RedBlueThoughts

ARE WE INSTITUTING DOUBLE STANDARDS IN THE BLOGOSPHERE? I’m addressing this question to the politically-aware and sensitive bloggers of my age. I noticed that we talked a lot about the golf melee, which to me, is just an away bata. But, we dein talk about this more serious issue of the Alabang Druggie Boys. Why? Because we know some or most of them? Why? Because, at this one, Gloria Arroyo and her men did an obviously honorable thing?

DJB, a colleague of mine over at FilipinoVoices.com says that I must reserve my salute to Gloria. Why would I, when I saw how she acted in this case. She did’nt use her powers to give a favor to a friend, Philip Brodett. There are reports that the Brodetts and the Tecsons reportedly called up so many friends in Malacanang, including very very close advisers of Arroyo. In the end, Gloria did the right thing–let them rot in jail! If the courts prove these boys guilty, then, let them hang. They are not teenagers. They are adults. They know what they are doing. And definitely, they know the punishment of such evil and horrendous acts. If the law says they should hang, let Gloria hang them! But if the Courts prove that they’re innocent, then, let them be given their freedom. I’ll even be the first one who will heap praises to them and will damn to hell government for putting them thru all of these ordeal.

The point is–let us in the blogosphere see things objectively. Let’s praise where praise is worthy to be given and let us damn those whose acts are really worthy of damnation.

Again, I commend Gloria for supporting the PDEA in their decision not to release these so-called Alabang Boys, err, Alabang ADULTS. Bulbulin na itong mga ito, yet they are being called “boys”?

Also, I NOTICE THE OBVIOUS PUBLIC RELATIONS STUNT BEING DONE OVER THE BLOGOSPHERE AND EVEN IN THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA RIGHT NOW, PORTRAYING THESE DRUG PUSHERS OF ALABANG AS ACADEMICALLY BRILLIANT KIDS! HAHAHA! THIS IS THE MOST STUPID AND THE MOST LAUGHABLE THING I HAVE EVER READ IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! WORST, A UP STUDENT ALLEGEDLY WROTE THIS LIE OVER AT FILIPINOVOICES!

WHO WOULD BELIEVE SUCH A LIE? SOME OF MY FRIENDS KNOW THESE ALABANG DRUGLORDS AND THEY ARE FAR FROM BEING ACADEMICALLY EXCELLENT! IN FACT, HOW MANY SANCTIONS DID THEY RECEIVE FROM THEIR SCHOOLS? A LOT!

AND TO MAJOR MARCELINO, I ALREADY FORMED A MAJOR MARCELINO BRIGADE! For those who want to join this brigade, just send me an email confirming your membership thru mangubat.patricio@gmail.com

What is this? There’s an apparent breakdown of the “uneasy” alliance between Danding Cojuangco and the Arroyos? After their celebrated alliance late last year, it seems that the honeymoon phase is finally over?

Reports say that government is trying to revive the mouthballed coco levy case. It seems that government is trying to revive one of eight coco levy cases already dismissed by the Sandiganbayan last November. Is this for real?

Or maybe Malacanang heard of the Lakas effort at creating the NPC desk within the party? Nacionalista Party to follow suit to create a stronger Lakas party enroute to 2010? What will happen to Kampi?

Or, maybe, just maybe, this alleged government effort is just for show?

(I first wrote this over at http://www.filipinovoices.com/

In the widely televised House Committee on Drugs hearing today, three things were established. First, the PDEA led by the courageous Marine Mayor Ferdinand Marcelino conducted the Ayala Alabang buy-bust operation according to plan. They conducted a pre-arrest investigation. They cased the suspects. Eventually, they were able to entrap them thru a buy-bust operation.

Based on the report, Richard Brodett, son of popular golf icon, “Butch” Brodett was the head of the group composed of Joseph Ramirez Tecson and Jorge Jordana, son of Johnny “Midnight” Joseph Jordana. When these drug pushers were interrogated, PDEA found how Brodett got his illegal drugs from abroad. They followed procedures.

Surprisingly though, the prosecutors who handled the case, Senior State Prosecutor Philip Kimpo and the one who penned the resolution, ProsecutorJoseph Resado did not see it that way, and it was affirmed by Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno who even defended the DOJ position before the media. (Previous to this celebrated case, there were reportedly some cases involving Zuno. One of the reasons reportedly given why Zuno was not chosen for the Associate Justice post is allegations of reported bribery. However, Zuno, I think, is not that gullible.)

By the way, the ponente , Prosecutor Resado, admitted having been a student of the Alabang boy’s lead counsel, Atty. Felisberto Verano Jr. who is now under water for allegedly trying to wiesel his way out of a rejection to release his clients by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales.

Atty. Verano, incidentally, is a fraternity brother of DOJ Undersecretary Ric Blancaflor, whose name was dragged into this case after allegedly calling up Major Marcelino of PDEA for a followup.Their fraternity is the Order of Utopia, a law frat based at the Ateneo de Manila School of Law.

The House committee decided to call Atty. Verano after they found out that Atty. Verano reportedly tried to do a fast one when he allegedly gave an envelope containing a draft release order to the secretary of his frat brother, Undersecretary Ric Blancaflor who, in turn, immediately went to the office of the DOJ secretary Gonzales for him to sign the draft release order.

Second, the bribery attempts did take place, according to Major Marcelino. He was reportedly pressured by JoTec, a relative of one of the suspects and even his own PMA Class 1994 mistah. Marcelino made us all proud when he resisted all attempts at releasing these high-society drug peddlers.

Lastly, it seemed that, based on the hearing, there are certain procedural aspects that both the DOJ and the PDEA should resolve. That’s why the Dangerous Drug Board, headed by former Senator Tito Sotto recommended that a prosecutory unit be created within PDEA that will try all these drug cases.

IN all these, let the wheels of justice grind against these scums of the earth. PR operators are moving right now in the media to mitigate the effects of these revelations, but, their attempts will be put to naught. The truth will come out. These devils who sell these illegal drugs should be put to death, whoever they may be.

And, for the first time, I would like to commend Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for standing her ground on this one. It is highly commendable, even heart-warming, to hear Mrs. Arroyo even calling Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales and ordering him not to release the Brodett-Tecson-Jordana drug trio, pending review of the resolution. For all our differences in opinion before, this one, I salute President Gloria Arroyo.

To Major Marcelino and General Santiago–sirs, the Filipino People salute you. May your tribe increase. May you continue your fine work. For our idealistic brothers in PDEA, sirs, continue to do the good work for and on behalf of the Filipino People. We salute you sirs.

If all the mistahs will work for the betterment of the system and work against those who create evil in this country, we will have a better country and we will not need a Patricio Mangubat anymore.

As most peoples of the world militate against Israeli intrusions on Palestinian territory at Gaza, Filipinos are talking about who did it first—Secretary Pangandaman or Dela Paz. Both camps have been doing the rounds, explaining their side. What’s so uncanny about it is that both these grown up guys tug their daughters and sons along. Both want sympathy. And both are desperate on getting it.

Again, the blog has been used especially by the Dela Paz family in courting public support. But, no one asked why? Why are they going around town scandalizing the nation with a supposed scandalizing incident? If you look closely, there are more serious scandals and abuses of power that members of the official family did in the past. Yet, this is the first time that someone is actually calling our attention about it. Why now? Because, they were victimized by it. If this incident did’nt happen, would the Dela Paz family be this vigilant about this?

Yeah, some blogger say, this is an issue of arrogance. What? My dear Ding, this government, especially this administration has been arrogant since Day One. Why harp on this now? Everyone knows that Arroyo and her gang of thugs are arrogant shitheads. I would understand if, say DAR Secretary Pangandaman’s arrogance was directly related to his being the head of the government agency supposedly handling those agrarian reform cases, but the fact is, this golf incident is NOT it.

Are we that desperate to use this incident just to pin a member or any member of Arroyo’s official family just because of our hatred? Or just because Pangandaman happened to have a Muslim-sounding name and since we hate everything Muslim, we feel aggrieved too since a Christian was supposedly victimized by Muslim aggression? How did it happen, that a mere golf incident would turn into a Muslim-Christian thing or a anti-Gloria issue? That is too parochial. Too trashy. And too tabloid-ly.

This is a sad week for Filipino blogosphere. We, Pinoy bloggers, have stooped very low on this one. That golf incident is just away bata.

It is not a case of arrogance, nor was it a case of somebody using public funds to oppress somebody. Besides, that “somebody” happens to be some of the chosen few who benefitted from the Marcos regime. Sources told me that the Dela Paz Family benefitted reportedly from the Marcos wealth. And they brag about it with other members of Valley Golf and Country Club.

The highest punishment for the Pangandamans would be prison time and perpetual ban from the golf course. Same as the Dela Paz family who showed discourtesy and barbarism in the golf course.

Bloggers just became ordinary. It’s like we’re the more stylish writers of showbiz tabloids. Enuf said.

There is danger facing the Filipino Nation in the first few weeks of January. Let’s start with the first one.

On January 9, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) will be having its RTD (Roundtable Discussion or Conference) here in the Philippines. According to the Council of Moderate Muslims, this event will be attended by various members of Arab states. It’s turning out to be one of the largest and the most significant events ever to be held here.

Of course, this event will probably be exploited by various groups, including the MILF, the MNLF, ASG, JI, AFP and even anti-Gloria groups. For the Bangsamoro armed militants, this is a good way to highlight what the Philippine government is doing against them. Surely, armed confrontations will escalate between the MILF and the AFP, since the Bangsamoro struggle is the centerpiece of OIC discussions here.

Will there be a humiliating incident that is sure to occur? The probability is high, since this is an international event. All eyes will be on the Philippines, especially those leaders in the Middle East. I shudder at the thought of a terrorist attack since this incident will surely get global attention if some militant group exploit it.

What am I saying here? Philippine and regional state security agencies should place themselves on the highest alert. With what is happening at tha Gaza strip right now, the statement by the OIC could trigger a regional war or an outbreak of more serious hostilities between Bangsamoro groups and the AFP. We should prepare for any possible terrorist attack in Manila.

What’s so significant about Rizal’s death that we celebrate it a full thirty days after Bonifacio’s birth? Does this signify anything at all?

Is Rizal’s death more important than his birth in June? I understand why we celebrate Bonifacio’s birth instead of his death because, by commemorating his untimely death at the hands of traitors such as Arroyo’s great great ancestor Major Makapagal, we will be opening a can of worms.

Bonifacio was betrayed by the ascendant elite who want to wrestle the leadership of the revolution from the middle class represented by the Supremo. His death marked the change in the complexion not only of the revolutionary struggle, but also, marked a paradigm shift in the philosophical world view of the entire organisation. Bonifacio’s death would also re-ignite passions and open old wounds and reveal the unsavory legacy of such big names now as the Paternos, the Aguinaldos, the Makapagals, the Aquinos and the like—all traitors of the True Revolution but now, enjoying some semblance of respect for their alleged roles in the revolution.

Rizal’s death is significant for three reasons: one, it further add fuel to the Katipunan revolt. It served as fodder which led to the “defining moment” of decisive strategic victory in 1899. (Let me disabuse your minds: contrary to public view, Rizal’s death did not trigger the Katipunan revolt. The Katipunan has already declared a revolt prior to Rizal’s execution). Two, Rizal’s martyrdom became a “cause” instead of just merely an “incident”. His stature in society lent credence to the blossoming revolutionary struggle thereby attracting other sectors to the Katipunan. His execution showed the elite that it’s existence is being threatened by the true-blooded Spaniards who did’nt even considered those half-breeds as equals. And lastly, his death was perceived as an “omen”, a “fulfillment of a prophecy”, which, all the more even enjoyed more publicity since it was done at the turn of a century. It was both an historic and propitious moment. Propitious in the sense that it further fueled fears of a millenarian end and the cause of a New Beginning for the country.

Yet, by celebrating his death rather than his birth, we are sending a message that his demise has been far more important to us that the legacy of his successful life. Rizal’s death will not be as controversial, as monumentally important or as significantly tremorous where it not for his popular works. Culturally, we Filipinos celebrate our birthdays more than Halloween, but in this case, we put greater importance to Rizal’s death rather than his birthday. What kind of paradigm are we really following here? Or what sociological viewpoint do we want to stress? Are we then dismissing Rizal’s contributions to the medical field and now recognizing that, apart from Noli and Fili, Rizal’s legacy in imparting new ideas in those fields which he so took part of, are miniscule compared to this contemporaries? Are we then, indirectly saying that, apart from his death, truly, Rizal is no more than a mere eye doctor who happened to have many girlfriends and wrote two novels and who came from a perfumed life but who elected to live a Spartan one because of his previous experience at the hands of two politically incorrect Spanish officers? Had he not died in Bagumbayan, will we ever even look at him as a hero?

Probably not, because at that time, the Katipunan has already succeeded the La Liga Filipina as the ascendant revolutionary organisation. Bonifacio already launched the revolt prior to Rizal’s death so it is not historically accurate to say that Rizal’s death led him to revolt. No. Rizal’s death just crystallized the united front against colonialism. It just lead to a realization of the elite of the futility of further supporting the foreign power and the importance of seizing leadership of the blossoming revolt from a middle class millenarian believer to a Republican.

Rizal’s death just signified the beginning of a leadership shift of the revolution from the masses to the “enlightened” caciques who were fighting a different cause, far, far different from the “cause” of the masses. Prior to the ascendancy of the Pinoy elite clique to the Katipunan leadership, the “cause” of the masses can be described as “agrarian” based. When leadership changed hands with the demise of the Supremo, the “cause” changed from “agrarian” to “nationalism” or even another abstract concept as “Republicanism”.

The paradigm shift is premature since the previous Katipunan concept has not been distilled as yet by the masses who supported it. But since the change has been abrupt, it also affected the very nature and conduct of the revolutionary struggle. Worse, the Katipunan was infiltrated by the caciques which further weakened the entire struggle. That explains why, after nearly in victory over the Spanish, the movement was weak when the Americans came. Precisely because the support structures were absent during the arrival of the new conquerors. And what are these structures? The masses serve as the Katipunan structures. But since, there was a disjunct between “cause” and “prevailing belief”, the structures crumbled. This, historically, is what Rizal’s death really signified.

There are current reports indicating a breakthrough in the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The top leadership of the Bangsamoro people reportedly agreed to negotiate peace with the re-constituted peace panel of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Tha could be good news for some. However, upon closer analysis, this is highly improbable given the fact that the Central Committee of the MILF already took a position contrary to what government right now is announcing to the entire world.

Right after that controversial Supreme Court decision invalidating the Memorandum of Agreement-BJE, the MILF Central Committee already decided not to go back to the negotiating table if this is to be chaired by appointments of Arroyo. Philippine president Arroyo has just reconstituted the panel to be headed by Foreign Undersecretary Rafael Seguis and includes lawyer Tomas Cabili Jr., Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, former General Santos City Mayor Adelbert Antonino, and former legislator Ronald Adamat.

Note that the reconstituted panel includes people who really don’t know the status of years of negotiations with the MILF and has even taken a contrari stand on the issue of the Bangsamoro juridical entity. The MILF already said that it will not return to talking peace if the GRP just wants to reconfigure the conditions and terms of reference of the MOA-BJE. It will only talk peace under the conditions pre-set by those stated in the original MOA-BJE.

Notice also that those who compose this government panel stands to debate more with the MILF leadership instead of going to constructive dialogue. Again, this peace talks, if ever it resumes, is designed to fail.

The reason why GRP is just doing this now and announcing the willingness kuno of the MILF to talk peace is very simple—Arroyo wants to project a good image before leaders of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) who will hold their conference here at the Dusit Hotel on January 9. 2009. Government wants to project an image that it is protecting the civil, economic, political and religious rights of the Bangsamoro when the contrary is happening.

Today, I learned that my Chinese animal sign is Metal Dog. Good. That’s probably the reason why I bark a lot especially when I see that some pig try to scam another animal in the urban jungle. My bark is worse than my bite, sometimes. I have’nt tried biting someone, but, it’ll be some nasty wound since probably my teeth is all metal too.

This coming year (the lunar year will start on 26 January 2009, the Year of the Cow (ox for some)), it will either be lucky or unlucky for me. I should befriend monkeys and chickens, since they’re my lucky and compatible animal buddies. If you want to meet me, you should avoid doing so between 3 in the afternoon and 7 in the evening since that’ll be my lucky times. And if you see me always facing West, well, it figures. West is always my lucky direction and of course, convincing me to go East is surely not for me. I already travelled in the East a lot and it’s time for me to travel to Europe for a change.

It’s good that I sleep in a metal bed, since that’ll be lucky and I’m really facing West all the time. Good for me. I’m always facing my wife’s bosom.

It’ll be good if I wear white more often and adorn myself with expensive jewelry, especially gold rings. I love gold rings. It gives me something when I need cash.

Overall, the coming year seems auspicious. I’ll be starting a new job which could potentially bring in my best self and could potentially help hundreds of lives out there. I’ll bark more often when I see Gloria and her syndicate buddies scamming their way again. But, I’ll reserve my big bite. I don’t want to stain my teeth biting Gloria’s dirty and slimy legs. Yuck.

Happy new year to everyone and May All be Blessed by God’s bounties!

Will 2009 be a lucky year for Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Will she finally get her wish to be able to extend her term at least, a year? Sources say Arroyo and her henchmen, especially Ronnie Puno, want the elections deferred for at least a year, meaning, make it 2011. That’s their minimum desire. Why? For three reasons. One, they would want the Constitutional Convention formed by that time and they would use this argument to bolster their case before Congress re-opening on January 20. Second, that would also provide more funds for the ruling party and third, that would coincide with the formation of a bigger economic block led by Arroyo. Question—will 2009 be Arroyo’s luckiest year as yet?

The country faces extreme challenges next year, especially in the export industries sector. As early as August 2008, the export industries have suffered tremendous blows due to low job orders. The US market has begun slowing down at that time and it continues to further slide. After the US meltdown, other European markets and even the Japanese market fell like dominoes.

Next will definitely be the tourism-related services industry. With more Westerners opting to save rather than splurge on a holiday, the tourism industry will likely slow down as well. I have’nt seen the World Tourism Association (WTA) projections but this will most likely be down by about 15 to 20% at the most.

Now, depending on what US President-elect Barack Obama will announce on January 20, 2009, the BPO sector will continue its robust growth. Why? Even if Obama decides to encourage US companies to just make their BPO in the mainland instead of offshore, more companies will still decide to continue their overseas operations because it is still cheaper to operate a BPO here than in the US. Obama will likely find a way to exploit other sectors in their economy instead of dipping his hands in the global BPO market.

Another critical sector would be the small and medium sized entreprises. If government, especially the BSP will hesitate to further widen the credit markets, it would put the entire economy to further risk since SME’s rely on banks and government financial institutions for their capital infusions. For example, in my case, I want my own business but I lack capital. Will government extend its loan portfolio further to cover those in-between job cases like myself?

I went to SSS thru the help of its very efficient SVP Susie Bragante and found out that yes, I can get a loan but I need to land another employment to secure one. Whatthe? Its policy. Well, if I elect to continue my SSS membership, I have to pay a sum. Fine. I’ll pay it. But, before I can loan, I have to wait for a month just to post that payment. Whatthef..ck! Paging SSS head Secretary Romulo Neri. You need to create another loan portfolio for the following:

1. Those SSS members who want to start their own businesses but lack capital and resigned from their jobs because they want to be entrepreneurs. And SSS should AT LEAST be able to give them the maximum loan amount equivalent to three times their former monthly pay. Look, Madame Arroyo urges everyone to be an entrepreneur and when we, citizens, do want to make our dreams come true, government fails in its obligation to at least extend us some loan.

2. OFWs. (I think government already provided 2 billion pesos worth of loanable funds for displaced OFWs. By the way, these OFWs are twice displaced–when they went abroad, they are classified as economically displaced. When they’re busted from their jobs, they went displaced again.)

The secret so that we all would survive the global economic crisis in 2009 would be the following:

1. Expansion of credit facilities
2. Lowering of BSP interest rates
3. Lowering of BSP credit rates
4. Expansion of government assistance to SME’s