tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62391392483195470582024-03-06T10:33:57.329+08:00Political Side NotesOn issues affecting us, the country and humanity.Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-51751496259972153662010-07-28T16:13:00.002+08:002010-07-28T16:18:02.765+08:00P-Noy's State of the Nation Address 2010<center><span style="font-weight: bold;">State of the Nation Address of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III</span><br />President of the Philippines<br />to the Congress of the Philippines<br />Session Hall of the House of Representatives<br />July 26, 2010, Batasan Pambansa Complex, Quezon City</center><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaker Feliciano Belmonte; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; Vice President Jejomar Binay; Chief Justice Renato Corona; Former Presidents Fidel Valdez Ramos and Joseph Ejercito Estrada; members of the House of Representatives and the Senate; distinguished members of the diplomatic corps; my fellow workers in government;<br /><br />Mga minamahal kong kababayan:<br /><br />Sa bawat sandali po ng pamamahala ay nahaharap tayo sa isang sangandaan.<br /><br />Sa isang banda po ay ang pagpili para sa ikabubuti ng taumbayan. Ang pagtanaw sa interes ng nakakarami; ang pagkapit sa prinsipyo; at ang pagiging tapat sa sinumpaan nating tungkulin bilang lingkod-bayan. Ito po ang tuwid na daan.<br /><br />Sa kabilang banda ay ang pag-una sa pansariling interes. Ang pagpapaalipin sa pulitikal na konsiderasyon, at pagsasakripisyo ng kapakanan ng taumbayan. Ito po ang baluktot na daan.<br /><br />Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problemang ating namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.<br /><br />Sa unang tatlong linggo ng aming panunungkulan, marami po kaming natuklasan. Nais ko pong ipahayag sa inyo ang iilan lamang sa mga namana nating suliranin at ang ginagawa naming hakbang para lutasin ang mga ito.<br /><br />Sulyap lamang po ito; hindi pa ito ang lahat ng problemang haharapin natin. Inilihim at sadyang iniligaw ang sambayanan sa totoong kalagayan ng ating bansa.<br /><br />Sa unang anim na buwan ng taon, mas malaki ang ginastos ng gobyerno kaysa sa pumasok na kita. Lalong lumaki ang deficit natin, na umakyat na sa 196.7 billion pesos. Sa target na kuleksyon, kinapos tayo ng 23.8 billion pesos; ang tinataya namang gastos, nalagpasan natin ng 45.1 billion pesos.<br /><br />Ang budget po sa 2010 ay 1.54 trillion pesos. Nasa isandaang bilyong piso o anim at kalahating porsyento na lang ng kabuuan ang malaya nating magagamit para sa nalalabing anim na buwan ng taong ito.<br /><br />Halos isang porsyento na lang po ng kabuuang budget ang natitira para sa bawat buwan.<br /><br />Saan naman po dinala ang pera?<br /><br />Naglaan ng dalawang bilyong piso na Calamity Fund bilang paghahanda para sa mga kalamidad na hindi pa nangyayari. Napakaliit na nga po ng pondong ito, ngunit kapapasok pa lang natin sa panahon ng baha at bagyo, 1.4 billion pesos o sitenta porsyento na ang nagastos.<br /><br />Sa kabuuan ng 108 million pesos para sa lalawigan ng Pampanga, 105 million pesos nito ay napunta sa iisang distrito lamang. Samantala, ang lalawigan ng Pangasinan na sinalanta ng Pepeng ay nakatanggap ng limang milyong piso lamang para sa pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Cosme, na nangyari noong 2008 pa.<br /><br />Ibinigay po ang pondo ng Pampanga sa buwan ng eleksyon, pitong buwan pagkatapos ng Ondoy at Pepeng. Paano kung bumagyo bukas? Inubos na ang pondo nito para sa bagyong nangyari noong isang taon pa. Pagbabayaran ng kinabukasan ang kasakiman ng nakaraan.<br /><br />Ganyan din po ang nangyari sa pondo ng MWSS. Kamakailan lamang, pumipila ang mga tao para lang makakuha ng tubig. Sa kabila nito, minabuti pa ng liderato ng MWSS na magbigay ng gantimpala sa sarili kahit hindi pa nababayaran ang pensyon ng mga retiradong empleyado.<br /><br />Noong 2009, ang buong payroll ng MWSS ay 51.4 million pesos. Pero hindi lang naman po ito ang sahod nila; may mga additional allowances at benefits pa sila na aabot sa 160.1 million pesos. Sa madaling sabi, nakatanggap sila ng 211.5 million pesos noong nakaraang taon. Beinte-kuwatro porsyento lang nito ang normal na sahod, at sitenta’y sais porsyento ang dagdag.<br /><br />Ang karaniwang manggagawa hanggang 13th month pay plus cash gift lang ang nakukuha. Sa MWSS, aabot sa katumbas ng mahigit sa tatlumpung buwan ang sahod kasama na ang lahat ng mga bonuses at allowances na nakuha nila.<br /><br />Mas matindi po ang natuklasan natin sa pasahod ng kanilang Board of Trustees. Tingnan po natin ang mga allowances na tinatanggap nila:<br />Umupo ka lang sa Board of Trustees at Board Committee meeting, katorse mil na. Aabot ng nobenta’y otso mil ito kada buwan. May grocery incentive pa sila na otsenta mil kada taon.<br /><br />Hindi lang iyon: may mid-year bonus, productivity bonus, anniversary bonus, year-end bonus, at Financial Assistance. May Christmas bonus na, may Additional Christmas Package pa. Kada isa sa mga ito, nobenta’y otso mil.<br /><br />Sa suma total po, aabot ang lahat ng dalawa’t kalahating milyong piso kada taon sa bawat miyembro ng Board maliban sa pakotse, technical assistance, at pautang. Uulitin ko po. Lahat ng ito ay ibinibigay nila sa kanilang mga sarili habang hindi pa nababayaran ang mga pensyon ng kanilang mga retirees.<br /><br />Pati po ang La Mesa Watershed ay hindi nila pinatawad. Para magkaroon ng tamang supply ng tubig, kailangang alagaan ang mga watershed. Sa watershed, puno ang kailangan. Pati po iyon na dapat puno ang nakatayo, tinayuan nila ng bahay para sa matataas na opisyal ng MWSS.<br /><br />Hindi naman sila agad maaalis sa puwesto dahil kabilang sila sa mga Midnight Appointees ni dating Pangulong Arroyo. Iniimbestigahan na natin ang lahat nang ito. Kung mayroon pa silang kahit kaunting hiya na natitira – sana kusa na lang silang magbitiw sa puwesto.<br /><br />Pag-usapan naman po natin ang pondo para sa imprastruktura. Tumukoy ang DPWH ng dalawandaan apatnapu’t anim na priority safety projects na popondohan ng Motor Vehicle Users Charge. Mangangailangan po ito ng budget na 425 million pesos.<br /><br />Ang pinondohan po, dalawampu’t walong proyekto lang. Kinalimutan po ang dalawandaan at labing walong proyekto at pinalitan ng pitumpung proyekto na wala naman sa plano. Ang hininging 425 million pesos, naging 480 million pesos pa, lumaki lalo dahil sa mga proyektong sa piling-piling mga benepisyaryo lang napunta.<br /><br />Mga proyekto po itong walang saysay, hindi pinag-aralan at hindi pinaghandaan, kaya parang kabuteng sumusulpot.<br /><br />Tapos na po ang panahon para dito. Sa administrasyon po natin, walang kota-kota, walang tongpats, ang pera ng taumbayan ay gagastusin para sa taumbayan lamang.<br /><br />Meron pa po tayong natuklasan. Limang araw bago matapos ang termino ng nakaraang administrasyon, nagpautos silang maglabas ng 3.5 billion pesos para sa rehabilitasyon ng mga nasalanta nina Ondoy at Pepeng.<br /><br />Walumpu’t anim na proyekto ang paglalaanan dapat nito na hindi na sana idadaan sa public bidding. Labingsiyam sa mga ito na nagkakahalaga ng 981 million pesos ang muntik nang makalusot. Hindi pa nailalabas ang Special Allotment Release Order ay pirmado na ang mga kontrata.<br /><br />Buti na lang po ay natuklasan at pinigilan ito ni Secretary Rogelio Singson ng DPWH. Ngayon po ay dadaan na ang kabuuan ng 3.5 billion pesos sa tapat na bidding, at magagamit na ang pondo na ito sa pagbibigay ng lingap sa mga nawalan ng tahanan dahil kina Ondoy at Pepeng.<br /><br />Pag-usapan naman natin ang nangyari sa NAPOCOR. Noong 2001 hanggang 2004, pinilit ng gobyerno ang NAPOCOR na magbenta ng kuryente nang palugi para hindi tumaas ang presyo. Tila ang dahilan: pinaghahandaan na nila ang eleksyon.<br />Dahil dito, noong 2004, sumagad ang pagkakabaon sa utang ng NAPOCOR. Napilitan ang pambansang gobyerno na sagutin ang dalawandaang bilyong pisong utang nito.<br /><br />Ang inakala ng taumbayan na natipid nila sa kuryente ay binabayaran din natin mula sa kaban ng bayan. May gastos na tayo sa kuryente, binabayaran pa natin ang dagdag na pagkakautang ng gobyerno.<br /><br />Kung naging matino ang pag-utang, sana’y nadagdagan ang ating kasiguruhan sa supply ng kuryente. Pero ang desisyon ay ibinatay sa maling pulitika, at hindi sa pangangailangan ng taumbayan. Ang taumbayan, matapos pinagsakripisyo ay lalo pang pinahirapan.<br /><br />Ganito rin po ang nangyari sa MRT. Sinubukan na namang bilhin ang ating pagmamahal. Pinilit ang operator na panatilihing mababa ang pamasahe.<br />Hindi tuloy nagampanan ang garantiyang ibinigay sa operator na mababawi nila ang kanilang puhunan. Dahil dito, inutusan ang Landbank at Development Bank of the Philippines na bilhin ang MRT.<br /><br />Ang pera ng taumbayan, ipinagpalit sa isang naluluging operasyon.<br />Dumako naman po tayo sa pondo ng NFA.<br /><br />Noong 2004: 117,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply ng Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 900,000 metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit pitong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra pa rin ang binili nila.<br /><br />Noong 2007: 589,000 metric tons ang pagkukulang ng supply sa Pilipinas. Ang binili nila, 1.827 million metric tons. Kahit ulitin mo pa ng mahigit tatlong beses ang pagkukulang, sobra na naman ang binili nila.<br /><br />Ang masakit nito, dahil sobra-sobra ang binibili nila taun-taon, nabubulok lang pala sa mga kamalig ang bigas, kagaya ng nangyari noong 2008.<br />Hindi po ba krimen ito, na hinahayaan nilang mabulok ang bigas, sa kabila ng apat na milyong Pilipinong hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw?<br /><br />Ang resulta nito, umabot na sa 171.6 billion pesos ang utang ng NFA noong Mayo ng taong ito.<br /><br />Ang tinapon na ito, halos puwede na sanang pondohan ang mga sumusunod:<br /><br />Ang budget ng buong Hudikatura, na 12.7 billion pesos sa taong ito.<br /><br />Ang Conditional Cash Transfers para sa susunod na taon, na nagkakahalaga ng 29.6 billion pesos.<br /><br />Ang lahat ng classroom na kailangan ng ating bansa, na nagkakahalaga ng 130 billion pesos.<br /><br />Kasuklam-suklam ang kalakarang ito. Pera na, naging bato pa.<br /><br />Narinig po ninyo kung paano nilustay ang kaban ng bayan. Ang malinaw po sa ngayon: ang anumang pagbabago ay magmumula sa pagsiguro natin na magwawakas na ang pagiging maluho at pagwawaldas.<br /><br />Kaya nga po mula ngayon: ititigil na natin ang paglulustay sa salapi ng bayan. Tatanggalin natin ang mga proyektong mali.<br /><br />Ito po ang punto ng tinatawag nating zero-based approach sa ating budget. Ang naging kalakaran po, taun-taon ay inuulit lamang ang budget na puno ng tagas. Dadagdagan lang nang konti, puwede na.<br /><br />Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.<br /><br />Ilan lang ito sa mga natuklasan nating problema. Heto naman po ang ilang halimbawa ng mga hakbang na ginagawa natin.<br /><br />Nandiyan po ang kaso ng isang may-ari ng sanglaan. Bumili siya ng sasakyang tinatayang nasa dalawampu’t anim na milyong piso ang halaga.<br /><br />Kung kaya mong bumili ng Lamborghini, bakit hindi mo kayang magbayad ng buwis?<br /><br />Nasampahan na po ito ng kaso. Sa pangunguna nina Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares at Customs Commissioner Lito Alvarez, bawat linggo po ay may bago tayong kasong isinasampa kontra sa mga smuggler at sa mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis.<br /><br />Natukoy na rin po ang salarin sa mga kaso nina Francisco Baldomero, Jose Daguio at Miguel Belen, tatlo sa anim na insidente ng extralegal killings mula nang umupo tayo.<br /><br />Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon.<br /><br />Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan.<br /><br />Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.<br /><br />Nagsimula nang mabuo ang ating Truth Commission, sa pangunguna ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide. Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.<br /><br />Sa loob ng linggong ito, pipirmahan ko ang kauna-unahang Executive Order na nagtatalaga sa pagbuo nitong Truth Commission.<br /><br />Kung ang sagot sa kawalan ng katarungan ay pananagutan, ang sagot naman sa kakulangan natin sa pondo ay mga makabago at malikhaing paraan para tugunan ang mga pagkatagal-tagal nang problema.<br /><br />Napakarami po ng ating pangangailangan: mula sa edukasyon, imprastruktura, pangkalusugan, pangangailangan ng militar at kapulisan, at marami pang iba. Hindi kakasya ang pondo para mapunan ang lahat ng ito.<br /><br />Kahit gaano po kalaki ang kakulangan para mapunan ang mga listahan ng ating pangangailangan, ganado pa rin ako dahil marami nang nagpakita ng panibagong interes at kumpyansa sa Pilipinas.<br /><br />Ito ang magiging solusyon: mga Public-Private Partnerships. Kahit wala pa pong pirmahang nangyayari dito, masasabi kong maganda ang magiging bunga ng maraming usapin ukol dito.<br /><br />May mga nagpakita na po ng interes, gustong magtayo ng expressway na mula Maynila, tatahak ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, hanggang sa dulo ng Cagayan Valley nang hindi gugugol ang estado kahit na po piso.<br /><br />Sa larangan ng ating Sandatahang Lakas:<br /><br />Mayroon po tayong 36,000 nautical miles ng baybayin. Ang mayroon lamang tayo: tatlumpu’t dalawang barko. Itong mga barkong ito, panahon pa ni MacArthur.<br /><br />May nagmungkahi sa atin, ito ang proposisyon: uupahan po nila ang headquarters ng Navy sa Roxas Boulevard at ang Naval Station sa Fort Bonifacio.<br /><br />Sagot po nila ang paglipat ng Navy Headquarters sa Camp Aguinaldo. Agaran, bibigyan tayo ng isandaang milyong dolyar. At dagdag pa sa lahat nang iyan, magsusubi pa sila sa atin ng kita mula sa mga negosyong itatayo nila sa uupahan nilang lupa.<br /><br />Sa madali pong sabi: Makukuha natin ang kailangan natin, hindi tatayo gagastos, kikita pa tayo.<br /><br />Marami na pong nag-alok at nagmungkahi sa atin, mula lokal hanggang dayuhang negosyante, na magpuno ng iba’t ibang pangangailangan.<br /><br />Mula sa mga public-private partnerships na ito, lalago ang ating ekonomiya, at bawat Pilipino makikinabang. Napakaraming sektor na matutulungan nito.<br /><br />Maipapatayo na po ang imprastrukturang kailangan natin para palaguin ang turismo.<br /><br />Sa agrikultura, makapagtatayo na tayo ng mga grains terminals, refrigeration facilities, maayos na road networks at post-harvest facilities.<br /><br />Kung maisasaayos natin ang ating food supply chain sa tulong ng pribadong sektor, sa halip na mag-angkat tayo ay maari na sana tayong mangarap na mag-supply sa pandaigdigang merkado.<br /><br />Kung maitatayo ang minumungkahi sa ating railway system, bababa ang presyo ng bilihin. Mas mura, mas mabilis, mas maginhawa, at makakaiwas pa sa kotong cops at mga kumokotong na rebelde ang mga bumibiyahe.<br /><br />Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo.<br /><br />Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada.<br /><br />May mga hakbang na rin pong sinisimulan ang DTI, sa pamumuno ni Secretary Gregory Domingo:<br /><br />Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto.<br /><br />Ang dating listahan ng tatlumpu’t anim na dokumento, ibababa natin sa anim. Ang dating walong pahinang application form, ibababa natin sa isang pahina.<br /><br />Nananawagan ako sa ating mga LGUs. Habang naghahanap tayo ng paraan para gawing mas mabilis ang pagbubukas ng mga negosyo, pag-aralan din sana nila ang kanilang mga proseso. Kailangan itong gawing mas mabilis, at kailangan itong itugma sa mga sinisumulan nating reporma.<br /><br />Negosyante, sundalo, rebelde, at karaniwang Pilipino, lahat po makikinabang dito. Basta po hindi dehado ang Pilipino, papasukin po natin lahat iyan. Kailangan na po nating simulan ang pagtutulungan para makamit ito. Huwag nating pahirapan ang isa’t isa.<br /><br />Parating na po ang panahon na hindi na natin kailangang mamili sa pagitan ng seguridad ng ating mamamayan o sa kinabukasan ng inyong mga anak.<br /><br />Oras na maipatupad ang public-private partnerships na ito, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma.<br /><br />Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon.<br />Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon.<br /><br />Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom. Mapopondohan natin ang service contracting sa ilalim ng GASTPE.<br /><br />Pati ang conditional cash transfers, na magbabawas ng pabigat sa bulsa ng mga pamilya, madadagdan na rin ng pondo.<br /><br />Maipapatupad ang plano natin sa PhilHealth.<br /><br />Una, tutukuyin natin ang tunay na bilang ng mga nangangailangan nito. Sa ngayon, hindi magkakatugma ang datos. Sabi ng PhilHealth sa isang bibig, walumpu’t pitong porsyento na raw ang merong coverage. Sa kabilang bibig naman, singkuwenta’y tres porsyento naman. Ayon naman sa National Statistics Office, tatlumpu’t walong porsyento ang may coverage.<br /><br />Ngayon pa lang, kumikilos na si Secretary Dinky Soliman at ang DSWD upang ipatupad ang National Household Targetting System, na magtutukoy sa mga pamilyang higit na nagangailangan ng tulong. Tinatayang siyam na bilyon ang kailangan para mabigyan ng PhilHealth ang limang milyong pinakamaralitang pamilyang Pilipino.<br /><br />Napakaganda po ng hinaharap natin. Kasama na po natin ang pribadong sektor, at kasama na rin natin ang League of Provinces, sa pangunguna nina Governor Alfonso Umali kasama sina Governor L-Ray Villafuerte at Governor Icot Petilla. Handa na pong makipagtulungan para makibahagi sa pagtustos ng mga gastusin. Alam ko rin pong hindi magpapahuli ang League of Cities sa pangunguna ni Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.<br /><br />Kung ang mga gobyernong lokal ay nakikiramay na sa ating mga adhikain, ang Kongreso namang pinanggalingan ko, siguro naman maasahan ko din.<br /><br />Nagpakitang-gilas na po ang gabinete sa pagtukoy ng ating mga problema at sa paglulunsad ng mga solusyon sa loob lamang ng tatlong linggo.<br /><br />Nang bagyo pong Basyang, ang sabi sa atin ng mga may prangkisa sa kuryente, apat na araw na walang kuryente. Dahil sa mabilis na pagkilos ni Secretary Rene Almendras at ng Department of Energy, naibalik ang kuryente sa halos lahat sa loob lamang ng beinte-kwatro oras.<br /><br />Ito pong sinasabing kakulangan sa tubig sa Metro Manila, kinilusan agad ni Secretary Rogelio Singson at ng DPWH. Hindi na siya naghintay ng utos, kaya nabawasan ang perwisyo.<br /><br />Nakita na rin natin ang gilas ng mga hinirang nating makatulong sa Gabinete. Makatuwiran naman po sigurong umasa na hindi na sila padadaanin sa butas ng karayom para makumpirma ng Commission on Appointments. Kung mangyayari po ito, marami pa sa mga mahuhusay na Pilipino ang maeengganyong magsilbi sa gobyerno.<br /><br />Sa lalong madaling panahon po, uupo na tayo sa LEDAC at pag-uusapan ang mga mahahalagang batas na kailangan nating ipasa. Makakaasa kayo na mananatiling bukas ang aking isipan, at ang ating ugnayan ay mananatiling tapat.<br /><br />Isinusulong po natin ang Fiscal Responsibility Bill, kung saan hindi tayo magpapasa ng batas na mangangailangan ng pondo kung hindi pa natukoy ang panggagalingan nito. May 104.1 billion pesos tayong kailangan para pondohan ang mga batas na naipasa na, ngunit hindi maipatupad.<br />Kailangan din nating isaayos ang mga insentibong piskal na ibinigay noong nakaraan. Ngayong naghihigpit tayo ng sinturon, kailangang balikan kung alin sa mga ito ang dapat manatili at kung ano ang dapat nang itigil.<br /><br />Huwag po tayong pumayag na magkaroon ng isa pang NBN-ZTE. Sa lokal man o dayuhan manggagaling ang pondo, dapat dumaan ito sa tamang proseso. Hinihingi ko po ang tulong ninyo upang amiyendahan ang ating Procurement Law.<br /><br />Ayon po sa Saligang Batas, tungkulin ng estado ang siguruhing walang lamangan sa merkado. Bawal ang monopolya, bawal ang mga cartel na sasakal sa kumpetisyon. Kailangan po natin ng isang Anti-Trust Law na magbibigay-buhay sa mga prinsipyong ito. Ito ang magbibigay ng pagkakataon sa mga Small- at Medium-scale Enterprises na makilahok at tumulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya.<br />Ipasa na po natin ang National Land Use Bill.<br /><br />Una rin pong naging batas ng Commonwealth ang National Defense Act, na ipinasa noon pang 1935. Kailangan nang palitan ito ng batas na tutugon sa pangangailangan ng pambansang seguridad sa kasalukuyan.<br /><br />Nakikiusap po akong isulong ang Whistleblower’s Bill upang patuloy nang iwaksi ang kultura ng takot at pananahimik.<br /><br />Palalakasin pa lalo ang Witness Protection Program. Alalahanin po natin na noong taong 2009 hanggang 2010, may nahatulan sa 95% ng mga kaso kung saan may witness na sumailalim sa programang ito.<br /><br />Kailangang repasuhin ang ating mga batas. Nanawagan po akong umpisahan na ang rekodipikasyon ng ating mga batas, upang siguruhing magkakatugma sila at hindi salu-salungat.<br /><br />Ito pong mga batas na ito ang batayan ng kaayusan, ngunit ang pundasyon ng lahat ng ginagawa natin ay ang prinsipyong wala tayong mararating kung walang kapayapaan at katahimikan.<br /><br />Dalawa ang hinaharap nating suliranin sa usapin ng kapayapaan: ang situwasyon sa Mindanao, at ang patuloy na pag-aaklas ng CPP-NPA-NDF.<br /><br />Tungkol sa situwasyon sa Mindanao: Hindi po nagbabago ang ating pananaw. Mararating lamang ang kapayapaan at katahimikan kung mag-uusap ang lahat ng apektado: Moro, Lumad, at Kristiyano. Inatasan na natin si Dean Marvic Leonen na mangasiwa sa ginagawa nating pakikipag-usap sa MILF.<br /><br />Iiwasan natin ang mga pagkakamaling nangyari sa nakaraang administrasyon, kung saan binulaga na lang ang mga mamamayan ng Mindanao. Hindi tayo puwedeng magbulag-bulagan sa mga dudang may kulay ng pulitika ang proseso, at hindi ang kapakanan ng taumbayan ang tanging interes.<br /><br />Kinikilala natin ang mga hakbang na ginagawa ng MILF sa pamamagitan ng pagdidisplina sa kanilang hanay. Inaasahan natin na muling magsisimula ang negosasyon pagkatapos ng Ramadan.<br /><br />Tungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng kongkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?<br /><br />Kung kapayapaan din ang hangad ninyo, handa po kami sa malawakang tigil-putukan. Mag-usap tayo.<br /><br />Mahirap magsimula ang usapan habang mayroon pang amoy ng pulbura sa hangin. Nananawagan ako: huwag po natin hayaang masayang ang napakagandang pagkakataong ito upang magtipon sa ilalim ng iisang adhikain.<br /><br />Kapayapaan at katahimikan po ang pundasyon ng kaunlaran. Habang nagpapatuloy ang barilan, patuloy din ang pagkakagapos natin sa kahirapan.<br /><br />Dapat din po nating mabatid: ito ay panahon ng sakripisyo. At ang sakripisyong ito ay magiging puhunan para sa ating kinabukasan. Kaakibat ng ating mga karapatan at kalayaan ay ang tungkulin natin sa kapwa at sa bayan.<br /><br />Inaasahan ko po ang ating mga kaibigan sa media, lalo na sa radyo at sa print, sa mga nagbablock-time, at sa community newspapers, kayo na po mismo ang magbantay sa inyong hanay.<br /><br />Mabigyang-buhay sana ang mga batayang prinsipyo ng inyong bokasyon: ang magbigay-linaw sa mahahalagang isyu; ang maging patas at makatotohanan, at ang itaas ang antas ng pampublikong diskurso.<br /><br />Tungkulin po ng bawat Pilipino na tutukan ang mga pinunong tayo rin naman ang nagluklok sa puwesto. Humakbang mula sa pakikialam tungo sa pakikilahok. Dahil ang nakikialam, walang-hanggan ang reklamo. Ang nakikilahok, nakikibahagi sa solusyon.<br /><br />Napakatagal na pong namamayani ang pananaw na ang susi sa asenso ay ang intindihin ang sarili kaysa intindihin ang kapwa. Malinaw po sa akin: paano tayo aasenso habang nilalamangan ang kapwa?<br /><br />Ang hindi nabigyan ng pagkakataong mag-aral, paanong makakakuha ng trabaho? Kung walang trabaho, paanong magiging konsumer? Paanong mag-iimpok sa bangko?<br /><br />Ngunit kung babaliktarin natin ang pananaw—kung iisipin nating “Dadagdagan ko ang kakayahan ng aking kapwa”—magbubunga po ito, at ang lahat ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataon.<br /><br />Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin. Ngunit huwag nating kalimutan na mayroong mga nagnanasang hindi tayo magtagumpay. Dahil kapag hindi tayo nagtagumpay, makakabalik na naman sila sa kapangyarihan, at sa pagsasamantala sa taumbayan.<br /><br />Akin pong paniwala na Diyos at taumbayan ang nagdala sa ating kinalalagyan ngayon. Habang nakatutok tayo sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa, bendisyon at patnubay ay tiyak na maaasahan natin sa Poong Maykapal. At kapag nanalig tayo na ang kasangga natin ay ang Diyos, mayroon ba tayong hindi kakayanin?<br /><br />Ang mandato nating nakuha sa huling eleksyon ay patunay na umaasa pa rin ang Pilipino sa pagbabago. Iba na talaga ang situwasyon. Puwede na muling mangarap. Tayo nang tumungo sa katuparan ng ating mga pinangarap.<br /><br />Maraming salamat po."</div>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-84685594972498531742009-11-26T14:24:00.002+08:002009-11-26T14:32:01.033+08:00Side Notes on Bloggers' Views about Ampatuan Massacre<div style="text-align: justify;">Barbarians! Monsters! Killers! Murderers! Criminals! Whatever they call them, they committed a crime against humanity and crime that should be given retribution, now!!!<br /><br />Here are the thoughts of few Filipino bloggers about the massacre:<br /><br />From <a href="http://child-of-earth.blogspot.com/2009/11/thoughts-on-maguindanao-massacre.html">Child of Earth</a>:<br /><br /><span class="fullpost"></span><blockquote><span class="fullpost">"In the end, all we have are rumors that refuse to be substantiated, and this sorrow, anger, indignation and frustration that refuses to be assuaged. Wanna bet that after a while, all this will die down, and people will refuse to remember anymore... until the next, more horrific massacre occurs? And meanwhile the underlying problems continue, and the impunity remains."</span><a href="http://child-of-earth.blogspot.com/2009/11/thoughts-on-maguindanao-massacre.html"> full article here</a></blockquote><br /><br />Another from <a href="http://raissarobles.com/2009/11/26/266/">Raisa Robles</a>:<br /><blockquote><br />"From what my source told me, I can only conclude that Teodoro knew even then how enraged the old man Ampatuan was." <a href="http://raissarobles.com/2009/11/26/266/">full article here</a></blockquote><br /><br />I expect more and more bloggers to condemn and perpetuate the issue until justice will be delivered with no less and no more.<br /></div>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-14918484687262287822009-11-11T17:49:00.001+08:002009-11-11T17:51:35.305+08:00Side Notes on "What’s wrong with Noynoy’s Campaign Ad?"<blockquote>"There is really no point in defending Noynoy’s now popular campaign ad because it speaks for itself. Yet with all the buzz going on in and out of the mainstream media and in the internet about this very much talked about music video, it’s hard to ignore the impact it generated to both pro and anti noynoy camps..." (<a href="http://barriosiete.com/whats-wrong-with-noynoys-campaign-ad/#comment-23803">full post here</a>)</blockquote><br />Gusto kasi ng iba na magpadala tayo sa trapo hype, hindi pa nga nakafile ng coc, may mga pangako na, may platform na, may pr na, may ginagasta na, may (personal) investments na, may MAKINARYA na!!!Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-30305973632392875302009-10-27T16:27:00.003+08:002009-10-27T16:33:07.218+08:00Noynoy Aquino still the leader in another surveyNoynoy Aquino topped another presidential survey as posted in <a href="http://info.ibon.org/">IBON Info</a> with this <a href="http://info.ibon.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=441&Itemid=51">this article</a>.<br /><br />This is just one of the series of surveys from different think-thank and social weather organizations Noynoy topped in these past weeks.<br /><br />To those who are saying that this is just media hype and manifestation of emotional outpour, just wait for the succeeding months and you will see the "Masquerading People Power".Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-15122456322434530762009-10-21T17:23:00.002+08:002009-10-21T17:30:42.196+08:00A Poem for Democracy<div style="text-align: justify;">This is a <a href="http://noypi-ako.com/demokrasya/#more-1241">poem</a> written by Prof. Dan Rivero posted in <a href="http://www.noypi-ako.com">NoyPI-AKO</a> blog.<br /><br />Prof. Dan Rivero has been an active supporter of change believing in the leadership of former Pres. Corazon Aquino.<br /><br />I salute this man and other reform-minded and nationalists Filipinos here and abroad who have been active in making this <a href="http://www.noynoy.ph">campaign of the people</a>, a first in Philippine political history, definitely possible.<br /></div><br /><em></em><blockquote><em>This poem was composed and recited by our fellow NoyPI member Dan Rivero during the wake and funeral of Pres. Cory Aquino and “Araw ng Dilaw” last August 21)</em> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><strong>Demokrasya<br />Prof. Dan Rivero</strong></em></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Ang bayang naging tulog, bibig naging kimi;<br />Ay namula’t, nagising at nagsalitang muli;<br />Sa paglisan ng isang babeng minsa’y tumindig;<br />Laban sa rehimeng sa baya’y nagpatahimik;<br />Mga karapatang pantaong matagal na siniil.<br /><span id="more-1241"></span><br />Kanyang asawa pinatay na walang laban;<br />Bitbit lamang ang hangad para sa kalayaan;<br />Para sa sambayanang uhaw sa kapayapaan;<br />Tungo sa tunay na kaunlaran nitong ating bayan;<br />Sa ilalim ng katotohanan, pag-ibig at katarungan.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Subali’t hindi naduwag itong abang biyuda;<br />Sa halip ay tumayo at humarap sa masa;<br />Baya’y nagkaisa’t tumalima sa panawagan nya<br />Na labanan ang pagkamakasarili at pagpapasasa;<br />Ng isang diktador, pamilya nya’t oligarkiya.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Kalayaa’y natamo dalawang dekada ng lumipas;<br />Nang ang diktador at alipores niya’y umalpas;<br />Taumbaya’y nagsimula sa isang panibagong bukas<br />Sa gabay ng lider na namuno sa pag-aaklas;<br />Ang demokrasya’y nakamtan muli sa wakas.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Nguni’t sa paglipas ng taon, tila may nagbago;<br />Ang kalayaan at demokrasya na ating natamo—<br />Ay nabale-wala at ngayo’y inaabuso<br />Ng mismong mamamayan, lalo na sa liderato;<br />Masasayang na lang ba ang ipinaglaban dito?</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Para bagang isang bulkan ang bayan kong sinilangan;<br />Madalas ang hidwaan, paminsa’y nagpuputukan;<br />Mga lider ng pamahalaan gayun din ang mamamayan;<br />Kailan ba matatapos yari itong kaguluhan;<br />At magigising ang bayan sa kawalang paki-alam?</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Ganito ba ang mukha ng demokrasya sa ‘ting bansa?<br />Na ang mga lider ay walang malasaki’t sa kapwa?<br />Na sa tuwing halalan lang sila naalala?<br />Kaawa-awa naman ang mga maralita’t dukha;<br />Sa yaman at posisyon ang ilan ay nagpapasasa.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Tayo ng kumilos, baguhin ang pananaw;<br />Ating tahakin ang landas, gabay ng bagong araw;<br />May pag-asa pa ang bayan, liwanag ay tanaw;<br />Itaguyod, ipaglaban kalayaang ating sigaw;<br />Demokrasya ng bayan huwag muling pumanaw.</p> <p style="text-align: center;">Sa kulay na dilaw na laksang umaapaw<br />Tapang ay pumukaw sa’ming isip, puso’t galaw<br />Kalayaan at demokrasya patuloy na isisigaw-<br />Salamat po Cory, salamat po Ninoy<br />Laban ay itutuloy naming mga Pinoy!</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-11770931935829685072009-10-21T17:17:00.003+08:002009-10-21T17:23:32.055+08:00Extension of COMELEC Registration Hours<div style="text-align: justify;">Good news for unregistered voters!<br /><br />In this <a href="http://www.gmanews.tv/story/175191/comelec-extends-registration-hours-nationwide">article</a> from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.gmanews.tv">www.gmanews.tv</a>, the COMELEC will be extending their office hours for another four hours a day to cater the registrants who choose to register during the last minute.<br /><br />Well, millions still are not yet registered and this extension could make increase the number of voters for the much anticipated People Power masquerading as election on May 2010.<br /><br />An ecerpt from the article:<br /><br /><blockquote>In anticipation of last-minute registrants, the Commission on Elections will be extending by at least four hours the daily voters' registration being conducted across the country until the end of the month.<br /><br />"We are aware that a lot of Filipinos choose to register at the last minute. So in order to accommodate them and also address the growing crowds at our field offices as we near the registration deadline, the Comelec en banc has ordered the extension of office hours in all registration centers nationwide," said Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.</blockquote><br /></div>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-62860074907855734062009-10-12T09:49:00.002+08:002009-10-12T09:52:17.406+08:00Bakit Noynoy at Mar?I found this post in Harvey Keh's Facebook wall. It is an article written by Mayor jessie Robredo of Naga City on why he is supporting Noynoy and Mar in 2010 elections.<br /><br /><b></b><b></b><blockquote><b>Bakit Noynoy at Mar?<br />ni: Mayor Jesse Robredo<br />Abante<br /><a href="http://abante.com.ph/issue/oct1109/op_jr.htm" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span>http://abante.com.ph/issue</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>/oct1109/op_jr.htm</a></b><br /><br /><br /><b>Noong Oktubre 7, 2009 pormal na nagpapahayag ang Kaya Natin! ng suporta para sa tambalang Noynoy at Mar bilang Presidente at Bise Presidente ng ating bansa. Pinagkasunduan ito ng halos lahat ng mga kasama pagkatapos ng matagal na talakayan kung dapat nga bang tumaya ang Kaya Natin! at kung kanino tataya.</b><br /><br />Dapat nga bang tumaya? Sa palagay ko, kung hihingi ng Kaya Natin! sa mga mamamayan na aktibong lumahok at tumaya, dapat kami ganoon din. Kung hihingi ng Kaya Natin! sa mga mamamayan na maghanap ng matino, matapat at karapat-dapat, dapat ‘yon din ang sukatan kung kanino kami tataya. Matapos na matagal na pagsusuri at pag-uusisa, pinagkaisahan na makibahagi sa pagsulong para kay Noynoy at Mar.<br /><br />Ika nga ng taxi driver ng taxi na aking sinakyan patungong airport, ang kailangan daw nating mga pinuno, higit sa lahat, dapat ay matino. Sabi niya, ang kailangan nating mga pinuno ay hindi lamang ‘yong may malinis na ha ngarin. Sawang-sawa na raw siya sa mga matatamis na pangako ng nakaraan. At kahit ‘di ko tinatanong, ang sabi niya, siya ay kay Noynoy at Mar dahil sa tanang paninilbihan nila, ni minsan ‘di man lang sila nasangkot sa korapsyon at pagsamantala ng kanilang kapangyarihan.<br /><br />Matagal na akong pinagkatiwalaan ng kapangyarihan bilang Mayor sa Naga City. Marami na ring pinagdaanan at karanasan. Katulad ng taxi driver, palagay ko integridad ang bukal ng matapat, maayos at mahusay na paglilingkod. Mara ming bagay ang maaaring matutuhan. Subalit ang integridad ay isang bagay na nagmumula sa puso at karakter ng tao. Hindi maaaring maipanggap. Mas mahalaga ang sinseridad sa abilidad. Mas mahalaga ang katapatan sa kahusayan. Nasubukan na natin ang matalino at marunong. Lalo tayong nasadlak sa kahirapan. Lalong nawala ang tiwala ng mamamayan sa pamahalaan. Kay Noynoy at Mar, pinagsama ang katapatan at kahusayan. Pinag-isa ang sinseridad at abilidad. Walang bahid sa matagal ng paglilingkod.<br /><br />Naging bahagi ako ng Presidential Forum noong nakaraang Martes, October 6, 2009. Sa aking palagay, muling nasukat ang karunungan at pagkatao ng mga presidentiable na humarap. Iba’t ibang pananaw kung sino ang mahusay. Subalit malinaw sa lahat kung sino ang tunay na may sinseridad. Si Noynoy ‘yon!<br /><br /><br />***<br /><br />Para sa inyong mga komento, paki-text sa 0922-8570496 o kaya ipadala sa kayanatin@yahoo.com.</blockquote><br /><br />I hope lahat tayo ay tataya sa pagkakataong ito, tataya kay Noynoy at Mar!Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-11082320251596195112009-10-12T09:27:00.001+08:002009-10-12T09:30:47.534+08:00Juana Change Music VideoTo all those who want change, please watch this video of Juana Change posted in YouTube.<br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/piYRN9-3P4I&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/piYRN9-3P4I&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />You want change? Start it now, click <a href="http://www.noynoy.ph">here</a>!Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-82840756102961685732009-10-12T09:20:00.002+08:002009-10-12T09:26:43.032+08:00Top 5 things to look for in a President (by Awie)This is a post from <a href="http://www.noypi-ako.com">www.noypi-ako.com</a> by Awie about the Presdient's role according to Grace Abella-Zata, PMAP President.<br /><br /><p><strong></strong></p><blockquote><p><strong>President’s roles</strong></p> <p>Grace Abella-Zata, PMAP President, said in a press conference on Wednesday that any would-be president must perform each of the following roles in order to succeed:</p> <p>1. Navigator.</p> <ul><li> Able to steer the country towards a just and humane society, and knows how to get the country there.</li><li> Has specific plans of action in solving problems like poverty, education, or corruption.</li><li> Is decisive when faced with complex issues and hence, must be intelligent.</li></ul> <p>2. Mobilizer</p> <ul><li> Must be good at building alliances to achieve consensus</li><li> Must work well with Congress and Senate</li></ul> <p><span id="more-985"></span><br />3. Servant leader</p> <ul><li> Must serve the people with a caring heart</li><li> Must put the public interest first before vested interests</li><li> Works hard and well to achieve the goals of government</li></ul> <p>4. Inspirational leader</p> <ul><li> Must know how to work well with the press</li><li> Can inspire unity, trust, and optimism among the people by being a good and moral leader</li></ul> <p>5. Guardian of national wealth and resources</p> <ul><li> Allocates and uses the country’s resources properly</li><li> Demonstrates strong political will, and is able to make right decisions for the common good, even if the decision is unpopular</li></ul> <p>Zata said that a candidate’s track record and political circle should also be considered since “past behavior predicts future behavior.”</p> <p>“It’s like you’re making the Filipino people more educated or more enlightened in choosing better managers,” said PMAP Executive Director Gerardo Plana in a separate interview.</p> <p>For the full article please click <a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/special-report/08/26/09/top-5-things-look-president">here</a>.</p> <p><em>by: Kristine Servando, abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak</em></p></blockquote><p><em></em></p>In this post in the Noypi-Ako blog, one said that he can only envision Noynoy Aquino, no other presidential aspirants can come any closer with all these five roles in one person.Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-67851581565303479342009-10-10T17:50:00.003+08:002009-10-10T17:56:37.869+08:00“A good leader can inspire us…”<div style="text-align: justify;">This is an article of my idol, Conrado de Quiros.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">“A good leader can inspire us…”</span><br />By Conrado de Quiros, There’s the Rub, Philippine Daily Inquirer<br /><br />I’ve gotten some very interesting and thoughtful feedback from readers. A particularly noteworthy one is from a reader who wonders how I have become the No. 1 propagandist for Noynoy Aquino, investing him with the properties of a messiah, when in fact, as Cory’s rule showed, his feet are probably made of clay.<br /><br /> I have absolutely no problem being the “No. 1 propagandist” for Noynoy for one simple reason: I egged him to run. I egged him to run for many reasons, not the least of them being that he is a decent person. He is by no means perfect, but it’s like what Winston Churchill said about democracy: It’s a horrible system, except that the rest are worse.<br /><br /> The “rest” in this case meaning the “mainstream” candidates. Arguably some others have more reformist agendas, or have a reasonable claim to them. Nicky Perlas, a good friend, is one of them. JC de los Reyes, the presidential bet of the Kapatiran party of another good friend, Nandy Pacheco, is probably another.<br /><br /> The reason I am supporting Noynoy rather than any one of them, or others like them, has little to do with Noynoy being more likely to win than them. Or conversely, and more directly, it has little to do with them having as much chance to win as hell freezing over, or as the crow turning white, to use a more local saying. I’ve never had problems plugging for the “unwinnable” but deserving candidate in the past, I won’t have problems plugging for the “unwinnable” but deserving candidate in the future.<br /><br /> I haven’t wavered there. I’ve always plugged for the candidate I thought was most deserving. It just so happens that that candidate is also the most “winnable” today. Which wasn’t so only yesterday: I did propose that Noynoy run when most everybody was still scoffing at the idea, thinking it to border on lunacy.<br /><br /> While at this, curiously no one accused me in the past of being the chief propagandist of Jovito Salonga and Raul Roco though I rooted for them with as much passion as, if not more so than, Noynoy. No one said I made Roco in particular out to be The Messiah. I guess the principle applies only when your bet is doing well.<br /><br /> What makes Noynoy most deserving today is this: He carries the mantle of People Power. I do not mean that in any fuzzy religious or mystical sense—though as I’ve kept saying too, I’m not knocking it; providential things have been happening of late. I mean that in the most practical sense. Not least, the threat of People Power makes Noynoy the one deterrent to cheating. How huge a deterrent depends on how huge Arroyo’s resolve is—and as we’ve seen in the past, it’s epic. No one could have lasted nine unelected years in power without exercising epic resolve. And chicanery.<br /><br /> Noynoy is the one and only candidate the public will mind being cheated. None of the other candidates may claim that. In the other cases, the cheating will probably be protested as just another show of official vileness, but that is all. Noynoy gets cheated and the public will take to the streets.<br /><br /> Far more importantly, look at what’s happened after Aug. 5. You’ve got to be dead not to feel the sea change that’s swept over the landscape. If Le Cirque had been exposed before Aug. 5, we might have vituperated against it but ended up just making text jokes. But it happened after August 5, and the result was an explosion heard from here to New York. Since then no new government perfidy has passed without violent public reaction, from the revelation of the houses of the Arroyo kids in San Francisco to the unraveling of the Arroyo government at the height of the “Ondoy” floods.<br /><br /> It’s the spirit of Edsa that has made that outrage possible, it is the spirit of Edsa that has made that defiance possible. It’s the spirit Cory resurrected by her death, it’s the spirit Noynoy keeps alive by running. What makes Noynoy the most deserving “candidate” today is that he is more than a candidate and the exercise is more than elections. The fact that he is busting the charts all over the place—not even Erap made that spectacular showing in 1998—must suggest that we must look at today’s election beyond the framework of elections. As I suggested at FMAP last week, the only way to see it is this:<br /><br /> It is an Edsa masquerading as an election.<br /><br /> None of it is to suggest that we may look at Noynoy as some kind of savior. I did say last August that we may regard Cory herself only as a source of inspiration, not as a source of salvation. Only we can save ourselves. But a good leader can inspire us to do that. A good leader can dare us to do that.<br /><br /> True enough, the Cory presidency had its share of problems, and the Noynoy presidency will have its share of problems. I myself have not forgotten the things I brought up during the Cory presidency, which was not just Hacienda Luisita but the human rights abuses during the anti-insurgency campaign (notably by the paramilitary groups), government’s dependence on the US (which led to its defense of the Clark and Subic bases), government’s refusal to negotiate, if not scrap, the fraudulent loans (indeed making debt payments, not education, the number one priority of the budget), and so on. I’ll leave for another column why I think the Noynoy presidency can surpass the Cory one. Suffice it to say here that by all means give criticism where criticism is due. It should help make that presidency better.<br /><br /> It’s not perfect. Nothing in life is. One thing I can say is that Cory did not find my stance a reason to regard me as an enemy. If there was one thing she hated in life, it was hypocrites. If there was one thing she believed till death, it was better honorable foes than dishonorable friends.<br /><br /> The mother knew how to listen. Maybe the son does too.</blockquote>Simply the best!!!<br /></div>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-42761156354816410632009-10-10T10:19:00.003+08:002009-10-10T10:22:04.757+08:00The Pope's advice to the Filipinos<p style="text-align: justify;">This is a post I got from www.noypi-ako.com. Yes, indeed we need to choose upright leaders in this time where wrongdoings become right if you are in power.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pope says Filipino people need upright leaders</span><br /><em>By Evelyn Macairan (The Philippine Star) </em></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Believing that poverty continues to be a major concern in the Philippines, Pope Benedict XVI yesterday advised Filipinos to choose upright political leaders.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pope gave the message to Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican Mercedes Arrasitia Tuason during a meeting last Oct. 2.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the meeting between the Pope and Tuason revealed the concern of the Holy See of the continuing struggle of Filipinos in the face of the two powerful storms that devastated the country in a week.<br /><span id="more-884"></span><br />Tuason said the Pope suggested that Filipinos should choose leaders who would lead them out of the struggle.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“The struggle against poverty in the Philippines calls for honesty, integrity and an unwavering fidelity to the principles of justice, especially on the part of those entrusted with positions of governance and public administration,” the Pope said.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pope also said that Filipino public officials should rediscover the real ethical foundation of their political authority.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pontiff called on officials to work for peace, particularly in Mindanao, described as a region “scarred by conflicts.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In his statement, the Pope did not make any reference to a specific group but only said that the people should work for charity and persevere in the peace-building efforts in Southern Philippines.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“In an age when the name of God is abused by certain groups, the work of charity is particularly urgent,” the Pontiff added.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pope also praised the “courageous steps” being taken in the Philippines “to foster reconciliation and mutual understanding.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">He cited in particular the “commendable work” of the Bishops-Ulama Conference, the Mindanao People’s Conference, and the many grassroots organizations.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Tuason was among three new ambassadors to the Holy See that presented their Letters of Credence to the Pope at his summer residence in Rome.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The two others were Henriette Johanna Cornelia Maria van Lynden-Leijten of the Netherlands, and Miguel Humberto Diaz of the United States.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Pope often uses the reception of a new ambassador as a venue to send a message to their government expressing his concerns or appreciation about certain matters.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Over the years, the Pope has been briefed about the situation in the country by Filipino bishops as well as by the Apostolic Nuncio, the representative of the Vatican to the Philippines.</p></blockquote><p style="text-align: justify;"></p>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-5432074957539013732009-09-23T13:41:00.004+08:002009-09-23T13:56:18.144+08:00Noynoy for President SongThis is a video upload of an account "thenewpulahan" in YouTube. Galing!!!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmm3E4bUIyM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rmm3E4bUIyM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-48552974385036768962009-09-23T13:38:00.000+08:002009-09-23T13:40:05.903+08:009Noynoy Launched(from www.noynoyaquino.com)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With the successful concert held at the UP Diliman concluded, the Black and White Movement launches 9Noynoy, a support for Noynoy’s candidacy. Check out their website <a href="http://www.9noynoy.com/">here</a>.</div>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-49788147206765820312009-09-08T10:46:00.002+08:002009-09-08T10:59:28.111+08:00Side Notes on the Reformists' Unity<span style="font-family: arial;">This is a news story I got from </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://inquirer.net/">inquirer.net</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> about the beginning of the unification of the reformists presidential aspirants. You can read this article in this </span><a style="font-family: arial;" href="http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090903-223296/Reformists-seen-to-back-Aquino-bid">link</a><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: arial;" class="fontheadline"></span></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;" class="fontheadline">Reformists seen to back Aquino bid </span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;" class="fontbyline">By TJ Burgonio, Michael Lim Ubac</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;" class="fontbyline">Philippine Daily Inquirer</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;" class="fonttimestamp">First Posted 03:13:00 09/03/2009</span><br /><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;" class="fontbyline">Filed Under: <a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=Benigno%20Aquino%20III&id=1192&imp=">Benigno Aquino III</a>,<a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20Mar%20Roxas&id=1207&imp="> Mar Roxas</a>,<a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20Inquirer%20Politics&id=1221&imp="> Inquirer Politics</a>,<a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20Eleksyon%202010&id=1033&imp="> Eleksyon 2010</a>,<a href="http://services.inquirer.net/tagcloud/keyword.php?tag=%20opposition&id=962&imp="> opposition</a></span><br /> </div><div style="font-family: arial;" class="KonaBody"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">MANILA, Philippines—Reform-minded presidential aspirants are prepared to rally behind a Noynoy Aquino candidacy, but Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr., says unification of the opposition is “as distant as Mars is from Jupiter.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Moved by Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II’s decision Tuesday to sacrifice his ambitions and give way to Aquino, Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca is now calling on fellow “reformist” aspirants to follow Roxas’ lead.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Padaca, who is being pressed to run for the highest post in the land by the farmers’ group Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka but has not declared her plans, said Wednesday that she had rejected such a call to make way for Aquino.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“After giving up so much, none of us can do less,” Padaca said of Roxas. “He has put so much into this, and yet he has backed out. We can’t even measure up to what he has done. Can we do less?”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But Pimentel, the Senate minority leader, was not too sanguine. “The LP (Liberal Party) isn’t the opposition. Unification is still as distant as Mars is from Jupiter.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Padaca, Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio, Bro. Eddie Villanueva of the Jesus Is Lord Movement, environmentalist Nicky Perlas and Councilor JC delos Reyes of Kapatiran are seen as the reformist candidates.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Until Roxas’ announcement of his support for Aquino’s candidacy, nobody thought the reformist candidates could come together, and field a single candidate in what is potentially a crowded presidential race.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Padaca, herself a member of the LP, said the reformist candidates should seize this occasion, and join forces behind Aquino’s candidacy.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“The LP has taken the lead. And the sincerity of Mar should be a magnet for the reformists [to come together] and rally behind Noynoy,” she said in a phone interview. “The fact that Mar gave up a lot for Noynoy should be a factor.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Aquino magic</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Isabela governor noted that the “Aquino magic”—referring to the popularity of President Corazon Aquino and her assassinated husband Benigno Aquino Jr.—would work better if the reformist candidates came together to back Noynoy’s candidacy.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“The Cory, Ninoy magic, Noynoy doesn’t have that totally. We should allow people to add their magic. And to complete it will be the magic and sacrifice and good intentions of all reformists,” she said. “Many people have magic; let’s put these all together.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">In his Aug. 18 blog, Harvey Keh, who founded the Kaya Natin! movement for good governance with Padaca and Panlilio, among other people, voiced hopes the reformist candidates would be able to field a common slate.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“Imagine if all of these groups can come together, set aside their personal differences, work toward a common vision for a better Philippines and eventually field a common slate for the 2010 elections then I would think we can have a strong fighting chance of finally electing effective, ethical and empowering government leaders for our country,” Keh wrote.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Who is the opposition?</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Sen. Francis Pangilinan, an LP stalwart who is aspiring to become vice president, said Roxas’ “sacrifice will strengthen LP.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“As for uniting the opposition, with all due respect, who is the opposition?” Pangilinan asked, pointing out that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s critics joined forces as the Genuine Opposition in the 2007 elections.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“What happened right after the victory? They all went their own separate ways,” he said. “If unity is to mean anything, it must be for the broadest unity of forces rallying behind an agenda of change and reforms.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Pangilinan said he was willing to give up his vice presidential ambitions if necessary to “rally all forces committed to genuine change behind Aquino’s campaign.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">He called for a “people’s army” that would wage an “electoral revolt against trapo (traditional) politics.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“It’s not about the opposition and administration, not about them, me or us,” said Sen. Francis Escudero, who is seeking the presidency as standard-bearer of the Nationalist People’s Coalition of businessman Eduardo Cojuangco.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“It’s about you ... the Filipino! It’s about uniting for a common cause for the good of the country,” he said. Escudero commended Roxas for “being selfless for the sake of unity in his party. I wish Noy, Mar and the Liberal Party the very best.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Villar to slug it out</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Former Sen. Ernesto Herrera expected Sen. Manuel Villar, the Nationalista Party standard-bearer, to slug it out with Aquino.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">He described Villar as a “credible opponent” whose “track record as an entrepreneur and able leader speaks for itself.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“Owing to his integrity, Noynoy offers real hope for change, especially in ensuring honest and upright governance, just like his mother,” said Herrera, a former senator who is secretary general of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“What we are witnessing now is the up-and-coming revival of the great rivalry between the LP and the NP, and the renewal of the system of two parties dominating our political affairs,” Herrera said.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">He said organized labor was counting on Aquino “to usher in a whole new era of fearless clean governance and trustworthy public service.”</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Never underestimate</strong></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Malacañang said Roxas’ move strengthened the Liberal Party.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">But Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita doubted whether it would translate into victory in the May elections.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“It’s still premature for anyone to ever say yes it’s an assurance because I don’t think it is,” he said.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">House Speaker Prospero Nograles, vice chair of the administration Lakas-Kampi CMD, said his party would not dismiss lightly Aquino’s rise.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">“In the art of war, you can never underestimate or take your political opponents for granted,” Nograles said. <strong><em>With a report from Gil C. Cabacungan Jr.</em></strong></p></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: arial;" class="KonaBody"><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><em></em></strong></p> </div><br />Still, I am pushing for UP for Noynoy (United Presidentiables for Noynoy). If you want to know why I am enthusiastic of the fact that the mainstream politicians and reformists blocks can unite to rally behind Noynoy, just send me an email. Thanks!Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-50962615900817252592009-09-05T10:35:00.006+08:002009-09-05T10:55:30.870+08:00Side Notes on Gov. Panlilio's Withdrawal from the Presidential Race<style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This is my notes about the withdrawal of Gov. Ed Panililio of his 2010 presidential bid to support Noynoy. I got this news from <a href="http://ph.news.yahoo.com/">Yahoo! News</a> in this <a href="http://ph.news.yahoo.com/star/20090904/tph-it-s-official-panlilio-opts-out-2010-541dfb4.html">page</a>.</span></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } H1 { margin-bottom: 0.08in } H1.western { font-family: "Times New Roman", serif } H1.cjk { font-family: "DejaVu Sans" } H1.ctl { font-family: "DejaVu Sans" } --></style><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: arial;">It's Official: Panlilio opts out of 2010 race</span><br /><span style="font-family: arial; font-style: italic;">Philstar.com - Friday, September 4</span><br /><br />MANILA, Philippines – Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio has formally declared his withdrawal from the 2010 presidential race.</span></span></blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Panlilio made the announcement this morning (Sept. 4) at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, saying he has abandoned his presidential ambition to give way to Liberal Party’s Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino.</span></span></blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>Nagpasya kaming hindi tumuloy sa aming planong tumakbo sa pagka-pangulo sa nalalapit na halalalan. Ibinibigay namin ang aming buong suporta at pagtitiwala kay</i> Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III <i>bilang kandidato sa pagka-pangulo ng ating bansa</i> (We have decided not to push through with our plan to run as president in the coming elections. We are offering our full support and trust to Sen. Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III as our presidential candidate),” he said in a prepared speech.</span></span></blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">With the declaration, Panlilio, a priest on leave, became the second presidential aspirant to give up his bid.</span></span></blockquote> <blockquote style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Liberal Party president Sen. Mar Roxas made the same announcement last Tuesday. <b>- By Dino Maragay (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com) </b></span></span> </blockquote> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I actually hope to see "UP for Noynoy" (United Presidentiables for Noynoy) to emerge in the following weeks especially on the opposition front. This may seem ambitious but for the Filipino people, nothing is impossible. I hope you are one with me in this. Convince other presidentiables to rally behind Noynoy if</span></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> they are really sincere about their desire to serve the Filipino people.</span></span></span></p>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-86727554908309092522009-09-04T14:58:00.004+08:002009-09-05T10:52:35.368+08:00Note on MBC Press Statement on the Recent PCIJ Report<style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } A:link { so-language: zxx } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">This is the statement of Makati Business Club on the PCIJ Report regarding Pres. Arroyo's wealth. I got this from their <a href="http://www.mbc.com.ph/default.htm">website</a> in this </span></span></span><a href="http://www.mbc.com.ph/about_mbc/pressrelease/sal%20of%20arroyo.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">page</span></u></span></span></a><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ></span></span></p><blockquote><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >PRESS STATEMENT<br />Makati Business Club Statement on the PCIJ Report on President Arroyo's Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth </span></span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >14 August 2009 - We wish to commend the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism for a job well done on its three-part series on President Arroyo’s still-to-be-explained wealth. The press serves a watchdog function and, disagreeable as it may be to those who have suffered its nasty bite, we must allow the press to perform this function, without coercion or threats. </span></span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >It now behooves the President to personally respond to the issues raised by the PCIJ article. It is unfortunate that instead of clarifying matters, the President has opted to call in her legal advisers who have tried to attack the message as well as the messenger rather than respond in any meaningful and germane manner. </span></span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >In particular, the business community would be particularly interested in the remarkable growth of Mrs. Arroyo’s net worth during her incumbency as a government employee from 1992 to 2008, when her personal wealth increased from P6.73 million to P143.54 million, according to the PCIJ account. That equates to a compounded growth of 21.1% per annum, wherein her net worth doubled every 3.4 years. Her stock portfolio, meanwhile, grew by 41% per annum from P55 million in 2006 to P110 million in 2008, at a time when the Philippine Stock Exchange index fell by 21%. </span></span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >Held against the light of economic reality and the First Couple’s declared assets and income sources, the impressive growth of Mrs. Arroyo’s wealth is difficult to fathom. Through her lawyer, the President has stated that she stands by the “truth and veracity” of her SALN, but it is difficult to accept her statement at face value if all that she has to substantiate her claim is the paltry information provided in the document and her spokespersons’ explanations that only lead to more unanswered questions.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" >Like Caesar’s wife, the President must be above suspicion. As the highest public servant in our country and in the interest of good governance, Mrs. Arroyo must set an example by making a full and transparent accounting of her and her family’s wealth. She owes the Filipino people an explanation. </span></span></p></blockquote><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="justify"><span style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;font-size:85%;" ></span></span> </p>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-16487827171621244112009-09-02T15:29:00.004+08:002009-09-02T15:37:12.716+08:00Historically Noted: President Obama as the Answer to that American Problem of History<div style="text-align: justify;">“<i>At times, history and fate meet at a single time in a single place to shape a turning point in man’s unending search for freedom. </i></div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>So it was at Lexington and Concord. So it was a century ago in Appomatox. So it was last week in Selma, Alabama.”</i><br /><br />This was the introductory lines of the Right to Vote speech of former US President Lyndon Johnson in Congress more than four decades ago. In the second paragraph, the three of the most important junctures in the history of the United States are listed. In Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, the first military resistance of the colonists against the British happened during the American Revolution. In the Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, commander in chief of Union forces. In Selma, Alabama in the 1960s, a major black voter registration drive led by Martin Luther King, Jr. was held where he also encountered violent opposition. And just this November 4, 2008, another turning point in US history happened. A large majority of Americans believed that <i>“Change has come to America”</i> and voted to office the first ever black President of the country, Barack Hussein Obama. Yes, it was history.<br /><br />Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that he cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. But with the election of Obama, I am pretty sure he will be more than just satisfied now. Millions of Negroes around the world and members of other nations rejoiced with what happened in the US elections, many of them shed tears. But who could be happier than with the African-Americans in the US? The history of black Americans has been a struggle for their existence first as humans and later on as citizens of the United Sates with full civil and political rights. They started as goods brought to America to serve as slaves by the colonists at the time when the thirteen original states were still part of British colonies. They continued to fight it out until Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation emancipating them from slavery. However, the battle did not end there.<br /><br />Although they were recognized as humans after the civil war, their rights as Americans were not fully recognized in many of the states. Again, the fight was not easy but they came out triumphant with perhaps two of the most important of the Affirmative Actions, the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act in 1960s. The former banned discrimination in public accommodations, educational institutions and employment and the latter essentially prohibits the denial of the right to vote because of color. However, another attempt to step forward in empowering black Americans did not push through when Jesse Jackson failed to get the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and in 1988. But the wait was not long for them when two decades after, a young and charismatic junior senator from Illinois earned the democratic nomination. Because of the failures of Republicans in wars abroad and economic management, this fifth ever black senator easily defeated his counterpart John McCain, an ultraconservative Republican, in the 2008 presidential election. The dream of King, the hope of Jackson and the aspiration of millions of other Americans came into reality. Certainly, Obama’s election to office was the highlight of the long struggle for equal rights and protection of the African Americans.<br /><br />For many, the victory of Obama was the victory of the African Americans only. The white Americans maybe unaware of this but his election was also their liberation from hundreds of years of hypocrisy and pretense. The founding fathers, all of them white and under oppression by British authorities, aspired, fought for and later on established a free America through the magnificent words of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution. However, in the following decades most of the whites remained untruthful and inconsistent to the founding principles and ideals of their republic. The black Americans have not gained full citizenship rights and achieved racial equality. The slavery. The lynching. The violence. The harassments. The school segregation. The bus segregation. The discrimination. The denial of rights. These are all told by history and these are all manifestations of the failure of Americans to rise up and live out to the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' Once in history, they deprived the members of the black minority of civil and political rights through institutionalized discrimination, like denial of access to public accommodations, and extralegal means like harassments and violence. Although there were recognition of shortcomings on their part and corrected these mistakes later on, color has become still an important factor for giving opportunities in the political process. Today, only five black Americans, including Obama, had served in the history of Senate. Obama was the only black in history who became a standard bearer of a major political party. Thus, the result of the latest presidential election showed that the white Americans and the rest of the members of American majority have embedded in their selves the true essence of their struggle for the dignity of man and for the destiny of democracy.<br /><br />His election was the highest meaning of the of the powerful words of Thomas Jefferson and the rest of the founding fathers; was the entire significance of the aim of Abraham Lincoln and the rest of the abolitionists; was the full realization of the dream of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the rest of the civil rights movements; and was the complete truth of the hope of Jesse Jackson and the rest of African Americans. Referring to racial discrimination and inequality during his time, Pres. Johnson stated in the same the Right to Vote speech:<br /><br />“<i>There is no Northern problem. There is no Southern problem. There is no Negro problem. There is only an American problem.” </i></div><p style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"> </p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"> Yes, indeed, the triumph of Obama can be seen as the triumph of history for it is the most apparent sign of the eradication of that American problem.</p>Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6239139248319547058.post-21568475755640993532009-09-01T10:42:00.009+08:002010-07-28T16:22:55.243+08:00The Side NoterMillion times before I attempted to create my own blog site and million times I failed to (with little exaggeration). I hope I hit it this time. Actually, this is the fourth blog site that I made and I am now willed to have this one as my default blog and the rest serve as part of history. Please read my side notes on the different political and social issues.<br /><br /><span style="visibility: visible;" id="main"><span style="visibility: visible;" id="search"><em>"I may not agree with what you say</em>, <em>but I will defend to the death your right to say it</em>." — Voltaire</span></span><br /><br />Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!Talisaynon Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13881834906905000005noreply@blogger.com0