RedBlueThoughts

Workers of the world, awaken!
Rise in all your splendid might
Take the wealth that you are making,
It belongs to you by right.
No one will for bread be crying
We’ll have freedom, love and health,
When the grand red flag is flying
In the Workers’ Commonwealth.
–a song by Joe Hill commemorating the struggle of the first May 1 movement

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that beyond human existence lies nothing.

If this is true, then, what hope lies for the Pinoy worker? What life awaits those who traditionally work in factories and sweatshops throughout the country?

In a flat world such as ours, intellectual capital is perceived to be more valuable now than production. With technology totally eliminating the human factor in production, the machine has proven to be more important than the worker.

This begs for a re-examination of the worker’s place in the scheme of things.

During the Industrial Revolution, the workers know how powerful they are. Without them, factories can’t go on producing.

Now, everything has been mechanized. You see less and less people being employed by factories because computers can do the same stuff that a worker can do, and with less stress of a shutdown due to a picketline or a labor strike.

Lazzarato (1996) puts it simply as an era of “immaterial labor”, a dig against Karl Marx description of labor as related to material production. Like all labor, such requires physical activity, but an “immaterial” one due to its result. Lazzarato defines it as “the labor that produces the informational and cultural content of the commodity” (1996, 133). According to Hardt and Negri (2005, 108), it creates “immate- rial products, such as knowledge, information, communication, a relationship, or an emotional response.”

It’s a departure from Marx in the sense that it makes not just objects but “subjectivities” (Hardt and Negri, 2000, 32). Hardt and Negri agree that its “biopolitical production, the production of social life itself, in which the economic, the political and the cultural increasingly overlap and invest one another”

I think this administration is aware of this. That’s why, today, in commemoration of the 1884 struggle of Chicago workers in the State which led to May 1, they’re encouraging workers, especially the OFW’s, to engage in entrepreneurship.

Whatever my friends from the labor movement would say, this shift from material production to immaterial labor poses a serious threat to the relevance of labor unions. Why?

In a highly mechanized world, labor’s place is threatened with extinction. With the world being increasingly transformed into geo-economic divisions, how will the Philippines stand a chance against such giants of production, like China and India?

Compare the Filipino worker with their counterparts abroad and you’ll see that companies prefer Chinese and Indian workers than Filipinos. First, the standard of living there is quite low. Second, they don’t complain. And third, they are not pricky or choosy in their work.

Yes, we do say that we’re more educated and speak correct English than these Chinese or Indian workers. Yet, the new trend nowadays is for companies to adapt to the language and trash the language barriers instead of workers adapting to the company. Likewise, Chinese workers are learning English. Indians, by the way, speak the Queen’s language, better than us.

So, where’s our advantage?

As the world behaves in an informational mode, fewer and fewer companies produce material capital and more and more rely on intellectual capital. With the paradigm shift, more people need more info-based education rather than skills-based.

That’s good for modern, highly-industrialized societies like those of the US, Europe and Singapore. But, what about the Philippines, which positions itself as a viable investment haven for producers of goods?

Post war traumatic stress. That’s the explanation given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in explaining the cause of death of a Patriot, Col. Caldeo. This 1983 cavalier died, allegedly, by committing suicide. His family and mistahs said that he was disturbed by what happened between him and his superiors during the Puno Mohadji incident against the bandit group, Abu Sayyaf.

That Puno Mohadji incident was some of the defining moments of the Philippine Army. First, it was both a victory and a defeat. Caldeo’s unit suffered serious casualties yet inflicted major damages on the Abu Sayyaf. They were’nt able to save the foreign hostages, though.

I distinctly remember the Sipadan hostage crisis because I was assigned there as a television reporter. I spent a considerable amount of time covering that incident. Like my other colleagues, it was a career-defining moment. Sandra Aguinaldo of GMA 7 and I spent some time at Helen’s lodge which is in the heart of the city of Jolo. That place is just a few meters away from the Jolo Cathedral where some years back, a priest was killed. So, like the rest of the police and military there, we were also under constant threat from the civilian supporters of the ASG. There were reports that the ASG would conduct kidnappings of foreign and local journalists. Fortunately, I was not kidnapped. But the ABS-CBN crew was.

In Isabela, Basilan where Col. Caldeo was assigned, the tension was also palpable. The ASG unit there was reportedly a ferocious lot. Trained in Afghanistan, these ASG fighters vowed to resist the incursions by the “mushrikuns” into their territory.

My colleague Alvin Alburo, who now writes for GMA 7, saw that battle first hand between Caldeo’s group and the ASG. Jun Veneracion (who was then a ABC 5 reporter) and another GMA7 reporter also were there, when some of the soldiers were beheaded by the ASG. I think (if my memory serves me right) about 15 soldiers died during that Puno Mohadji battle. Accounts say that the group of soldiers were ambushed when they were walking along a shallow river bed between two hills. Without air support, the soldiers did not stand a chance against the insurgents.

That battle was a major defeat. And it was a humiliating one.

After Puno Mohadji, the Army and the Philippine Marines suffered a series of defeats in the theatre of war in Mindanao. Hundreds of soldiers died in Mindanao already. It was not superior firepower that defeated these soldiers.

They were defeated due to the inefficiency of their superiors which affected their morale.

Whatever AFP Spokesman and 1983 baron Col. Daniel Lucero would try to picture it, the AFP of today is demoralized and fragmented. It has been politicized by Mrs. Arroyo and her ilk so much that it has been turned into their private army.

Proof? Look at what ex-General Jovito Palparan did just recently. He occupied a mining firm in Bulacan using the resources of the AFP, soldiers of an Infantry battalion assigned there. In what authority, you may ask? None but his!

Palparan’s act shows how generals and ex-generals treat soldiers–they’re their personal security force, their own private armies.

Palparan is a disgrace to the profession. If he’s a Cavalier, his mistahs should immediately summon the courage to oust him from their class. Imagine, somebody without authority using the resources of the state for his own personal gain?

I am totally disgusted by this Palparan guy. He thinks that he’s so powerful that he can use the AFP as his prop. Without his soldiers, will Palparan stand a chance against the New People’s Army? I doubt it.

Palparan shows us how abusive someone can become given the license to kill enemies of the state.

This shows you how shabby our military has become since this administration took charge. Where’s the professionalization of the ranks. Mrs. Arroyo?

You and your propagandists call for the military to remain apolitical and the Patriots to stand their ground against you. Yet, you and your mafia continue to abuse and use the military for your own personal power trip!

Where, oh, where are the Patriots whom the people love? Where are the True Cavaliers whom we, the People, supported and sacrificed our hard-earned monies just to hone them on the fine ideals of Truth, Honesty, Integrity and Honor?

Where are the others who will stand against this evil regime come what may? Where are they who will sacrifice their lives and their futures to correct the wrongs of this administration? Has corruption totally erased idealism from their hearts?

I shudder to think of other Col.Caldeos taking their own lives because they think they’re helpless in abatting the continued slide towards disgrace of the military. Don’t take your own lives, true Patriots of the New Generation. No.

Do something. Don’t sulk in your chairs or in your camps whenever you see something wrong with the organisation. Exhaust all possible means to change the defects of the system. Then, you’ll realize that these wrongs are symbols of a bigger problem, that of a system so corrupt and so decrepit that it makes you puke.

Don’t puke. Do something. Stand up, you Patriots of the New Generation. Take charge. Act now.

You’ll be doing it for the people. You’ll be doing it to secure the futures of your children.

The loss of such fine gentlemen and officers like Col. Roberto Caldeo should stop now. The loss of such corrupt men like General Jovito Palparan should begin.

I heard from reliable sources that GMA heeded my challenge—she’ll present two big-time rice traders before the public. Sounds very nice. I like her when she’s tough and determined.

I also heard that she’ll fire Morales from the Customs post and give him a wonderful kick in the ass. Sounds very nice. I like her when she’s showing her political will.

I am hearing something good also from my friends in the energy sector. GMA daw will review the Oil deregulation law and would probably do something to arrest the increasing prices of petrol. Well, if that’ll happen, i’ll go to Malacanang and give a rousing speech praising her for standing up for the people’s rights to live.

For the first time, I am seeing the GMA I once loved and supported in EDSA Dos.

Welcome news…

1. Allowing the wheels of justice to fall against Nani Perez. He’s a rapacious dog. He should be jailed if he’s guilty.
2. Giving 5 billion as support to poor families. Very laudable program. I hope it does’nt fall to the hands of the unscrupulous. If it does, then, GMA should order the NBI to arrest them and if they resist, shoot those bastards. Its a mortal sin to deprive food from the poorest of the poor.
3. GMA is finally reviewing the rice importation policy of NFA. Sounds very, very nice.

If GMA continues to do good and think about the interests of the people instead of her family’s, then, I’ll even support and vote for her come 2010.

However, I am giving GMA a few weeks to continue her governance. If she continues to act presidential, then, people like me will support her all the way to hell, if needed. Hey, that’s where she belongs right, as a devil enfant, if Joma’s to be believed.

The Senate just filed Resolution No. 10 calling for a change in the system of government from republican presidential to a parliamentary form of government. Malacanang in a statement said they’re surprised with the 180 degree turnaround. The Senate has been vigorously opposing cha-cha moves. Now, eleven senators have signed their own death warrants.

Why the move towards a parliamentary system of government? Note that this reso was even filed by Minority Floor Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr, a strong voice against cha-cha before under the Arroyo administration. Pimentel is known for advocating federalism, yes, but not under Arroyo’s. Why the sudden change of heart, Mr. Pimentel?

Notice that the ones who co-signed the resolution were also strong oppositors to cha-cha, especially Senate President Manuel Villar and Senators Pia Cayetano, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Jinggoy Estrada, Gregorio Honasan, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan and Ramon Revilla Jr. The voting crossed partylines, showing the urgency of the resolution.

What prompted them to file a resolution such as this one? Are they anticipating some moves from Malacanang? Is this a move to finally solve the impasse in peace talks with the Bangsamoro people?

I remember writing about cha-cha a few months ago and I said that this administration has a June deadline for it. Is the Senate pre-empting a similar undertaking from Congress? Do they have prior information that Congress will be initiating cha-cha moves this May?

Some thoughts:

1. Maybe the Senator saw the writing on the wall that they’ll lose the vote come cha-cha in Congress?
2. Maybe they are seeing the specter of a prolonged Arroyo rule under this system of government?
3. Maybe they already lost hope of ousting Gloria from the palace and they just want to slice this country apart so that they, themselves, will be able to rule at least a portion of it?

I would like to know what prompted these fine gentlemen and a lady to vote for cha-cha. And I would also like to know why major palace factotum Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago abstained herself from voting the measure?

Opps, haven’t you noticed?

In just a few days, the peso climbed to 43 pesos to a dollar. That would surely affect rice importation by government. Instead of probably losing 20 billion pesos, as what Mar Roxas correctly said, government could lose more since it aims to import 675 metric tons of rice. Current global prices of a ton of rice is pegged between 800 to 1,000 dollars per metric ton. That would surely require more money from government to be able to import enough stocks.

There’s another one.

Former agriculture secretary Salvador Escudero, the last agri secretary of dictator Marcos, correctly pointed out that Mrs. Arroyo is set to implement a 43 billion pesos rice self-sufficiency program similar to Masagana 99. Escudero said that Masagana 99 gave the Philippines a self-sufficiency status for almost ten years.

With FIELDS, Escudero hopes that the same thing will happen in the Philippines. I think though that the similarities are just about that.

With 2010 just around the corner, I am quite sure that this FIELDS program will just be used to prop up the chances of KAMPI-Lakas CMD against the opposition, especially in courting votes in the countryside.

KAMPI knows that its chances against the opposition stands quite low since Estrada continues to position himself as the opposition’s poster boy. To justify cheating in this election again, they could probably use FIELDS to justify victory in the countrysides.

We all know that cavans of rice translate into votes come election time. And if we are to believe economic adviser Salceda that this crisis will affect us until 2010, you now know what I mean.

More than 2,000 Filipinos leave the country everyday. That’s 730,000 Pinoys every year, including Gloria’s holidays. Foreigners, like that Israeli expert whose name escaped my mind, would see it as a disadvantage. I see the opposite.

The more Filipinos going abroad, the more the country benefits. Why?

We benefit not solely on the $ 10 billion they fork up to support their families here. We benefit because each and every one of them could be potential revolutionists.

Think about it–we are an isolated people. Our country lies strategically distant from mainland Asia. There’s no steady flow of other races mixing into ours. Unlike Malaysia and Singapore where peoples integrate into their cultures and refine it, we remain terribly backward because of our location.

My Singaporean friend describe the Philippines as looking Asian but doing everything Western (or should I say eclectic Westernism). We’re a melting pot of differing world cultures that contributes in the dissolution of our own culture. Reason why we’re so fucked up as a people is the fact that we don’t really know who we are but we sure know everything new about the West (and slowly, even the East).

That’s why I’m glad that Pinoys are leaving this country. That’s one way of comparing our interpretation of systems with that of other countries.

When I was in Singapore, I studied that island-state and found many things that could be applied here. My friends would say that the reason why the Singaporean model could never be replicated here is the fact that its so small and contiguous while the Philippines is many times larger. But no.

That model can be applied anywhere. That systems model can be applied even in larger constituency structures such as ours. The main idea of this model is efficiency. Period. We can apply efficiency in all areas of governance, no sweat, provided we have the political will to break the chain of inefficiency and lackluster government.

Those who go to Western countries such as Canada and the States could very well study their systems and apply it here when they come back. They can experience how democracy works and see if these things could lead to a modification of what we interpret democracy here.

Overseas Pinoys are now being exposed to differing cultures, differing governance models and differing ideologies that we can study and apply to our advantage. What we lack is a venue to be able to ventilate these thoughts and put it into an agenda for change.

Every Pinoy returning to our country should be debriefed and interviewed. That way we’ll know his thoughts about systems and structures. These data should be collated and sent to a government think-tank for study.

By the way, this May, there’s a gathering of Pinoys at the University of Makati. Called the Global Filipino Nation, it urges Global-minded Pinoys to gather in one place and talk about change. I think this is the call of the times. We should participate.

A reader wants me to define revolution. This is in reaction to what I wrote previously, my dig on Cocoy’s piece in Filipinovoices.com.

It is easy for someone versed in Marxism-Leninism to define revolution. Yet, in our times, it is not expedient to do so. Revolution, as defined by Marxists and neo-Marxists, do not encapsulate present conditions. Why?

Because revolution now can take various forms other than the traditional purview that it involves violence.

For example, a substantial technological change could be defined as a revolution. Or, a simple conversion of faith could be linked to a “moral revolution”

What I am saying is this term has been used and re-used in almost all writings since Karl Marx wrote his monumental dig on capitalist society in Das Kapital. De constructionists have prostituted the term for their own philosophical advantages. Others, have linked this definition of revolution in all fields of interests.

IN our time, revolution should be defined as a complete procedural change. It could be on two levels: one, internal through socio-cultural change and two, through a politico-economic change.

Why do I emphasize on the socio-cultural level?

Because that answers most of the critiques about the EDSA revolutions of 1986 and 2001. I agree that these two events are not pure revolutions. They are just coups d’etat, mirages of revolutions. Why?

1986 led to the re-establishment of the pre-Martial law era where aristocrats rule over government. 2001, meanwhile, succeeded in replacing the Erap elite faction with that of Arroyo’s.

Both incidents did not lead to a substantial change in the politico-economic system. The system remained capitalist. The societal structure supported the same powers that have supported the ousted regime. State resources only changed hands–from a purely controlled and concentrated one to a dispersed patronage system. Those who militated against Marcos were given the spoils. While those on the other fence either went on exile or morphed or were “rehabilitated” in the acceptable social mold.

The reason is simple–the base of the 1986 “revolution” was not entirely ideological. They went to EDSA just to oust what they perceive as a corrupt and immoral regime. Period. The source of dissent or disgusts was personal. It was never ideological.

Revolutionary forces failed to effectively convert the EDSA adherents into ideological cadres. Those who governed under Aquino were social democrats. They were unable to translate principles into meaningful actions that would have enhanced or even changed the very structures established during the dictatorship.

2001 could have been the great opportunity to re-write history. It could have been used as a vehicle to established an ideology that would guide the change.

Clearly, the same problems reared its ugly head after the ouster of Estrada. Since the motivation for the ouster of Erap was based again on personal attacks, the same ugly cycle occurred.

Worst, the change was just from a perceived lackluster governance style into a “more efficient” style of rule. That’s why the societal problems which existed even prior to the two EDSA’s again emerged because, again, there was no effort to really change the very system which some EDSA veterans militated against.

Revolutions are internal affairs. Revolutions involve both the mind and the Spirit. Those who want change should start the change in themselves first, before any overt action should be undertaken.

Those who shout change should start demystifying the armchair concepts they have on revolutions. They should undergo the process of proletarianization before they go to the streets. This process involves understanding the values of the proletarian class.

I remember the story told by Jun Lozada before the Senate during the ZTE hearings. One time, he was in the mountains, talking to a farmer. He noticed that guavas just lay on the ground. He asked the farmer why he’s just letting these precious fruits to rot on the ground. The answer was simple–the guavas are to feed the birds. He was struck dumb.

Lozada underwent the first stage of proletarianization, which is understanding how proletarian classes think. The second should be living with them and probably the third would be wanting how this class thinks about change.

We ask–by what means do we change society? It depends on what the People want.

Based on my studies now, the People want a swift, decisive and more substantial action against the prevailing system.

They want change immediately. Period. They want those who have the capability of bringing down this government to go all-out and fight on their behalf. They will support a military action, yes. The times are ripe for the picking.

We say the New Philippine Revolution, what do we mean?

We mean the cycle of creating Bagong Tao or the New Man. It starts with the mind, then with the Spirit. We recognize that revolutions should involve the change of the mind then a change in the Spirit of Man. The change should be based on new paradigms of thought, the destruction of old thinking and the floundering of the New Concepts. What these concepts are? Send me an email and I’ll explain this concept further.

While we are so engrossed with the food crisis, a revolution is a-brewing in Mindanao.

Yesterday, a band of Islamic militants staged a rally in Sulu, one of the Southernmost islands of the Philippines (see story below). The rallyists called for independence from Manila, the seat of power. Police were unable to resist the militants, who carry long knives tucked in their waists.

Obviously, this is a mockery of the administration of Mrs. Arroyo. One, it was a defiant act of rebellion. That action was a direct contravention of existing Philippine laws. The rallyists should have been arrested for inciting to rebellion and/or secession since they are calling for independence of Sulu. Police were helpless in arresting the militants, calling the incident just a way to let off steam.

Was that just a way to let off steam? No.

That incident was plain and simple rebellion. If it happened here in Manila, the rallyists could have been arrested, even mauled by police. But no. That one occurred in Mindanao, and our cops are afraid shitless.

Second, that act shows that Islamist are preparing for something bigger than a call for independence. It’s just a warning to Manila that Tausugs are again ready to go to war against them. Is Manila ready for war?

Obviously, Manila is ill prepared for another war in the South. That might cause Mrs. Arroyo’s quick downfall. Imagine a scenario where hundreds if not thousands of troops being killed in Sulu. Imagine another conflagration similar to the one which happened in the 1970’s where Marcos sent his troops to suicide missions in Mindanao.

Government peace panel adviser Jesus Dureza said it might take a while to implement the remaining unmet provisions of the MNLF peace pact. What Dureza meant is this–Manila is not that serious in really institutionalizing peace in Mindanao.

Talks are rife that former MNLF chairman Nur Misuari will join the MNLF panel in OIC talks in Jeddah. Will it appease the Tausugs? No. Remember that only a few weeks ago, Nur has been replaced by a government factotum in the person of Ampatuan. Ampatuan has zero credibility among his people. The entire MNLF Central Committee does not have the personality to influence the remaining MNLF fighters toe the government line.

What about the MILF? Reports say, the biggest Bangsamoro group is split into different factions, due to the inability of MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad to maintain organizational cohesion. Many young MILF fighters vowed not to follow Murad should he proceed with peace talks with Manila. Reports say as many as 3,000 young fighters will continue waging war with Manila even if both sides sign a peace pact.

A revolution in Mindanao could take its toll on this administration, both politically and economically. It could break the backbone of Mrs. Arroyo who cling to power in the barest of threads. Remember that her troops have suffered innumerable defeats in the battlefield against Muslim fighters in the South. The once-feared Marines have been decimated in that area. If war breaks out, how will government explain the expected deaths and casualties of government troops there? How will it cope with the exodus of thousands of families? Is government logistically prepared to face this eventuality?

Monday, April 21, 2008

Muslims march for freedom in Sulu

The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over much of the islands off the Sulu Sea

By Al Jacinto, Correspondent

JOLO, Sulu: Hundreds of Muslims turned up Sunday and demanded independence for the province of Sulu, once the seat of power of the Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.

With clenched fists and chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great), the marchers clad in their traditional garb demanded independence of Sulu, an archipelago in the remote part of the Philippines.

“We want independence. We want our ancestral land back from the infidels,” Datu Ibrahim said. Others assailed the military for alleged violations of human rights of Muslims in Sulu after seven people and an off-duty soldier were killed by security forces in a raid on an Abu Sayyaf hideout in Maibung town in February.

The marchers went around the town of Jolo, many waving red flags emblazoned with kris and other traditional weapons, urging citizens to join them. Policemen guarding the town kept a close watch, but did not stop the marchers, some of them carrying long knives tucked on their waist, a long tradition still practiced in many parts of the island.

“People here are just expressing their sentiments. It is their freedom to express what they believe is rightfully theirs. As long as they don’t break any law, it is fine and police are watching them,” one police sergeant said.

The Sultanate of Sulu was a Muslim state that ruled over much of the islands off the Sulu Sea. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to North Borneo, now known as Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

The Sultanate of Sulu was founded in 1457 and is believed to have existed as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. The Sultanate of Sulu obtained Sabah from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on the Borneo Island.

Mindanao, Palawan, and the islands of the Sulu Sea were colonized by Spain, which ruled the country. Christian settlers later occupied Muslim ancestral lands.

The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of Second World War. Even after Borneo became part of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur still paid an annual rent of 5,000 ringgit to the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu Ismail Kiram. At least a dozen people are claiming to be the real sultan of Sulu and North Borneo.

The MILF, the country’s largest Muslim rebel group, which is negotiating peace with Manila, is also fighting for independence in Mindanao, a region rich in natural resources, but is deep in poverty and torn by strife and terrorism.

However, many politicians whose family owns vast tracks of lands and business interests in Mindanao are opposing the MILF demand for a separate state, saying, it would displace Christians in areas covered by the Muslim ancestral domain.

Peace talks were stalled last year after government and rebel negotiators failed to agree on the scope of the ancestral domain, which is the most important issue before the rebel group can reach a political settlement.

The United Nations (UN) has just sounded an alarm over the worsening food situation in the world. Throughout the globe, millions are starving due to the high prices of food stuffs. Note: its not the lack of food–its the price that’s causing this crisis. The UN says that governments might fall should they fail to manage this explosive situation.

A similar warning was published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (”GMA job is on the line”, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 19 April 2008, p.1) by a foreign economist, echoing what PinoyObserver wrote in http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com.

Would this scenario happen? Would we see throngs of people going out in the streets, protesting for lack of food? Would we see another May 1 revolt which nearly toppled GMA from the seat of power?

Imaginative minds would say yes. Analytical minds however predict no.

Elements of dissent are clearly present. However, we should take into account the social psyche of the Filipino which is predispose to peace as a means towards conflict resolution.

Government is clearly in control of the situation. Despite what the Opposition might say, there is no noticeable change in Filipino behaviour since this food crisis broke out. Yes, GMA’s approval ratings dipped to its all-time low. Surveys indicate perceptions, not emotions. What we don’t see are manifestations of disgusts filling the streets.

Some would argue that, well, militant groups have staged numerous rallies and walk-outs last week. This could be a sign.

But, we are not that stupid. These rallies are staged and managed events. These are not spontaneous nor combustive incidents that would tell us what Filipinos really feel deep inside.

We do have historical references though when Filipinos broke out in insurgent fashion due to the issue on food. However, if we use this as behavioral indicators, it could be misleading, since during the 1930’s when food riots broke out in Manila, the flow of information is not as rapid and as far-reaching as it is now. Read: despite its expansive and free-flowing nature, information is increasingly being controlled by the state through its propaganda machinery.

Notice how government and other groups are trying to manage the situation by not allowing it to tip precariously towards anarchy. In other countries, especially in Europe, this situation which we face could have broken out into pockets of resistance. Here, no. Why? Because information has been managed so well that you don’t see an anarchist manipulating the discussion.

Another factor–the lack of a rallying point. There is now a problem of leadership in the opposition. This is pathetic since, historically, not a few stood up from the ranks of the middle class during times of crisis under the Marcos regime. Today, no figure has emerged to provide us with stellar stewardship. Notice though that the administration saw this beforehand and managed to fill in the vacuum. See how this administration positioned GMA? That explains why GMA is now being seen micro-managing the situation.

Hence, I don’t believe what Darren Cooper, a senior economist with the International Grains Council said yesterday. Yes, GMA’s job could possibly be on the line. She might lose many people to the opposing side. Though, I don’t believe this could lead to her early downfall.

She went around town cursing everybody.

A high-society matron got the ire of many newspaper and radio editors after they refused to write a malicious story written by her which tried to attack her cousins, owners of a popular brand of disinfectants.

This matron, a wife of a businessman, owns an events and entertainment agency. She was able to form her own company after a serious and scandalous rift with her brother. Her brother is known in industry circles as the one who was able to swindle another popular entertainment company owned by a wealthy and highly-influential Chinese family. The Chinese businessman sued her brother and the case is now pending before the courts.

Talk about a swindling family.

Anyway, this girl got a sizeable sum of money from her old and ailing father, and she used it to form that agency. Word gets around that she needs more money to sustain her business. The agency is fast losing money due to (as some quarters say) mismanagement. She can’t keep up because her events are not earning enough money.

That’s why when a case filed by her father lost in the courts, she went around media circles trying to prevent the news from spreading. Reason is simple–if their family lose the case, she loses that one chance to partake of the alleged “proceeds” from the case.

Sadly, it did lose because the evidence that their lawyers presented in court, it turned out, showed nothing irregular nor illegal. Her father reportedly signed a legal document which showed that he sold his stake in a company which he previously headed without being forced to.

So, a few days ago, this matron tried to throw her weight around some newspaper editors and even radio reporters. When she heard over the radio that the case lost, the Matron reportedly called desk editors and reporters covering the case. She tried to force them to write a story which deviates from the court decision.

After reading the story, the reporters refused to write the story. “ Hindi naman kasi tama yung pinasusulat sa amin, kaya hindi namin ginawa yung gusto niya. Kasinungalingan kasi yung nandun sa statement” says one of the reporters who covers the court hearings.

Failing to get the reporters and editors to her side, the Matron reportedly cursed them and threatened the journalists with harm. She also allegedly tried to bribe the journalists, but all refused.

“ Minura-mura kami na kala mo kung sino umasta. Di niya kami kayang pasulatin ng mga kasinungalian laban sa ibang tao. Di ba siya nahihiya na `may pinag-aralan naman siya, pagka umasta siya, akala mo kung sinong galing sa squatter”, says one editor who requested anonymity for fears of more curses and disturbing calls from the Matron.

She also reportedly went to a major radio station and asked that they embargo the story. She also talked with a publisher who granted her request not to print stories involving the case.

She also allegedly tried to force radio reporters covering the justice beat to report her libelous statement.

A complaint is being readied against her before the National Press Club (NPC), an organization of all journalists in the Philippines.

In an interview, an NPC official said that the Matron violated the journalist’s rights of free expression. “ When she tried to dictate what she wants to be published to a journalist, she is violating the right of that journalist. It is unethical. Journalists should write fairly and judiciously. Likewise, she should not have tried to bribe them. No one will accept a bribe among us,” says the official who refused to print his name for fear of retaliation from the Matron.

This blog is open for the Matron’s side.