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Tulad ng inaasahan, sa layuning imarginalized, isabotahe, takutin at i-harrashed ang communal action, ang INTERFAITH RALLY sa Makati kagabi, palabasing "KAKAUNTI, walang partisipasyon ang mamamayan, wala ng interest ang mga kabataang estudyante sa pulitika, sawa na ang tao sa rally at dito lang nagaganap sa Makati, sa Metro Manila ang communal action," kahit paano ay nagtagumpay ang PNP, ang Pakawala Ng Palasyo, hindi nga umabot ng isang milyon, may 75,000 lamang ang dumalo.
Walang pumik-up, walang naniwala na may isasagawa raw na pambobomba ang Jemaah Islamiya (JI) sa Kamaynilaan at sa katunayan daw, ayon kay Gen Razon ay "nahuli na ang isang dayuhan mag-iiexecute raw ng pagpapasabog." Una rito at hindi na bago, naging alibi rin ang MILF na pinabulanaan naman ng huli at sa katunayan dumalaw pa si US Ambasador Kenney sa pinagkukutaan nito sa Mindanao. Sumunod na alibi ang anggulong CPP-NPA, sa mga Kumunista na magsasagawa raw ng ala-PLAZA MIRANDA BOMBING sa Makati. Wala ring tangang Pinoy ang naniwala. Ang anggulong MAGDALO ay hindi rin bumenta sa masa. "Matagal ng modus operandi ng PNP ang humalik sa tumbong ni Ate Glo. Sa larangan ng dis-information, whitewash-cover-up, pagkitil sa karapatan Pantao ng mamamayan, sa pag-aasembleya at pagkilos (no permit no rally) hanggang sa pananabotahe ng communal action, istilong BULUK at GARAPAL."
Ang PNP (AFP) blockade sa NLEX at SLEX at kahit mismo sa loob ng Kamaynilaan ay kahit paano ay nakatulong kung bakit hindi umabot sa 1,000,000 ang mobilisasyon ng INTERFATH sa RALLY sa MAKATI. Ang malaking bilang ng mga mamamayan ng Southern Tagalog at Central Luzon, partikular ang hanay ng estudyate, ang nabalahuba, pinigil, trinatong mga terorista, mga drug lord at weteng lord, todo kapkap at binalagoong sa entrada ng NLEX at SLEX. Kung ako kay General Razon ng PNP, sa tindi ng panggagago sa sarili at pagmumukhang tanga sa iisang pamilyang gustong proteksyunan nito, magRERESIGN na ako sa pwesto. Tanging sa pagreresign ni Razon at pagpanig sa hanay ng "Katotohanan at Pagbabago" ang magpapanumbalik ng dangal, respeto, credibility, kabaniyahan at kadakilaan ng sarili, ng kanyang pamilya, maging ang pagtitiwala ng mamamayang sa kabuuang Kapulisan.Doy Cinco / IPDMarch 1, 2008Related Story: "Razon admits order to stop protesters at checkpoints" http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=110874"Binay to sue Arroyo execs responsible for blocking protestors" http://www.gmanews.tv/story/82925/Binay-to-sue-Arroyo-execs-responsible-for-blocking-protestors
Freedom is when the people can speak, democracy is when the government listens.
Alastair Farrugia
Mukhang malaki ata ang quota, 1.0 milyon? Sa dami ng variables, kawalan ng pamasahe't sari-saring banta, baka hindi umabot ng 40 - 60,000? Alalahaning mahaba-haba pa ang susuunging labanan. Ang sigurado, nilalangaw at pinagtatawanan ang Malakanyang backed people power ng Kongreso ng Mamamayan sa Welcome rotunda.
Ang tanong ng marami, pagod na ba sa mga rallies at demonstrasyon ang tao, dahil ba sa pare-parehong mukha (pulitiko at pulang kulay na banners / streamers) at kawalan ng alternatibo o dahil ba sa pinipigilan ng Malakanyang ang mga kumunidad, sinasabotahe, tinatakot, hinaharang ang mobilisasyong papasok (NLEX at SLEX) patungo sa mga pagkilos ng mamamayan o sa communal action?"
Sa panig ng grupong naghahanap ng KATOTOHANAN at demokratikong kilusan, bukas, magkakaiba-iba man ang posisyon, kulay o ideolohiya, paniniwala't alternatibong isinusulong, muling magkikita-kita ang maraming grupo sa iisang panawagan, sa iisang damdaming "communal action" para sa katotohanan, accountability Interfaith rally sa Makati.
Hindi na mahalaga kung ang grupo man ito ay nasa panig ng Noli - constitutional succession patungo sa Snap Election cum CARE TAKER govt, grupo man ito na may agendang IMPEACHMENT o mass resignation ng buong GMA Administration, reform o revolutionary (system change), ito may constitutional o extra-constitutional, ang sigurado, lahat ay nasa kumpas ng "Oust, pagbibitiw sa pwesto ng immoral at bangkaroteng gubyernong Macapagal Arroyo, lahat ay nasa balangkas ng PAGBABAGO, pagbabago ng buluk na sistema."
Eto na kaya ang pinakahihintay, magkaron kaya ng ispontanyong pagkilos ang mamamayan o ang TIPPING POINT na inaantabayanan ng marami? Abangan ang susunod na kabanata......
Doy / IPD
February 27, 2008
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The highest measure of democracy is neither the 'extent of freedom' nor the 'extent of equality', but rather the highest measure of participation.
A. d. Benoist
Text message says a million people will bring out troops
By Nikko Dizon, Kristine L. Alave, Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:36:00 02/28/2008
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080228-121656/Text-message-says-a-million-people-will-bring-out-troops
MANILA, Philippines -- A text message saying that a million warm bodies in the streets will bring out troops and oust President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has begun to circulate among soldiers, but military officials shrugged it off as nothing but a "disinformation" campaign.
"The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are asking us to produce one million warm bodies by Feb. 29 and they will withdraw support from this Mafia government. Let us all join hands to achieve this goal," the message read.
The Philippine Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, said the message was only meant to "confuse, influence, and deceive the Filipino people." Groups calling for the resignation of Ms Arroyo are set to hold an interfaith rally on Friday in Makati City.
(Photo below: JIL activity at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, http://jilworldwide.org/jilarticles/?p=17)
JIL to field 100,000
Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, leader of Jesus Is Lord Movement (JIL), said Wednesday he would bring 100,000 members of his group to the Makati rally.
Villanueva said he had received messages from JIL pastors and members in the provinces that checkpoints had been set up along routes to Manila and expressed fears that troops would prevent them from joining the rally.
"We are appealing to the military that they should heed their constitutional mandate, that they should be the protector of the people, and serve the people and not just one family," Villanueva said.
PNP on alert
The Philippine National Police (PNP) was to go on full alert Thursday in anticipation of the Makati rally. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Geary Barias said PNP Director General Avelino Razon had given the order for the full alert beginning at 6 p.m., meaning the 120,000 policemen in the country would stay at their posts at all times.
Barias said that the 10,000-strong Task Force Manila Shield had been activated to man checkpoints and go on patrols. Another 5,000 antiriot policemen will be deployed for the Makati rally from 5 to 8 p.m.
Snap elections
In a press conference, Villanueva reiterated his call on the President, Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Manuel Villar, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Chief Justice Reynato Puno to set aside differences and "give way" to snap elections. (photo: www.op.gov.ph)
Villanueva said Ms Arroyo's elected successors were not credible because of the questionable results of the 2004 elections. He urged Puno to head a caretaker transition government that would oversee the snap elections and overhaul the Commission on Elections.
"To resolve worsening political crisis, the most peaceful [way] is to hold a genuine, peaceful, honest and credible snap elections," Villanueva said.
Present during the news conference were Catholic Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez of Caloocan City, Bishop Dan Balais of the Intercessors of the Philippines, lawyer Louie Sison and Josie Lichauco of Bangon Pilipinas.
Mass resignation urged
Villanueva said the show of force and discontent on Friday should encourage government officials to resign from Arroyo's political family.
"This is not just a prayer rally. This is to inspire government officials to exercise their patriotic duty to the nation by abandoning the perceived illegitimate President," he said.
Villanueva said he and other organizers were hoping that the demonstration would "inspire" other officials who have knowledge of the anomalies in the graft-tainted National Broadband Network deal to come out and reveal what they know.
In response to Ms Arroyo's statement that the world cannot forgive another People Power revolution, Villanueva said: "What the world cannot forgive is the unresolved string of corruption and scandals exposed in the media."
Lt. Col. Bartolome Bacarro of the Armed Forces of the Philippines information office said military officers had received the text message and other similar ones. Verification by the AFP showed that they came from only two mobile phone numbers, he said.
"This therefore indicates that a small group is simply broadcast texting for the purpose of disinformation and agitation. We will not therefore dignify and give credence to such attempts to agitate and disinform," Bacarro said.
He said that the military "will remain true to its pronouncements that we will not be swayed into extra-legal actions." "We shall remain constitutional soldiers. We will abide by and follow the chain of command and support or obey the duly constituted authorities," Bacarro said in a text message.
Hindi na balita ito, sa tingin ng marami, matagal ng sinasalaula, binababoy, tini-threathed ang demokrasya sa Pilipinas. Sa election na lamang (2001, 2004, 2007 at malamang sa 2010) halimbawa, lahat tayo'y pinaglalaruan, ginawang tanga! - Doy
http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Local%20News&p=54&type=2&sec=2&aid=2008022773
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 08:41 PM
MANILA (AP) - Attacks on journalists in the country are undermining press freedom and putting the country's democracy "under siege," the country's Supreme Court chief justice warned today.
Reporters also face harassment through abuse of defamation and libel laws, Chief Justice Reynato Puno said. "It is a dangerous time for those who report the truth," Puno said in a speech at an international conference in Manila on press freedom.
"Democracy is all about the voice of the people," Puno said. "Democracy in this country is under siege because bullets fired at the direction of journalists pierce not only human flesh, but also our republican ideals."
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The highest measure of democracy is neither the 'extent of freedom' nor the 'extent of equality', but rather the highest measure of participation.
A. d. Benoist
"'WAG UMASA, WAG MAGDIKTA at higit sa lahat WAG IMPOSING! Hayaaan nating mag-evolved, dahan-dahang mamulat ang bawat tao, ang mamamayan, kasama na rin ang mga Obispo. Bakit sa CBCP lang tayo nakatingin, bakit walang pumapansin sa Iglesia ni Kristo (INK), sa El Shaddai, sa oportunistang position ng US Government kay Ate Glo? Bakit hindi natin singilin ang ating mga “hinalal”na mga pulitiko, ang ating Barangay Captain, ang ating Mayor, ang ating mga Kinatawan sa Tongreso (Congressman)?" (Photo: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=110482)
Inaasahan na ng marami na hinding-hindi guguhit, pupusturang aktibista, militante at manawagang “Oust GMA” ang CBCP. Malayong-malayo at hindi birong magkaiba ang sitwasyon ng CBCP kung ikukumpara sa Bayan Muna, ANAKPAWIS, sa Akbayan, sa MAGDALO at Laban ng Masa. Dagdag pa, kung madalas nating maikumpara si Cardinal Sin sa mga Obispo sa kasalukuyan (PAGCOR factor), iba ang konteksto noong 1970s, nung panahon ng diktaduryang Marcos at ang pag-aalsa noong 2001. Marami ang naniniwala na "may malaking kahinaan ang dalawang pag-aalsang naganap sa Edsa at mukhang napagtuunan lamang nito ang pagpapalit ng mukha/tao at hindi ang pagbabago ng buluk na sistema na siyang pabrika at pinanggagalingan ng katiwalian at karalitaan tinatamasa ng country. "
Para sa akin, sa konteksto ngayon, malaking bagay na rin ang panawagang “communal action” ng CBCP. Maaring ito na ang pinakamataas na anyo ng panawagang kayang ibigay, ibato ng simbahan sa harap ng lumalalalang krisis ng paggugubyerno sa bansa.
Maliwanag naman sa lahat, nagkakaisa naman ang lahat na ang kahulugan ng “communal action ay pagkilos na communal, sama-samang pagkilos para sa pagbabago, commune, ika nga, kahit paano, isa itong political action.” Sa "layuning maibalik ang pagtitiwala, good governance at higit pang palakasin ang tinatawag na responsableng mamamayan, sa panimula, maaaring “communal prayer at soul searching, pray together, magdecide o mag-act together, patungo sa tinatawag nating pagpapataas ng kamulatan, pagtuklas ng MUKHA'T ALTERNATIBO.”
Walang dudang nasaktan ang Malakanyang sa panawagang “communal action” ng CBCP at walang ibang tinutukoy at pinapantungkulan ito kundi ang imoralidad, ang kabulukan ng GMA administration at ang paraan kung paano ito mareresolba, sa abot kaya ng inabot na kamalayan ng simbahan ay sa pamamagitan ng "communal action."
Sa bagong position ng CBCP, walang ibang matutuwa't makikinabang dito kundi ang institusyon ng Senado, ang tumatayo sa ngayon at nag-iisang may kumpiyansa't pagtitiwala ang mamamayan. Sapagkat, winawarat ng mga alipores ng Malakanyang ang credibility ng Senado sa alegasyon "destabilization at hindi in-AID of legislation" ang mga Senate investigation. Sa paninindigan at paghahanap ng katotohanan ng CBCP, sa "panawagang pagbubuwag ng EO 464 at panawagang hindi dapat pagbawalan ni Ate Glo ang kanyang subordinates na magsabi ng katotohanan hinggil sa nalalaman sa katiwalian lalo na sa mainit na usaping broadband scandal, mukhang pinalalakas nito ang institusyon ng Senado na gamitin ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang mapalabas ang katotohanan at accountability.”
Sa bagong mga kaganapan, back to basic ang labanan; mag-organisa't magmulat ng ating mga pamayanan, sa ating komunidad, sa ating mga kapit-bahayan, sa mga PAROKYA'T mga kapamilya, kamag-anakan sa totoong lagay ng estado, kabulukan ng pulitika at lipunang ginagalawan. Kung babalikan ang kasaysayan, hindi ang Simbahan ang namuno sa ilang dosenang PAG-AALSA at REBOLUSYON nuong 1896 (maliban kina GOMBURZA). Ang taumbayan, ang mga KATIPUNEROS, si Bonifacio, si Rizal, Mabini, si Tandang Sora at sila SAKAY ang nagpa-alab ng himagsikan laban sa mananakop at mapagsamantala.
Pasalamat tayo at hindi naging sagad-saring PRO-GMA ang CBCP at hindi nito kinastigo ang panawagang 'OUST GMA CAMPAIGN” ng maraming sector.
Doy / IPD
February 27, 2008
Related Story:
CBCP pastoral letter does not discourage protests vs Arroyo
While it does not call for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's resignation, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) latest pastoral letter is not discouraging protests against her either, a bishop said.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/82386/CBCP-pastoral-letter-does-not-discourage-protests-vs-Arroyo
Sa itinatakbo ng mga pangyayari, sa huling mga pahayag ni Ate Glo na kesyo "siya raw ang duly elected president ng bansa, siya ang pangulo, siya ang masusunod, may kapangyarihan at ito'y tatagal pa raw hanggang 2010" at ang ikinikilos ng kanyang matataas na pinuno ng kasundaluhan at kapulisan na halos ang may hawak ng command sa lahat, nasusunod at partner in crime ni Ate Glo, bilang pagpapatindi ng panawagang "peaceful at non-violent communal action," ang tanong ng mamamayan, kung 'di agarang magbibitiw sa kapangyarihan si Ate Glo sa poder, tulad nung sinabi ni Bishop Yniguez, isusunod na ba ang CIVIL DIS-OBEDIENCE campaign? - Doy
(Photo: Former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, left, Catholic nun Sister Mary John Mananzan, right, and Rodolfo Lozada Jr., center, a star witness in the Senate corruption probe; http://ap.google.com/article/ LeqM5hhNMGCg3tLa5qc6xrmK9l8pB3HnAD8V1SIF00)
Commentary
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view/20080225-121089/Keep-the-pressure-on-Arroyo
Cebu Daily News
First Posted 14:42:00 02/25/2008
Because it is easier to imagine it, corruption has taken center stage in the public’s appreciation of the current national crisis. Against the backdrop of mass poverty, the quantities are truly mind-boggling: $130 million in kickbacks for a government project worth $329 million, a bribe offer of P200 million for a single signature, cash gifts of half a million pesos each for politicians who attend a breakfast or lunch meeting with a President facing impeachment, and many more.
It would be a mistake, however, to think this is just about corruption. This is, more importantly, about the long-term damage to a nation’s social institutions. Far from being a neutral arbiter of disputes and a source of normative stability, the justice system has become a weapon to intimidate those who stand up to power. Far from being a pillar of public security, the military and the police have become the private army of a gangster regime. Instead of serving as an objective referee in electoral contests, the Commission on Elections has become a haven for fixers. Instead of serving as the steady backbone of public service, the government bureaucracy has been turned into a halfway house for political lackeys, misfits and the corrupt. Instead of serving as a check on presidential power, the House of Representatives has become its hired cheering squad.
The erosion of these institutions, no doubt, has been going on for a long time. But their destruction in the last seven years under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency has been the most comprehensive since 1986.
The damage is not confined to government; it has fanned out like a shock wave from the epicenter to the periphery. We have thus far only seen the debris of government institutions that have lost their standing in the public esteem. Now we are seeing how the tension is passed on and threatens other institutions. This happens when issues that are left unresolved by the institutions of law, politics and government spill over to other spheres of society. This is the collateral damage that can be created by a runaway crisis – the importation of an unresolved political-legal dysfunction into our churches, schools, editorial rooms, board rooms and homes. If we don’t handle it well, we could all end up collecting debris to build a bonfire of institutions.
All of us must contribute to the shaping of the public consciousness, whether as individuals or as communities, but we can only speak for ourselves. We must take care we don’t destroy the institutions to which we belong, for that will only mean we are no different from those who have abused the institutions of government. In self-defense, we must keep the pressure on the Arroyo regime until it releases its grip on our government. At the same time, we must continue to admonish the custodians of our Constitution to do their work faithfully and urgently, and thus spare the rest of the country from the continuing nightmare of a destructive presidency. – Randy David, Inquirer
ZTE advanced $41M to ‘greedy group’--witness; http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/topstories/topstories/view/20080226-121240/ZTE-advanced-41M-to-greedy-group--witness
AFP denies reports of planned withdrawal of support; http://www.gmanews.tv/story/82304/AFP-denies-reports-of-planned-withdrawal-of-support
Definitely, upang kahit paano ma-ensure lang ang peaceful at non-violence struggle for truth at accountability, sa ayaw man natin o sa gusto, kailangan ng "communal action" ang papel ng kasundaluhan, lalong-lalo na ang hanay ng patriotic at propesyunal na mga JUNIOR OFFICERS.
(Photo: SHOW OF FORCE. Top military and police officials led by Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperson (3rd, R) and police Director General Avelino Razon (2nd, R) link arms as they march outside Camp Aguinaldo; AFP )Alam nating hindi basta-basta magre-resign, bibitaw sa kapangyarihan ang Ate Glo ng ganun-ganon na lamang, ng walang resbakan o labanan. Gagawa't gagawa ito ng alingasngas (pamunuan ng military-PNP, Arroyo's army at goons), panggugulo, pananabotahe, asasinasyon, terorismo, matiyak lamang na 'di mapo-prosecute (kinahinatn ni Marcos at Erap) ang pamilyang Arroyo sa kapahamakan. Kung baga sa isang ahas, kung malalagay at masusukol, manunuklaw ito, magwawala at magsasaboy ng venum. - Doy
Enrile to GMA: Give up power, you’re dead; http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Headlines&p=49&type=2&sec=24&aid=20080225122
SPECIAL REPORT
By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:52:00 02/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- He had the right credentials, the right connections. He could have gotten where he wanted to go on his career path. But Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, 52, one of the youngest and brightest officers to gain star rank, had some other guiding light to follow that led to his sacking as commander of the elite First Scout Ranger Regiment and his landing in jail in February 2006.
Lim had allegedly sought the military’s withdrawal of support from President Macapagal-Arroyo in the midst of calls for her resignation on a charge she had rigged the 2004 elections with the help of some generals—an accusation she has denied.
As the President grapples yet again with another scandal, this time involving allegations of bribery in the scuttled $329-million broadband deal that implicated her husband and has triggered calls for her to step aside, Lim has once again joined a call to soldiers to “break the chain of command.”
From his jail cell, Lim signed a manifesto declaring that the AFP had lost its moral authority as protectors of the people. This followed claims by whistle-blower Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. that he was abducted by soldiers on his return from Hong Kong on Feb. 5 as part of an elaborate Malacañang plan to cover up its involvement in the broadband deal.
“The military has its own sworn duties,” Lim says during a break in court martial proceedings against him, Col. Ariel Querubin, Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 25 other officers and men in connection with the 2006 incident.
“The soldiers say ‘OK’ without question, but in the process of performing their sworn duties they also start asking questions when they see that the ideals that they have internalized sharply contrast with the morals and values they see in their institution,” Lim says.
“We’re not parrots. A parrot can mouth rhetoric and it can articulate. But I want to articulate and internalize,” says Lim.
Being out of the barracks is a familiar role that Lim, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy and the US Military Academy at West Point, has played time and again.
Full Story:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20080224-120807/Jailed-soldiers-join-call-Break-command-chain
02/25/2008 08:49 AM
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/82019/Detained-officers-urge-troops-to-join-communal-activities
Saying the present situation is worse than the Martial Law days, soldiers detained for the February 2006 standoff urged soldiers to assert their Constitutional duty and join "communal actions" that are aimed at ridding the ills facing the nation.
In a statement posted on the "Sundalo" website, the officers said soldiers are also citizens who can distinguish right from wrong."It would be the height of insensitivity and callousness to let alone the people do the cleaning when we, ourselves, were so much a part of it. Going out of barracks to join the people in communal action to rid the ills that befell our nation is a Constitutional duty. In fact, it is demanded of us, as soldiers, by the very people whom we failed. Let us not, this time, fail them. Let our voices be heard from the barracks. Let our sense of community be felt from the barracks. And let our actions be seen in and out of the barracks," the officers said.Signing the statement were former Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and ex-Scout Ranger commander Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, who were detained for allegedly planning to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2006."We are not faceless automatons incapable of thinking, feeling and discernment. We feel the pain of our neighbors as much as their anger. We see their oppression and sense their hopelessness. Of course, their happiness is ours too. But they are not! ... We, too, can distinguish good from evil, a truth from a lie, an honest one from a cheat and a thief. But it would be our most grievous sin if we tolerate and do nothing about it," they added.The soldiers said the mess created in the 2004 polls, either by direct participation and/or by silent complicity, needs to be "cleaned."They lamented that in the 2004 elections, a "misguided and partisan few" went out of our barracks not with a noble intent but to commit a crime against the people."They are still out of barracks trying to cover up for the crimes they committed while suppressing the truth. Sadly, more are being lured out of barracks to partake of the loot," they said."After everything has been said and done ... We appeal to the Filipino people to bring us back to barracks and keep us there. Keep us forever in barracks by electing responsible public officials and holding them accountable, by being ever vigilant and by strengthening your sense of community. We, your soldiers, will then march back to barracks to settle to the task of keeping your worthy trust and respect. Let that be our covenant," they said.The soldiers also urged the public to join "patriotic activities," including the afternoon rally at Mendiola; a Mass at the EDSA Shrine led by Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez Jr., KME and Laban ng Masa; and a Mass at Baclaran Church; and a candle-torch rally at the Welcome Rotonda. - GMANews.TV
Passion For ReasonBy Raul PangalanganPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 23:14:00 02/21/2008
You’ve heard the sensible argument: “‘Hanggang 2010 na lang naman.’ [It’s only until 2010.] Why the rush?” My answer: If Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo stays in power until 2010, she will remain in power after 2010. She and her cabal have transgressed the law so often now while they are in the saddle. There is simply too much at stake at too high a risk for them to dismount and freely relinquish power to a new president. Imagine her thinking: Why will I allow myself to be in Joseph Estrada’s shoes? Surely she dreads the full wallop of karmic revenge.
Even if we go through the ritual of a presidential election in 2010, at the very least, she will ensure that a brand-new ombudsman will be in place to immunize her and her family from culpability for the next seven years. In other words, she will continue the prostitution of our republican institutions.
Just look at our law enforcement agencies. Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. testified under oath about a $130 million commission and Neri about a P200 million bribe (who reported it to the President, who in turn did nothing), about his kidnapping by the very police sworn to protect us, and now about the half-million pesos given to him by a Malacañang lawyer -- and what do they do? They talk about charging Lozada’s wife with perjury! Susmaryosep. By the time Ms Arroyo goes, she will have debased the Republic, and made a total wreck of our constitutional order.
The second argument is: “Away ng mga fixer lamang ’yan.” [“It’s just a brawl among fixers.”] Why indeed should we involve ourselves in a brawl over illicit commissions? My answer: Precisely because it takes a thief to catch a thief, and we must embrace this long-awaited fissure within the ruling elites. In fact, I’d like to see Rep. Jose de Venecia explain why the conspirators in the national broadband network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. kept on insisting on “the NorthRail template,” the exact same swindle that ZTE wished to emulate, except that NorthRail was De Venecia’s baby and ZTE wasn’t. So the fixers are raring for a fight? That’s good news for all us victims. We must celebrate, we must fuel, we must spark the outrage.
The third argument is a sequel to the second: “Let us settle for the lesser evil.” I’ve actually found this argument most enticing, especially since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is by far the most highly educated of our presidents, and she wonderfully looks the part. The only problem is, going by what Romulo Neri allegedly said, she is “evil.” The law says Cabinet members are the alter ego of the president, and when the alternate ego brands the original ego as “evil,” he should know whereof he speaks. At the rate she’s going, just about every other option is the more “moderate” evil.
The fourth argument is: “Respect the rule of law lest you open a Pandora’s Box of power gone berserk.” My response: You mean, any more berserk than Arroyo’s Mafia sense of power? Whose Strong Republic is forceful in hounding its enemies, but weak in punishing its friends?
Full Story: http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080221-120384/The-arguments-for-inaction
http://www.cbcpnews.com/?q=node/1018
MANILA, February 21, 2008—PPCRV Chair and former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Henrietta De Villa said her group is organizing the Catholic faithful in various dioceses and key cities to take part in various communal activities beginning with the noise barrage scheduled for Friday, February 22 from 6:00 – 7:00 P.M.
Speaking over Catholic-run Veritas 846, Ambassador de Villa said meetings have been going on in various key areas including Jaro, Iloilo with Msgr. Meliton Oso. She said she expects a warm response from well-meaning citizens to blow their horns and produce noise similar to what’s being done every New Year’s eve.
She called on radio listeners to actively participate in the activity called Busina para sa Katotohanan, in support of star witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr. and the on-going Senate investigation.
“The idea behind the activity is to further inform the public of issues involved in the revelations made at the past Senate hearings,” de Villa added. Quoting CBCP President and Jaro Archbishop Angel N. Lagdameo, de Villa said the graft and corrupt practices in the country is now considered “the greatest shame of our people.”
Reacting to some pro-administration lawmakers accusations that the Church is meddling into politics, de Villa said “politics is supposed to be for the achievement of the common good.” However, she stressed the Church has made its presence felt to “cleanse” the country from the evils of politics. “In fact, politics today hinder the realization of the goals of the Catholic church’s Second Plenary Council of the Philippines in 1991,” the former envoy added. (CBCPNews)---------
Mukhang wala ng awatan, tuloy-tuloy ang momentum, lumalawak at papatindi ang communal action at people power para sa pagbabago at katotohanan. Maliban sa grupong estudyante, propesyunal, Black and White Movement, Makati Business Club, Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines, Integrated Bar of the Philippines at iba't-ibang maka-kaliwang grupo, sumama na rin ang Bangon Pilipinas, Muslim Legal Assistance Foundation, United Church of Christ in the Philippines at National Council of Churches in the Philippines.
Ang pinangangambahan ng iba, maaring ikatuwa naman ng ibang grupo lalo na mga extremista, ang paghahasik ng karahasan ng Special Dirty trick department." "Wag lang sanang gayahin ng Malakanyang ang Burma at ang kinahinatnan ng bansang Pakistan." (Larawan sa baba: Mayor Pelayo ng Candaba, Pampanga, ang tuta ng mga Pineda at ng mga Arroyo; www.geocities.com)
Sa ganitong klaseng pakikibaka't pagkakaisa, sa ganito kalaking organisasyon, koalisyon o alyansang nasa ilalim ng "oust GMA movement," hindi ko alam kung kayang tapatan ito ng PEOPLE POWER na ikakasa naman ng "Kongreso ng Mamamayan- consultative dialogue," ng mga GOONS, pulitiko (LPP-DILG), sa basbas ni Cong Mikey Arroyo, Malakanyang at suporta ng WETENG lord na si Bong Pineda ng Pampanga.
Ang nakakalungkot, imbis na agapayan ang kasamahang si Gov Evardone ng Eastern Samar, bigyan ng suporta't tulong ang mga nasasalanta ng baha't kalamidad sa Samar, Leyte at Albay, catanduanes, pamumulitika, pipol power, political survival at pamumudmud ng kwarta ang inuuna ng Malakanyang.Tulad ng sabi ni Bishop Lagdameo, sana nga hindi na "maulit ang Edsa 1 at 2, kung saan ang pagpapalit lamang ng presidente, ng tao at hindi ng buluk na sistema, ang buluk, elitist, undemocratic at patronage system of politics ng bansa," ang nangyari
- Doy /
Feb 21, 2008
Sa pag-aakalang kaya pang isalba ang palubog na bangkang papel, sariling version ng "people power" ang ikakasa ng Malakanyang. Mukhang nasa war footing at walang planong magRESIGN si Ate Glo. Alalahaning nakahanda at "may sapat na bilyong pisong (P5.0 bilyon) warchest ang Malakanyang sa lahat ng larangan ng labanan, maipakitang malakas pa, maayos at (strong republic) matatag pa, may suporta pa ng taumbayan," mailigtas lang ang sarili at hindi matulad sa kinasadlakan ni Marcos at Erap Estrada.
Tulad ng inaasahan, ilang araw mula ngayon, magsagawa ito ng isang malawakang “consultative dialogue” sa buong kapuluan. Sa temang tinatawag na, “Advancing Democracy and Economic Growth,” bilang show of force, isang malakihan "hakutan cum mobilisasyon-PEOPLE POWER" ang ikakasa ng Malakanyang sa kumpas ng masugid at battle tested na operador na si Sec Atty Ed Pamintuan, dating General Manager ng National Housing Authority (NHA), pinuno ng Office of the External Affairs ng palasyo. Kasama sa proyekto si Sec Puno ng Department of Interior for Local Govt (DILG), ang League of Province of the Philippines (ULAP/LPP), mga Liga ng mga Local Government Units, mga NGOs at ilang sektor ng simbahang malapit sa palasyo, mabalanse't maka-opensiba lamang sa propaganda ang Malakanyang.
Ang nakakalungkot, imbis na agapayan si Gov Evardone ng Eastern Samar, bigyan ng suporta't tulong ang mga nasasalanta ng baha't kalamidad sa Samar,Leyte at Albay, catanduanes, pamumulitika, pipol power, political survival ang inuuna ng Malakanyang. (Photo: LPP; www.lpp.gov.ph)
Bagamat hindi gaanong bumenta, unang umarangkada sa iskimang PROP war ang grupong tinatawag na “Kongreso ng Mamamayan.” Sa isang pahinang manipestong inilabas nito sa mga malalaking broad dailies at tabloids (media), “sinabing isang demonyo, taksil at hindi bayani, isang luko-luko, dorobo't magnanakaw, pakana't bayaran ng mga pulitiko si Jun Lozada. Sa kabilang banda, pinalalabas na isang huwaran, nasa tamang direksyon, walang kurakot at katiwalian, diyos at anghel ang gubyernong Arroyo at ang tanging hangarin lamang ni Lozada ay iterrorized, i-destabilized at pabagsakin ang lehitimong pamahalaang daw ni Ate Glo Arroyo."
Habang ginagapang at hinahati ng Malakanyang ang civil society organizations at simbahan, ihiwalay sa mga grupong nananawagan ng “communal action at people power,” ang linyang “chismis lamang, haka-haka, pawang kasinungalingan, walang basehan, unfair at innuendos ang CBCP ay nagpapatuloy. Binuhay muli ang "separation ng simbahan at estado" at mukhang aabot sa takutang singilin muli sa buwis ang mga ari-arian ng simbahan.
Kapansin-pansin ang linyang “hindi pa napapanahon, imposibleng mangyari't maulit muli ang isang panibagong pipol power,” “hindi aabot sa critical mass o ang mga elemento para sa isang people power revolution,” habang minamaliit nito ang kakayahan ng CBCP at civil society na pamunuan ang nasabing “communal action” at habang naka-in place ang makalumang (olds school) estratehiyang devide and rule tactics, nasa panic mode at paranoya ang Malakanyang.
Nakatakdang buuin ang “National Reform Council” bilang pantapat sa isinusulong na “truth, accountability at moral revolution” ng mga kritiko ng Malakanyang. Ayon sa ilang source, kung 'di si Romulo Neri (ang nagsabing demonyo si Ate Glo), si Sec Ermita ang napipisil na mamumuno sa Konseho. Sa katunayan, may ilan kilalang civil society personalities (middle forces) ang ipinatawag at kinakausap ni Ate Glo upang i-accomodate ang ilang demands, concession, adbokasiyang ireporma ang gubyerno. Tignan mo nga naman ang nagagawa ng isang Ate Glo na naisasadlak sa political survival mode, lahat na lamang ng kahilingang kayang ibigay ay ibibigay, tumagal lang sa trono.
Ang malaking tanong ay kung talaga nga bang sinsero ito sa popular na panawagang “reporma sa pulitika at halalan?” Kaya lang, "huli na ang lahat."
Doy / IPD
February 20, 2008
Ang sabi ng ilan, malapit na. Ang sabi ng iba, may salubong na ang kalat-kalat na pagkilos at panawagan. Ang sabi naman ng ilang barkada, may kalayuan pa't parang may kulang, ang sigurado, kumukulo na't malapit ng pumutok ang bulkang panlipunan. Naghamon ang isa kong kakilala, “pustahan tayo't (isang kahong beer) hindi na aabot ng Abril, '08 si Ate Glo,” at ang tantya n'ya, “PALACE COUP.” Ang pabulong kong reaksyon, malamang posible, sapagkat kung tatagal daw, ang labanan ay mauuwi na sa electoral mode, ang 2010 presidential election, mao-overtekan ng laban ni Manny Paquiao sa March 16 at masasagasaan ng tag-ulan, panahon ng kalamidad. Ang aking pahabol na tugon, masyadong agitated ang mama, hindi ko na pinatulan.
"PALACE COUP" man ito, pipol power o cummunal action, ang sigurado, kumukulo ang bulkang Mayon, bumubwelo ang “democratic at ang Oust GMA Movement, ang transisyon tungo sa PAGBABAGO at ang pinakamahalaga, nae-empowered (kapangyarihan) muli ang mamamayan.
Bagamat walang dudang may malaking papel na gagampanan ang middle class, unti-unti na itong nagigising at maaaring sabihing muli na naman mapupruwebahan ang kanyang impluwensya't pamumuno sa labanan; lalong-lalo na ang mga progresibong sangay at makabagong pwersa ng panggitnang kinabibilangan ng mga pamilyang Pinoy na OFW, ang kaliwa't kanang panawagan ng isang section ng Negosyo, ang “communal action, ang panawagang moral revolution” ng simbahan, ang iba't ibang grupo ng civil societies, ang kilusang istudyante, ang insidente (prayer rallies) sa La Salle Greenhills at ang Ateneo. Ang tanong ngayon, ito na ba ang “pampinaleng tipping point” na inaantabayanan ng marami?
Malaki pa ang hahabuling panahon upang sabihing kumpleto na ang sangkap o ingredient ng pananagumpay. Maaring bumilis, bumagal o maunsyami. Ayon sa kasabihan, “mahirap magbilang ng sisiw sa hindi pa napipisang itlog,” meaning, mahirap pa ring manigurado sapagkat napaka-fluid ang sitwasyon, komplikado at posibleng may mga bagong elemento't namumuong senaryo, halimbawa ay ang posibleng ganting aksyon o matinding reaksyon isasagawa ng naghihingalong estado, ang kanyang alas, ang hambalos ng propaganda machine ng Malakanyang, ang panlilinlang, panunupil at pananakot.
Walang dudang malaki pa ang bubunuin ng “demokratikong kilusan” matamo lamang ang inaasam-asam na layuning “pagpapatalsikin sa mabaho, peke at unpopular na pangulo ng bansa.” Bagamat may mga inisyal na inisyatiba ang ibang grupo at klaro ang panawagang GMA Resign, ”manipis, kalat-kalat, wala pang malinaw na ekspresyong pang-organisasyon, wala pang malinaw na natukoy kung sino ang katanggap-tanggap, mapagkakatiwalaang maaring tumimon sa pangkalahatan kumpas at koordinasyon ng labanan. "
Napakahalagang mapanatili ang isang peaceful at non-violent na tipo ng pakikibaka sa ngayon, sapagkat atat na ang Malakanayang na sakmalin, pulbusin, upakan ang mga kaaway sa pulitika, pilit hinahanapan ng butas, sinisira ang credibility at iniu-ugnay sa CPP-NPA, sa Magdalo/KUDETA, sa Al Qaeda at Abu Sayaff o sa mga terorista ang “demokratikong kilusan,” magkaroon lang ng katwiran at rason na mai-impose ang “emergency rule at martial law.”
Dahil natuto na tayo sa karanasan ng Edsa 1, 2 at 3, kung saan nauwi lamang sa kangkungan at walang nabago sa buluk na sistema, ang immediate goals sa ngayon ay ang pangangailangang maisentro ang labanan na "hindi lamang sa pagpapalit ng tao, bagkus magkaroon na ng pagbabago sa sistema (system change), pulitika man ito, electoral, paradigm shift at prosecution ng lahat ng mga nangurakot sa bayan (prosecution ng lahat ng nandambong sa country)." Alangan sa ngayon ang malalimang mga debate patungkol sa kung “tama o mali ang pampulitikang linya,” lalong hindi rin ito usapin kung ano ang kulay na mananaig, kung puti, dilaw, pula, berde, purple o orange at ang diskurso sa isyu ng "reporma o ang pagiging repormista't rebolusyunaryo, usapin ng pagiging vanguardismo at rebolusyon."
"Sapagkat ang pinakamahalaga sa ngayon ay NUMERO o bilang ng malawak na mapapakilos na mamamayang magmumula sa pinaka-BROAD na paraan at tipo ng organisasyon, Koalisyon o alyansa." Tiyaking "popular at simple ang mga ipaparating na mensaheng tatagos sa kaibuturan at damdamin ng mamamayang Pilipino, simbolo, IMAHE at tuloy-tuloy na media exposure sa madla," ang pagkabig sa “hearts and mind ng bawat Pinoy." Bukud sa mahalaga at kailangan ang atensyon ng pandaigdigang komunidad, malaki rin ang magiging papel ng ICT (information communication and technology), ang internet, ang papel ng mga bloggers, YOUTUBE at cell phone sa mga labanan.
Panghuli, ma-antisipa ang galaw at planong counter attack ng Malakanyang. Kung baga sa Chess, ang inaasahang galaw, 3 o 4 moves ng Malakanyang ay mahalagang nasusundan, upang sa gayon maiwasan maudlot, mabulilyaso o maminimized lang ang pinsalang maaring matamo sa labanan ng mamamayan.
Doy Cinco / IPD
February 17, 2008
Related Story:Mon Casiple’s Weblog on Philippine Politics
Problem and developmentThe current upsurge of political protest against the GMA administration has reached a point of sustainability. At this time. this is centered in schools, churches, and middle class communities. Despite various attempts by Malacañang to diffuse this protest, it is spreading.
However, the movement has not yet reached the point of being a critical mass [...]
http://moncasiple.wordpress.com/2008/02/20/problem-and-development/
Lozada: Neri described Arroyo as 'evil'
Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada Jr. on Monday said his friend, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Romulo Neri, sees President Arroyo as an "evil person." (Photo: http://www.tongueinanew.blogspot.com/)
"She is evil," Lozada said at the Senate as he was forced by senators to "tell the truth" about Neri’s alleged description of Mrs. Arroyo. Lozada agonized in front of the senators and before revealing the "evil" description, he apologized to Neri.
The Senate star witness said Neri uttered the four-letter word during a meeting with senators Panfilo Lacson and Maria Consuelo Madrigal, which allegedly took place Dec. 7, 2007 at the Asian Institute of Management building in Makati City.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour.aspx?StoryId=109511
"CBCP frowns on another people power;" http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=109643
http://news.delasalle.ph/2008/02/time-to-go-call-to-our-colleagues-in.html
We are former government officials who have held high positions in the current and previous administrations. Having participated in the highest level of governance up close and personal, we now feel compelled to speak up for our demoralized public servants and arrest the decline of our institutions of governance. In the past, many of us kept quiet, going on about our daily chores, attending to business as usual.
However, over the last few days, we, together with the rest of the country, have seen one man - Jun Lozada - finally decide that he can no longer be part of the massive graft and corruption that permeates this government. His testimony exposed that the corruption in the project he dealt with - the NBN ZTE project - is standard in what he called "dysfunctional government procurement processes."
Clearly, what Jun Lozada knew so terrified the powers-that-be that they unwittingly exposed what Jun called "the dark side of the state" - state-sponsored terrorism that had been rearing its ugly head in the various disappearances and extra-judicial killings in the past six years - and which almost took him as a victim in a botched kidnapping that the administration has been trying, with little success, to cover up.
In a sense, all Jun Lozada did was to confirm what we already know: Our country is sliding into moral decadence. He also confirmed the systematic destruction of our democratic institutions and the systemic nature of our problems. We have seen this in the wanton disregard of checks-and-balances; abuse of the powers of the President; the cooptation through patronage and outright bribery of the other branches of government; politically sponsored corruption, facilitated, not thwarted, by bureaucratic procedures; the naked use of power and authority through the PNP, PSG, NAIA, among others, to strangle the truth; and the deployment of cabinet, sub-cabinet officials, and the military to obstruct justice and cover up illegal orders and acts.
In the past, for too many times that we were confronted with threats to our democracy and to our moral values, our response was: "What can we do about it? What is our choice? Who will lead us?"
These questions persist but, today, we can no longer stay silent. We can no longer ignore the reality of a government gone wild, wreaking havoc on our rights and institutions in a climate of impunity. We can no longer console ourselves in the strength of the peso, narrowing deficits, and an expanding economy. Even these ephemeral gains have not translated into a better life for the majority of our people, especially the poor.
The future of our country is at stake. Our democratic institutions are under attack. What we stand to lose is the moral fabric of our society.
We call on all government officials - Cabinet Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Heads of Agencies - who know about these anomalous transactions to join the heroic stand of Jun Lozada to come forward and speak out. We call on all those who know about the extrajudicial killings and disappearances to go public and tell the truth. We call on all those who can no longer endure this wrongful governance, with its structures of evil and unmoderated greed: IT IS TIME TO CUT CLEAN! IT IS TIME TO GO! .
Tama na! Sobra na! Panahon na!
By Thea Alberto, Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
First 
Posted 13:42:00 02/14/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- An assassination plot against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo allegedly from the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) was revealed Thursday by her security group, which it said, was the reason why the President cancelled her trip to Baguio City over the weekend. (Photo: Osama Bin Laden at grupong Al Qaeda; flapsblog.com)Brigadier General Romeo Prestoza, head of the Presidential Security Group, told a press conference that the cancellation of another out of town trip was being studied.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080214-118846/UPDATE-Assassination-plot-against-Arroyo-bared
Realated Story: 'ZTE-NBN mess worst crisis to hit Arroyo' http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=109149
US envoy urges government to listen to public outcry; http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20080214-118883/US-envoy-urges-government-to-listen-to-public-outcry -----------
Wala na bang mas credible, hindi katawa-tawa, mas kapani-paniwala na pwedeng alibi, mapagbuntungan, mapagbalingan ng Presidential Security Command (PSG) maliban sa Al Qaeda - JI at CPP-NPA, majustified lamang, maidivert (diversionary tactics) lamang ang atensyon ng mamamayan sa harap ng lumalalang krisis pulitikal at umiinit na isyung bumabalot na maanomalya at mabahong ZTE-Broadband network?
Sa harap ng panawagang “communal action at moral revolution” ng simbahan patungkol sa mga gangster at ala-MAPIAng pamumuno't pamamalakad sa Malakanyang, sa harap ng sunud-sunod na pinaplanong kilos protesta, mag-aala GLORIETA, CONGRESS BLAST na naman tayo? Kung kamakailan lamang ay nabulilyaso ang planong pambobomba (text messages) sa Kamaynilaan at kung dati-rati'y palagiang inuugnay sa CPP-NPA, MAGDALO, mga COUP PLOTTERS, mga destabilizer na oposisyon at civil society, ngayon nama'y AL QAEDA at JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH kay Ate Glo?
Walang tangang Pinoy ang maniniwalang may asasinasyon plot kay Ate Glo ng grupong Al Qaeda. Ang pinangangambahan at kutub ng bawat Pilipino ay ang pambobombang (Kamaynilaan) isasagawa ng "dirty trick dept ng palasyo," (hindi ng Al Qaeda at JI), ipagbawal ang communal action, pandurukut sa mga aktibista at diklerasyon ng emergency rule. Ang haka-hakang asasinasyon ay gawa-gawa lamang upang makondisyon ang tao at bigyang katwiran ang matagal ng binabalak na martial law” ng Malakanyang. (Photo: State of Emergency; www.internationalviewpoint.org/local/cache-vi...)
Sino si Ate Glo upang patulan ng AL QAEDA at JEMAAH ISLAMIYA? Yagit lamang ang Pilipinas, CARE GIVER at KATULONG lamang tayo ng mundo, wala man lang tayo sa kalingkingan ng mga makasalanan at mauunlad na bansa sa mundo. Wala tayong nalalamang atraso ni Ate Glo sa mga MUSLIM. Sa katunayan, walang Pilipinong mersenaryong sundalong nasa IRAQ at AFGHANISTAN. May isang milyong mga kababayan nating OFW ang na sa Gitnang Silangan pawang mga istadong Muslim. Kaibigan natin ang mga PALESTINO, Indonesian, Malaysian, Iranian, Saudis, Libyan at higit sa lahat kaututan dila natin ang OIC - Organization of Islamic Conference. Dagdag pa, ang “Global War on Terrorism” na ikinakampanya ni Bush ay hindi gaanong naging epektibo sa Pilipinas.
Walang kadahi-dahilan, walang LOHIKANG tatargetin si Ate Glo ng Al Qaeda at JI. Mas kapani-paniwala ng mahigit isang libong beses na "kung mayroon man asasinasyon plot kay Ate Glo, taga MALAKANYANG, nasa loob ng Malakanyang, kung baga INSIDE JOB, ang may gawa nito." Pangalawa, "istilong buluk - diversionary lamang ang nasabing asasin plot. Panghuli, mas uunahin iaa-sasina ng Al Qaeda / JI ang mga pinuno ng mga bansang nasa Western Europe, UK, Germany, France, Japan, S Korea, gubyerno ng Malaysia at Singapore, si Bush ng US at ang bansang Israel.
Ang isang napakalaking TANONG, bakit pa kakailanganing iasasina ng Al Qaeda si Ate Glo kung ito'y hindi na magtatagal sa kapangyarihan, kung ito'y nasusukol na ng taumbayan, kung ito'y malapit ng magresign, bilang na ang araw at nalalapit na ang paghuhusga laban sa kanya?
Related Story: “Bishop hits Palace 'crisis management tactics' amid ZTE mess”http://www.gmanews.tv/story/80815/Bishop-hits-Palace-crisis-management-tactics-amid-ZTE-mess 'Cover-up try may lead to Arroyo downfall, prelate'warns
'http://www.gmanews.tv/story/80807/Cover-up-try-may-lead-to-Arroyo-downfall-prelate-warns
Doy Cinco / IPD
February 14,2008
Dahil sa pagsabog ng bulkang Mayon, tsunami at lindol na tumama sa Malakanyang bunsod ng sunud-sunod na exposay-testimonya sa Senado ni Jun Lozada, ang star witness sa mabaho at maanomalyang ZTE-National Broadband Network, tulad ng inaasahan, naglunsad na ng kontra-opensiba, blitzkrieg propaganda ang Malakanyang mailigtas lamang sa kangkungan si Ate Glo.
Sa isang one whole PAID Ad sa mga tabloids at ilang malalaking broad sheet ng grupong nagpakilalang “Kongresong Mamamayan” kanina, mukhang umarangkada na ang media't propaganda war, ang kontra-atake "laban sa mga nagsusulong ng katotohanan, laban sa panawagang "communal action at moral revolution ng simbahan." Kasabay ring kakastiguhin at idedemolition job ang kredibilidad, ang personalidad ng kawawang si Jun Lozada at institusyon ng Senado.
Ito na marahil ang katagang binitiwang “tratrabahuin na lang namin 'yan sa MEDIA,” (kasama ang sikat na broadcaster sa isang Network), ng dating Kalihim na si Mike Defensor kay Jun Lozada nuong kasagsagan ng Senate investigation kamakalawa. Meaning, kung hindi nabulilyaso ang planong cover-up at hindi umabot si Jun Lozada sa Senado, aayusin, dudukturin at rerepackage sana ito sa Media.
Unang nakilala ang Kongreso ng Mamamayan (KM) nung sinuportahan nito ang proklamasyon 1017, ang diklerasyon ng “state of emergency” na nagbigay buhay sa naghihingalong estado ni Ate Glo noong 2006. Nung matapos ang May 2007 midterm election, humupa ang survival tendency at nag LEGACY MODE si Ate Glo, bigla itong naglaho sa eksena. Nung biglang sumambulat ang isyu ng Broadband controvercy at muling tumagilid ang lagay ni Ate Glo, biglang lumitaw ule ang multong KM. (Photo: 2006 State of Emergency; newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41374000/jpg/_.)
Sa manipestong inilabas ng Kongreso ng Mamamayan sa media, parang sinasabing isang demonyo, taksil at hindi bayani, isang luko-luko, dorobo't magnanakaw, pakana't bayaran ng mga pulitiko si Jun Lozada. Sa kabilang banda, pinalalabas na isang huwaran, nasa tamang direksyon, walang kurakot at katiwalian, diyos at anghel ang gubyernong Arroyo at ang tanging hangarin lamang ni Lozada ay iterrorized, i-destabilized at pabagsakin ang lehitimong pamahalaang daw ni Ate Glo Arroyo.
Bukud sa hindi ito nagpapakilala ng lubus, walang websight o adres man lang kung sakaling may tanggapan, sino-sino ang pamunuan at mga signatories ng kanyang manipesto at ilan ang kanilang kasapian, napakahirap paniwalaang tunay na organisasyon at nirerepresenta ito ng mamamayan. Sa pangalan pa lang, nakaka-intriga na, sapagkat ang unang kikintal sa isip mo'y parang grupong Kaliwa ang sinisimbolo, parang kilusang mapagpalaya ang pustura, makatao, patriotiko o isang koalisyon ang Kongreso ng Mamamayan (KM). Walang dudang taga Malakanyang ang nasa likod ng multong organisasyong kung tawagin ay Kongreso ng Mamamayan.
Ang ganitong istratehiya ay maihahalintulad lamang sa panahon ni Marcos, ang “Bagong Lipunan” sa panahon ng Martial Law, ang Sigaw ng Bayan ng ULAP (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines) na naging behikulo upang maifacilitate ang pagpapapirma sa Pipol inisyatib (PI) sa naunsyaming isinusulong na Charter-Change noong 2005. Sa kaso ng Kongreso ng Mamamayan, ito'y maliwanag na pakana ng Malakanyang na ang tanging layunin ay aswangin ang mga kaaway ng palasyo, isalba sa rurok ng kahihiyan at pagbagsak ni Ate Glo sa poder.
Sa mga darating na araw, aasahang mas lalaganap at dadami pa ang ganitong klaseng propa at bilyong pisong payola sa hanay ng broadcast at print media. Kasabay na lalaganap ang operation dikit-poster, mga naglalambiting tarpuline sa lansangan na maglalaman ng mensaheng “let's move on na't” may kombinasyong banat sa Senado, sa CBCP, sa kilusang demokratiko, sa mga grupong nagtataguyod ng katotohanan at pagbabago.
Doy / IPD
February 13, 2008
Walang dudang muli na namang nalagay sa survival mode si Ate Glo. May nagsasabing "baka ito na ang simula at katapusan ng masasayang araw ng Malakanayang." Kaya lang, "maaring sabihing na sa rurok na, hinog na o hindi pa kumpleto ang ingredient para sa isang pagbabalikwas tungo sa pagbabago. Ang nakabitin at ang balik na tanong, nasaan at naabot na ba ang pampinaleng tipping point na inaabangan ng marami?"
Kung maisusustina't lalala pa sa darating na linggo ang bulkang Mayong krisis na bumabalot sa ZTE-Broadband scam, meaning may ilang bilang sa hanay ng CBCP ang categorically mananawagan ng pagbibitiw sa tungkulin ni Ate Glo at ipalaganap ito sa pamamagitan ng isang PASTORAL LETTER (karaniwang ginawa nuong panahon ni Marcos at Erap Estrada), ilang section ng business elite at panggitnang pwersa ang lalahok sa pagkilos, sasabayan pa ng pagbibitiw ng ilang Gabinete ni Ate Glo, withdrawal of support ng ilang General sa AFP, 'di man magsabay-sabay, di man kompleto, ano man ang maunang sangkap, walang dudang tigbak at 'di na aabot si Ate Glo sa 2010. Sa ngayon, maaaring “naka-antabay lang sa ano mang eventuality at wait and see ang halos lahat ng grupong pulitikal sa bansa."
Alam na nating lahat ang talamak na pangungurakot sa bansa, alam natin na isang malaking kalokohan ang sinasabing “strong republic.” Alam din natin lahat ang ala-MAPIAng pamumuno ng burukrasya't Malakanyang, na ayon sa CBCP ay pinaghaharian ng MALALAKI at MAKAPANGYARIHANG ANGKAN, dinastiya, CASIQUE at OLIGARKIYA. Alam nating lahat na sila lamang ang nakikinabang at nagtatamasa sa sinasabing 6-7.0% GDP economic growth rate ng ating bansa. Alam din natin lahat kung paano sinalaula ang mga demokratikong institusyon ng bansa at sa pamamagitan ng kinang ng salapi, ng pamumudmud, makailan beses na itong nalusutan ni Ate Glo. Sa harap ng kalunus-lunos na kalagayan, ang karaniwang reaksyon ng marami, EH ANO NGAYON?
Bilang mga aktibo at responsableng mamamayan, ang inaantabayanan, ang hinahanap ng mamamayan, ANO NA ANG GAGAWIN? Ang sagot ng CBCP, "COMMUNAL ACTION".
Hindi natin minamaliit ang panawagang “communal action” ng CBCP. Maaring ito na ang pinakamataas na anyo ng panawagang kayang ibato ng simbahan sa harap ng lumalalalang krisis ng paggugubyerno sa bansa. Maaaring ang kahulugan ng “communal action ay isang klase ng pagkilos na communal, sama-samang pagkilos para sa pagbabago, commune, parang Diliman Commune, ika nga, kahit paano, isa itong political action.” In fairness sa CBCP, sa layuning maibalik ang pagtitiwala, good governance at higit pang palakasin ang tinatawag na responsableng mamamayan. Sa panimula, maaaring “communal prayer at soul searching, pray together, magdecide o mag-act together.” Sakyan man o kstiguhin ng Malakanyang ang panawagan, walang ibang tinutukoy ang CBCP kundi ang imoralidad, kabulukan ng Malakanyang at paraan kung paano ito mareresolba sa pamamagitan ng "communal action." (Photo below: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/)
Bagamat ang arena ng labanan ay nananatiling na sa Senado, walang nakaka-alam kung ito'y bubulwak, dadami't lalawak ang partisipasyon ng mamamayan o maaari rin namang madepuse ang tensyon, makabig ng palasyo ang timbangan at “maglet'smove on na naman ang lahat.” Habang ang diin sa Senado ay puntiryahin ang ugat, ang pinanggagalingan ng iskandalo (Mike Arroyo at GMA), sa part ng Malakanyang, ang "taktika'y total denial, iwas pusoy, idamage control, pahupain ang sitwasyon at idemolished ang kredibilidad ni Eng Jun Lozada."
Hanggat may lusot at kung makakayanan ay ilimita ang exposue ng mga salarin, panatilihing nasa peripiral ang subject ng Senate hearing. Meaning itago sa Senado ang mga vulnerable, ang Unang Ginoo at tanging Esposong si Mike Arroyo, Abalos o si Sec Neri, ang may alam sa iskandalong bumabalot sa maanomalyang kontrata ng ZTE-NBN. Pangalawa, sirain ang kredibilidad at kalakasang testimoniya ni Eng Jun Lozada (witness) at panghuli, kung 'di kayang kunin sa santong paspasan, takutin muli ang mamamayan, bigyang katwiran ang pagdidiklara ng “emergency rule o martial law.”
Maliban sa Simbahan, sinong grupo ang mapagkakatiwalaang titimon sa kumpas ng labanan at kung may ispasyo pa ba ang mamamayan sa malayang pamamahayag at mapayapang pagkilos, maliban sa Senado, ang mapayapang pakikibaka, ang legal at constitutional (avenues) na paraan ng pagkilos para sa pagbabago? Bukud sa hanay ng simbahan, sino sa mga progresibong hanay ang may kredibilidad na maaring magfacilitate, manguna sa pagkilos para sa pagbabago?
Nagstrike sa akin ang matinding feedback, reaksyon, kritisismo o mungkahi ng isang ordinaryong mamamayan na aking kapitbahay, sa kung paano paiigtingin ang pakikibaka laban sa katiwalian at pang-aabuso ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Ayon sa kanya, "sa mga demokratikong mobilisasyon ikakasa sa hinaharap, kasabay sa umiinit na inbestigasyon sa Senado, kung pupwede lang sana," aniya, "sa simula, iwasan sanang mahaluan ng mga pulitiko, wala munang mga streamers at placard, wala munang mga pulang nakabalagbag na banderang wawagay-wagayway. Ang kanyang simpleng katwiran, "baka raw maunsyami ang labanan, baka mag-atrasan, masira ang kredibilidad, mag-alangan ang marami partikular ang hanay ng middle class, imbis na makadagdag, makabawas at mabulilyaso ang mabuting hangarin ng "communal action."
Related Story: "Sobra na. Kilos na. -- Obispo," http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/feb1208/news02.htmCBCP's stand on political issues; http://www.gmanews.tv/story/80086/CBCPs-stand-on-political-issuesDoy / IPD
February 11, 2008
GMA, Noli, Cabinet forge prexy deal for Gloria exit
2
008/02/13
Her days in Malacañang are numbered and her stay in the Palace may be over sooner than expected, as even President Arroyo’s Cabinet members are said to be plotting her “constitutional” ouster, forcing her removal from the presi-dency and installing Vice President Noli de Castro as president, by invoking Section 11, Paragraph 2 of Article Vll of the Constitution, a Palace insider who rejected the plan told the Tribune yesterday. (Photo: VP Noli de Castro and GMA; www.op.gov.ph)
The insider also said this planned move is being done with the President’s blessings, as De Castro will be providing her protection from any and all charges in court — and maintain her “immunity” from suit, as well as ensure that the presidential couple ..
Full Story »»» http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/20080213hed1.html
Makati Business Club urges public to join fight vs gov’t greed
02/12/2008 | 08:11 PM
The Makati Business Club (MBC) on Tuesday urged the public to join the clamor for change by ending corruption and greed in the government.
“We call on all Filipinos to proclaim, tama na ang kasinungalingan, sobra na ang kasakiman, manindigan na, bayan (enough with lies, greediness is already too much, let us fight)" the MBC said in a statement.
The MBC made the call amid the Senate inquiry into the alleged anomalies in the National Broadband Network (NBN) project that was linked to the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The MBC said it could not content itself with the rise of the peso amid the moral collapse of the government.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/80262/Makati-Business-Club-urges-public-to-join-fight-vs-govt-greed
VIEWPOINTS Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20080210com6.html
02/10/2008
There is a formal and standing call for a “Moral Revolution” made by no less than a then high-ranking official in government in direct response to the pronouncement of an also highly placed churchman at the helm of the CBCP openly saying the current administration is “morally bankrupt.”
The said call affirms the truth of the pronouncement, and the cited pronouncement validates the urgency of the call. The call and the pronouncement constitute a strong, relevant and urgent moral whole.
The expressed and continuing highly significant and fervent call has some five key and outstanding appeals, all of which are neither hard to understand nor difficult to fathom. The government official personally and officially addresses the following socio-moral agenda directly to the one leading the national governance some seven long years since:
1. “Prove that the government can still act decisively in the national interest.”
Implication: The government remains undecided in working for the national welfare it is well funded by the citizens and thus much expected the people to do so.
2.“Corruption is the key political problem.”
Implication: The administration does not yet know much less accepts that the country and the Malacañang occupant in particular are both high placers in the index of corruption in the continent and in the world.
3. “Slow, uneven growth the key economic problem.”
Implication: The considered economic genius in the government with deliriously impressive claims of growth in trade and industry is asked to wake up to the reality of the exact opposite in the ground.
4. “Poverty perpetuates itself through generations.”
Implication: The Chief Executive in the land has to be even openly told the simple truth that the poor can bring to life and to society only poor people like themselves.
5. “Redefine politics as serving more than individual ambitions.”
Implication: The higher the politicos climb the political hierarchy in the country, the more individualistic they become, the more self-serving and even self-generating in terms of political dynasties.
Incidentally, all the above pivotal challenges to the incumbent ruling national leadership is prefaced by the following general appeal: “Use the vast powers of the presidency to lead a moral revolution in our public life.”
(Reprinted with permission of Lingayen Dagupan Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz, from www.ovc.blogspot.com)
Related Story: Communal action needed after NBN exposé – CBCP; http://www.philstar.com/
