2008 » July - RedBlueThoughts

Jul 31 2008

Gloria The Savior and the Strategy Beyond 2010

Published by RedBlueThoughts under VAT, cancellation of the 2010 presidential elections, gloria macapagal arroyo, philippine government Edit This

Why is the government bent on collecting more VAT when suspending it for a few months seems a plausible solution to the people’s dilemma on high food and oil prices? And why is government persistent in its subsidy plan when all indications show that i’ll not ease inflation nor the pressure of high prices?

Answer: creating more destabilizing factors favor or justify an extension of Gloria’s term BEYOND 2010.

A destabilized environment is always favorable to Gloria. She and her gang of misfits have thrived under a state of destabilization. In the past, Gloria survived and even grew stronger when wave after wave of political protests rocked her administration. Now, creating a more destabilized economic situation could serve as a springboard for Gloria’s term extension.

Continuing VAT collections will enable government to stay financially afloat. VAT collections enable government to continue projects that feed Gloria’s gang of misfits and operators. That P80 billion collections don’t necessarily go to the poor through subsidies. Government only allotted 8 billion for subsidies.

This 8 billion pesos will benefit 3 million poor families. If government continues this dole-out strategy in a consistent manner, it will create dependence which in a transactional political atmosphere such as ours, could favor Gloria.

Believe me, Gloria will use this subsidy plan to justify that there’s actually a public clamor for her to extend her term. If the economic situation worsens, as what experts expect, this could be used by Gloria for a State of Emergency declaration which could justify her term extension and the cancellation of the 2010 presidential elections.

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Jul 30 2008

The True State of the Nation

Published by RedBlueThoughts under Uncategorized Edit This

A 29-year old man from Legazpi City Albay just stabbed his 4-month old baby to death. The man, whom I will not identify here, killed his son out of desperation. Reports say, the man became totally depressed because he can’t seem to get the money to feed his kid. The man works as a matador and earns roughly 3,000 per month. With the high prices of baby’s milk, the father became desperate and in his desperation, he chose to end the life of his kid.

This incident was reported by the local media in Albay last 28 July 2008. This is a reported case. How about those whom the media failed to report?

Gloria admitted during the SONA that there are as many as 15 million poor Filipinos now. She says more than 1 billion pesos have been released to at least ease their suffering. And more will be coming (about 8 billion). How soon will this help come? Will it really ease the burden of poor Filipinos?

A survey released today showed 75% of Filipinos feeling more depressed right now than a year ago. They say, their quality of life deteriorated. I can’t say more, because even I myself and my family are beginning to experience the vulgarities and cruelties of this life under Gloria.

What I fear the most is this month, August. With a very lean rice stock, will we survive a potential food crisis? Farmers are rather worried because the harvest is potentially getting leaner and leaner by the year. Farmer cooperatives say, government has not extended help through fertilizer subsidies at this point.

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Jul 27 2008

The People Need Guidance

Published by RedBlueThoughts under gloria macapagal arroyo, state of the nation address, united opposition Edit This

Tomorrow, Illegitimate president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will again address the House of Representatives. As tradition dictates, she’ll present a report and an agenda. This report is supposedly a true and honest account of what government has done to achieve the previous year’s SONA. And Gloria is supposed to give an agenda to guide legislators on the priority bills this year.

Oppositionists say Gloria will just lie and picture what Makati mayor Jejomar Binay said: “..a situation where people are not hungry, oil is cheap…and government officials are honest”. United Opposition (UNO) spokesman Adel Tamano meanwhile enjoined the people to just listen to the “true” State of the Nation (SONA) along Congressional Avenue and in Makati to have a grasp of the true realities of Philippine life.

True, Gloria would probably lie to us and say that she and her mafia gang are doing something to arrest what the Inquirer said, is the continuing slide of major institutions of governance to corruption and decay. Gloria would picture the “success” of her administration in solving some of the basic problems we face today. These lies would make us catatonic again, making us complacent and inutile. What Gloria is doing is weaving a tapestry of intricate lies and half-truths that as a whole, picture a stable nation.

The real question here is what will we do about it? If we are being lied about by this usurper, are we supposed to do something about it? Are we just to go to Congressional avenue and listen to alternate viewpoints?

These opposition groups should provide an answer. They should enjoin the people to act accordingly. For, in not doing so, they are being negligent of their very job of being fiscalizers and true change agents. It is not enough to comment or make aspersions about Gloria. This is the time for them, the opposition, to provide some answers so that truly, the People will see, feel and hear that they do, indeed, represent the interests of the masses.

To the Opposition–don’t provide us with empty talk. The people already know we’re all in deep shit. Provide us direction and guide us on what to do with a monumental problem like Gloria.

Lead the Filipino masses towards what the FSGO (Former Secretaries of Government Offices) is a “re-imagination” of the Filipino Vision. This is the time for everyone to join in and act as one against Gloria and her mafia gang.

If these activities are just to debilitate Gloria and make her a spent force for 2010, forget about it. The People need change NOW, not in 2010.

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Jul 27 2008

Oakwood could have a part three

Published by RedBlueThoughts under antonio trillianes iv, arroyo, oakwood mutiny, philippine coup d'etat, philippine news, sona, thai coup Edit This

Defense secretary Teodoro made a categorical remark today. He said that there is no reason for the military to launch another coup or Oakwood again. If something similar happens after the SONA, then, Teodoro surmised, it could be the result of “selfish politicking.”

Today marks the anniversary of the Oakwood mutiny. Five years had past and still the reasons for that rebellion exist. Nothing changed except probably the reversal of political and career fortunes of those involved in the failed putsch. Two of the five “Magdalo” leaders have decided to go carve a career out of the service, with one dedicating his life to his

Christian beliefs while the other decided to go the NGO route. Others, like Senator Antonio Trillianes IV, continues to remain defiant.

However, Teodoro and the military establishment will definitely not admit that there are a considerable number of people who are beginning to entertain thoughts of going the extra-constitutional route. More and more people are lending their expertise and skills to create the vision of Oakwood. These people are being convinced of the viability of armed action against this government because of the government’s inability (or inaction) to address the core issues that led to the mutiny. The longer this government tries to sweep the dirt under the palace rug, the more it creates a revolutionary condition.

Many analysts say that if the Oakwood mutiny happened now, it could have succeeded in toppling the government. Such a revolutionary situation exists more than ever now than before. You have a dissatisfied constituency. Hunger and poverty are widespread and even affecting the lives of the middle class. You have a more militant civil society led by youth groups and you have a church which is starting to get active again in anti-government initiatives.

What’s more–you have potential groups that could finance such an enterprise. You have wealthy cacique and landlord families who risk losing their lands if government implements a BJE (Bangsamoro Juridical Entity).

You have very powerful lobby groups whose fortunes will be affected should an entity administer these Bangsamoro lands. And finally, you have foreign governments that could lend support for a coup given the already strained international relations and image of the Arroyo administration.

Such a situation exists now and with a weak state being administered now by Arroyo, hawks could exploit this and create a Thai-type of action. A Thai-type action could lead to Arroyo going on exile or worst, incarcerated.

However, what’s lacking is an explosive event that would trigger such an uprising. The times are very interesting given that Arroyo is facing a very hostile citizenry. Even if Arroyo and her ilk consider imposing martial rule, such a scenario will just worsen the situation and definitely will fail because both local and international support will definitely be absent.

Two scenarios–a coup could be launched by forces within the palace or outside of it. If this group within Arroyo moves against her, that could potentially spark violence. However, if an outside group moves against her and neutralize the other group, it could result to a normalization of the situation since this group is much stronger and enjoys a wider base of support.

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Jul 26 2008

Breakdown of Peace Talks and AJ’s defeat

Published by RedBlueThoughts under MILF, aj banal, kuala lumpur malaysia, milf-grp peace talks Edit This

Two stunning defeats all in one day.

In Cebu, an unknown Panamanian boxer named Rafael “El Torrito” Concepcion knocked the lights out of crowd favorite Filipino boxer AJ “Bazooka” Banal. Employing both dirty and tactical boxing, the Panamanian journeyman unleashed a strong right cross to the face of AJ Banal, sending the 19-year old boxer to the canvas on the tenth round. Banal was reportedly winning in all cards before this stunner of a round.

Going to the fight, critics were all praises to Banal, who went to the ring without defeats and no draws. Touted as the soon-to-be Manny Pacquiao, Banal was clearly outboxed and outwitted by the Panamanian. Clearly, the title of the bout somewhat uncannily predicted what would happen. “Panahon Na”, says the fight title (which means “It’s time”). Yes, it was really time. Time for Banal to taste his very first defeat.

While the country comes to terms on this humiliating loss, members of the negotiating panel of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reportedly walked out of a meeting with the Filipino government in Kuala Lumpur. MILF Civil-Military Chief Eid Kabalu said that the MILF panel led by Moqaher Iqbal decided to end the negotiations after the government intimated its intention to amend a previous agreement on ancestral domain.

This is a big blow to peace efforts in Mindanao. Both parties have been trying to hammer out a peace deal before the opening of Congress, but political pressures I believe coming from wealthy Christian landowners in Mindanao could have forced government to talk its way out of the deal. The deal involved the expansion of the ARMM territory thru the establishment of a Bangsamoro Juridical Entity. This juridical entity gives more land to the MILF.

Peace is indeed, a long-shot for the 3 million Filipino Muslims in Mindanao. Why? Christian settlers, especially those who already enjoyed the fatness of the Muslim lands there, will not allow such an expansion to happen. They have been exploiting these lands since the 50’s, and no Arroyo or the MILF would ever make them leave these lands and relocate elsewhere.

This means the resumption of hostilities between the two groups. The situation in Mindanao could worsen. In fact, at this very moment, militarists have been saber-rattling and preparing for a long-drawn out battle against the Moro rebels there. There has been some exchange of gunfire between the Bangsamoro rebels and the AFP and this could seriously impact the talks.

Government surely cannot grant what the Bangsamoro wants thru constitutional means. No. It’s evident that the Bangsamoro should probably struggle hard thru extra-constitutional means to get their lands back.

If this is the case, then, Mindanao could turn into a veritable war zone, a serious flashpoint in the region. This could pose a very serious threat to regional security that, if left unchecked and unmanaged, could debilitate not only the Philippine government but the entire regional security mechanism.

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Jul 26 2008

What hit Banal

Published by RedBlueThoughts under aj "bazooka" Banal, manny pacquiao, panama, panamanian boxer, rafael "el torrito" concepcion, stunning upset, super flyweight Edit This

It was a stunning loss. Panamanian boxer Rafael ” El Torrito” Concepcion flew all the way from Panama for one goal–to be a world champion. And tonight, July 26, he did just that. And AJ “Bazooka” Banal, unfortunately, became his victim.

Prior to this fight, AJ Banal was both a hometown and a critics’ favorite. He came into this fight will sterling credentials–a fighter who has 15 wins, no defeats and tagged as the next Manny Pacquiao. He trained with the best of the best and even enjoyed the confidence of most fighting afficionados.

Concepcion, meanwhile, has scant credentials. He trained in New York, appeared to be a tough cookie and reports say, left his wife and kids to fight in Cebu for the world super flyweight belt.

The initial rounds showed Concepcion fighting for dear life. Early on, Banal was able to throw big punches, which left Concepcion’s leg wobbly. The Panamanian’s nose became bloodied early in the fight but it did’nt sap his energy.

Concepcion was a dirty fighter. It was obvious that Concepcion hold on to Banal’s arms while he punch the side of AJ’s body. When he’s ready to go down, he clutched Banal. When opportunity presents itself, he rubs his head on Banal’s head, trying to create contusions. Every round, he does that, throwing body punches to Banal and holding on when in trouble.

In the ninth round, Concepcion successfully weakened Banal that on the tenth round, the wily Panamanian caused a stunning defeat. Banal came down and was counted out.

Obviously, Concepcion won thru a combination of dirty and legal tactics. It was obvious that the Panamanian got away with it. But, hey, you gotta give credit to him. Boxing is a dirty sport and AJ’s corner should have realized that.

AJ Banal is a good fighter. He’s a trained counter puncher. He punches hard and shows true grit.

What he lacks is intensity. He’s also NOT a thinking boxer. That’s his weakness. He allows the enemy to control him instead of the other way around. Though dirty tactics employed by Concepcion, those body shots, should have been avoided had AJ Banal pushed him.

I just looked at Banal’s blogspot.com site and 72% of those who visited it says he’ll knock Concepcion out. Wow! I don’t know what they’ll do now given this stunning upset.

But, AJ, don’t lose hope. You’re just 19 years old. You have many years ahead of you. You’ll still box and train. One advice though—start training with your mind. I mean, physical conditioning, etc. can only be good if you have the mental toughness to go with it. You have been out-boxed, that’s evident here. And, please the next time you fight, fight as if dear life depends on it.

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Jul 25 2008

A Stolen Democracy

Published by RedBlueThoughts under enchanted kingdom, gloria, philippine administration, state of the nation address by gloria july 28 Edit This

This is my contribution to the growing movement for change in our country. Thousands will be going to the SONA by Monday and I’m registering my voice to it. I just hope that after this mammoth rally, organizers will follow it up with more massive and more relevant ones for just one objective—regain this Republic from the claws of Gloria and her dark minions.

Former government officials, led by Senator Paterno, have expressed the strongest denunciation of this administration so far. Paterno have articulated what we have been saying all along–that we have a government who not only robbed us of an efficient and conscientious Republic–we also lost our democracy.

To regain democracy, we must work overtime to show this administration that we mean business. By that, we mean, we must unite all the disparate forces in Philippine society which share our ideal of democracy. Forces from the enlightened AFP-PNP, civil society, Youth Groups, Muslim and Church groups should band together and present a viable agenda for change. It is not enough that we gather once in a while, no.

We need an umbrella organization that shall serve as a conductor of this revolutionary orchestra. We need a genuine alternative to government that is strong enough to fight the darkest forces of evil this country has ever seen.

This alternative should have just one objective–seize the reins of power from the incumbent and create or establish an interim Council of State that will do the necessary moves to save this Republic from sinking into Gloria’s hellish Enchanted Kingdom.

This is the goal, this is the objective of each and every change-maker of this generation. And I hope that you share the same thoughts.

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Jul 23 2008

Let’s not fool ourselves

Published by RedBlueThoughts under gloria's state of the nation address, people's sona, state of the nation address Edit This

This Monday (July 28), expect not a few people to go out in the streets to protest. Despite the scare tactics being employed by the military and police, groups from the Youth sector, church, civil society and the Genuine Opposition will gather together and present their own State-Of-The-Nation Address (SONA).

And then, what?

Are these groups really serious in making their point known to the world, that everybody hates Gloria and her gang of misfits? Or, are they just going there because it’s always a tradition for oppositionists to bang their gongs whenever a head of state opens Congress?

If groups would just do this just to make noise and cause an horrendous traffic jam, then, don’t bother. Better stay at home or go to work. Why?

Much as I want to go to the streets and protest, if these things would just be something momentary and would not lead to anything serious, then, I’m just wasting my time. Actions such as these should at least result to something. If it’s just a way for these elites wearing activists suits to help people let off steam, then, don’t bother.

People have this attitude because what they expect from these people is something different. They expect them to take the people’s cause seriously. What do I mean by this?

When civil society and the rest of the anti-Gloria groups rally, it should at least be part of a bigger thing. If it’s just political posturing to make “papogi” come 2010, then, come on people!

The Filipino masses deserve something better. They want action. They want a leader or a group of leaders who’ll finally tell Gloria that it’s time to leave.

People don’t want to be used. No. They want to be a part of something different, something big, something historic and something that would change their lives forever.

They want another revolution. Yes, the masses had had enough of misguided rule. They want their government to be responsive of their needs, not a bureaucratic monolith that cause them death. No.

If these groups cannot give the People this, then, let’s just pack our bags and wait for 2010 to come. I don’t want to hear political speeches. I don’t want to listen to a litany of complaints. And I don’t want to be told that I’m being fooled by this government.

I know that when Gloria grabbed power from Erap. I already realized that when she cheated FPJ of victory. I definitely saw that when Gloria admitted calling Garci and when she dipped her fingers in an anomalous ZTE contract. And, truly, I already knew that government and big oil companies colluded to fool me to buy overpriced gasoline and diesel just to make VAT collections big.

The people are not fools. It’s time for civil society and all the rest of like-minded change catalysts to band together and put our money where our mouths are. If we want change, and we want it now, let’s act now and save this country from another 2 years of Gloria’s rule.

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Jul 23 2008

Published by RedBlueThoughts under Uncategorized Edit This