RedBlueThoughts

The Black and White Movement protested when former president Erap went on stage during the inter-faith rally. I appeal to my comrades at the BWM not to give a big fuss out of this.

We must be laser focus on our fight now–THE ENEMY IS GLORIA. Our mission is for the restoration of morality in governance. If a person who formerly indulged in corruption has turned a new leaf, we must be forgiving and forget. The good Lord would appreciate it if we, the bearers of Truth and Light, give these former sinners the change to repent.

Let’s again be focused. As soon as we get the people’s victory, then, let’s take a reckoning.

Onwards towards the people’s victory!

The PNP, the tuta ni Gloria, said that its only 15,000. Yet, the video above taken by an Inquirer reporter shows otherwise. There is, in fact, 80,000 people who took the challenge of PNP Chief Razon very seriously. These numbers are signs from above, a mandate from heaven, so to speak, for the immediate ouster of Gloria. Defenders of the palace were quick to downplay the obvious numbers that went to Ayala Makati City. They say that these people who want to oust Gloria are not reflective of the national sentiments of the people.

ABS-CBN shows otherwise. Filipinos from abroad and megacities in the Philippines have mobilized their forces in support of the big inter-faith rally in Makati. We expect though these so-called leaders to support Gloria because, under the present system, the palace controls the distribution of the purse.

As I wrote previously, this issue is not a political nor a legal issue. This is an issue of morality. When a people rejects their leader due to morality, all the more the concerned citizens, especially the elite, should move for the physical ouster of this leader. A leader should not only be intelligent; he or she should also be moral. Why? Because governance is all about ethical rule, not only on technicality. These people in government are being reposed of the trust especially in the handling of the people’s money. If the people, who is the true representative of the collective will, move to depose a president, it should be heard instead of being dismissed as an action of an unruly and minority segment of the population.

The numbers are obvious. The people are tired of graft and corruption. They are tired of being gagged. They are very tired of being stopped in expressing their disgusts against Arroyo.

The only way for us to be saved from this political crisis is for Arroyo to gain her hiya once more and resign immediately.

Under the present circumstances, the people does not need the military’s withdrawal of support. These generals are not nationalists. They are far from being conscious followers of the people’s will.

What the people need are for the sergeants-majors and the junior officers to lead the movement for change. The Youth of today have spoken. As stakeholders of the country’s future, the Youth knows that if they don’t act now, their futures are being compromised.

For those who are members of my generation–are we not ashamed that the younger ones have taken the reins of the movement of change from us? We’re supposed to be the leaders of this movement for change. We’re supposed to do something for the Youth, not the Youth doing something for us. Woe to my generation! We must take into the streets and revolt. Now is the Time to Revolt.

I appeal to the True Patriots of the Filipino People–seize the reins of Fate. Create a glorious history. And God will look kindly on our people and pardon us from the sin of allowing a fake president to rule us and use our money for her own self-preservation.

The hands of de-escalation experts are now being felt in the light of the ZTE deal. A concerted effort to de-escalate the continuing and increasing momentum of groups opposing and asking for Arroyo’s head through the media, mass organisations and established institutions is being implemented involving the highest down to the lowest rungs of the regime. Millions of pesos are being spent ostensibly to control and take charge of the situation. Some media personalities have been compromised. Traps are being laid out to diffuse the boiling situation.

One such trap is the highly publicized CBCP emergency meeting. Operators of the palace allowed the media to heighten public expectation for a stronger CBCP statement, knowing fully well that the CBCP is a traditional institution and will not issue a stronger political statement other than the call for communal action. Historically, the CBCP has been known to be conservative, even as far back as the time of Marcos. That’s the reason why Manila’s Cardinal Sin stood up in the first place because the CBCP can’t commit itself to oppose Marcos.

So, those groups who still peg their support for an ouster call through a Church leadership should not be dismayed. Rather, read Aries Rufo’s article at NewsBreak which tells you why the CBCP can’t really issue a denouncement of Arroyo’s regime.

Groups should highlight instead the growing mass movement for enlightenment among the citizenry. That, in the absence of a strong singular leadership, groups should still express their sentiments against this creeping conjugal greed. I believe it would take a while for this thing to blossom into “people power” but, like I said in my previous blogs, time is not on the side of those who favor Arroyo’s head. 2009 is just around the corner and if groups fail to maintain momentum and gain sufficient numbers of persuasion, then, it would be all over.

Thus said, it is highly important that groups work for the massing up of at least 100,000 people come Friday. Why? Because it would show that despite these concerted efforts at derailing their initiatives, the people still went there to express their anger against Arroyo.

Tomorrow’s Friday mass rally should be a shining moment for Philippine history. It should be the fullest expression of collective action by a people fed up with the lies, with the corruption, with graft and the filth of the human soul.

Okey, let me get this straight.

Gloria admitted having learned of the anomalies preceding the ZTE deal, a day before she signed the agreement. She told the public that she can’t do anything about it then because she’s already in Boao to meet with the Chinese president. Still, she managed to tell the Chinese president that she’ll cancel the contract eventually.

Bull.

Sources said she already know about the anomalies weeks before when she met former NEDA Chief Romy Neri. Neri told her that Abalos was asking for an astronomical commission and that he’s being given 200 million pesos just to agree on it. Right then and there, she could have nipped this thing right away? History shows that she did’nt. She allowed it to continue despite her NEDA chief saying that this deal is riddled by anomalies.

What will then happen to the DOTC officials and lackeys of hers who tried to defend the deal to the best of their abilities? What will happen to Monsod, who said that’s the best deal and its not really anomalous? What about Mendoza, Formoso and the like? Their reputations have been tarnished. They have been all left in the lurch.

The admission happened to preempt a big revelation in the Senate. What revelation? The revelation to be made by two high government officials saying that the deal was tainted with corruption. Now that the “Boss” had admitted it, then, quo vadis?

How many ZTE deals do we have then? Allies of Gloria says she’s the best there is, she’s the only one we got, she’s the leader, she says. If she’s the person opt for the job, then, how many ZTE deals do we have then?

Gloria is telling us–okey, I made a mistake, so what then? Everybody makes mistakes. Tao lang po, she might have said.

Allies of Gloria are asking civil society, everyone of us, to just file the necessary charges and settle this thing in court. Bull. Or initiate an impeachment. Obviously, they still don’t get it.

This issue is NOT a political issue. No. This is NOT EVEN a LEGAL issue. Quite simply, no.

This issue is decency and of morality. Will this be enough to depose a president? Yes! Gloria has proven that she has the tendency to succumb to the sparkle of big-time money. That she can be tempted too remains all too obvious here. How many such deals did she approved which she sacrificed her soul to? How many deals did she allowed to be approved despite being tainted by graft and corruption? How many things did she allowed to happen, orders to kill her detractors or mess their lives for the sake of her own survival?

Ousting a president is not just through legal infractions. We have the power to oust her simply because she has not been totally frank about government deals. There’s simply no transparency here.

Are we to allow Gloria to continue bungling the job given to her by the people? Are we to allow her family to use government resources, millions or even billions, just to prop her administration up in times like these? They are spending money like there’s no tomorrow, funding those rallies in defense of her administration. When will all of these things end?

People should now achieve a higher state of struggle. I am recommending that a civil disobedience be made to show Gloria that she has lost the mandate of the People. Civil disobedience could be:

1. Not paying VAT
2. Not supporting Donald Dee’s companies
3. People showing up in places prohibited by the palace, like infront of Gate 1 or Gate 2 of Malacanang
4. Protesting infront or inside of venues where she’s slated to speak
5. Tearing up replicas of the 200 peso bill
6. Giving statements to Congressmen, asking them to withdraw their support of Gloria
7. Hunger strikes
8. Labor strikes in companies known to support her
9. Discouraging people from eating at Mikey’s, her son’s restaurant along Diosdado Macapagal boulevard
10. Prayer vigils in AFP camps

You can suggest other forms of struggle which we can show to all and sundry that we need change and we want it fast. Time is not on the side of those seekers of the Truth. Gloria and her allies are bidding for time. We must not let them have their way this time.

Snafus marked the 22nd year celebration of EDSA. One most significant was the snag in unfurling the Filipino flag. Alex Magno cynically remarked that snafus happen, those can’t be avoided and we must not get too superstitious about it.

Well, I think Magno is well aware of how the Chinese view things political. They said that if God does’nt favor government anymore, signs in heaven are to be seen. In the last three weeks, we saw devastating natural disasters happening in areas where allies of Gloria reside. Are these the signs that we expect?

The military and police brass put forward a challenge to civil society. The challenge, they say, is for civil society to prove to them that, indeed, their commander-in-chief has lost the battle. Okey. Fair enough. What will they do then if 1 million people burst into the streets in the first week of March (the ides of March) and tell Gloria straight in her face that she has lost all moral authority to govern? Will they abandon her? I think not. They are too entrenched and too jaded. They too have lost the ability to see things in a different tack.

The CBCP will meet today to tackle the political issues of our era. Will they issue a stronger statement? Maybe. They saw how priests in their dioceses militate against the greed. Will, they too, join the calls for bigger demonstrations?

El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde said that he’s in a period of reflection, obviously, studying the situation very keenly and thoroughly, as if his life depends on it. And it does really. Velarde is an opportunist. When he sees that the situation has changed quickly on the side of Gloria’s enemies, he will issue the necessary statement. Or, he’s just waiting for the CBCP to issue that statement?

Solita Monsod, that discredited economist who still support Gloria said she’s not ready to go to the EDSA route again. Okey. So what? Media should not interview her again.

The presscon of the two Juniors

I was listening to the speeches and answers of AFP Chief Esperon and PNP Chief Razon, two “Juniors” so to speak of Gloria during their joint “spontaneous” press conference inside Camp Aguinaldo. Among those they said, Esperon’s answers came as “refreshing” to me. He reiterated the AFP’s support to the “Spirit of EDSA”. A few minutes ago, during Ramos’ media interview, Ramos reiterated the “Spirit of EDSA”. Last week, JDV also told one media personality about the “Spirit of EDSA”. Esperon was very categorical in saying that they support the Spirit of EDSA.

The Spirit of EDSA

During one interview, Esperon said that this time, this political crisis should be solved by civil society. The challenge, Esperon said, is for civil society to prove to the people their will to resolve the crisis. Esperon said that civil society must resolve this crisis through the constitutional processes, meaning, it should be through the democratic institutions which the AFP helped restore after the constitutional authoritarianism of the Marcos era.

I am always reading between the lines here. I always write about the motivations of people, why people actually said these things and why it was said during that time. And it strikes me that Ramos’ speech (a prepared one) and Esperon’s including Razon’s were written in the same vein. I mean, it seems that both Ramos and Esperon have talked prior to this.

Instead of seeing the press conference as an attempt by Gloria to show the support of the AFP-PNP behind her administration, it should be seen as a DEPARTURE from the usual tactics of tower strengthening.

Gloria weaker now than before

It is now very clear to me that Gloria is actually weaker than what people perceive. Since the call is a New Brand of People Power, this new breed will not involve the security forces. This crisis will be left for the civilian authorities to resolve themselves. The AFP and PNP are solidly behind the Filipino People, that is very evident. This is a GOOD SIGN. Why?

Fence-sitting AFP and PNP more dangerous to Gloria

A fence-sitting AFP and PNP is MORE DANGEROUS to Gloria than a WITHDRAWAL OF SUPPORT. Why? Because that’s a sign that she’s left without defense. That she’s now as vulnerable as she was in 2005.

See it in a different light

We must see all of these events in a different light. EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 happened when the military broke the chain of command and supported the Filipino People in the rallies. Now, we will see none of the announcement of withdrawal of support. We will see a purist form of EDSA where the resolution will not be through the parliament of the streets. No.

Resolve through Constitutional Means

Rather, the resolution of this crisis will be resolved in the backrooms of Malacanang. Intense pressure from civil society, religious, business groups and Youth groups will make Gloria resign or, the most logical conclusion is put forward a letter handing over the reins of power to her constitutional successor due to inability to dispense her functions.

Impeachment? Again?

Senate President Manny Villar put forward impeachment. This is a vain attempt at resolving the issue since this impeachment will just be junked by a Kampi-dominated Congress.

Resignation is more acceptable

What is more potent than this and more logical is for Gloria to resign and hand over government to Noli. Why? First, that would be the most acceptable “change” that the oligarchs and the rich could tolerate. Forget about revolution. It cannot be done in the present dispensation. Admit it—we are dominated by a non-conscientious oligarchic system.

The New Form of EDSA

The new form of EDSA is a form wherein crisis will not be influenced by a military intervention. Again, I will reiterate my prognosis that this will be resolved PEACEFULLY, no coups, no withdrawal of support, no military intervention. It will be quick and bloodless. This is the newest breed of EDSA and would be the purest expression of People Power.

Gloria will be forced to go on leave and hand over power to a care-taker government to be headed by the Vice President.

Today’s celebration of EDSA 1 at the EDSA Shrine was a veritable loyalty check for the AFP. Noticeably, the crowd was not there, as if EDSA was hijacked by the usual opportunists. Those who were on the other side of the fence so to speak, those who fence-sit and those who even mocked EDSA were there on stage. The legitimate owners of EDSA, the people, civil society and people’s organizations were left out.

Joey Concepcion spoke and said that EDSA right now has been transformed into an economic one, that we should put a stop at EDSA and instead concentrate on empowering our people through economic initiatives. Good. But not good enough. Yes, we had achieved economic growth but the gains of the economy has not trickled down to the masses.

Fidel V. Ramos, one of the original architects of EDSA one, said it very accurately: The Spirit of EDSA is still there in the hearts and minds of all of us. He says that EDSA One came about in three stages:

(1) Conscientization
(2) Individual actions
(3) Communal actions

His speech was laced with symbolisms and hidden messages. He says that conscientization has started. We are now witnessing individual actions. Very soon, we will then see a convergence of individual actions into one big communal action.

Truly, the Spirit of EDSA is still there. The values of EDSA one continues burning in the hearts of everyone. What we must do is for everybody to continue doing these individual actions so that it would ripen into People’s Revolutionary Action for DemocracY (PRAY).

Why Gloria was not there

Gloria was not an active participant of the first EDSA. No. She was just a fence-sitter. Same as her husband, Mike Arroyo. She does not believe in EDSA. And it is but fitting for her not to be there.

I think the real reason why Gloria was not there is simple—she wants to avoid another confrontation with FVR. She experienced this at the Libingan ng mga Bayani where the former president lambasted her.

VP with FVR

While Verano was singing the usual EDSA songs, FVR was seen talking with the VP. What was the discussion, it will be just speculation on our part. Where’s the loyalty of the vice president?

Analysts see no coup

Criselda Yabes wrote that the possibility of a coup is remote. I believe her. I also think that a coup is not the penultimate result of all of these actions being undertaken by the people. This is not within the framework of a new brand of EDSA.

I believe the next big thing would solely be a pure EDSA—the kind that will once revel the world of its Godly majesty and pomp. The people will act to depose Gloria without the help of the AFP-PNP. If the defense of Gloria crumbles, then the people will be able to launch a scathing revolt against her.

The crumbling of the Bastille is imminent if, and only if, the defenders of Gloria STAND DOWN. And I think they will. They will eventually stand down without announcing a withdrawal of support.

This new brand of EDSA that we will see in the next few days will be totally different. It will be the purest expression of the People’s Will. It will be the end of the revolution that Bonifacio and the Katipuneros started in 1898, which continued against foreign oppression in 1946 and culminated in 1986.

The next big thing will happen in 2008.

Why all of a sudden, groups unite and call for the resignation of Gloria. Why the estrangement of relations between Gloria and JDV, one of the political timbers composing Lakas-CMD. Here’s the thing: whatever is happening now would definitely lead to Gloria’s ouster, either forcefully or thru resignation. Groups are supporting this call for obvious reasons–this is the only way for Lakas-CMD and those forces more powerful than Gloria to survive a post-2010 scenario. This is part of a bigger plan to God Save Lakas.

Gloria: sacrificial midget

Gloria is being sacrificed now for the sake of the survival of the main traditional party, Lakas. Why? Obviously, Gloria has become a liability for the generals and oligarchs who comprise the State. A still surviving Gloria will not defeat the force of the opposition come 2010. Anyone whom Gloria gives her blessing will definitely suffer ignominious defeat. It is therefore very safe to assume that an Estrada-led opposition will be a hands-down winner come 2010. The low ratings and the very visible lack of public support for Gloria are indications that things will not turn the way Lakas wants it to be. In fact, Gloria realized this that she’s being sacrificed early on in the game. That’s why she was doing her own political machinations thru Kampi. However, Lakas is an entrenched party already. In fact, Lakas is more than a party. It has been patterned into the Philippine version of Lee Kuan Yew’s party.

More on this…got to go…have a meeting.

My friend, Fel Maragay wrote an interesting piece today. He said that the opposition is backing away from calls for Gloria’s resignation. What struck me was the statement of Loren Legarda which says that the reason why she’s not calling for Gloria’s ouster is that “the alternative might be worse”.

Hello, Loren, you are out of bounce.

Despite what you think about Noli, Noli is in a better position to succeed Gloria for three reasons: First, he enjoys the trust and confidence of a huge majority of our people. He’s well respected among the Muslims and non-Muslim segment of the population.This is the main reason why we must support him.

Second, during his time at the Senate, he did’nt hug the headlines nor debated much against fellow senators. He just worked his butt off compared to you. And third, he’s the most hard-working vice president I have ever seen. He gave hope to Filipinos who aspire to have their own homes. He managed to lower interest rates and down-payments. Before, its really difficult even for a government employee to buy a house. Now, the possibilities are there.

Have you questioned yourself Loren? What have you achieved so far in your checkered political career? You had this Luntiang Kalikasan. Had it amounted to anything? No. I don’t recall any law that you sponsored that really made an impact in my life. Do you have any executive post experience? No. You started your career strong by gunning at the senate.

People from your circle think that Noli has no brains. You’re wrong. Noli has the intellectual capability to cross swords with diplomats, businessmen and politicians. Besides, we don’t need intellectuals like you who pretend to know the solution but has the tendency to be the source of the problem later on.

Will I go on? What happened to your home? What happened to your supposed marriage with Leviste? Are you really the legitimate wife of Leviste? Is Leviste your legitimate husband? Where is your legitimate husband?

Before these self-moralizing politicians like Loren open their mouths, they should look at themselves first. Before they even shudder at the thought of a Noli presidency, they need to unite first with other groups and work for the ouster of this president. If they don’t do it, then, palace men will definitely do it themselves.

Seven years of continuous state tyranny and repression have numbed most of us to apathy. Some of those who hold the torch for democracy and freedom have either relegated themselves to the desks of everyday mundane existence. Some pushed on, with only a glimmer of hope left in their hearts. Others succumbed along the way, either to survive by going to bed with the enemy or worst, suffered the end of every revolutionary–death in the hands of evil.

For those who still hope for the best in this country. For those who still harbour even an iota of hiya in themselves. For those who want to see a clean government, devoid of self-serving policies and interests, only serving the people, this is a clarion call for you.

Stand up and be counted. Rise up oh You Patriots of the New Generation and create history.

Our futures are not in the hands of the church. No.

Our children’s futures are not to be played with by the Military. No.

Our children’s children are not to be manipulated by the wiles of the rich and the middle class. No.

We rise up as one because it is the most decent thing to do. We stand against tyranny and corruption because it is the most rational thing to do. We will march because that’s our responsibility, not only as citizens of this country, but it is the responsibility of every human.

We feel our humanity by being with others who have laid down their lives for the sake of the future. We can only say we are human if we oppose the animalistic acts of those who lead us. We are human because we oppose every Machievellian interests, every barbaric violations of our decency and sensitivities.

We rise as a People because some of us mocked what we did at EDSA twenty two years ago. We need to show these people that we, as a race, are not barbarians. We respect law, truth and justice. We are not their kind. We are not thieves. We are not robbers of futures. We are creators.

For those who still seek the truth, stop.

The Truth has been shown. We have discovered the Truth already. And the truth is:

This regime does not respect us as a People. They respect only themselves.
This Regime does not respect our rights. They trample them everyday.
This Regime only respects money and worship the Mammon. They are devoid of God.
This Regime needs cleansing.

We need Justice Now. The Truth has been laid bare for all of us to see. Now, what do we do about it?

We rise as a Nation, create another spectacle and lay down the foundations of a New Philippine Revolution!

Onward the Youth. Rise up oh Patriots of the Bagong Katipunan. Rise up the downtrodded and the toothless. Rise up and show the world how it is to be a Filipino.