Arroyo's SONA color and what it means

Mrs. Arroyo wore a fushcia colored dress, described a radio reporter who covered the State of the Nation address (SONA) yesterday. There were instances where Mrs. Arroyo wore shades of red or a simple fiery red dress--when she gave that SONA that condemned rebel soldiers who trooped to a posh hotel just to make a statement.

Now, many people, especially those who criticize her, see this as an expression of her fighting stance. Yes, many would definitely give some "color" into this. Though Mrs. Arroyo's color selection is simply out of touch and definitely NOT the fashion color of this year (yellow is 'IN'), observers believe this highlights her main message---fight for the Filipino People.

To her, she's fighting a good fight---improving the economy, giving houses to the poor and enhancing the investor environment. For some though, she failed, and failed miserably.
This is something which I observed. Instead of relaying the right message, Mrs. Arroyo actually showed her tendency to be really out of touch of reality. That summarizes her entire administration.



For example, she gave us a glowing rundown of economic policies, which, are really excellent. Yet, what she probably failed to say is there is still a growing segment of our population that did not see or even felt this. GDP and GNP are two indicators of economic progress. Yet, for those in the lowest rungs of society, these terms mean nothing.



She talked about the vastly improving ICT sector but what she failed to say is, those who belonged to the 600,000 or so people who got jobs from this sector, all belonged to the educated (at least) segment of the society. Of course, there is some spillover effects, like in the construction business. And indirectly, some segments of the lowest of the poorest classes benefited by working as masons and construction workers. Yet, as I said, this is still a work in progress.



Now, if we ask then, should we then conclude that she failed in her performance as president? Not entirely. She was able to weather all these storms that came in her way---political and economic instabilities. It takes a strong willed leader to survive all that. And for that, let's give her credit.



What is important is, Mrs. Arroyo's administration just proved one glaring fact---we need a change in the system. Honestly, our choices to succeed her lack one or two very important leadership qualities. Of course, these people have their own management styles and concepts of governance. But, these are, at best, unproven. They are all abstractions.



If you're a weak leader in a highly fragmented society such as ours, you'll be gobbled up by rapacious weaker political players all waiting in the wings just to resume their posts in the deposed regime. To her credit, Mrs. Arroyo successfully managed to keep the keel of the state under control. Were it not for her effective management, we would have fallen again to the control of the previous regime owners whom we so accused of failing us before.

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9:47 PM | 0 comments

VP Tito Guingona's Open Letter to Gloria

This is the open letter of former Vice President Tito Guingona Jr. before the Philippine media today at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan Metro Manila.

JULY 23, 2009

OPEN LETTER
I ASK – THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW !

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO
MALACANANG, MANILA

MRS. PRESIDENT,

ON MONDAY, JULY 27 YOU DELIVER YOUR STATE OF THE NATION MESSAGE TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE.

BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR VALEDICTORY TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO THE NATION – PERMIT ME TO ASK SOME VITAL QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE PERIOD OF GOVERNANCE SINCE YOU ASSUMED THE PRESIDENCY OF THE LAND.

1.) WE ALREADY HAVE A DEFICIT OF 154 BILLION PESOS FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR….

HOW DO YOU INTEND TO COVER THIS? WILL YOU BORROW OR IMPOSE NEW TAXES?

2.) THERE ARE OFWS WHO URGENTLY NEED TO BE REPATRIATED FROM THE MIDDLE EAST.

THERE EXISTS 2.7 BILLION PESOS WHICH THE PCGG HAS REPORTEDLY TURNED OVER TO THE PRESIDENT’S SOCIAL FUND COMING FROM THE MERALCO DIVIDENDS.

THE REPATRIATION WILL ONLY COST THREE MILLION PESOS.

WHY CAN YOU NOT BRING THEM HOME?

YOU CLAIM TO BE CREATING JOBS HERE, AND YET YOU ARE MARKETING OUR PEOPLE TO WORK OVERSEAS.

ISN’T THIS A POLICY IN CONTRADICTION?

AND EVERYDAY…YOU ARE SENDING THREE THOUSAND OF OUR CITIZENS ABROAD TO TOIL THERE, JUST TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES.

SEVERAL DAYS AGO, TEN FILIPINOS DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH IN AFGHANISTAN…

DOES NOT THAT TRAGEDY SHOW THE IRONY THAT SOME FILIPINOS, IN DESPERATION, HAVE TO GO TO A WAR-TORN COUNTRY LIKE AFGHANISTAN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT IN OUR OWN LAND?

3.) IN THE NATIONAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2009 THERE EXISTS AN ALLOCATION OF 1.2 BILLION PESOS FOR TWO PRESIDENTIAL HELICOPTERS…

YET LAST YEAR, YOU REFUSED TO RELEASE 400 MILLION PESOS FOR AN ANTI-TUBERCULOSIS PROGRAM; A KILLER DISEASE THAT IS RETURNING WITH A VENGEANCE AND IS EXTREMELY DRUG-RESISTANT.

IS THIS AN EQUITABLE WAY TO DISBURSE PUBLIC FUNDS?

4.) IN 2006, YOU ALLOWED PNOC TO ENTER INTO A JOINT VENTURE TO CONDUCT SEISMIC STUDIES WITHIN THE 200-MILE EXCLUSIVE MARITIME ECONOMIC ZONE.

MAY WE KNOW THE RESULTS OF THAT VITAL BUT SECRETIVE AGREEMENT?

IN THE MEANTIME, NOTHING SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN DONE WITHIN THAT ZONE TO BENEFIT THE NATION.

YET THE PEOPLE’S NEED FOR FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC RESOURCES REMAINS UNFULFILLED.

SHOULD GOVERNMENT NOT THEREFORE GALVANIZE CAPITAL AND TECHNOLOGY TO HELP DOMESTIC FIRMS AND FILIPINO FISHERMEN TO DEVELOP MARINE RESOURCES WITHIN THAT VITAL ZONE FOR THE GOOD OF GENERATIONS TO COME?

5.) IN 2007, YOU PROMISED ONE MILLION JOBS EVERY YEAR…

AND YET, OUR UNEMPLOYED SOARED TO 2.9 MILLION IN APRIL 2008, AND THE UNDER-EMPLOYED TO 6.6 MILLION.

WHERE ARE THE JOBS PROMISED?

WHY ARE THE UNEMPLOYED AND THE UNDER-EMPLOYED INCREASING IN NUMBERS?

6.) IN YOUR SONA OF 2006, YOU SAID “HINDI AKO HIHINTO HANGGANG MAGTAGUMPAY ANG ATING LABAN SA KAHIRAPAN…”

YET YOUR RHETORIC SEEMS CONTRARY TO REALITY BECAUSE THE HUNGRY HAVE INCREASED FROM 24 MILLION TO 28 MILLION.

WHY ARE OUR PEOPLE GOING HUNGRY?

WHY IS GOVERNMENT NOT ABLE TO FEED OUR PEOPLE AND BE SELF-SUFFICIENT IN RICE?

NASAAN ANG PAGKAIN SA BAWAT LAMESA?

YOU SAY THAT OUR ECONOMY HAS BEEN GROWING…

AND YET OVER THE PAST 29 QUARTERS….IT IS POVERTY THAT IS GROWING.

WE NOW HAVE AT LEAST 28 MILLION POOR PEOPLE WITH ABOUT TWO MILLION OF THEM WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FOOD NEEDED FOR SURVIVAL.

NASAAN ANG PAGKAIN SA BAWAT LAMESA?

WHERE IS THE ECONOMIC GROWTH YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT?

SINO ANG NAKARARAMDAM?

TITO GUINGONA, JR.

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11:27 PM | 0 comments

Who's manning the house?

The apparent faux pas behind Malacanang's infantile reaction on the alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year old daughter of a PDEA agent is deeper than it looks. First, it just exposed what everybody knew all along---that Malacanang's press office is in a big mess. No one is manning the posts. No one is verifying information going in and out of Malacanang. Maybe many of Arroyo's so-called "friends" have abandoned her already, seeing that she's on her way out? Possibly.

Another question that I would like to ask is this--what was the motivation of PDEA head General Dionisio Santiago on leaking this story out and eventually distancing himself from it? Was Santiago's actions just a ploy for government to again prioritize anti-drugs campaigns? It seems so. Santiago is known as an expert in psywar. He probably thought that the story would be a good one to highlight government's campaign. Or, he probably thought that PDEA needs another boost after that Alabang Boys scandal.

Oh, by the way, what happened to that scandal, Mr. General? Any update?

My sources in Malacanang say the palace is busy with Arroyo's Powerpoint SONA presentation, a variant of which would be presented to US President Barack Obama. I don't make any sense to this since Mrs. Arroyo would just meet Obama for about 20 or 30 minutes or so. What's important is the voluminous briefing papers that Malacanang will submit shortly after that public meeting.

The obvious truth---Malacanang is now a beehive of activity. Its very confusing and chaotic there right now. Time to fly? Yup.

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7:54 PM | 0 comments

House Resolution 747--The Nograles' Plane

It seems that formal political hostilities would start on July 27. If people think that these things would come to a definitive end after Mrs. Arroyo's SONA, they better prepare for a surprise.

Why?

This early, Nograles already gave us a sneak peek into what Congress would be discussing after the SONA. Nograles said, he'll be pushing for the passage of his baby, House Resolution 747. Unknown to many, this resolution aims to change one of the most contentious economic provision of the Constitution---on foreign ownership of land. Nograles thinks that even those in the opposition favor this amendment since this would lift the nationalist provision of the 1987 Constitution and opens all lands to

HR 747 is more dangerous than HR 1106 because it would provide two things for those big landlords out there---(1) an escape from the implementation of agrarian reform law and (2) a "big killing" opportunity for real estate developers. Nograles thinks that this law would help us but it's the other way around. Why?

The law would surely deprive us of the chance to enjoy the utilisation and exploitation of our own natural resources. In a fast globalizing world, land is one of the biggest capital and the most sought after commodity. The framers of our Constitution recognize the importance of protecting our natural resources from foreign exploitation. That's why they actually put that provision there in the first place. And here comes Nograles trying to pull a fast one with this.

Imagine the entire reclaimed area fronting Manila Bay under foreign ownership. You really can't call the New Nayong Pilipino, Filipino right, since that would probably be either American or Korean owned. How about those mineral rich mountains and valleys? How would you then exploit them when foreigners own them already? Or those rich oil fields in Mindanao? Or our gold mines?

The way to convince foreign investors to stay is simply give them the best reason to do so and it's through equal protection and application of laws. Give them better governance. Ease some restrictions in terms of business processes. But, giving them land? You wish. They'll not stay just because they own land. They'll stay because it's the best business decision for them to do so.

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10:28 PM | 1 comments

Jakarta Blasts kills 9, injures 50

Indonesian militants just attacked two hotels in their capital Jakarta--the Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott hotel. CNN said two improvised explosive devices (IED) just went off, killing at least nine people and injuring 50 others. Some of those killed and injured were Westerners. A third bomb was found and immediately detonated.

This is the ninth time that terrorists, possibly belonging to the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiya, have done suicide bombings. Newly elected Indonesian President Bambang Yudyohono condemned the attacks, and vowed to run after the bombers. Since 2000, when the bombings started in Indonesia, the Indonesian police and its anti-terror squads have been quite successful in neutralizing these terror groups. Bombings subsided four years ago with the arrest of the JI's top leaders. Yet, shortly right after the presidential elections a few days ago, bombings started. Were these bombs part of a covert operation to again stress the need for Washington to support Indonesia's anti-terror campaign?

What is more relevant, actually and I think more effective in neutralizing these so called fundamentalist groups is cut them off from the fertile ground where they actually plant their vitriolic ideology. Unlike the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), the Jemaah Islamiya thrives on the promotion of the false belief that all non-believers are fair game. That is false. Even in the Qu'ran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), jihadists struggle against armed enemies, not those who are considered civilians or non-combatants.

In fact, what is being held as a pious act in the Holy Qu'ran is fighting or struggling against disbelief through proselytization or "dawah". A Muslim is only allowed to kill or behead the enemies of Islam if there is a practice of extreme disbelief. If there is still a promise of change, then, the true Slave of Allah Subhanahu Ta'Alah is directed to share the promises of salvation by worshipping the One True God. That is the true message of Allah SWT.

Suicide bombings do not have a concrete and exact doctrinal support in the Noble Qu'ran. You cannot find any Sunnah or any passage in the Holy Qu'ran that promotes suicide. In fact, suicide, by itself, is prohibited and considered a grievous sin. So, how do you explain these things? If suicide bombing does not have doctrinal support, then, this can only be considered as haram to be despised and frown upon by all those who truly worship Allah SWT.

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3:16 AM | 0 comments

Manny Villar--nambabastos ng taumbayan

Maganda ang ginawang public forum ng PPCRV at COMELEC. Ipinagsabay nila sa iisang entablado ang mga lider Pilipinong nagnanais makupo ang panguluhan sa 2010. Sa kabila ng panaka-nakang pag-ulan, naroroon sina Senator Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, Richard Gordon, Governor Ed Panlilio, dating pangulong Joseph Estrada, at Mar Roxas. Wala roon sina Defense secretary Gilbert Gibo Teodoro, Noli de Castro, Bayani Fernando at Manny Villar.

Hindi na kataka-taka na wala roon sina Noli at Villar, sapagkat sa una pa lamang, nagpahayag na ng hindi kahandaan ang mga ito na pumunta sa mga ganitong forum. Ngunit, sa lahat ng presidentiables, tanging si Manny Villar lamang ang hindi nagpapakita, ni anino niya, sa mga forum na ito. Lahat na, mula kay Legarda hanggang kay Fernando, ay nakalahok na.

Malaking pambabastos sa taumbayan ang ginagawang ito ni Manny Villar. Naturingan pa naman kuno siyang "oposisyon", at may pagmamahal sa kapakanan ng taumbayan, ngunit ngayon pa lang, ipinapakita na ni Villar ang pambabastos. Kung ngayon pa lamang ay wala nang hangad na makipag-ugnayan sa taumbayan itong si Villar, paano pa kung pangulo na siya't nasasa palasyo? Mas lalo siguro siyang hindi makikita ng sambayanan.

Naging mahalaga din ang nasabing forum dahil lumagda sa kasunduan ng pagtataguyod ng malinis na halalan ang mga kandidato gayundin naipahayag nila ang kanilang kahandaang labanan ang cha-cha---mga mahalagang usaping may direktang kinalaman sa pagtataguyod ng kapakanan ng karamihan.

Ibig bagang sabihin ni Villar ay hindi siya naniniwala sa malinis na halalan at hangad niyang kunin ang panguluhan sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kayamanan? Ito rin ba ang indikasyon na ibig ni Villar na baguhin ang saligang batas at tumakbo na lamang bilang Congressman sa ilalim ng isang kongresong pamumunuan ng isang Punong Ministrong ang ngalan ay Arroyo?

Bastos at kawalang galang ang pinapakita ni Villar. Bakit? Takot ba siyang batuhin ng taumbayan dahil sa sanlaksang iskandalong kinasangkutan niya?

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4:15 AM | 0 comments

Malacanang not surprised by Arroyo's low rating

Malacanang said they're not entirely surprised with the low satisfaction rating of Mrs. Arroyo. And, as usual, the palace blamed the opposition and their political enemies for the low rating. Mrs. Arroyo got a negative 31%, with about 56% of the entire Filipino population not satisfied with her government's performance.

One tip though---I think Mrs. Arroyo's rating would definitely increase if and only if the palace admits even once, that it's responsible for some of the problems that we are encountering. Filipinos always warm up to those who admit their mistakes. And I sincerely believe that if the palace starts owning up to these mistakes, they'll be able to at least decrease the number of people that thinks they're still fucking things up.

And if Mrs. Arroyo starts filing criminal and/or civil charges against those whom Filipinos think as making a big buck at their expense, like these oil companies, telecommunications and pharma companies, she'll gain the confidence and trust of the people. Arroyo's rating is really based on people's perception of her inability or her inaction over some issues of critical importance to the masses.

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8:23 AM | 0 comments

Legarda's announcement and Its Effects in Phil Politics

Loren Legarda just announced her intention to run for the presidency. However, what is important to know is she's only aligning with former president Joseph Estrada. Now, the question is---will Estrada allow her to be his party's standard bearer?

Estrada, sources say, is psychologically and logistically prepared for the elections. In fact, he already activated his JEEP NI ERAP. Will he allow his supporters to accept Legarda as the party's presidential bet?

Legarda's announcement is actually a tactical move. It secured Loren's position since she's the first one to actually make herself available for the opposition selection process. Now, whether its Estrada-Legarda or Legarda-Estrada, there is now, at least three (3) opposition groups, namely Mar Roxas' Liberal Party and Nacionalista's Manuel Villar. Aside from this, Kaya Natin! Movement also expressed their desire to field their own presidential candidate. There's another one in the wings, the Ang Kapatiran party.

Provided that Ang Kapatiran and Kaya Natin! get at least 1% of total votes, that is still critical in a multi-party election.

Of course, not to mention the Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC whose ranks are slowly swelling with former Lakas-Kampi members, courtesy of former Lakas giant Luis Villafuerte. With Loren's pronouncement, who will then be Chiz Escudero's running mate? Would it now be a merger between Nacionalista and NPC, with Villar just sliding down to V-P? If such a merger does indeed happen, that would be most beneficial for the opposition although not enough to actually defeat a unified administration political force in 2010.

Mar Roxas also suffers from the same dilemma like Chiz. Mar, sources say, is convincing Senator Kiko Pangilinan as running mate, which, for all intents and purposes, is the most logical move since Kiko has his own strong grassroots based organization. That would be a formidable plus factor for Mar. That would propel the Liberal Party to be THE party to beat come 2010 elections.

Now, is it consolation enough to know that even the administration side is being wracked by dissension and a possible breakaway? For one, there's at least four personalities being considered as administration bet---Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Noli de Castro, Richard Gordon and Bayani Fernando. Both Teodoro and de Castro already announced their readiness to launch their individual bids. While Gordon says he's prepared to be included in the Lakas-Kampi coalition while Fernando seems determined to do his own thing just to pursue his ridiculous and psychotic political plan.

Anyway, the Lakas-Kampi faces a prospect of a breakaway party coming from either one of Teodoro's or Noli de Castro's camps. Since the prospect of electing a minority president looms on the horizon, another political party will actually do more good than harm for the administration. That would disperse their chances of winning and breaking more of the opposition bailiwicks.

So, what is now the expected political configuration come 2010 elections?

First, a minority president is sure to be elected, provided that Estrada recovers his old and traditional mass base. That is still very much around. That, however, would only happen IF Erap's group marginalize the grassroots organizers of other parties, like those of the Liberal, NPC and Nacionalista. If that happens, then, victory for Erap is very much assured.

Second, if Erap's party fails to do that, then, that would only give Erap a slim chance of winning the elections. That would open the possibility of either Chiz or Mar Roxas snatching victory from Erap.

Third, if the political grassroots machinery of both Chiz and Mar do nor perform at par with Erap's and Lakas-Kampi, then, the possibility of Gilbert Teodoro emerging from the woodwork is very high. Teodoro could squeak a victory under the opposition rug. Remember that in these elections, if these parties match in terms of grassroots organizing, then, the battlefield will shift from mass base support to how extensive their network of generals is. That would be the definitive advantage of the administration party.

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6:48 PM | 0 comments

Celso delos Angeles arrested

I commend the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for arresting Celso delos Angeles. Celso, if you remember, headed the defunct Legacy Group of Companies which defrauded several thousands of Filipinos of their mutual funds and deposits to the tune of 14 billion pesos. Government filed a case of large-scale estafa against delos Angeles and several others.

Celso was arrested by elements of the PNP Criminal Investigation Division. He is expected to be incarcerated very soon.

De los Angeles, if you also remember, is a close friend of Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. and several other politicians. He is also the incumbent mayor of a town in Bicol. He was once hailed as a "financial genius" by his friends, yet villified as a big-time gambling lord. His birthplace is actually Marikina but transfered to Bicol to pursue politics. De los Angeles was twice barred by the Central Bank of the Philippines for alleged banking machinations.

I congratulate the government for this but this is not yet over. Celso delos Angeles should be jailed in Muntinlupa for his crimes against the Filipino People. Aside from him, government should arrest and detain other members of his syndicate. They should not escape the long arm of the law.

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4:57 AM | 0 comments

Pfizer tried to bribe 100 m to govt, says Enrile

Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile today disclosed that Pfizer Philippines, a pharmaceutical company, reportedly gave 5 million discount cards worth P 100 million just to skirt the implementation of the Cheap Medicines bill. This surfaced during the Senate probe to investigate a possible collusion between government and pharma companies. Pfizer and Roche Philippines also confirmed the meeting they had with Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Reiner Gloor, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines confirmed that Pfiser allegedly made the Offer to Department of Health secretary Francisco Duque. The offer was made before the publication of the list of the maximum retail price (MRP) for essential medicines last month. The offer, however, was supposedly rejected by Duque.

Enrile described the offer as tantamount to a "bribe".

During the questioning, Gloor also confirmed that it was Pfizer Philippines which initiated the meeting with Mrs. Arroyo. Present during that closed door meeting were Duque, Trade secretary Peter Favila, representatives of Pfizer and Roche Philippines.

The meeting, which was held during the inauguration of the Dr. Eva Macaraeg Macapagal Geriatric Hospital last July 8, was requested by Pfizer. The President was accompanied by Secretary Duque, Trade Secretary Peter Favila, Trade Assistant Secretary Ma. Lourdes Baua, Congressman Benny Abante, Congressman Junie Cua and DOH-National Drug Policy Program Manager Dr. Robert Louie So.

The multinational industry, on the other hand, was represented by top management namely Mr. Albert Mateo of Pfizer, Mr. Augusto Villanueva of Roche, Mr. Reiner Gloor of PHAP/Zuellig, Mr. Andrew Santos of Wyeth and Mr. Caloy Realuyo of Sanofi.

Arroyo reportedly remarked that she'll sign the Cheap Medicines bill into a law if " they (pharma companies) can't come up with something commendable and good." Gloor and Augusto Villanueva, Roche Philippines representative, however, did not say what Arroyo meant by "commendable and good."

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12:56 AM | 0 comments

FG does double security check

Is the First Gentleman checking if those are "the real things"?

Or maybe, Mike wants to confess something to make a clean breast of things?

Oh, sure.

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1:47 AM | 0 comments

Where's Ronnie Puno?

Local government secretary Ronnie Puno is supposed to be back from his trip to the States. Malacanang issued a statement saying that Puno went on a medical leave, a clear contradiction with Puno's own statement saying that he'll be there to attend his daughter's wedding. Puno has not been seen in public since a few weeks ago.

What people don't know is Puno was seen hob nobbing with Washington royalty. Who are these men? Members of the former Bush administration and the present one. Where are they connected? They're connected with the State department and the Pentagon. And what are they talking about and what are those things which Puno shared with them? That's a secret.

Is Puno on a secret mission to either (1) negotiate with Washington for and on behalf of Mrs. Arroyo or (2) tell all against his boss? If he's there for Mrs. Arroyo, what is that issue that the palace wants to explain to Washington? Well, nagging tongues say it could be about con-ass. Yes, con-ass. Is that the reason why Washington has been using both diplomatic and non-diplomatic channels to send a clear and unequivocal message that they oppose the plan?

And if it's a "tell all", is Puno repeating the mistake of Ping Lacson on the eve of Estrada's demise when the former PNP chief offered himself as an alternative to his boss? Surely, Puno is not that self-absorbed to think that he'll be an acceptable solution to a problem known as Ate Glo.

For sure, whatever it was, it created a big stir inside Washington that Gates, the US defense chief, made doubly sure that they heard it right by sending his own man, CIA chief Leon Panetta, to see for themselves what's happening in this small republic in South East Asia. Maybe Gates thought that his visit was not clear enough for Mrs. Arroyo to understand. Gates and State department head Hillary Clinton were very emphatic--toe the democratic line or else, we will not hesitate to intervene in case. That's clearly what US ambassador Kristie Kenney said last week.

By the way, what's that question I asked a few entries back? What were the things that Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Mrs. Arroyo talked about in Cartagena that were so important, the entire palace entourage had to spend some time there and cause a diversion of the official itinerary? Was it, as some surmise, a talk, nay a negotiation, between civil society and Mrs. Arroyo? Was it a negotiation for Mrs. Arroyo's exit plan? And was Ayala used as the unofficial emissary of Washington to impress the desire of the Obama government for Mrs. Arroyo to "cut and cut cleanly"? And was the reaction of Mrs. Arroyo adverse? Surely shortly after that, bombs went off and bomb threats spread. Are these things Mrs. Arroyo's answer to Washington's attempts to make her think clearly?

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7:37 PM | 0 comments

Hyatt 10 issues eviction notice to Mrs. Arroyo

Hyatt 10, the group of former government officials of the Arroyo regime issued their strongest condemnation against their former boss today. After hearing mass at St. Jude church, the one near Malacanang, seven of the 10 tried to serve their damning statement to Mrs. Arroyo by marching to Malacanang. They were, however, stopped at the sentry gate.

These seven, former Education secretary Florencio Abad, Poverty Commissioner Teresita Deles, Imelda Nicolas, Budget secretary Emilia Boncodin, Cesar Purisima and Rene Villa. All ten signed the manifesto, including three others, Bert Lina, Juan Santos and Guillermo Parayno.

The group accused Mrs. Arroyo of instigating and creating a scenario of instability to perpetuate herself to power. " Dont push your luck", says the group, stating that the people will not anymore tolerate an extension of Mrs. Arroyo's regime.

Hyatt 10 is a group composed of Mrs. Arroyo's closest friends and ex-confidante. They bolted from the regime four years ago, at the height of Hello Garci.

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1:23 AM | 0 comments

Gilbert Teodoro's replacement and palace moves

Defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro has become a political liability, says a very close palace associate of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

First, he's a professional. Second, he seems to have developed quite a nationalist streak, different from the official yet unwritten ideological platform of fascism of Mrs. Arroyo. And lastly, he already has his own supporters from the military, a very solid one, composed not just active members but also retired generals.

Former Senator Frank Drilon's revelation seems to jibe with information about Gibo's possible "re-assignment" to the justice porfolio. Teodoro has made public his opposition to any declaration of a state of emergency or martial rule. He vowed yesterday to stand up against it, which is quite surprising since this is not the official palace policy. Whenever the issue crops up, palace officials keep or refuse to say anything for or against it, meaning, that the palace is keeping its options open for this.

Aside from this, what caused the silent rumblings inside began when Gibo celebrated his birthday. From the purview of Arroyo's closest advisers, that one was a virtual Munich Putsch. It came a few weeks after the visit of US Defense secretary Robert Gates. Gates, as you know, gave Teodoro a very favorable endorsement, which some palace insiders interpreted as a direct message to the palace to push ahead of the elections. That differs from the previous plan of some of Arroyo's closest advisers who are pushing for a term extension. Remember that that was the time when Arroyo's lieutenants were actively networking for signatures for House Resolution 1109. Gates, the highest Obama official to visit the Philippines first, was quite emphatic when he told the official Washington line, which, a few days ago, was reiterated by US ambassador Kristie Kenney. Some interpreted it as an expression of concern and shows that Washington knows what some palace people are thinking.

Close Arroyo insiders think that if push comes to shove, Washington will endorse Teodoro as an alternative "transition" leader in case Arroyo falls from power. This is a strong possibility, given that Teodoro enjoys the support both of active and retired AFP and PNP generals.

This prospect is not being welcomed inside the palace. Arroyo has this tendency to be "extra jealous" when it comes to "sharing power". In fact, Arroyo always wants to be the center of power. That's why, at the very beginning of her regime, she instituted a policy (unwritten) of appointing close associates to different departments while tolerating political appointees. Arroyo's leadership style is both anachronistic and practical.

People close to Arroyo knows that it would be quite hard to ease Teodoro out of the defense portfolio, because of Danding Cojuangco. There's always a solution though.

Bombings and instability. This solves the problem. Malacanang can use this as a ruse to justify former General Hermogenes Ebdane's transfer from DPWH to the defense department.

With Ebdane at the helm of defense, that would allow more space for the PMA Class of 1978 to move or maneuver to highly sensitive posts within the AFP and the PNP. There's a clincher though---that would open the military establishment to more personal appointments instead of professional ones.

And even fan the flames of more adventurism within.

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7:19 PM | 0 comments

Bombings in Mindanao and Metro Manila

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

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5:27 PM | 0 comments

Mrs. Arroyo's Boob Job and National security

Deputy palace spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo castigated the Philippine media for writing about Mrs. Arroyo's alleged boob job. Fajardo said that those articles regarding Mrs. Arroyo's breast reduction surgery at the Asian Hospital were "below the belt" and "personal attacks".

Question--what's so wrong with publishing the true reason why Mrs. Arroyo checked herself in the first place? What's so wrong with mammoplasty? What's so wrong with Mrs. Arroyo undergoing such an operation? None.

Fajardo said that if people, especially journalists do not like the president as a person, then, at least, people should respect the office she holds. Why, Mrs. Fajardo, who are the people who actually do not respect the Office of the President?

Who issued that patent lie that Mrs. Arroyo underwent quarantine procedures instead of a biopsy? Was it not the palace? How then will people respect the very Office that Mrs. Arroyo holds when they're peddling lies?

Is a boob job a matter of national security? Is the operation on Mrs. Arroyo's groin to detect the cause of the lump a matter of extreme national security?

In fact, this morning, Press secretary Cerge Remonde admitted yet again that Mrs. Arroyo underwent a "biopsy" to replace a "leaking silicone breast implant." and another biopsy in her groin. So, there, Mrs. Fajardo. So what if Mrs. Arroyo got those operations?
Respect is earned. How can people respect the president if people like you Mrs. Fajardo are peddling lies and hiding the truth?

Transparency is the real issue here. Ano ba naman? Ilang buwan na lang kayo dyan sa palasyo, nagsisinungaling pa rin kayo.

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6:12 PM | 0 comments

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile--a brilliant public servant

Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile should be congratulated for stirring a couple of hornet's nests for the benefit of the Filipino People. He started out with pressuring oil companies to open their books for scrutiny, implying that there are possibilities of oil price manipulation and ended with pressuring cellphone companies. Enrile, who at 80 years old, is doing the nation a great service. It's a pity that he's now at the twilight of his life and only has a few more years of service.

Enrile was a bar topnotcher when he became friends with former strongman Ferdinand Marcos. These two gentlemen, both extremely brilliant, teamed up to create the New Society which ruled the country from 1972 to 1986. When Marcos became sick and a power struggle ensued between Enrile and Imelda, the former defense secretary came clean by instigating a coup. That coup was the one that broke the camel's back, so to speak. Macoy was put in exile, while Enrile reaped the gains of the revolution. But, after a few years (or months?), Enrile left the corridors of power, after earning the ire and mistrust of Cory Aquino.

Enrile came back thru the Senate. And he stayed there for many years. He's now up for re-election and already said that he's running under the party of former president Joseph Estrada.

We deserve someone like him. It's a pity that he can't be our president.

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7:11 PM | 0 comments

Smartmatic-TIM & Comelec

Okey, it's not about money. Neither is it about control. So what was the cause of the previous misunderstanding between Smartmatic and Total Information Management (TIM)? And who interceded to make this a done deal?

Sources from both companies said the issue is actually control AND liability. TIM CEO and president Jose Mari Antunez's concern is the possibility of them being hauled to court in case something breaks down or the entire project is sabotaged. Both firms resolved that by convincing the COMELEC to amend the terms of reference. The terms of reference initially stated that either Smartmatic or TIM would be held severally liable for this. Now, the term was changed into "only the joint venture company would be held liable." Meaning, the government cannot go after TIM or Smartmatic singly; only the "paper joint venture" would be held liable.

That is very significant because under the Corporation Law, directors of a company formed cannot be held personally liable in case the company goes into default or committed a grave infraction of the law. Criminal and/or civil liabilities only arise when the evidence points to directors' direct and personal participation to the crime is established.

Its now clear that government cannot go after TIM and Smartmatic. So, who'll bear the responsibility now? It would only be COMELEC. TIM initially withdrew from the project out of fear that it'll be left holding an empty bag in case something bad happens. Now, it has an escape clause. We cannot go after the two companies.

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5:54 PM | 0 comments

Hank Kuehne dates Venus Williams for the moolah?

Hank Kuehne, the PGA tour player whose biggest thrill is playing golf along side his hero, Fred Couples is being rumoured as the constant dating companion of tennis superstar Venus Williams. The texan golfer who played out of Southern Methodist University, last played in 2007. His total winnings so far has been okey at US$ 2.6 million for 116 events yet, he has not been seen on the leaderboard lately.

Yep, he's playing alright at the PGA tour and the National, but has been out of his groove. His best showing was way back in the 2005 John Deere Classic and the 2003 Shell Open. Hank's best finish at the Open was back in 1999 US Golf Open in 65th place. His brother Trip, is actually playing better than him, bagging the 2007 US Mid-Amateur and in the 2008 Masters field.

Bad starts and a string of cuts have fueled nasty rumours of Hank feeding on Venus' millions. Hank, as reports say, is living an easy life, while leaving Venus to do the dirty work. He has not won a single tournament, contrast that with his girlfriend who's now at the top of her game. While Venus undeniably loves Hank, her relatives think otherwise. The Williams family reportedly disapprove of Hank who allegedly abandoned his wife some years ago.

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8:27 AM | 0 comments

Donaire fights Concepcion for WBA crown

Filipino boxer Donito Donaire will fight Rafael Concepcion for the World Boxing Association (WBA) interim superflyweight crown. Donaire, a Filipino-American born in Los Angeles California has been training for this fight. While Manny Pacquiao is negotiating for a Cotto fight after Mayweather injured himself.

After boxing, try watching classic fight movies particularly those of the Japanese kind.


For those of you who want to watch free Japanese movies, there's free film showing at the following places in celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship month. From July 2 to August 11, you can watch free Japanese films at Shangrila Plaza, UP Film Institute, Gaisano South City Mall Davao, Ayala Center Cebu, or Baguio Center Mall.



My favorite Japanese films are those classics directed by Akira Kurusawa, Steven Spielberg's favorite director. His film "Dreams" is a must watch.

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8:09 AM | 0 comments

Cory Aquino is well and recovering, says Kris

Cory Aquino is well and is in a stable condition. This after being rushed a few days ago to the Makati Medical Center. According to her youngerst daughter, ABS-CBN star Kris Aquino, Cory is recovering well, thanks to the prayers of her numerous friends. The former president is now recuperating in one of the hospital's rooms after spending a day or two at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Cory is fighting colon cancer. She underwent surgery a few weeks back. The operation was a success. However, last week, the icon of Philippine democracy complained of stomach pains and lack of appetite. Her son, Senator Noynoy Aquino was the one who decided to rush her to Makati Medical Center.

Friends attended the third day out of nine days novena for the recovery and rehabilitation of the former president. Everybody is praying for the swift recovery of Cory Aquino, including soldiers accused of killing her husband, Philippine martyr Ninoy Aquino in 1983.

Cory is the most loved Philippine president. She led the march against former strongman Ferdinand Marcos and managed the country's transition from dictatorship to democracy. Inspite of calls for her to remain in power, Cory decided to retire and gave way to her Defense chief, Fidel V. Ramos.

Her last public appearance was during the anti-charter change rally in Makati last year where she gave a speech denouncing the rampant graft and corruption of the Arroyo administration.

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6:15 AM | 0 comments

H1N1 cases in Philippines reach 2,000

H1N1 cases in the Philippines has already breached the 2,000 mark, making the Philippines the sixth country with the highest cases of inflicted victims of the disease. The phenomenal speed by which this virus has spread is a cause of alarm, says Cong. Ruffy Biazon. In fact, one of Biazon's nephews caught the dreaded virus.

Calls for more testing centers for H1N1 are rising, yet the Department of Health admits that there are no funds to establish two more. Only the RITM is allowed to test all H1N1 suspected cases.

The Philippines is the country with the most number of H1N1 cases that tourism has already suffered due to news about this. Insiders from the travel industry blamed the Department of Health for causing "undue alarm" over H1N1. In response, the DOH said they would only be giving weekly news updates on this.

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5:40 AM | 0 comments

Who or what convinced TIM to go back to the nego table with Smartmatic?

What transpired between Smartmatic International and Total Information Management (TIM) that convinced the two erring companies to again join hands and implement the poll automation project? Remember that it was only last Monday when TIM gave word that it's withdrawing from the deal. Then, this.

COMELEC chairman Jose Melo was mum about this so does Atty. Boy de Borja of TIM. Cesar Flores, Smartmatic International Sales director read a statement which essentially states the company's expression of renewed interests to work with TIM on the project. Both companies signed the joint venture agreement papers before COMELEC officials. The contract is supposed to be signed next week. Incorporation papers are to be submitted to the COMELEC next week.

Atty. de Borja credited the intercession of Senator Richard Gordon and Ambassador Henrietta de Villa.

Senator Gordon should come clean with this issue because, remember that he's one of the so-called presidentiables in the coming elections in 2010. What was his role? And what were the terms of reference that both companies agreed with the COMELEC?

These companies owe the Filipino public some explanation. This is not a private matter anymore. These companies entered into a 7.2 billion government contract. By its very nature, they should come clean and be transparent. They owe it to us, the Filipino People, to explain what really caused their previous disagreement and what made them go back to the negotiating table again.

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5:30 AM | 0 comments