels who conceitedly pretended to be media practitioners and military personnel and thereafter carted away high-powered firearms and forcibly took the personal belongings and money of police authorities detailed at said station.
Not being satisfied with merely fighting government troops, the NPA rebels have now included innocent civilians as their victims. By burning the eight classrooms, hundreds of high school students enrolled at the public school will no longer have a place to hold their classes when school resumes on January 5. By instigating the attack, the rebels only proved that they are not the protector but the actual oppressor of the people. They also proved that they give no such importance in the education of our youth and only see them as warm bodies for their armed struggle given that they have incessantly armed minors with rifles and led them to clashes with the military. Such acts only attest to their anti-youth stance and their hostility as a movement. A challenge to Representative Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Pinoy is now necessary. A challenge to immediately condemn the act and show that he, together with senatorial wannabes Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, are not the protectors of these ruthless rebels.
In an apparent attempt to further show their aggressive nature and earn the approval of their top leader, Jose Maria Sison, the four rebels even raised an inverted flag - the red part flown above - on the school’s flag pole. The atrocious act which was launched despite a pre-agreed ceasefire between the rebels and the government from December 24 to December 26 was rightly condemned by the local residents and by the very students of Barangay Doongan Ilaya who were literally robbed of their future when the rebels carried out the arson.
Despite agreeing to the ceasefire, the Communist Party of the Philippines still allowed their minions to launch atrocities, thus proving that the Party is quite treacherous and has a backhanded nature with regard to negotiating peace with the government. Significantly, this was also the second attack which was instigated by the rebels in Quezon province this month alone. The first being the raid against a police station in San Narciso on December 20 which was pulled off by 25 armed rebels who conceitedly pretended to be media practitioners and military personnel and thereafter carted away high-powered firearms and forcibly took the personal belongings and money of police authorities detailed at said station.
Not being satisfied with merely fighting government troops, the NPA rebels have now included innocent civilians as their victims. By burning the eight classrooms, hundreds of high school students enrolled at the public school will no longer have a place to hold their classes when school resumes on January 5. By instigating the attack, the rebels only proved that they are not the protector but the actual oppressor of the people. They also proved that they give no such importance in the education of our youth and only see them as warm bodies for their armed struggle given that they have incessantly armed minors with rifles and led them to clashes with the military. Such acts only attest to their anti-youth stance and their hostility as a movement. A challenge to Representative Raymond Palatino of Kabataan Pinoy is now necessary. A challenge to immediately condemn the act and show that he, together with senatorial wannabes Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza, are not the protectors of these ruthless rebels.
NPA’S ANTI-YOUTH SCHEME
“Inutile Left-Fielded KABATAAN PLG”
The New People’s Army (NPA) showed no remorse for its uncalled for arson of around 3.5 million pesos worth of school building inside Doongan High School in Quezon province. After the incident, the rebels overturned the Philippine flag and made an indignant call for indiscriminate offensives against the state government. Their victory is an open attack against a civilian unit, which the rebels claimed to protect. Are the displaced Doongan youths, who would be taking the toll on the incident as the classes open next year, mere part of the Communist’s collateral damages? True enough, the youth sector’s best interests are the least of the Communist Party’s concerns excluding their value as another queue of recruits whom Jose Maria Sison would be ordering around. This shows how the Communist-supported KABATAAN Partylist is nothing less but a sham used to persuade gullible minors to echo their propaganda in Kamara.
It is not a secret that the country’s educational facilities continue to scale back. They are either on poor quality or else lacking. This for one is a factor why poverty continues to rise particularly in the rural outskirts as illiteracy and population bloat. For no apparent reason, the CPP-NPA did the public a favor and unmasked themselves by brandishing their so-called brute nature that involves pointing their guns on innocent civilians. Other than using locals to gather a few more push-overs for the NPA ranks and a few more milking cows to finance their crimes, the people are also being used as election leverage where they could squeeze out votes for political honchos that pay them millions worth of protection money and to support their fielded candidates that will either push for their interest in the Legislative floor.
Locals of Quezon province are being pressed against the wall. They are being intimidated over and again by the Communist forces. The raid in San Narciso Municipal Police Station (MPS) last December 20 was a way to emasculate the law enforcement units in the area; a fitting tool to compel the locals to believe that they are ripe for the NPA’s “picking”. And as an ending statement of terror, the NPA hit the province with a huge blow by targeting one of its education facilities. These are all part of the grandiose mission of alienating the province and muscle-flexing its forces for a so-called all-out offensive to the state.
But is it not interesting to note that the NPA opted to intimidate the youth sector which they also “represent” using KABATAAN PLG in the near 2010 elections? The arson in Doongan HS proves how the CPP-NPA and its affiliate people’s organizations trash-out their self-imposed political viewpoints that include their supposed initiatives to help out in the legal processes by motivating “vulnerable” sectors in the country. These are all part of a pre-written script to deceive us and merely exploit our own democratic space for their advantage.
Where does KABATAAN stand as their comrades continue to pick on the youth’s interests? Are they playing dumb, blind and stupid in the case of the Doongan HS arson? If the NPA had mustered the nerve to tear-down eight classrooms in Quezon just to show off their strength, what else would stop them from making another assault against non-combatant installations or else personalities? The NPA had stepped-on the youth’s rights over and again and they had done so by turning classrooms into worthless pieces of ash. Should we allow them roam unaccountable for their crimes? Where are the mobilizations or protests that these progressive groups hold to give justice to the victimized youths in Doongan? Why are they keeping mum on the aggression of the NPA towards unsuspecting youth in Quezon?
The New People’s Army (NPA) showed no remorse for its uncalled for arson of around 3.5 million pesos worth of school building inside Doongan High School in Quezon province. After the incident, the rebels overturned the Philippine flag and made an indignant call for indiscriminate offensives against the state government. Their victory is an open attack against a civilian unit, which the rebels claimed to protect. Are the displaced Doongan youths, who would be taking the toll on the incident as the classes open next year, mere part of the Communist’s collateral damages? True enough, the youth sector’s best interests are the least of the Communist Party’s concerns excluding their value as another queue of recruits whom Jose Maria Sison would be ordering around. This shows how the Communist-supported KABATAAN Partylist is nothing less but a sham used to persuade gullible minors to echo their propaganda in Kamara.
It is not a secret that the country’s educational facilities continue to scale back. They are either on poor quality or else lacking. This for one is a factor why poverty continues to rise particularly in the rural outskirts as illiteracy and population bloat. For no apparent reason, the CPP-NPA did the public a favor and unmasked themselves by brandishing their so-called brute nature that involves pointing their guns on innocent civilians. Other than using locals to gather a few more push-overs for the NPA ranks and a few more milking cows to finance their crimes, the people are also being used as election leverage where they could squeeze out votes for political honchos that pay them millions worth of protection money and to support their fielded candidates that will either push for their interest in the Legislative floor.
Locals of Quezon province are being pressed against the wall. They are being intimidated over and again by the Communist forces. The raid in San Narciso Municipal Police Station (MPS) last December 20 was a way to emasculate the law enforcement units in the area; a fitting tool to compel the locals to believe that they are ripe for the NPA’s “picking”. And as an ending statement of terror, the NPA hit the province with a huge blow by targeting one of its education facilities. These are all part of the grandiose mission of alienating the province and muscle-flexing its forces for a so-called all-out offensive to the state.
But is it not interesting to note that the NPA opted to intimidate the youth sector which they also “represent” using KABATAAN PLG in the near 2010 elections? The arson in Doongan HS proves how the CPP-NPA and its affiliate people’s organizations trash-out their self-imposed political viewpoints that include their supposed initiatives to help out in the legal processes by motivating “vulnerable” sectors in the country. These are all part of a pre-written script to deceive us and merely exploit our own democratic space for their advantage.
Where does KABATAAN stand as their comrades continue to pick on the youth’s interests? Are they playing dumb, blind and stupid in the case of the Doongan HS arson? If the NPA had mustered the nerve to tear-down eight classrooms in Quezon just to show off their strength, what else would stop them from making another assault against non-combatant installations or else personalities? The NPA had stepped-on the youth’s rights over and again and they had done so by turning classrooms into worthless pieces of ash. Should we allow them roam unaccountable for their crimes? Where are the mobilizations or protests that these progressive groups hold to give justice to the victimized youths in Doongan? Why are they keeping mum on the aggression of the NPA towards unsuspecting youth in Quezon?
DOONGAN HS ARSON: NPA TERROR GLASS CASE
The New People’s Army (NPA) engineered a new way to be felt in Quezon province as they rounded-up series of attacks targeting its provincial police station to include the burning of eight classrooms in Doongan National High School last December 26. The premeditated arson destroyed a total of 3.5 million pesos worth of educational facilities. Apart from which, the rebels made quite a statement on their brigandage as they overturned the Philippine flag symbolizing open war against democracy. Around 500 students are set to be displaced by the opening of classes next year in said school. This would mean a cut-down of lecture hours to include a drawback on some of its subjects as its laboratory facilities were among those “ashed” in the incident.
The scenario in Doongan High School came after the raid of the San Narciso Municipal Police Station (MPS) last December 20, where armed rebels disguised themselves as media personalities. Ironically, the raid was more of a robbery hold-up incident as the NPA was more interested on the detailed guards’ wallets and the MPS’ issued laptops and ammunitions. After one robbery run-away, the Reds remained discontented and pulled-off another grisly assault that involved the above incident.
Sad to say, these had been the Red army’s methods to induce fear in Quezon as they try to muscle-flex and muster probable election-related intimidations. Apparently, these threatening activities were used to gather a good voting bloc among the populace other than playing it on the good side and finance millions for the campaigns of its supported candidates. Besides, the Communist Party best holds their interests with gun barrels. They were never interested in civilized talks nor are they serious with the conciliations their “political sorties” do in Kamara that include the likes of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.
Juan dela Cruz has been played. As the Communist faction claims their clinch to democratic processes such as the elections, they continue to arm their comrades underground. Like a well-off political tyrant such as the Ampatuans who manage to stay in power by coercing locals with their private armed groups, Ocampo made use of the NPA to force his victories. And what better way to make a good declaration of panic in Quezon voters than torching its schools and making a mock of its law enforcement units. The NPA is indeed putting up a scary front in the province. They want the locals to abide by their means as they continue to belittle the government’s efforts to secure its ranks and civilian installations, including the Doongan High School.
Are we to sit around and watch how these Communists carry on with the annihilation of our basic democratic rights? Their arson in Doongan HS is an invitation for war against the entire community. What fulfillment will be realized when the NPA decided to burn classrooms and stir up the downsizing educational system of Quezon? If they are truly the People’s alter ego against oppression and poverty, why are they adding-up to our communal problems? Are they helping or plainly hoodwinking us?
The scenario in Doongan High School came after the raid of the San Narciso Municipal Police Station (MPS) last December 20, where armed rebels disguised themselves as media personalities. Ironically, the raid was more of a robbery hold-up incident as the NPA was more interested on the detailed guards’ wallets and the MPS’ issued laptops and ammunitions. After one robbery run-away, the Reds remained discontented and pulled-off another grisly assault that involved the above incident.
Sad to say, these had been the Red army’s methods to induce fear in Quezon as they try to muscle-flex and muster probable election-related intimidations. Apparently, these threatening activities were used to gather a good voting bloc among the populace other than playing it on the good side and finance millions for the campaigns of its supported candidates. Besides, the Communist Party best holds their interests with gun barrels. They were never interested in civilized talks nor are they serious with the conciliations their “political sorties” do in Kamara that include the likes of Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo.
Juan dela Cruz has been played. As the Communist faction claims their clinch to democratic processes such as the elections, they continue to arm their comrades underground. Like a well-off political tyrant such as the Ampatuans who manage to stay in power by coercing locals with their private armed groups, Ocampo made use of the NPA to force his victories. And what better way to make a good declaration of panic in Quezon voters than torching its schools and making a mock of its law enforcement units. The NPA is indeed putting up a scary front in the province. They want the locals to abide by their means as they continue to belittle the government’s efforts to secure its ranks and civilian installations, including the Doongan High School.
Are we to sit around and watch how these Communists carry on with the annihilation of our basic democratic rights? Their arson in Doongan HS is an invitation for war against the entire community. What fulfillment will be realized when the NPA decided to burn classrooms and stir up the downsizing educational system of Quezon? If they are truly the People’s alter ego against oppression and poverty, why are they adding-up to our communal problems? Are they helping or plainly hoodwinking us?
NPA SHOWS NEW TACTIC
Last December 20, 2009, the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked the police on duty at the San Narciso Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Quezon province. The rebels deceitfully disguised themselves as members of the media and as military personnel to gain easy access inside the police station. Despite having no casualties in the incident, the NPAs were able to cart away fourteen different kinds of firearms, ammunitions, laptop, cell phones, camouflage uniforms and a huge amount of personal cash of police personnel. Due to the incident, the Philippine National Police (PNP) placed the country on heightened alert to ensure operational readiness and alertness in responding for other possible threats by the NPA rebels considering that the CPP is set to commemorate its founding anniversary on December 26, 2009.
Due to the rebels’ traitorous attack in Quezon, several quarters of our society are now questioning the purpose behind the group’s existence given that their action clearly falls under mere banditry and not part of any ideology. Further, the incident only proves that the rebels can do beyond what we expect from them and use the media profession as a ruse to stage a robbery. Aside from extortions, harassments and other forms of money-making and arm struggle, members of the NPA is now trying to expand their reach by doing other activities such as stealing from other people. Indeed, the incident is a direct criminal act wherein they did not just get hold of the high powered firearms but also forcefully took the personal belongings of the policemen. The rebels have been portraying themselves as the protector of the masses yet they were the ones who do the crime. Is this the kind of people suited to call themselves as protectors?
If we put some historical perspective into the picture, the rebels have been doing this every year especially days or weeks before the celebration of the CPP founding anniversary. What do they get from doing such aggressive actions? For one, they probably just want to show Jose Maria Sison, CPP ring leader, how strong and powerful the NPAs are and that they should get the choice cut of their financial resources in the next budget year of the underground movement.
Aside from that, disguising as media people is a great tactic given that no one would possibly ever suspect that they are actual rebels out to attack the police station. Ironically, members of the media sector are given free rein in most police stations and are accorded a virtual pass since they serve as a medium in delivering news to the people. It is quite alarming that the NPAs have ventured into other means of attack as they no longer pretend to be just mere military personnel but are now manipulating the face of media sector to do their dirty tricks. It is high time for the government to tighten security in military camps and police stations across the country lest the rebels attack yet again.
Due to the rebels’ traitorous attack in Quezon, several quarters of our society are now questioning the purpose behind the group’s existence given that their action clearly falls under mere banditry and not part of any ideology. Further, the incident only proves that the rebels can do beyond what we expect from them and use the media profession as a ruse to stage a robbery. Aside from extortions, harassments and other forms of money-making and arm struggle, members of the NPA is now trying to expand their reach by doing other activities such as stealing from other people. Indeed, the incident is a direct criminal act wherein they did not just get hold of the high powered firearms but also forcefully took the personal belongings of the policemen. The rebels have been portraying themselves as the protector of the masses yet they were the ones who do the crime. Is this the kind of people suited to call themselves as protectors?
If we put some historical perspective into the picture, the rebels have been doing this every year especially days or weeks before the celebration of the CPP founding anniversary. What do they get from doing such aggressive actions? For one, they probably just want to show Jose Maria Sison, CPP ring leader, how strong and powerful the NPAs are and that they should get the choice cut of their financial resources in the next budget year of the underground movement.
Aside from that, disguising as media people is a great tactic given that no one would possibly ever suspect that they are actual rebels out to attack the police station. Ironically, members of the media sector are given free rein in most police stations and are accorded a virtual pass since they serve as a medium in delivering news to the people. It is quite alarming that the NPAs have ventured into other means of attack as they no longer pretend to be just mere military personnel but are now manipulating the face of media sector to do their dirty tricks. It is high time for the government to tighten security in military camps and police stations across the country lest the rebels attack yet again.
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