Tag: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Philippine Government: A Lopsided Democracy?

A Supreme Court Justice has been impeached. A former President has been arrested. Earlier, an Ombudsman head has been sacked. The former COMELEC Commissioner has also been detained. What else is next?

176 Signatures From Congress Gathered within a Day for Corona's Impeachment

In the past months, the Aquino administration has indeed made it a point to eliminate from any seat of power people who had ties with the former administration. In the pursuit of a “tuwid na daan” the seats of power has been cleansed and purged despite the threats of economic meltdown. (A robust economy is apparently not the priority). I guess pursuing after the right path comes with a cost.

There are those that say that the speed by which Corona has been impeached clearly marks the influence PNoy has on Congress. With the SC Justice gone, there is the possibility that the Supreme Court would also come under PNoy’s influence. Some fear the democratic government which enjoyed equality of the 3 branches would fall into a silent autocracy with 1 branch having pronounced influence in the other 2.

But haven’t it always worked that way? Of course in each branch there are those labelled as opposition thus balancing the act but isn’t it that in the end, the more powerful branch, usually the Executive, is able to get away with what he wants irregardless of the opinions of the other 2 branches? Case in point: GMA and her various criminal allegations gone unpunished and unquestioned until now when the tables has obviously turned against her favor.

Frankly, I don’t feel any remorse for the Chief Justice who was the one who left the Vizconde massacre unsolved despite the 20 years of elusive justice. I don’t feel any allegiance to a Chief Justice who is labelled as a Midnight Appointee of a former president now being tried for her crimes. I don’t trust a Chief Justice who would allow an obvious escape plan of a highly suspected criminal to be put into motion i.e. issuing a TRO against GMA’s watch list order.

Corona: GMA's Midnight Appointee?

But then, I also don’t have much respect for law makers tasked to come up with laws that are supposed to put the country in a more progressive state but really has contributed more to its demise. Case in point: Duwang Camarines. (The Congress has voted in favor of it). Dynasty Rule. (No one has really come up with a law against it).

What I do respect and believe in is justice. Justice, in her own mysterious ways above the powers of man, making her presence felt. It’s about time GMA is tried and punished for her crimes. Her husband would come next. Her cronies and allies are already one by one being arrested. As they say, those who side with evil are eventually punished.

It may be a rough and dark “tuwid na daan” (what could we expect really?) but if it comes down to cleaning the present political scenario of the country or at least proving to jaded Pinoys that this country really has a shot at a clean politics, then I guess it’s worth it. Just so long as whatever skeletons in the closet the present President has must also be dealt accordingly and fairly (paging Hacienda Luisita Issue). Bias must not play a part in any way for any party.

For me, prosecuting those who are at fault and serving real  justice is enough accomplishment for PNoy’s 1 1/2 years in office. But it doesn’t end there. Cleaning up the system has a long way to go and eventually other aspects of society – economy, basic necessities, etc. would be crying out for attention – “tuwid or baku-baku na daan” alike.

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Executive vs Judiciary: The Ultimate Circus

Yesterday, our country witnessed a battle between two components of our democratic government system – the Executive and the Judiciary. When the former First Couple tried to leave the country yesterday bearing the Supreme Court’s TRO (temporary restraining order) against DOJ’s Watch List, Sec. Leila De Lima immediately went into action and barred their departure. It was a circus at its best! Throngs of media surrounded the hapless Former President as she entered the NAIA Terminal 1 riding in a wheelchair and clad with braces to keep her frame in shape. Despite all the hassle, in the end, her party had to concede to the adamant Bureau of Immigration officials and return to the hospital.

Former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, Mike Arroyo are being charged for various cases of plunder as well as cheating on the 2004 National Elections. Amid these charges, GMA contracted an illness in her cervical spine which prompted her party to seek medical treatment abroad after the failed operation by her doctors in St. Luke’s Hospital. But the DOJ headed by Sec. Leila De Lima and supported by the Office of the President will have none of that. They placed GMA and her husband under a Watch List Order and prevented them from leaving the country. Further, PNoy offered that the government would spend on bringing any specialist they so desire into the country just to prevent them from leaving.

Yet GMA’s party appealed to the Supreme Court for a ruling against the WLO (Watch List Order). Which, they successfully got yesterday. Majority of the Supreme Court justices, most of whom were appointees of GMA herself, ruled in favor of the TRO (hmm..fishy?). It was released yesterday and armed with that, GMA’s party immediately went into the airport and demanded that they be allowed to travel via Dragon Air and leave the country.

What followed next was entire mayhem! Sec. De Lima insisted she hasn’t received a copy yet of the TRO and that she had instructed the Immigration officials as well as NAIA personnel to prevent GMA and her husband from leaving the country. They were under her direct orders. The Supreme Court ruling said that the TRO was in effect immediately, and any attempt to block it will result in contempt. But Sec. De Lima was not afraid of that. She further insisted that upon receiving the TRO, they are still entitled to file a motion for reconsideration.

But GMA is in a hurry. As per her lawyer, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, her appointment with the doctors in Singapore was today and she was trying to leave the country yesterday to allow her at least one more day of rest before the checkup. GMA’s party insisted that they had already complied with all the requirements of the TRO which is to (1) issue a bond of P2M; (2) have a legal counsel present in the Philippines; (3) report to the Philippine Consulate in every country they visit. They further insisted that GMA is not in any way going to evade the Philippine government. She’s merely seeking treatment.

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On Resignations and Breach of Contract

Sometimes in life we reach crossroads wherein the the path we are currently taking has take a sudden demise and we must choose another path. This is an inevitable part of life.

For Miguel Zubiri, his stint as a Senator has been tainted by doubt and controversies prompting him to resign from service and being dubbed as the first ever senator since 1987 to do so. At least, Zubiri still has a conscience. For indeed, how can a public servant continue serving the people if his own credibility is being questioned. In my opinion, he really didn’t want to be involved in all those cheating but he was included in the dagdag-bawas none the less. He thought he can get away it with, that is rather get away with it than try to oppose an administration which considered him an ally. Well, the tables have changed and his name is drag to the dirty waters. It’s time then to resign and accept defeat.

In the same light, I admire US Congressmen in particular those who were involved in scandalous sexual controversies. If you think about it, these seemingly noble statesmen just made the mistake of forging flirtatious relations with other women despite their being a family man. Posing semi-nude pictures were considered as a disgrace for these public servants. Faced with such controversies, they then stepped down from office even though they’ve had years of service behind them.

For me, these public servants had enough honor to know when the end is near and to admit defeat and resign from their office. Rather lose with dignity than pretend to be clean amid constant controversy. How I wish other public servants would do the same. But sadly, there remains many, some even in the highest echelons of power, who would never give up despite endless years of controversy. A case in example is none other than Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself, ex-president and now congresswoman. Her name has been dragged into controversies after another ranging from judicial killings to nationwide electoral fraud yet she refuses to yield power. Rather than save face and lose with honor, she pushes forward, still acquiring power. Despite numerous evidences, court cases and massive protests against her, she remains steadfast in her goal to “serve the people”. But is she really serving the people if the people doesn’t want her?

Thankfully for these people, no one will hold it against them if they resign and do not finish their term. It would even be a welcome respite. But in the case of the corporate world, resignations when a contract has been agreed upon is deemed as a negative thing. It is basically unlawful to breach one’s contract especially when the only reason to do so is because the stress and pressure of the work was more than what was bargained for. To the employee, this should have been expected and anticipated prior to signing the contract. Often, resignations in this light are deemed as unethical and non-honorable.

The bottomline: before undertaking something like a job post, ensure that you got it through credible means, that while in the position you do your best to protect your credibility and that before you actually sign up for the job, you know all the costs (even the worst case scenario) involved with it.

 

Rooting for Noynoy

“Can Noynoy do it? Believe it. Yes he can” –Conrado De Quiros

noynoyUp until today I was somehow undecided whether I will vote for Noynoy or not. I knew Mar Roxas endorsed him, and I believe in Mar’s decisions and principles, yet I was somehow skeptical of Noynoy. I agreed with the critics notions that he is still unprepared and incapable of the presidency and he is merely riding on to his parent’s fame and the recent surge of the Cory magic. I agreed with the critics that he lacks experience as evidenced by his mediocre performance as congressman and as senator. I agreed with critics that shrewd advisers will take advantage of him and he may end up another Erap – dependent on his advisers’ greedy and self-serving advices. I agreed with them, now I disagree.

After reading several, I admit not quite a lot, people’s opinions on Noynoy’s bid for presidency; I must say that I have already decided which side I’m on. Before I was on the gray side, but I knew there’s only black and white in this race we’re in. There are only 2 sides of the coin – there’s nothing in between. Times are different now, I can feel that and as responsible voters and citizens of the country longing for change, we need to make a clear-cut stand on the matters and issues at hand. I have decided to take my stand.

I will vote for Noynoy and support him in the upcoming presidential race. I agree with a lot of points in De Quiros’ recent article about Noynoy, Yes, he can. Indeed what our country needs is not a leader that will act like a CEO of a company – serving only the needs of the stockbrokers and not of its employees; having a lot of skills and impressive accomplishments but questionable in integrity and moral standing. What our country needs is someone we can be confident of to rally behind to – a president we can support instead of rebut; a president we would be comfortable to trust with our resources and not fear that he or she would take it to his or her personal advantage. I agree that what the country needs is someone who can clean up the mess that has been accumulated over the past years – the mess that has made us apathetic and disillusioned about the country that we now live in. I agree that the elections this coming 2010 is not a regular and peaceful one. First there is the new automated system which I believe will raise a lot of complications since I don’t think it has been prepared adequately. Second, unlike other Presidential election periods, this election does not entirely guarantee a peaceful transition – not with talks of GMA wanting cha-cha and possibly not relinquishing her power in a docile and quiet manner. And with Erap seeking a re-election, what can we really expect?

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Status Quo

Why do Filipinos cling so much to the status quo?

 

This query started with some personal observations, to be accentuated by national issues.

 

My aunt, no longer loved by my uncle, would still not let go of the marriage – even when my uncle already has a second family. To her, the surname of my uncle was a status quo symbol – the surname commands respect in their province. Why? Because it was believed that the surname owns hectares upon hectares of land. Land does become a status quo symbol. Little does my aunt know that the land already has multitude of issues connected to it – unpaid taxes and barely productive crops.

 

 

Filipinas - Havaianas made exclusively for the Philippines
Filipinas - Havaianas made exclusively for the Philippines

While waiting for the shuttle bus with my co-workers, the conversation drifted to the latest release of Havaianas flip-flops – a white slipper with the words Havaianas in gold letters. It costs something like Php1300 according to them. What?!?  Why pay so much for just a pair of slippers when you could already buy quality shoes for the same amount? I don’t understand the fuss over this brand of slippers. I mean they are basically the same as any other cheaper brands. Why do people buy them? I could only think of one answer: status quo.

 

 

starbucksThis led me to think about Starbucks – the overly popular coffee shop to coffee addicts and to anyone who wishes just to be seen and considered in. A cup of coffee costs more than a normal lunch fare. Who, in their right mind, would spend a hundred pesos for just coffee? Well apparently, a lot of people may be simply rich or out of their minds considering the popularity of Starbucks.  Starbucks has become so popular that it has mushroomed all over the city (Manila and other prominent cities, not Naga City), sometimes only within a few meters of each other. And at their wake, other coffee shops join in the bandwagon, too. There’s Gloria Jeans and Seattle’s Best and in Naga City, KopiRoti, Bean Bag and StarMark. And why do people drink coffee worth a complete meal, again, the only answer I could think of: status quo.

 

 

gaya-gaya?
gaya-gaya?

After GMA’s forage at two expensive New York restaurants, spending huge sums of money for a meal that could have fed hundreds of starving constituents, she now dreams of a jet plane. After all these years in power, why just now? Maybe she hopes she won’t leave. Yet still, why would she ev en fathom that she can have a jet plane? Much less desire it? She is president after all, of a third world country and do presidents of struggling nations like ours have personal jet planes? I think not. I could only think of one answer to her desire. You guessed it right: Status quo.

 

 

Just what is status quo? According to the ever reliable source, Wikipedia, status quo is a Latin term meaning the “state in which”. It means you want to keep things the way they are. In the Philippine society context, living in a status quo is tantamount to maintaining a certain lifestyle somehow designed to be admired by others.

 

Now there is nothing really wrong with wanting hectares of land,  a pair of Havaianas, a cup of expensive coffee or a personal jet plane. The only question that remains to be considered is: WHY? Why do you want to cling to something that is whisking away from you? Why do you want to spend unbelievable huge sums in something that you could have for a cheaper price and the same quality? Why do you want a personal service when the public one works fine? Why?

 

If you could honestly say that it is for the sake of experience, or for the sake of extravagant gratification, then go ahead – it’s your money anyways. That’s the cue. Make sure it’s YOUR money, not anyone else’s. And make sure you don’t aggravate anyone but yourself when you decide your capriciousness – if it can be called such, was unheeded for.

 

 

Author’s Note:

I don’t have anything against people who buy and own Havaianas or drink coffee in Starbucks. I do not own any pair of Havaianas, not being a fan of flip-flops but I have drunk my own share of Starbucks coffee – twice as a treat by someone and once as a treat by myself. I’ve also patronized some other less popular coffee shops for their solitude. I have, however, something against GMA for wanting or desiring, even expressing the desire, for a personal jet plane. I do not care about my aunt’s intentions though; let her discover for herself the numerous complications of the land she appears to desire so much.

Lavish Lifestyles of a Third World President

Lately there has been much talk about GMA’s lavish and extravagant dinner at a New York French restaurant – Le Cirque. It was reported in a New York Post article and it had raised the indignations of several people – some even part of the US trip delegation. Although the Palace downplays the lavish dinner by saying that a congressman footed the bill, the fact still remained that the Presidential entourage consumed an almost Php 1M dinner and it attracted international attention.

 

le cirque
Le Cirque, New York

I have no problems with GMA dining in some fancy French restaurant like Le Cirque. For all I care, she has every right in the world to enjoy the luxuries the world can offer her. What I do not like about what she did was that it was blatantly done in the eyes of international media – like as if she wanted the world to know she can dine in such a fine restaurant. For a president of a third world country, that is unacceptable. She represents a country where majority of the population cannot even afford a decent meal 3x a day; where a large percentage of the population goes hungry day in day out. How can she take it in her conscience to make such a blatant announcement to the world (by her actions) that she, a president is no less than an elite in the country, and is able to wine and dine in style and luxury despite the obvious throes of the country.

 

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Pac Yu for President

If not Erap, then vote for Pac Yu.

When I first read that a certain Pac Yu will be running in the 2010 elections, I thought someone was throwing a really bad joke. But then it was no joke that Pac Yu, in real life Gabe Mercado, will be contending for the Philippine Presidency. Of course, he hopes no one will really vote for him, but then he swears he will be present in all Presidential debates and the sorts, not just to throw satirical comedy to the proceedings but to also poke thought-provoking questions to the serious presidential aspirants. Pac Yu is the bet of Pagbabago! a group of people who strongly oppose the administrative government and who even hopes to still oust GMA before the 2010 elections.

 

Pagbabago

 

 

What?! Oust GMA? With less than a year in office, they still want to oust the current president? And then what? Have Noli De Castro ascend into power? Isn’t that incredulous? You want to oust the standard bearer of the administration, who is GMA, only to be replaced by the administration’s presidential bet, who is Noli. Isn’t that absurd? I sometimes wonder if Pinoys really have the capacity to learn from the mistakes of the past. Hasn’t the impeachment of Erap taught us anything? Will we forever resort to ousting leaders who we claim were voted by the ideals of democracy?

 

Vice-President Noli De Castro

 

 

Vox populi, vox Dei. Yet a minority will always push that vox populi is  not vox Dei and as such is not authoritative. There would always be people who would claim that the election results were cheated and the current president is unfit to be in office. But when you ask them who they would want to replace the current president, and if the one who is qualified to replace him or her is worthy, they would suddenly clam up and then in an effort to redeem themselves would speak of all other reforms that you’re not really sure would be feasible or  not. No wonder I gave up listening to UP forums with OUST GMA themes.

 

Oust GMA Rallies

 

 

I have always believed that the solution will be a total reform of the government – one that would also force the citizens to reform their views and thoughts of politics. Right now politics has been akin to showbizness – it is a circus of artists and greedy individuals pretending to be public servants. The few who are sincere in their oath of public duty are drowned in this farce we call a democratic government.

Unless the government type changes, unless the manner and type of leadership changes, then we can expect our elections to be simply charades invented for the entertainment of the jaded Pinoy and where comical characters like Pac Yu are always welcome to make their bid and appearance. Nothing is really accomplished and we simply have to go through the motions of it all – a façade for a deteriorating government.