Saturday, March 19, 2011
Ready to Shake
By Jay Fermin
Every year, millions of volunteers participate in Southern California ‘Great ShakeOut’ drill. From schools, to civic and church organization, to neighborhood groups; they have one goal: to ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On’ during a strong earthquake.
After all, California is not a stranger to earthquakes. We have felt the strength of the 1994 Northridge Quake. We get rattled by a few smaller ones every now and then. Flashback images come to mind of the 1906 San Francisco 7.8 tremblor that caused a massive fire because the underground water main pipes were disconnected and there was no water pressure from the fire hydrants.
We cannot predict the next event, however we can prepare if we understand and educate ourselves with what we might expect to happen. The only way to do this is to tell a story of a ‘sample scenario’ of what we call ‘The Big One.’ And remember, this is only a drill:
Thursday 9:00 a.m.
200,000 commuters have made their way from neighbouring Kern, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties to work in the Los Angeles Area. Everybody is excited for the approaching weekend. They have joined almost 7 million other southern Californians in the workplace from nearby suburbs.
Trucks and trains are on the move, being the pipeline of commerce and industry for Los Angeles. Underground cables connect the already busy day thru phone and internet, connecting banks, large corporations, suppliers, buyers and sellers, as well as friends and families.
It is a well known fact that the San Andreas Fault slices thru California and marks the boundary between the Pacific and the North American tectonic plates. They are locked into each other, trying to slide past each other for the past 150 years. This huge faultline has a history of rupture every 150 years. However, the last time was more than 300 years ago.
Thursday 10:10 a.m.
At Bombay Beach, northeast of the Salton Sea where the San Andreas faultline ends (extending thru-out California northward for 800 miles and exits the land area at Daly City near San Francisco), the faultline begins to awaken. The rupture travels northward up towards the Coachella Valley into Cajon Pass.
Although the people in Los Angeles has not felt it yet, the first waves cuts off the Interstate 15 freeway, bending railroad lines, and derailing trains. Roads are severed by crevices, and the other side lifts 15 feet up. Pipeline snap and electrical lines fail.
Strong shaking intensifies in the sediment filled basin of the Inland Empire. Buildings are damaged as the force of quake rumbles northward, spreading wider as a ripple on water. The waves are long and some structures cannot withstand, especially the ones made of brick and concrete. However, other buildings ride the massive waves, like boats on the ocean.
Thursday 10:11:30 a.m.
As the Coachella Valley still shakes, the seismic waves advance rapidly towards Los Angeles and surroundng areas. The shaking is felt stonger on the flat soft valleys and causes a blackout. The building damage causes tens of thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities, and many more thousands are stranded where they are because the freeway and the roadways are impassable.
Some are trapped on elevators, kitchen floors at people’s homes are littered with broken glass and heaps of cooking oil, syrup, flour, smashed dishes, and the hundreds of miles of water pipes are mostly disconnected, cutting off the water supply.
The freeways are a massive parking lot and people go out of their cars and start walking. Electric trains and bus transport are paralyzed too. Some of the people are waiting in the dark, waiting to be rescued.
Thursday 10:12 a.m. (2 minutes after the quake began)
Finally, the fault has stopped rupturing, but seismic waves continue to advance into Bakersfield and Santa Barbara counties in the north. Here, the shaking is just beginning.
Thursday 10:15 a.m.
Government agencies finally posts preliminary assessment of the earthquake. It is a 7.8 on the richter scale. Some of the TV and radio stations are still out but some are slowly starting to broadcast. Fire Trucks are moving slowly among the debris but they are not stopping. Their standard operating procedure is to survey their area of responsibility and look for the hardest hit area before they can respond. Across Southern California, cell phones, internet, and landline become unusable, overwhelmed by the vast number of attempted calls.
Thursday 10:45 a.m.
The emergency operations centers are activated, and police, fire, and medical personnel including CERT Community Emergency Response Teams are deployed slowly, focusing on the localized areas that are hard hit.
While the quake still travels northbound far from the epicenter, people are able to help others who are trapped or wounded in the damaged structures. Lacking gloves and proper protective equipment, a few more hundred civilians are wounded by broken glass, sharp objects, and the smaller aftershocks which are now occuring. They claw thru the debris with their bare hands.
Hundreds of airliners from around the world are now being diverted away from Southern California, creating an air traffic controller nightmare. As millions soon discover, they are cut off from their family members, with no way to contact them.
Fires and plumes of smoke rises from around the metropolis. This is coming from ruptured underground gas lines and other chemical depots. There is just not enough emergency personnel to help and immediately respond.
The solution:
The best time to prepare for an earthquake is before it happens.
Be educated on what to expect and how to ‘drop, cover, and hold on’ under the table or desk during the shaking. Remember, as long as nothing hits your head, you will be okay. Practice this with the members of your family or your co-workers. Do not run outside the building as falling objects may hit you. After the shaking has stopped, survey your surroundings and plan a safe escape route.
It is good to bolt on heavy objects at your house like TV and Water Heaters. Place heavy things like books on shelves nearer to the floor. Stock up on water of 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days. Also have non-perishable food like canned goods, or food bars that does not require cooking. As a rule of thumb, you should have 8000 calorie food bars for each person for the duration of the 72 hours after the earthquake when emergency resources are stretched out, and the atm might not be working, and if it does, the grocery stores will be running out of food items.
Keep extra medication if you need them in your car, work. and home. Have a pair of rubber shoes also at these three locations, as it will be very hard to walk on your high heels amid the debris. Have a helmet and goggles handy, and rubber boots and a pair of rubber gloves if possible just in case you need to clear out fallen objects or need to extract yourself from a structure.
Stock up a bag full of extra clothes in your office and the car just in case you won’t be able to get home in these 3 days following the disaster. Designate a family or friend from out of state that will be your main contact person. You might not be able to call within the state, but there will be a good chance that you can make phone calls outside of the state.
If you have pets, make sure they have a supply of food and water and count them in when you do your emergency preparedness pack. Have pneumatic flashlights and AM radio ready, the ones that do not need batteries. An emergency blanket can also be handy especially if the temperature dips during the night and there is no electricity.
Plan on having first aid kits even in the car or office. These may include bandages, antibiotic creams, scissors, latex glove and antiseptic wipes. Include pain relievers in your pack. If you know how to use them, or if you are a licensed operator, you can purchase two-way radio for communication. Check with your local authorities for licensing and frequency allocations.
Include hand tools that you feel you might need to move heavy objects out of your way. Also have an amount of money ready, as the banks and atm will be non operational. Have a copy of all your important records like birth certificates and other legal documents in a water-proof plastic container to enable you to establish identity when needed.
The best way to plan your preparation is to get information from the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) and customized these lists to suit your needs. You can also join the local CERT Community Emergency Response Team at your community. CERT is admistered by the Los Angeles Fire Department and / or the Sheriffs Department and administered by Homeland Security. You can visit their website at www.cert-la.com
Do not become a liability. Now is the time to prepare to Shake.
Monday, March 7, 2011
People Power: Looking back through the Years
by Jay Fermin
The Philippine Revolution known as the ‘EDSA Revolution’ and also the ‘People Power’ Revolution happend 25 years ago. Almost 2 million Filipino civilians, as well as several political, military and religious leaders joined the series of street protests from February 22-25, 1986. The majority of the demonstrations took place along Epifano de los Santos Avenue, commonly known as EDSA, in Quezon City.
Almost 40 percent, an estimated 39 million of today’s populace of 98 million in the Philippines were not yet born when the People Power Revolt occurred which led to the dismantling of President Ferdinand Marcos’ 20 year rule.
The years leading to 1986 were the most turbulent times. The New People’s Army (NPA) were active in most of the 71 provinces of the archipelago. They were about ready to launch a tactical offensive, having a peak of 25,000 fighters supported by a huge mass base at the countryside.
What stopped them on their tracks was the assasination of opposition leader Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, which swung the pendulum of the peoples’ support to the political opposition of Ninoy’s widow, Corazon Aquino, who ran with vice-president Doy Laurel under the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO), the party that toppled the Marcos dictatorship and restored democracy during the People Power Revolution of 1986.
Today, when most of the 7,526 victims of the Marcos regime are finally getting their compensation from human rights abuses in the initial payment of $ 1,000 from the approved distribution of $7.5 million to the members of the class action lawsuit, the Philippines is reeling in corruption within the military and the government.
Looking back on this historic event almost a quarter of a century ago, can we say that the landscape of Filipino politics have indeed changed? Are we better off today than when we were in 1986? Only time will tell.
Whistleblowers Anonymous
Balitang Kutsero: By Perry Diaz
Three men and two women recently joined the Whistleblowers Anonymous. The moderator asked them to be seated with the other members in a circle and then he explained the rules to the new members.
Moderator: Welcome to Whistleblowers Anonymous. We only have two rules. Rule No. 1 is “Use an alias, not your real name.” Rule No. 2 is “Do not lie.” Understand?
All: Yes!
Moderator: Very good. Okay, let’s hear from our new members. Please tell us why you’re here and share with us your experience as a whistleblower. Who wants to be first?
J-Loz: Me! Just call me J-Loz. I’m here because I blew the whistle on Gloria, Mike, Benjie, and Romy. They were involved in a bribery scandal and overpricing a contract with a contractor from China. To make my story short, Benjie and Romy are now facing trial in court. But Gloria and Mike are untouchable because that crazy Ombudsman was protecting them. Now, I’m in big trouble because the Ombudsman is giving me hell! She filed all kinds of fabricated charges against me. But the good news is the House of Representatives is now in the process of impeaching the Ombudsman. I plan to testify against the Ombudsman. Lintik lang ang walang ganti!
Moderator: Excellent. You’re doing the right thing, J-Loz. Who’s next?
Georgie Boy: Call me Georgie Boy. I decided to join this group because I need your advice.
Moderator: That’s what we’re here for, Georgie Boy. Go ahead and tell us your story.
Georgie Boy: Well, I’m a retired Lt. Col. with the Army. I was the budget officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I worked under the Comptroller who worked for the Chief of Staff. I took care of the “books” for the multi-billion “slush funds” which the Chief of Staff and the Comptroller controlled. To make my story short, I blew the whistle on three former Chiefs of Staff and two former Comptrollers for the massive corruption that was going on in the use of the “slush funds.” We’re looking at P179 billion unaccounted money that went in and out of the “slush funds.”
Moderator: That’s a lot of moolah! How can we help you, Georgie Boy?
Georgie Boy: I’m scared. As you probably heard, my former Chief of Staff whom I implicated in the corruption involving the “slush funds” died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. I feel guilty for what happened to him. I want to kill myself too!
Moderator: Don’t do that, Georgie Boy! We need you to send them to jail.
J-Loz: Yes, be strong, Georgie Boy. We’re all here for you.
Hydra: Yes, Georgie Boy, we’re with you. I almost did the same thing but I have a mission to accomplish to punish these corrupt generals.
Moderator: Excuse me, but could you please tell us who you are?
Hydra: Oh, I’m sorry. Just call me Hydra. I was an auditor with the Commission on Audit. I’m familiar with Georgie Boy’s problem cuz I was the one who audited the “slush funds.” I was pressured to “fix” the audit to cover the anomalies but I refused. After receiving threats to my life, I decided to quit. But like you, Georgie Boy, I blew the whistle on them. I’ll expose all their shenanigans especially that arrogant Ombudsman! Hala bira!
Georgie Boy: Yeah! Let’s kick the Ombudsman out! One for all, all for one!
J-Loz: Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!
Moderator: Okay, okay, that’s enough, guys. Now, let’s hear from this gentleman here.
Supremo: Call me Supremo cuz I’m supreme. Hehehe… Well, it’s hard to remain anonymous because if I told you my story, you’d know who I am.
J-Loz: Hey, I know you! You’re one of Gloria’s midnight appointees! You’re the Midnight Chief Jus… Omigosh!
Supremo: Okay, okay, it’s me.
Hydra: Hoy, what brought you here -- to spy on us? Shame on you!
Supremo: No! No no no! I’m here because I’ve been accused of being a whistleblower. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m depressed. I want to cry! Wah wah…
Moderator: Okay, Supremo, why don’t we skip your story for now and let’s have the last person here tell us her story. Ma’am?
Gutsy: Call me Gutsy because that’s what I really am – gutsy and ballsy, too!
J-Loz: Gutsy na, ballsy pa! Do you have cojones? Hehehe…
Gutsy: Hoy, I know who you are! I have more cojones than you!
Moderator: Stop it! Excuse me but we have a policy in this group – you can’t cover your face. So could you please remove your oversized dark glasses, Gutsy?
J-Loz: Hey, guys! It’s the Ombudsman! Hear that? The Ombudsman!
Georgie Boy: What the heck are you doing here? You’re not a whistleblower! Actually we’re going to blow the whistle on you for protecting Gloria and Mike!
Hydra: Yep! And you have the guts to come here? You’re spying on us! You should be impeached! Alis dyan!
J-Loz: How dare you file fake charges against me! Yes, you should be impeached! And you, Supremo, you’d better not protect her or we’ll have you impeached, too!
Supremo: You’re on your own now, Gutsy. I can’t protect you anymore. Wah wah…
Gutsy: You can’t impeach me! I still have Gloria and Mike to protect me from all of you! You can’t touch me! I’m untouchable! Mga walang hiya! Hahaha…
Georgie Boy: I don’t know about that, Gutsy. But it looks like the House of Representatives has more than enough votes to impeach you and the Senate seems to be in favor of removing you from office once you’re impeached by the House. You’re toast! You’re history! Hehehe…
Hydra: And here’s another good news! A congressman is filing an impeachment petition to impeach eight justices for betrayal of public trust… including you, Supremo!
Supremo: Wah wah…
Moderator: Stop crying, Supremo!
# # #
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story and all characters are also fictional.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Three men and two women recently joined the Whistleblowers Anonymous. The moderator asked them to be seated with the other members in a circle and then he explained the rules to the new members.
Moderator: Welcome to Whistleblowers Anonymous. We only have two rules. Rule No. 1 is “Use an alias, not your real name.” Rule No. 2 is “Do not lie.” Understand?
All: Yes!
Moderator: Very good. Okay, let’s hear from our new members. Please tell us why you’re here and share with us your experience as a whistleblower. Who wants to be first?
J-Loz: Me! Just call me J-Loz. I’m here because I blew the whistle on Gloria, Mike, Benjie, and Romy. They were involved in a bribery scandal and overpricing a contract with a contractor from China. To make my story short, Benjie and Romy are now facing trial in court. But Gloria and Mike are untouchable because that crazy Ombudsman was protecting them. Now, I’m in big trouble because the Ombudsman is giving me hell! She filed all kinds of fabricated charges against me. But the good news is the House of Representatives is now in the process of impeaching the Ombudsman. I plan to testify against the Ombudsman. Lintik lang ang walang ganti!
Moderator: Excellent. You’re doing the right thing, J-Loz. Who’s next?
Georgie Boy: Call me Georgie Boy. I decided to join this group because I need your advice.
Moderator: That’s what we’re here for, Georgie Boy. Go ahead and tell us your story.
Georgie Boy: Well, I’m a retired Lt. Col. with the Army. I was the budget officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I worked under the Comptroller who worked for the Chief of Staff. I took care of the “books” for the multi-billion “slush funds” which the Chief of Staff and the Comptroller controlled. To make my story short, I blew the whistle on three former Chiefs of Staff and two former Comptrollers for the massive corruption that was going on in the use of the “slush funds.” We’re looking at P179 billion unaccounted money that went in and out of the “slush funds.”
Moderator: That’s a lot of moolah! How can we help you, Georgie Boy?
Georgie Boy: I’m scared. As you probably heard, my former Chief of Staff whom I implicated in the corruption involving the “slush funds” died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. I feel guilty for what happened to him. I want to kill myself too!
Moderator: Don’t do that, Georgie Boy! We need you to send them to jail.
J-Loz: Yes, be strong, Georgie Boy. We’re all here for you.
Hydra: Yes, Georgie Boy, we’re with you. I almost did the same thing but I have a mission to accomplish to punish these corrupt generals.
Moderator: Excuse me, but could you please tell us who you are?
Hydra: Oh, I’m sorry. Just call me Hydra. I was an auditor with the Commission on Audit. I’m familiar with Georgie Boy’s problem cuz I was the one who audited the “slush funds.” I was pressured to “fix” the audit to cover the anomalies but I refused. After receiving threats to my life, I decided to quit. But like you, Georgie Boy, I blew the whistle on them. I’ll expose all their shenanigans especially that arrogant Ombudsman! Hala bira!
Georgie Boy: Yeah! Let’s kick the Ombudsman out! One for all, all for one!
J-Loz: Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!
Moderator: Okay, okay, that’s enough, guys. Now, let’s hear from this gentleman here.
Supremo: Call me Supremo cuz I’m supreme. Hehehe… Well, it’s hard to remain anonymous because if I told you my story, you’d know who I am.
J-Loz: Hey, I know you! You’re one of Gloria’s midnight appointees! You’re the Midnight Chief Jus… Omigosh!
Supremo: Okay, okay, it’s me.
Hydra: Hoy, what brought you here -- to spy on us? Shame on you!
Supremo: No! No no no! I’m here because I’ve been accused of being a whistleblower. I don’t know what to tell you. I’m depressed. I want to cry! Wah wah…
Moderator: Okay, Supremo, why don’t we skip your story for now and let’s have the last person here tell us her story. Ma’am?
Gutsy: Call me Gutsy because that’s what I really am – gutsy and ballsy, too!
J-Loz: Gutsy na, ballsy pa! Do you have cojones? Hehehe…
Gutsy: Hoy, I know who you are! I have more cojones than you!
Moderator: Stop it! Excuse me but we have a policy in this group – you can’t cover your face. So could you please remove your oversized dark glasses, Gutsy?
J-Loz: Hey, guys! It’s the Ombudsman! Hear that? The Ombudsman!
Georgie Boy: What the heck are you doing here? You’re not a whistleblower! Actually we’re going to blow the whistle on you for protecting Gloria and Mike!
Hydra: Yep! And you have the guts to come here? You’re spying on us! You should be impeached! Alis dyan!
J-Loz: How dare you file fake charges against me! Yes, you should be impeached! And you, Supremo, you’d better not protect her or we’ll have you impeached, too!
Supremo: You’re on your own now, Gutsy. I can’t protect you anymore. Wah wah…
Gutsy: You can’t impeach me! I still have Gloria and Mike to protect me from all of you! You can’t touch me! I’m untouchable! Mga walang hiya! Hahaha…
Georgie Boy: I don’t know about that, Gutsy. But it looks like the House of Representatives has more than enough votes to impeach you and the Senate seems to be in favor of removing you from office once you’re impeached by the House. You’re toast! You’re history! Hehehe…
Hydra: And here’s another good news! A congressman is filing an impeachment petition to impeach eight justices for betrayal of public trust… including you, Supremo!
Supremo: Wah wah…
Moderator: Stop crying, Supremo!
# # #
Disclaimer: This is a fictional story and all characters are also fictional.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Friday, February 25, 2011
Dreaming of Oscar and other Stories
by Jay Fermin
On my last visit to the Philippines, we were in a room at L’Fisher Hotel celebrating. The Governor of Negros Occidental, Gov. Alfredo Maranon just announced an initial funding of a film about ‘Cinco de Noviembre’, (The 5th of November), a story of an event that happend 112 years ago on November 5, 1898 when the Katipuneros led by General Aniceto Lacson of Silay and General Juan Araneta of Bago successfully bluffed the Spanish forces.
The story revolves around two generals who converged from both north and south of Bacolod and led an offensive march to the residence of Spanish Governor Isidro de Castro. The Spanish reinforcements have not yet arrived from the nearby island of Panay. The Spanish Governor, thinking that they were outnumbered by the Katipuneros, finally signed the surrender at 5 p.m. of November 5, 1898.
What the Spanish Colonist didn’t know, the two forces that maneuvered to ‘attack’ were armed with ‘paltik’ firearms made with Nipa stalks with attached shiny knives. The numerous horse-towed cannons were actually rolled ‘sawali mats’ rolled into barrel shape and painted gloss black! It was all like Hollywood props.
Indeed a good story to tell on the wide screen. Governor Maranon provided an initial funding to start the film. Actor Joel Torre (his movies include Jose Rizal, Anak, and the famed Oro Plata Mata) happily expressed that the film project is good ‘because we have a good story’. The only contraint would be the budget. Ronnie Lazaro, a multi-talented professional actor and director( won Best Production Design: Manila by Night: City after Dark; 1981) who was also in the room, was just as excited. After all, independent film requires talent, a good story, and most importantly, funding.
This week, the media were invited to view a private screening of ‘The God of Love’, the short film by Luke Matheny, which is nominated for the 2011 Academay Award for Best Live-Action Short. It is a comedic short film directed by Luke and produced by Fil-Ams Gigi Dement, Stephen Dypianco, and Stefanie Walmsley, whom we talked to after the screening.
The story follows the quest for love of a lounge-singing darts champion Raymond Goodfellow, whose prayers are answered when he receives a package of passion-inducing darts. The film climaxes when he was left with his last dart of love. However the open ending continues with the black and white fadeaway scene of Raymond riding a motorbike slinging a pouch of even larger passion inducing arrows to spread the love that always escape from all of us. While I was watching the film, I understood deeply why cupid carries an arrow.
Indeed a strong contender for the Oscar Awards that is airing on Sunday, February 27, 2011 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. It is also exciting because three of the producers are Filipino-Americans namely New York based Gigi Dement (who is originally from Baguio) and Stephen Dypiangco (filmaker and Producer of Marketing and Distribution PMD) who grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He earned his BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and his MFA in Film Production from NYU. The other producer also based in New York is Stefanie Walmsley, who stated that being nominated by the Academy of Motion Pictures is like a ‘Cinderella’ story for her. She used to host the Philippines’ top rated variety show ‘Eat Bulaga’ and has appeared in theatre, TV shows, and numerous commercials. She is working as production coordinator for HBO but she talks about going back to the Philippines ‘ to chase the ultimate dream of mine’ which is to assist in getting independent films funded and produced in the Philippines.
This is a historic moment when there are growing number of Fil-Am nominees voted to the Oscar awards by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
Good luck to the Filipino Oscar Nominee/Contender Class of 2011:
Hailee Steinfeld, Best Actress, TRUE GRIT
Matthew Libatique, Cinematography, BLACK SWAN
Gigi Dement, producer, Best Live Action Short, GOD OF LOVE
Stephen Dypiangco, producer, Best Live Action Short, GOD OF LOVE
Stefanie Walmsley, producer, Best Live Action Short, GOD OF LOVE
The Red Carpet is being rolled out. The Gold Drape is furnished. The stage is set. Let us support the Fil-Am nominees at the 83rd Academy Awards. And after the glitz and glamour and parties, let us continue our support as they and countless others in cinema and theatre endeavour to tell the ‘story’ which we all can connect to.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Pacquiao Meets Obama
Balitang Kutsero: By Perry Diaz
World boxing champion and congressman Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on February 15, 2011. The following is the transcript of their tête-à-tête:
Pacquiao: Good morning… I mean, good afternoon, Mr. President.
Obama: Actually it’s still morning here… so, good morning to you, Dr. Pacquiao.
Pacquiao: Sorry, but I’m still on jet set. He he he…
Obama: Jet set? Hmm… Do you mean, jet lag?
Pacquiao: Same thing. You see, it’s now afternoon, “PI” time.
Obama: “PI” time? What’s that?
Pacquiao: Oh, ahh… “PI” is shortcut for Philippine Islands.
Obama: Gee, I haven’t heard of “Philippine Islands” since I was in Indonesia as a young boy. You are now known as the “Republic of the Philippines,” amigo.
Pacquiao: But the last time I checked, there were still 7,100 islands in the Philippines, so “Philippine Islands” is correct. Right, Mr. President?
Obama: Ahh… Well, yes, you’re correct… “PI” it is then. Hey, since your visit is not official, just call me Barack, okay?
Pacquiao: Okay, Barack. Actually, my visit is just a curiosity call.
Obama: Curiosity call? Or do you mean, courtesy call?
Pacquiao: Same thing, same thing. Hey, your name reminds of Kapeng Barako.
Obama: Kapeng Barako? What is that?
Pacquiao: Kapeng Barako is a popular coffee brand favored by macho men…
Obama: Like you! You’re a macho man, right? Gee, with seven titles…
Pacquiao: Correction! It’s eight titles in eight weight divisions.
Obama: Wow! Ex… cuuuuze me! I’m impressed!
Pacquiao: You’re excused, Barack. Everybody makes mistakes. Even P-Noy makes a lot of mistakes. He he he...
Obama: So I heard. Hey, you must have mojo, Manny!
Pacquiao: Mojo? What is that?
Obama: Well, “mojo” is a magic charm that some macho men have… like you!
Pacquiao: Magic charm? Hmm… You think I’m charming, Barack?
Obama: Oh, no! No no no! It’s not what you think, my friend. What I mean is that you have a charm that attracts… ahh… women. Do you catch my drift?
Pacquiao: Catch? Where’s the ball? Try me cuz I’m a very good catcher.
Obama: I know you are. But what I mean is that did you understand what I was saying?
Pacquiao: Ahh… I think I know what you’re saying. Yes, I know how to catch chicks. That’s why they call me “chickboy.” He he he…
Obama: You’re funny, Manny. You’re my kind of guy… mojo macho man!
Pacquiao: You’re my kind of guy too… mucho barako! He he he…
Obama: Okay, okay. Ha ha ha… Stop it! My stomach hurts… ha ha ha… Okay, seriously… Manny, I’d like to ask you a big favor.
Pacquiao: Anything, Barack. Just ask. Your wish is my command.
Obama: Well, I know Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada won the election. It was because of you. You showed up on stage with him a few days before the election, you smiled and waved your hands without saying a thing. It was fantastic! It was all over the news on TV. And Reid won the election because of your endorsement! Can you do the same thing for me in my re-election campaign in 2012, my friend?
Pacquiao: It would be an honor to be on stage with you, Mr. President. Do you want me to deliver a temporary speech?
Obama: Temporary speech? Uhh… What’s that?
Pacquiao: It’s a speech without notes. Straight from the brain, you know.
Obama: Oh, you mean extemporaneous speech? And you also mean “straight from the heart,” right?
Pacquiao: Same thing, same thing.
Obama: Well, to tell you the truth, since it is going to be televised, some Americans might not be able to understand what you’re saying… because of your… uhh… I mean… ahh… just the way you say things. However, if you just smile and wave your hands, it might… uhh… amuse them and they would vote for me. You know what I mean, amigo?
Pacquiao: Mr. President, you insulted me! I will not campaign for you! I’ll campaign for Sarah Palin cuz she said she loves my accent. She said it’s cute.
Obama: Well, if that is the case, I’ll cancel our photo session. There will also be no official press release of our meeting.
Pacquiao: But Barack, I came all the way from the Philippines just for a photo opportunity with you.
Obama: Sorry, amigo, I suggest that you go to Alaska and ask Sarah for a photo op with her.
Pacquiao: Ay naku, naloko na!
Obama: I beg your pardon?
Pacquiao: Never mind, I’m getting out of here! Good-bye, barako!
Obama: Bye bye. Please say “Hi” to Sarah for me. Ha ha ha…
# # #
Disclaimer: This “transcript” is fictional and does not represent actual events. However, Pacquiao and Obama actually met but the White House didn’t allow Pacquiao to have a photo opportunity with Obama.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
World boxing champion and congressman Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao met U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on February 15, 2011. The following is the transcript of their tête-à-tête:
Pacquiao: Good morning… I mean, good afternoon, Mr. President.
Obama: Actually it’s still morning here… so, good morning to you, Dr. Pacquiao.
Pacquiao: Sorry, but I’m still on jet set. He he he…
Obama: Jet set? Hmm… Do you mean, jet lag?
Pacquiao: Same thing. You see, it’s now afternoon, “PI” time.
Obama: “PI” time? What’s that?
Pacquiao: Oh, ahh… “PI” is shortcut for Philippine Islands.
Obama: Gee, I haven’t heard of “Philippine Islands” since I was in Indonesia as a young boy. You are now known as the “Republic of the Philippines,” amigo.
Pacquiao: But the last time I checked, there were still 7,100 islands in the Philippines, so “Philippine Islands” is correct. Right, Mr. President?
Obama: Ahh… Well, yes, you’re correct… “PI” it is then. Hey, since your visit is not official, just call me Barack, okay?
Pacquiao: Okay, Barack. Actually, my visit is just a curiosity call.
Obama: Curiosity call? Or do you mean, courtesy call?
Pacquiao: Same thing, same thing. Hey, your name reminds of Kapeng Barako.
Obama: Kapeng Barako? What is that?
Pacquiao: Kapeng Barako is a popular coffee brand favored by macho men…
Obama: Like you! You’re a macho man, right? Gee, with seven titles…
Pacquiao: Correction! It’s eight titles in eight weight divisions.
Obama: Wow! Ex… cuuuuze me! I’m impressed!
Pacquiao: You’re excused, Barack. Everybody makes mistakes. Even P-Noy makes a lot of mistakes. He he he...
Obama: So I heard. Hey, you must have mojo, Manny!
Pacquiao: Mojo? What is that?
Obama: Well, “mojo” is a magic charm that some macho men have… like you!
Pacquiao: Magic charm? Hmm… You think I’m charming, Barack?
Obama: Oh, no! No no no! It’s not what you think, my friend. What I mean is that you have a charm that attracts… ahh… women. Do you catch my drift?
Pacquiao: Catch? Where’s the ball? Try me cuz I’m a very good catcher.
Obama: I know you are. But what I mean is that did you understand what I was saying?
Pacquiao: Ahh… I think I know what you’re saying. Yes, I know how to catch chicks. That’s why they call me “chickboy.” He he he…
Obama: You’re funny, Manny. You’re my kind of guy… mojo macho man!
Pacquiao: You’re my kind of guy too… mucho barako! He he he…
Obama: Okay, okay. Ha ha ha… Stop it! My stomach hurts… ha ha ha… Okay, seriously… Manny, I’d like to ask you a big favor.
Pacquiao: Anything, Barack. Just ask. Your wish is my command.
Obama: Well, I know Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada won the election. It was because of you. You showed up on stage with him a few days before the election, you smiled and waved your hands without saying a thing. It was fantastic! It was all over the news on TV. And Reid won the election because of your endorsement! Can you do the same thing for me in my re-election campaign in 2012, my friend?
Pacquiao: It would be an honor to be on stage with you, Mr. President. Do you want me to deliver a temporary speech?
Obama: Temporary speech? Uhh… What’s that?
Pacquiao: It’s a speech without notes. Straight from the brain, you know.
Obama: Oh, you mean extemporaneous speech? And you also mean “straight from the heart,” right?
Pacquiao: Same thing, same thing.
Obama: Well, to tell you the truth, since it is going to be televised, some Americans might not be able to understand what you’re saying… because of your… uhh… I mean… ahh… just the way you say things. However, if you just smile and wave your hands, it might… uhh… amuse them and they would vote for me. You know what I mean, amigo?
Pacquiao: Mr. President, you insulted me! I will not campaign for you! I’ll campaign for Sarah Palin cuz she said she loves my accent. She said it’s cute.
Obama: Well, if that is the case, I’ll cancel our photo session. There will also be no official press release of our meeting.
Pacquiao: But Barack, I came all the way from the Philippines just for a photo opportunity with you.
Obama: Sorry, amigo, I suggest that you go to Alaska and ask Sarah for a photo op with her.
Pacquiao: Ay naku, naloko na!
Obama: I beg your pardon?
Pacquiao: Never mind, I’m getting out of here! Good-bye, barako!
Obama: Bye bye. Please say “Hi” to Sarah for me. Ha ha ha…
# # #
Disclaimer: This “transcript” is fictional and does not represent actual events. However, Pacquiao and Obama actually met but the White House didn’t allow Pacquiao to have a photo opportunity with Obama.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Hoodlums in uniform
PerryScope: By Perry Diaz
Once the pride of the nation for their heroic defense of freedom and the Motherland, a small band of military officers -- sworn to protect the people and the State – are now in the midst of a firestorm that could irreparably damage the image of the armed forces’ general staff. Indeed, it might even cause the eventual demise of the six-decade old Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – which was patterned after the West Point military academy of the United States -- where all officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed their formal training. And it’s all because of the greed and corruption that have spawned into a monstrosity during the last decade. As a result of all the corruption cases involving PMAers, there are now talks of tapping ROTC cadets for commissioning to the officers’ corps of the AFP.
And if one brave retired soldier – Col. George Rabusa -- did not come out to expose the shenanigans perpetrated by AFP’s high command, corruption in the military would remain unabated and unrestrained. But thanks to Rabusa, all of that might just come to an end soon and bring the hoodlums in uniform to justice.
Rabusa’s bombshell
It all began when the Senate formed an investigation panel to look into the controversial plea bargaining agreement that former AFP Comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia – Rabusa’s former boss -- negotiated with the Office of the Ombudsman, which dropped the charges of plunder and substituted a guilty plea to lesser offenses of bribery and money laundering, with a promise to surrender P135 million out of the P303 million he illegally amassed.
During the Senate investigation, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada surprised everybody when he brought in Rabusa to testify. Rabusa accused Gen. Angelo Reyes of receiving P150 million including a P50-million “pabaon” (send-off money) when he retired as AFP Chief of Staff in 2001. He said that he and his boss, then AFP Comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot (Garcia’s predecessor), personally delivered the money to Reyes at his staff quarters, known as the “White House.”
Rabusa, who was the budget officer at that time, worked directly under Ligot and Garcia, who were then called the “Comptroller Mafia.” He was their “bagman.” He also implicated the Chiefs of Staff who succeeded Reyes, Generals Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu, saying that they illicitly received around P10 million monthly while in service and pocketed half of it. He indicated that he would execute an affidavit detailing the corruption under Reyes, Villanueva, and Cimatu, and the “rotten system” in the AFP during the period from 2000 to 2002. He said that Garcia and he “converted” – or laundered – almost P1 billion between 2000 and 2001.
“Dead man walking”
Reactions from the senators were spontaneous, some of whom said that Rabusa’s testimony was credible and that the government should file charges against Reyes based on his exposé. If charges were to be filed against Reyes and the others, Rabusa would most likely become a state witness, a specter that could bring a conviction of plunder against the accused. In fact, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago was so optimistic of conviction that she said over the radio that Reyes was a “dead man walking.”
But it’s not going to be easy to convict Reyes. He has strong ties to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which means that he might also be protected by Gloria’s allies in the Judiciary including the Office of the Ombudsman, which is still headed by Merceditas Gutierrez, a close friend of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Indeed, it could be an uphill battle for the government who may be able to secure a conviction from the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan – assuming that the Ombudsman would put real effort to prosecute Reyes – but would be stymied in the Supreme Court where Reyes – with Gloria’s aid -- could muster enough support from the justices to overturn his conviction.
It is interesting to note that Reyes’ link to Gloria was tempered during the ouster of Joseph “Erap” Estrada from the presidency in January 2001. Reyes, who was Estrada’s AFP Chief of Staff, withdrew his support of Estrada and threw it, together with his top commanders, behind Gloria at the crucial time. With the AFP high command abandoning Estrada, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Hilario Davide Jr. quickly sworn in Gloria as “President” instead of “Acting President” as he reportedly had agreed to -- while Estrada was still President! -- Gloria’s ascendancy was a fait accompli.
It is no wonder then that when Reyes reached mandatory retirement age, Gloria appointed him two days after he retired to a succession of plum positions: National Defense Secretary, Anti-Kidnapping Czar, Anti-Smuggling Czar, Environment Secretary, and Energy Secretary. Indeed, Reyes has served Gloria well throughout her presidency.
It did not come then as a surprise when Rabusa implicated Gloria in a fraudulent military transaction, which he said cost the government $2 million. At that time, Reyes was the Defense Secretary, Villanueva was the AFP Chief of Staff, Cimatu was the Vice Chief of Staff, and Garcia was the Comptroller. If Rabusa could provide a strong testimony, the government might be able to take all five of them down in one clean swoop. That would indeed be a major, major victory for President Aquino in his fight against corruption, bagging no less than the “Big Kahuna” herself.
Prosecute corruption
It is for this reason that Aquino should put all the power of his presidency behind the prosecution of corruption in the military. If corruption were successfully prosecuted, it could be the tipping point in ridding the military establishment of hoodlums in uniform.
And just like the Phoenix that rose from the ashes, the Philippine Military Academy could once again shine as a noble institution that produces disciplined and dedicated officers, worthy of the respect by the people they are sworn to protect.
As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” the time has come for Filipinos to rise to put an end to the scourge that has wrought havoc for so long.
At the end of the day, all it took was one brave soldier who stepped up to the plate to right a wrong.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Once the pride of the nation for their heroic defense of freedom and the Motherland, a small band of military officers -- sworn to protect the people and the State – are now in the midst of a firestorm that could irreparably damage the image of the armed forces’ general staff. Indeed, it might even cause the eventual demise of the six-decade old Philippine Military Academy (PMA) – which was patterned after the West Point military academy of the United States -- where all officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) completed their formal training. And it’s all because of the greed and corruption that have spawned into a monstrosity during the last decade. As a result of all the corruption cases involving PMAers, there are now talks of tapping ROTC cadets for commissioning to the officers’ corps of the AFP.
And if one brave retired soldier – Col. George Rabusa -- did not come out to expose the shenanigans perpetrated by AFP’s high command, corruption in the military would remain unabated and unrestrained. But thanks to Rabusa, all of that might just come to an end soon and bring the hoodlums in uniform to justice.
Rabusa’s bombshell
It all began when the Senate formed an investigation panel to look into the controversial plea bargaining agreement that former AFP Comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia – Rabusa’s former boss -- negotiated with the Office of the Ombudsman, which dropped the charges of plunder and substituted a guilty plea to lesser offenses of bribery and money laundering, with a promise to surrender P135 million out of the P303 million he illegally amassed.
During the Senate investigation, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada surprised everybody when he brought in Rabusa to testify. Rabusa accused Gen. Angelo Reyes of receiving P150 million including a P50-million “pabaon” (send-off money) when he retired as AFP Chief of Staff in 2001. He said that he and his boss, then AFP Comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot (Garcia’s predecessor), personally delivered the money to Reyes at his staff quarters, known as the “White House.”
Rabusa, who was the budget officer at that time, worked directly under Ligot and Garcia, who were then called the “Comptroller Mafia.” He was their “bagman.” He also implicated the Chiefs of Staff who succeeded Reyes, Generals Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu, saying that they illicitly received around P10 million monthly while in service and pocketed half of it. He indicated that he would execute an affidavit detailing the corruption under Reyes, Villanueva, and Cimatu, and the “rotten system” in the AFP during the period from 2000 to 2002. He said that Garcia and he “converted” – or laundered – almost P1 billion between 2000 and 2001.
“Dead man walking”
Reactions from the senators were spontaneous, some of whom said that Rabusa’s testimony was credible and that the government should file charges against Reyes based on his exposé. If charges were to be filed against Reyes and the others, Rabusa would most likely become a state witness, a specter that could bring a conviction of plunder against the accused. In fact, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago was so optimistic of conviction that she said over the radio that Reyes was a “dead man walking.”
But it’s not going to be easy to convict Reyes. He has strong ties to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which means that he might also be protected by Gloria’s allies in the Judiciary including the Office of the Ombudsman, which is still headed by Merceditas Gutierrez, a close friend of former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Indeed, it could be an uphill battle for the government who may be able to secure a conviction from the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan – assuming that the Ombudsman would put real effort to prosecute Reyes – but would be stymied in the Supreme Court where Reyes – with Gloria’s aid -- could muster enough support from the justices to overturn his conviction.
It is interesting to note that Reyes’ link to Gloria was tempered during the ouster of Joseph “Erap” Estrada from the presidency in January 2001. Reyes, who was Estrada’s AFP Chief of Staff, withdrew his support of Estrada and threw it, together with his top commanders, behind Gloria at the crucial time. With the AFP high command abandoning Estrada, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Hilario Davide Jr. quickly sworn in Gloria as “President” instead of “Acting President” as he reportedly had agreed to -- while Estrada was still President! -- Gloria’s ascendancy was a fait accompli.
It is no wonder then that when Reyes reached mandatory retirement age, Gloria appointed him two days after he retired to a succession of plum positions: National Defense Secretary, Anti-Kidnapping Czar, Anti-Smuggling Czar, Environment Secretary, and Energy Secretary. Indeed, Reyes has served Gloria well throughout her presidency.
It did not come then as a surprise when Rabusa implicated Gloria in a fraudulent military transaction, which he said cost the government $2 million. At that time, Reyes was the Defense Secretary, Villanueva was the AFP Chief of Staff, Cimatu was the Vice Chief of Staff, and Garcia was the Comptroller. If Rabusa could provide a strong testimony, the government might be able to take all five of them down in one clean swoop. That would indeed be a major, major victory for President Aquino in his fight against corruption, bagging no less than the “Big Kahuna” herself.
Prosecute corruption
It is for this reason that Aquino should put all the power of his presidency behind the prosecution of corruption in the military. If corruption were successfully prosecuted, it could be the tipping point in ridding the military establishment of hoodlums in uniform.
And just like the Phoenix that rose from the ashes, the Philippine Military Academy could once again shine as a noble institution that produces disciplined and dedicated officers, worthy of the respect by the people they are sworn to protect.
As Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing,” the time has come for Filipinos to rise to put an end to the scourge that has wrought havoc for so long.
At the end of the day, all it took was one brave soldier who stepped up to the plate to right a wrong.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Finally, a glimmer of hope
PerryScope: By Perry Diaz
Finally, after a roller-coasting decade of uncertainty, instability, and volatility, there is a glimmer of hope that 2011 would usher in an era of certainty, stability, and vibrancy. President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III said during the Rizal Day ceremony, “We’re not just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. In certain sectors, we can already feel the light, the warmth of the new beginning.”
Indeed, his exuberance and optimism are buoyed by the high “trust” ratings the people have given him in spite of several embarrassing incidents and diplomatic faux pas that his fledgling administration experienced during his first six months in office. He seems to have a Teflon skin that deflects the criticisms – and mud -- thrown at him.
Barring anomalies of corruption and questionable transactions involving his appointees or himself, P-Noy should be able weather most, if not all, of “storms” that would come his way. Perceived as honest and incorruptible, it would really take a major, major scandal to break down his “invincibility,” which is buttressed by the legacy left by his parents – Ninoy and Cory Aquino. For as long as P-Noy’s “trust” ratings would remain high, a performance below par wouldn’t necessarily diminish the people’s affection for him.
However, the office of the President comes with vulnerabilities that could bring the occupant down if he or she failed to contain corruption and deliver the people from the bondage of poverty. The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos found out – albeit too late – that the use of brute force was not enough to keep him in power. In contrast, the late President Ramon Magsaysay proved that friendly – and sincere -- persuasion could disarm the enemy.
“Gordian Knot”
The question is: Would P-Noy settle for a place in history that would border on mediocrity or would he strive to be an “Alexander” and untie the Philippines’ complicated “Gordian Knot” that has kept the country in a state of economic disarray and moral decadence? But unlike Alexander who sliced the knot in half with a stroke of his sword -- known as the “Alexandrian solution” – and conquered the known world in the fourth century BC, P-Noy could untie his country’s “Gordian Knot” by the power of persuasion. So far, he has yet to succeed.
There were some incidents during his first six months that P-Noy might have wished he’d have handled differently. He’d probably wished that he did a few “easy” things during the August 23 hostage-taking crisis to project him as a “hands-on” take-charge leader that Filipinos love to idolize.
He’d probably wished that he listened to those who advised him to let go of DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno whom he protected amidst allegations that he was receiving jueteng payola. Had he removed Puno, it would have sent an electrifying signal to all his appointees that they are expected to be above board and beyond suspicion. Puno’s refusal to name the jueteng lords’ “feelers” who approached him on the jueteng lords’ behalf raised “red flags” about his involvement with them.
He’d probably wished that he did not boycott the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo for his “for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.” He reasoned that he wanted to spare the lives of five Filipinos in death row in China. However, he didn’t say that those five condemned Filipinos were sentenced to death for “drug trafficking,” an illicit activity that has reached epidemic proportions in the Philippines. Criticized by human rights’ groups, P-Noy said, “It's not their call to make the decision. It's my call.” Now, that’s arrogance! While it was indeed his call to make, did he have to rub it in? Makes one wonder if a feeling of invincibility had gotten to his head?
Economic renaissance?
P-Noy had every reason to exude optimism and confidence. The GDP grew at 7.9% in the first half of the year during Arroyo’s last six months in office; and it grew at 6.5% in the third quarter during P-Noy’s “first 100 days.” Economists have projected the growth for 2010 to be at least 7%.
P-Noy said during the Rizal Day commemoration that his government had registered a budget surplus of P500 million last November when a deficit of P6 billion was projected at that time. “And we didn’t achieve that by tightening our belts and those that needed funds were no longer funded so we can window dress. All [items] that needed funding were funded but still we had a surplus,” he said. Bravo!
The question is: Can the Aquino administration sustain a 7% growth in seven years?
“747” economic program
In October 2003, I went to Manila with a group of Fil-Ams to attend a State Dinner for President George Bush hosted by then-president Arroyo in Malacanang. Our group paid a courtesy call to the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jose De Venecia. De Venecia gave us a 27-page book titled: “747: A Program for Economic Takeoff Toward Sustained Growth.” It was the result of a study commissioned by De Venecia in 2002. The “747” program was designed to generate seven percent growth for seven years in order to achieve a “Philippines without absolute poverty.”
The book identified seven strategic programs as key to its success, to wit: 1) Rural modernization; 2) Creating a world-class service sector; 3) Promoting domestic competition; 4) Magnets for foreign investment and development aid; 5) Enhancing the assets of the poor, 6) Resource Mobilization; and 7) Political and administrative modernization.
Had then-president Arroyo adopted the “747” program in 2003, she would have ridden the country of “absolute poverty” by the time she stepped down in 2010.
With P-Noy off to a good start in 2010, he could achieve what Arroyo failed to achieve if he could sustain a 7% growth through the end of his presidency in 2016. However, it is easier said than done. Like Alexander of Macedonia, P-Noy has to untie the Philippines’ “Gordian Knot” to bring in an era of peace and prosperity.
Balancing act
Recently, P-Noy received an unsolicited advice from Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the former president of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Lagdameo said that P-Noy “needed to be discerning when it came to the pieces of advice he was getting from the people around him.” He suggested that P-Noy replace some of his “weak” Cabinet members and that he should do a “balancing act” -- that is, “Listen to what everybody has to say and pick up the best elements for the good of the country.”
During his inaugural address, P-Noy acknowledged that the people were his “bosses.” It behooves him then to listen to them… to hear what’s in their minds. And after he listens to his “bosses,” he could then make his call. That’s the right thing to do. That’s wisdom.
P-Noy knows that a vast majority of Filipinos have high hopes for his success. Ultimately, his success would be every Filipino’s success; however, his failure would be the nation’s failure.
Finally, after a decade of turmoil, there is a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Finally, after a roller-coasting decade of uncertainty, instability, and volatility, there is a glimmer of hope that 2011 would usher in an era of certainty, stability, and vibrancy. President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III said during the Rizal Day ceremony, “We’re not just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. In certain sectors, we can already feel the light, the warmth of the new beginning.”
Indeed, his exuberance and optimism are buoyed by the high “trust” ratings the people have given him in spite of several embarrassing incidents and diplomatic faux pas that his fledgling administration experienced during his first six months in office. He seems to have a Teflon skin that deflects the criticisms – and mud -- thrown at him.
Barring anomalies of corruption and questionable transactions involving his appointees or himself, P-Noy should be able weather most, if not all, of “storms” that would come his way. Perceived as honest and incorruptible, it would really take a major, major scandal to break down his “invincibility,” which is buttressed by the legacy left by his parents – Ninoy and Cory Aquino. For as long as P-Noy’s “trust” ratings would remain high, a performance below par wouldn’t necessarily diminish the people’s affection for him.
However, the office of the President comes with vulnerabilities that could bring the occupant down if he or she failed to contain corruption and deliver the people from the bondage of poverty. The late dictator Ferdinand Marcos found out – albeit too late – that the use of brute force was not enough to keep him in power. In contrast, the late President Ramon Magsaysay proved that friendly – and sincere -- persuasion could disarm the enemy.
“Gordian Knot”
The question is: Would P-Noy settle for a place in history that would border on mediocrity or would he strive to be an “Alexander” and untie the Philippines’ complicated “Gordian Knot” that has kept the country in a state of economic disarray and moral decadence? But unlike Alexander who sliced the knot in half with a stroke of his sword -- known as the “Alexandrian solution” – and conquered the known world in the fourth century BC, P-Noy could untie his country’s “Gordian Knot” by the power of persuasion. So far, he has yet to succeed.
There were some incidents during his first six months that P-Noy might have wished he’d have handled differently. He’d probably wished that he did a few “easy” things during the August 23 hostage-taking crisis to project him as a “hands-on” take-charge leader that Filipinos love to idolize.
He’d probably wished that he listened to those who advised him to let go of DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno whom he protected amidst allegations that he was receiving jueteng payola. Had he removed Puno, it would have sent an electrifying signal to all his appointees that they are expected to be above board and beyond suspicion. Puno’s refusal to name the jueteng lords’ “feelers” who approached him on the jueteng lords’ behalf raised “red flags” about his involvement with them.
He’d probably wished that he did not boycott the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony for Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo for his “for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.” He reasoned that he wanted to spare the lives of five Filipinos in death row in China. However, he didn’t say that those five condemned Filipinos were sentenced to death for “drug trafficking,” an illicit activity that has reached epidemic proportions in the Philippines. Criticized by human rights’ groups, P-Noy said, “It's not their call to make the decision. It's my call.” Now, that’s arrogance! While it was indeed his call to make, did he have to rub it in? Makes one wonder if a feeling of invincibility had gotten to his head?
Economic renaissance?
P-Noy had every reason to exude optimism and confidence. The GDP grew at 7.9% in the first half of the year during Arroyo’s last six months in office; and it grew at 6.5% in the third quarter during P-Noy’s “first 100 days.” Economists have projected the growth for 2010 to be at least 7%.
P-Noy said during the Rizal Day commemoration that his government had registered a budget surplus of P500 million last November when a deficit of P6 billion was projected at that time. “And we didn’t achieve that by tightening our belts and those that needed funds were no longer funded so we can window dress. All [items] that needed funding were funded but still we had a surplus,” he said. Bravo!
The question is: Can the Aquino administration sustain a 7% growth in seven years?
“747” economic program
In October 2003, I went to Manila with a group of Fil-Ams to attend a State Dinner for President George Bush hosted by then-president Arroyo in Malacanang. Our group paid a courtesy call to the then-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Jose De Venecia. De Venecia gave us a 27-page book titled: “747: A Program for Economic Takeoff Toward Sustained Growth.” It was the result of a study commissioned by De Venecia in 2002. The “747” program was designed to generate seven percent growth for seven years in order to achieve a “Philippines without absolute poverty.”
The book identified seven strategic programs as key to its success, to wit: 1) Rural modernization; 2) Creating a world-class service sector; 3) Promoting domestic competition; 4) Magnets for foreign investment and development aid; 5) Enhancing the assets of the poor, 6) Resource Mobilization; and 7) Political and administrative modernization.
Had then-president Arroyo adopted the “747” program in 2003, she would have ridden the country of “absolute poverty” by the time she stepped down in 2010.
With P-Noy off to a good start in 2010, he could achieve what Arroyo failed to achieve if he could sustain a 7% growth through the end of his presidency in 2016. However, it is easier said than done. Like Alexander of Macedonia, P-Noy has to untie the Philippines’ “Gordian Knot” to bring in an era of peace and prosperity.
Balancing act
Recently, P-Noy received an unsolicited advice from Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, the former president of the influential Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Lagdameo said that P-Noy “needed to be discerning when it came to the pieces of advice he was getting from the people around him.” He suggested that P-Noy replace some of his “weak” Cabinet members and that he should do a “balancing act” -- that is, “Listen to what everybody has to say and pick up the best elements for the good of the country.”
During his inaugural address, P-Noy acknowledged that the people were his “bosses.” It behooves him then to listen to them… to hear what’s in their minds. And after he listens to his “bosses,” he could then make his call. That’s the right thing to do. That’s wisdom.
P-Noy knows that a vast majority of Filipinos have high hopes for his success. Ultimately, his success would be every Filipino’s success; however, his failure would be the nation’s failure.
Finally, after a decade of turmoil, there is a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Noynoy and the ‘Untouchables’
Balitang Kutsero: By Perry Diaz
Ex-prez Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has joined an elite group of people – the “Untouchables.” And the group is growing fast! On top of the list of “Untouchables” are those who are protected by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III: Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico E. Puno; Little President Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr.; spin doctors Sonny Coloma and Ricky Carandang; and members of the Kamag-anak Inc. and Kabarkada Inc. Next are the jueteng lords who are allegedly protected by the “Three Kings of Jueteng.” Next is Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who is protected by the Supreme Court.
Gloria must be in high Heavens right now. Yup, the Supreme Court’s 10-5 ruling that nullified Executive Order No. 1 -- creating the Truth Commission -- is a major, major victory for Gloria and a major, major setback for Noynoy.
Indeed, Gloria’s hard work in selecting the “right” people to appoint to the Supreme Court paid off. And by appointing Renato Corona as Chief Justice, it ensured that her “secret agenda” would be carried out to the letter.
Now, Gloria can claim that she has 10 black-robed rogues in her pocket… or as Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello call them, the “Gang of 10.” Ugh! That hurts. Be careful Walden, the “Gang of 10” might cite you for contempt.
Don’t be surprised if you’d see the mug shots of the “Gang of 10” in the Rogue Gallery, which includes a plagiarist Supreme Court justice and a midnight chief justice.
Next in line to join the “Untouchables” are Gloria’s 900 midnight appointees whom Noynoy removed by issuing Executive Order No. 2. As a matter of fact, one of them -- National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) commissioner and secretary Bai Omera Dianalan-Lucman – has already become an “Untouchable” when the Supreme Court issued a “status quo ante order” reinstating Dianalan-Lucman.
But Noynoy isn’t giving up. He vowed to stop at nothing to “get to the bottom of allegations of large-scale corruption under Arroyo” despite the Supreme Court’s nullification of the Truth Commission.
I think Noynoy should start listening to his “bosses,” the hoi polloi. Many of his “bosses” told him that he didn’t need the Truth Commission to dig Gloria’s dirt cuz tons of Gloria’s dirt was already dug up in a multitude of previous Senate investigations. They’re there for the Ombudsman to use to prosecute Gloria.
The Ombudsman? Ooops! That’s a big-o problemo, amigo. Hey, as long as Merci Gutierrez is the Ombudsman, don’t expect her to prosecute her dear friends, Mike and Gloria Arroyo and their cohorts. And Merci’s term of office is good until December 1, 2012… unless Congress impeaches her. And that’s where the “Arroyo Court” comes into play. Do you see the big picture now?
The plot thickens… The latest buzz is that allies of Noynoy are demanding impeachment of midnight chief justice Renato Corona for the Supreme Court’s junking of the Truth Commission. In all fairness, shouldn’t the other nine members of the “Gang of 10” be impeached too? Like they say, “What’s good for the gander is good for the goose.” Yup, it should be all or nothing.
Jojo’s mojo… Guess who’s being blamed for Executive Order No. 1 gone wrong? Little Prez Jojo Ochoa. Yup, with all his “mucho macho” image as a heavy drinker and woman-chaser, Jojo surely has mojo. Perhaps Jojo should show Noynoy how to get mojo. He could certainly use it on Trish, Barbie, Liz, and Len.
Freudian slip… Asked by the media if impeaching midnight chief justice Renato Corona is a priority, Noynoy said, “There is a complainant, there is an endorser who is a member of the House of Representatives. We might have our own opinions. I ask you to go around and look at various civic groups...one of the judges complained of the decision, that came out in one of the major dailies. I’m just quoting from what was told me.” Then he added, “I might be disciplined by (my) superiors in the Supreme Court but I think this was a wrong decision brought about by a political court, by a political Supreme Court.” Did you notice that? Noynoy admitted that the Supreme Court justices were his superiors! Whoa! No wonder we’re having a leadership crisis. Would the president please come forward and lead?
Revising EO to include Bonifacio presidency… There are now talks in Nonoy’s administration of expanding the mandate of the Truth Commission investigate corruption scandals not only during Gloria’s presidency but also in previous administrations in order to satisfy the constitution’s “equal protection” clause. One of Noynoy’s aides suggested that the Truth Commission’s investigation should go back to the Aguinaldo presidency. Huh? Well, if they went back to Aguinaldo’s time, they should go further back – to the time of Andres Bonifacio whom many historians claim to be the real “first president.” Then they’d notice that today’s political wrangling was no different more than 100 years ago when Bonifacio and Aguinaldo were fighting each other while they were losing the war against their common enemy.
Now, this is going to be a major, major investigation that might take up to 100 years to complete. That would be something that future generations of Filipinos would be laughing at. By that time, the Philippines would probably be broken up into many tiny banana republics.
Let’s take a glimpse into what it might look like 100 years from now:
The entire northern Luzon would become the Kingdom of Ilocoslovakia ruled by Ferdinand “Dingdong” Marcos VI.
Pampanga would be divided into two countries: Liliputania ruled by the Arroyo dynasty and Juetengland ruled by the Pineda dynasty.
Mindanao would be united under the Sultanate of Ampatuan and the Sulu archipelago would become the Islamic Republic of Abu Sayaff.
Tarlac would never be united as one nation because of the ongoing Cojuangco War, which has been going on for almost two hundred years. However, a powerful clan would rule a little enclave called Paniquino in the middle of Tarlac. Paniquino would declare itself neutral and would become the Switzerland of Asia where the jueteng lords, warlords, drug lords, and kleptocrats secretly deposit their ill-gotten money.
If only our present-day politicians would come to realize that unless they can get their act together and institute reforms in the government, we’re looking at another Somalia in the making. But the people need to change as well.
A wise old man once said… “When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”
Indeed, one man can change the world only if he has the strength and will to change himself. Who is that man?
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Ex-prez Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has joined an elite group of people – the “Untouchables.” And the group is growing fast! On top of the list of “Untouchables” are those who are protected by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III: Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico E. Puno; Little President Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa Jr.; spin doctors Sonny Coloma and Ricky Carandang; and members of the Kamag-anak Inc. and Kabarkada Inc. Next are the jueteng lords who are allegedly protected by the “Three Kings of Jueteng.” Next is Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who is protected by the Supreme Court.
Gloria must be in high Heavens right now. Yup, the Supreme Court’s 10-5 ruling that nullified Executive Order No. 1 -- creating the Truth Commission -- is a major, major victory for Gloria and a major, major setback for Noynoy.
Indeed, Gloria’s hard work in selecting the “right” people to appoint to the Supreme Court paid off. And by appointing Renato Corona as Chief Justice, it ensured that her “secret agenda” would be carried out to the letter.
Now, Gloria can claim that she has 10 black-robed rogues in her pocket… or as Akbayan party-list Rep. Walden Bello call them, the “Gang of 10.” Ugh! That hurts. Be careful Walden, the “Gang of 10” might cite you for contempt.
Don’t be surprised if you’d see the mug shots of the “Gang of 10” in the Rogue Gallery, which includes a plagiarist Supreme Court justice and a midnight chief justice.
Next in line to join the “Untouchables” are Gloria’s 900 midnight appointees whom Noynoy removed by issuing Executive Order No. 2. As a matter of fact, one of them -- National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) commissioner and secretary Bai Omera Dianalan-Lucman – has already become an “Untouchable” when the Supreme Court issued a “status quo ante order” reinstating Dianalan-Lucman.
But Noynoy isn’t giving up. He vowed to stop at nothing to “get to the bottom of allegations of large-scale corruption under Arroyo” despite the Supreme Court’s nullification of the Truth Commission.
I think Noynoy should start listening to his “bosses,” the hoi polloi. Many of his “bosses” told him that he didn’t need the Truth Commission to dig Gloria’s dirt cuz tons of Gloria’s dirt was already dug up in a multitude of previous Senate investigations. They’re there for the Ombudsman to use to prosecute Gloria.
The Ombudsman? Ooops! That’s a big-o problemo, amigo. Hey, as long as Merci Gutierrez is the Ombudsman, don’t expect her to prosecute her dear friends, Mike and Gloria Arroyo and their cohorts. And Merci’s term of office is good until December 1, 2012… unless Congress impeaches her. And that’s where the “Arroyo Court” comes into play. Do you see the big picture now?
The plot thickens… The latest buzz is that allies of Noynoy are demanding impeachment of midnight chief justice Renato Corona for the Supreme Court’s junking of the Truth Commission. In all fairness, shouldn’t the other nine members of the “Gang of 10” be impeached too? Like they say, “What’s good for the gander is good for the goose.” Yup, it should be all or nothing.
Jojo’s mojo… Guess who’s being blamed for Executive Order No. 1 gone wrong? Little Prez Jojo Ochoa. Yup, with all his “mucho macho” image as a heavy drinker and woman-chaser, Jojo surely has mojo. Perhaps Jojo should show Noynoy how to get mojo. He could certainly use it on Trish, Barbie, Liz, and Len.
Freudian slip… Asked by the media if impeaching midnight chief justice Renato Corona is a priority, Noynoy said, “There is a complainant, there is an endorser who is a member of the House of Representatives. We might have our own opinions. I ask you to go around and look at various civic groups...one of the judges complained of the decision, that came out in one of the major dailies. I’m just quoting from what was told me.” Then he added, “I might be disciplined by (my) superiors in the Supreme Court but I think this was a wrong decision brought about by a political court, by a political Supreme Court.” Did you notice that? Noynoy admitted that the Supreme Court justices were his superiors! Whoa! No wonder we’re having a leadership crisis. Would the president please come forward and lead?
Revising EO to include Bonifacio presidency… There are now talks in Nonoy’s administration of expanding the mandate of the Truth Commission investigate corruption scandals not only during Gloria’s presidency but also in previous administrations in order to satisfy the constitution’s “equal protection” clause. One of Noynoy’s aides suggested that the Truth Commission’s investigation should go back to the Aguinaldo presidency. Huh? Well, if they went back to Aguinaldo’s time, they should go further back – to the time of Andres Bonifacio whom many historians claim to be the real “first president.” Then they’d notice that today’s political wrangling was no different more than 100 years ago when Bonifacio and Aguinaldo were fighting each other while they were losing the war against their common enemy.
Now, this is going to be a major, major investigation that might take up to 100 years to complete. That would be something that future generations of Filipinos would be laughing at. By that time, the Philippines would probably be broken up into many tiny banana republics.
Let’s take a glimpse into what it might look like 100 years from now:
The entire northern Luzon would become the Kingdom of Ilocoslovakia ruled by Ferdinand “Dingdong” Marcos VI.
Pampanga would be divided into two countries: Liliputania ruled by the Arroyo dynasty and Juetengland ruled by the Pineda dynasty.
Mindanao would be united under the Sultanate of Ampatuan and the Sulu archipelago would become the Islamic Republic of Abu Sayaff.
Tarlac would never be united as one nation because of the ongoing Cojuangco War, which has been going on for almost two hundred years. However, a powerful clan would rule a little enclave called Paniquino in the middle of Tarlac. Paniquino would declare itself neutral and would become the Switzerland of Asia where the jueteng lords, warlords, drug lords, and kleptocrats secretly deposit their ill-gotten money.
If only our present-day politicians would come to realize that unless they can get their act together and institute reforms in the government, we’re looking at another Somalia in the making. But the people need to change as well.
A wise old man once said… “When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”
Indeed, one man can change the world only if he has the strength and will to change himself. Who is that man?
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
"FLASHBACK: BEST HITS OF THE 80'S"
ONE UNFORGETTABLE EVENING OF LOVE SONGS FROM DAVID POMERANZ, STEPHEN BISHOP, MS. JOEY ALBERT AT PALA CASINO ON DEC 5!
Los Angeles, CA, December 1, 2010 - Mark your calendar as December 5 will prove to be one magical and unforgettable evening of memorable songs from the 80's when three mega-hit musical stars David Pomeranz and Stephen Bishop with Ms. Joey Albert, perform together in a special concert on Sunday (4 pm) on December 5 at the indoor Events Center of Pala Casino Spa & Resort in Pala, CA.
DAVID POMERANZ. During the last 26 years, Pomeranz's love songs have become part of the fabric of Filipino life. His 10-time, platinum album, "Born For You, His Best and More," is the largest-selling international pop album in the Philippines. His best-loved hits include "Got to Believe in Magic" (from the Scott Baio movie "Zapped"), "The Old Songs," "If You Walked Away," "Trying to Get the Feeling," "On This Day," and "Born For You."
STEPHEN BISHOP, a native of San Diego, CA, has become a Filipino superstar following his major hit song, "On and On," which charted at number 11 in the U.S., and "Separate Lives," sung by Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin for the Hollywood movie "White Nights," which was nominated for an Academy Award. In the Dustin Hoffman starrer "Tootsie," he sung and popularized the theme song, "It Might Be You", composed by Dave Grusin / Marilyn & Alan Bergman, which was a Top 40 hit in the U.S., and also a #1 hit on the U.S. adult contemporary chart and won a cinematic Oscar in 1983.
JOEY ALBERT is a Filipino pop and jazz singer who has enjoyed an award-winning solo career for over 25 years that began when one of her first hits, “Tell Me” received a Gold Record Award from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, which established her meteoric rise as a major Filipino musical artist. "Tell Me" became such a mega-hit that other known musical artists, including David Pomeranz, recorded cover versions of the song. Joey's other hits include "Over and Over," "A Million Miles Away," "I Remember the Boy," "Points of View," and Tagalog favorites "Yakapin Mo Ako," "Iisa Pa Lamang," "Ikaw Lamang Ang Mamahalin."
"Flashback: Best Hits of the 80's" is directed by Jet Montelibano and produced by Creative Concepts International in association with Pala Casino Spa & Resort in support of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc., and its programs "Kapit Bisig Para Sa Ilog Pasig" and "Text Bata." Sponsors are Seafood City, Celebrity Tiangge, Manila Forwarder, Gano Excel, McFadden Realtors and Xoom.com.
The concert is at 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, December 5, 2010, at the Events Center of Pala Casino. Tickets are $48, $58, $78, & $88. Available at Creative Concepts: 888-886-7889, 323-327-3483, 714-319-4870, 818-219-2009, via email at CreativeConceptsIntl@gmail.com, or log on to www.CreativeConceptsIntl.com. EE Entertainment: 626-374-4906, 714-932-7532, EE_Entertainment@yahoo.com, Ditas Yamane: 619-474-5300, DitasYamane@cox.net, Manila Forwarder: 800-210-1019, 323-478-1599, 619-434-7191, sales@manilaforwarder.com, Seafood City Supermarket outlets (Los Angeles, Eagle Rock, Carson, Panorama City, North Hills, Cerritos, West Covina, National City, Mira Mesa), Pala Casino Box Office: 1-877-WIN-PALA (1-877-946-7252) or online at www.PalaCasino.com, and at Star Tickets: 800-585-3737 or at www.startickets.com
For more concert details, log on to www.CreativeConceptsIntl.com or emailCreativeConceptsIntl@gmail.com.
Pala Casino Spa & Resort is located in Northern San Diego County; from San Diego/Riverside, take I-15 to Highway 76 east five miles; from Los Angeles County and Orange County, take I-5 south to Highway 76 east, then travel 23 miles. Pala is 15 miles north of Escondido, 12 miles south of Temecula.
About Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig. The Pasig River is a 27-kilometer body of water that traverses across Metro Manila and connects Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Once a major transport route, source of water and thriving ecosystem, the river is intimately connected to Philippine history. Today, it is one of the most polluted and toxic river systems in the Philippines. Recognizing the need for a broad based effort to clean the Pasig River, the ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) signed a memorandum of agreement last March 2008 to co-manage the rehabilitation of the Metro Manila water basin, with initial focus on the Pasig River and its tributaries. This partnership gave birth to Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig (KBPIP), which was formally launched in February 24, 2009.
About TextBata. Since its inception, Bantay Bata has received over 250,000 calls to help children in need: medical assistance, food, clothing, emergency shelter. In honor of those 250,000 calls, PAE Live! is proud to present TextBata, a text-based donation mechanism to allow donors to donate via their cell phone. Donors can text the word “BATA” to 50555 to donate $5.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
P-Noy’s First 100 Days
PerryScope: By Perry Diaz
Catapulted to the presidency on a campaign promise to eradicate corruption, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III’s first 100 days was off to a good start with a trivial “walang wang-wang, walang tong” (no sirens, no bribes) message that made its mark with the people. With a survey taken several days prior to his inauguration showing an 88% trust rating on him, the populist tone and demagogic appeal of his inaugural message removed any reservation the people might have on P-Noy’s ability to lead the nation. All P-Noy had to do then was demonstrate that he has what it takes. And like all presidents before him, he was extended the traditional 100-day “honeymoon” period by the media. Now, that honeymoon period is just about the end.
Like with all his predecessors, P-Noy’s ship of state started sailing with an even keel. However, he was sailing in uncharted waters mined with more than 900 of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s midnight appointees that includes the Supreme Court Chief Justice.
His stewardship was erratic at first making a few miscalculations with his memoranda and executive orders. His first memorandum was to fire all of the government top executives who were co-terminus with Gloria. However, he was forced to recall some of them so the government can continue to operate.
Truth Commission
His first executive order creating the Truth Commission was met with strong resistance from Gloria’s few but vociferous allies in the House of Representatives. They immediately filed a complaint before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Truth Commission. And compounding the opposition’s resistance, P-Noy appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as head of the Truth Commission. Davide’s appointment casts doubt on P-Noy’s motive for appointing him to investigate Gloria. It must be remembered that it was Davide who swore in Gloria as president in 2001 and declared that president Joseph “Erap” Estrada has “constructively” resigned from the presidency. However, many people deemed it as a “judicial coup d’état.”
Notwithstanding the pending complaint in the Supreme Court, P-Noy ordered the Truth Commission to proceed with its investigation of Gloria. This prompted the Supreme Court to threaten the Truth Commission with a temporary restraining order (TRO) if it doesn’t desist.
“Luneta-gate”
Then on August 23, 2010, midway through his first 100 days, the unexpected happened – a tourist bus with 25 Chinese tourists from Hong Kong was hijacked at the Luneta Park near the Quirino Grandstand where P-Noy was inaugurated last June 30. The hijacker was dismissed senior inspector Rolando Mendoza from the Manila Police. Mendoza held the tourists hostage while he demanded that he be reinstated in this job. After 11 hours of negotiation the hostage crisis ended in a bloodbath when Mendoza killed eight tourists before he was fatally shot by police sniper fire.
The hostage-taking fiasco became an international cause célèbre. It put P-Noy in a bad light. Immediately, P-Noy ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to conduct a fact-finding investigation. After several days of hearings, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) submitted its report to P-Noy. It named 13 individuals with complicity to the hostage-taking fiasco, including Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico E. Puno -– P-Noy’s longtime friend and “shooting buddy” -- and then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jesus Verzosa.
“Jueteng-gate”
Then on September 11, 2010, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz dropped a bombshell alleging that two close aides of P-Noy were receiving P2-million each in monthly payola – protection money – from jueteng lords. During a Senate hearing investigating the “jueteng-gate,” Cruz disclosed the names of the “jueteng kings” – Puno and Verzosa.
Immediately calls for Puno’s resignation flooded Malacanang Palace. Verzosa has since retired. But P-Noy stood by his friend Puno saying that he still has confidence on him.
US bonanza
While Luneta-gate and Jueteng-gate were brewing, P-Noy embarked on his first travel abroad as president. Within a six-day period beginning September 21, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly; attended the US-ASEAN conference with US president Barack Obama and the other nine ASEAN leaders; and signed a $434-million grant to the Philippines by the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to help fight corruption and poverty in the Philippines. P-Noy also talked with Obama for seven minutes after the US-ASEAN conference.
On September 25, P-Noy addressed the Philippine Development Forum in San Jose, California. The following day, his last day in the U.S., P-Noy attended mass with the Fil-Am community at the Mission Dolores in San Francisco. After the mass, he gave a short talk at the pulpit where he revealed that his delegation was able to secure a $2.7-billion investment pledge from American firms.
In the evening before heading for the San Francisco Airport for his flight home, P-Noy met with members of the Pinoys for Good Governance who, as one member said, “want to make sure that the present administration will live up to its promise to bring about such reform in governance.”
The U.S. trip promises to boost the Philippine economy. P-Noy claimed that the infusion of investment would create about 43,000 jobs.
All in all, the events of the first 100 days pose a big challenge to P-Noy in his quest to institute reforms and changes in a country. Indeed, he’s got his work cut out for him for the next six years.
It’s been said that it was destiny that brought P-Noy to the presidency. I agree. Now, it’s time for him to show the density of his commitment to bring about change in country deluged with corruption and plagued with poverty.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com
Catapulted to the presidency on a campaign promise to eradicate corruption, President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III’s first 100 days was off to a good start with a trivial “walang wang-wang, walang tong” (no sirens, no bribes) message that made its mark with the people. With a survey taken several days prior to his inauguration showing an 88% trust rating on him, the populist tone and demagogic appeal of his inaugural message removed any reservation the people might have on P-Noy’s ability to lead the nation. All P-Noy had to do then was demonstrate that he has what it takes. And like all presidents before him, he was extended the traditional 100-day “honeymoon” period by the media. Now, that honeymoon period is just about the end.
Like with all his predecessors, P-Noy’s ship of state started sailing with an even keel. However, he was sailing in uncharted waters mined with more than 900 of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s midnight appointees that includes the Supreme Court Chief Justice.
His stewardship was erratic at first making a few miscalculations with his memoranda and executive orders. His first memorandum was to fire all of the government top executives who were co-terminus with Gloria. However, he was forced to recall some of them so the government can continue to operate.
Truth Commission
His first executive order creating the Truth Commission was met with strong resistance from Gloria’s few but vociferous allies in the House of Representatives. They immediately filed a complaint before the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the Truth Commission. And compounding the opposition’s resistance, P-Noy appointed former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. as head of the Truth Commission. Davide’s appointment casts doubt on P-Noy’s motive for appointing him to investigate Gloria. It must be remembered that it was Davide who swore in Gloria as president in 2001 and declared that president Joseph “Erap” Estrada has “constructively” resigned from the presidency. However, many people deemed it as a “judicial coup d’état.”
Notwithstanding the pending complaint in the Supreme Court, P-Noy ordered the Truth Commission to proceed with its investigation of Gloria. This prompted the Supreme Court to threaten the Truth Commission with a temporary restraining order (TRO) if it doesn’t desist.
“Luneta-gate”
Then on August 23, 2010, midway through his first 100 days, the unexpected happened – a tourist bus with 25 Chinese tourists from Hong Kong was hijacked at the Luneta Park near the Quirino Grandstand where P-Noy was inaugurated last June 30. The hijacker was dismissed senior inspector Rolando Mendoza from the Manila Police. Mendoza held the tourists hostage while he demanded that he be reinstated in this job. After 11 hours of negotiation the hostage crisis ended in a bloodbath when Mendoza killed eight tourists before he was fatally shot by police sniper fire.
The hostage-taking fiasco became an international cause célèbre. It put P-Noy in a bad light. Immediately, P-Noy ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to conduct a fact-finding investigation. After several days of hearings, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) submitted its report to P-Noy. It named 13 individuals with complicity to the hostage-taking fiasco, including Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Rico E. Puno -– P-Noy’s longtime friend and “shooting buddy” -- and then Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jesus Verzosa.
“Jueteng-gate”
Then on September 11, 2010, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz dropped a bombshell alleging that two close aides of P-Noy were receiving P2-million each in monthly payola – protection money – from jueteng lords. During a Senate hearing investigating the “jueteng-gate,” Cruz disclosed the names of the “jueteng kings” – Puno and Verzosa.
Immediately calls for Puno’s resignation flooded Malacanang Palace. Verzosa has since retired. But P-Noy stood by his friend Puno saying that he still has confidence on him.
US bonanza
While Luneta-gate and Jueteng-gate were brewing, P-Noy embarked on his first travel abroad as president. Within a six-day period beginning September 21, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly; attended the US-ASEAN conference with US president Barack Obama and the other nine ASEAN leaders; and signed a $434-million grant to the Philippines by the Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to help fight corruption and poverty in the Philippines. P-Noy also talked with Obama for seven minutes after the US-ASEAN conference.
On September 25, P-Noy addressed the Philippine Development Forum in San Jose, California. The following day, his last day in the U.S., P-Noy attended mass with the Fil-Am community at the Mission Dolores in San Francisco. After the mass, he gave a short talk at the pulpit where he revealed that his delegation was able to secure a $2.7-billion investment pledge from American firms.
In the evening before heading for the San Francisco Airport for his flight home, P-Noy met with members of the Pinoys for Good Governance who, as one member said, “want to make sure that the present administration will live up to its promise to bring about such reform in governance.”
The U.S. trip promises to boost the Philippine economy. P-Noy claimed that the infusion of investment would create about 43,000 jobs.
All in all, the events of the first 100 days pose a big challenge to P-Noy in his quest to institute reforms and changes in a country. Indeed, he’s got his work cut out for him for the next six years.
It’s been said that it was destiny that brought P-Noy to the presidency. I agree. Now, it’s time for him to show the density of his commitment to bring about change in country deluged with corruption and plagued with poverty.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com
Sunday, September 19, 2010
'We Are One Filipino' rallies in San Jose on September 25, 2010
The Movement
Dear Fellow Filipino-American,
I need your help to start a movement. What constitutes a movement? If one were to think of its ingredients, it surely would include a purpose, people, and passion. During the Philippines’ People Power Movement of 1986, this was evident as its purpose was to purge an oppressor with people numbering in the millions passionate about progress through pacifism. I am writing to develop traction for a new movement. For far too long, Filipinos abroad have used buzz words as 1st vs. 2nd Generation, Fil-Am, Fil-Can, Fil-in-the-blank, and so forth. Rather than rehash these tired words, I implore you to understand the issues that plague Filipinos abroad, regardless of your address or generation affiliation, and take action!
The multitudes of issues back in our ancestral home include poverty and corruption. In the US, the issues can include division, lack of representation, and apathy. The problems that face us will require your participation. With the hostage disaster following the euphoria of President Aquino’s inauguration, it seems that joy can be a fleeting emotion. This disaster occurred on August 23, 2010 in which nine innocent civilians were killed by an ex-policeman who demanded his old job back. It is with irony that the inauguration and tragedy occurred at roughly the same location at Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.
Yet, us Filipinos here in the US e-mailed one another, updated our collective Facebook accounts, and shared our concerns about events transpiring back in the Philippines. We are tired of the same story. Yet, in the American social scene, we are proud of Charice (no need to even mention the last name anymore), high-fiving each other after each Pacquiao victory, and wearing Filipino inspired shirts while watching “America’s Best Dance Crew”. It is a shame we don’t capitalize this Filipino Fever into a more productive vision and action. I truly believe that we Fil-Ams of the New Generation have the will to make true change occur. We are instilled with American ideals and well educated. We can inspire an entire people with our sheer numbers. There is data supporting that if all the Fil-Ams in North America were lumped together, our collective GDP is greater than that of the Philippines. How’s that for economic might? I find it odd that with this data, President Aquino hasn’t addressed us yet. If we are educated, make money, and share the emotions of our fellow Filipinos after the recent tragedy, why isn’t he tapping us on the shoulder and addressing us? I believe we can be an asset to collectively fix our problems here and our motherland. Our parents may have left and created a brain drain, but some of us are willing to help and create a brain gain. As One people, we number in the millions. As One nation, we transcend oceans. As One Filipino, no matter where we were born or what citizenship we carry, all of our dreams become reality.
We may not have the solutions to all our problems, but is it in this journey that we show the world that we have a voice. Let’s have this voice be heard here and across the Pacific. On September 25, 2010, I say we come together to have President Benigno Aquino, III address us at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in San Jose, CA at 4pm. He may not know it yet, but he will have no choice but to address us and embrace us as our ancestral President…the leader of the Global Filipino. It is also with cosmic coincidence that the namesake of the park, Cesar Chavez, was assisted by Filipinos in Stockton. This is Our Time. If you believe in fate, Facebook, and the Filipino, please join me in this rally.
Bring your picnic gear and your unbridled and welcoming enthusiasm.
As one of your own,
UNNAMED New Generation Filipino
Monday, September 13, 2010
Jueteng Payola Exposed
PerryScope
By Perry Diaz
Last September 11, 2010 -- ten weeks after he was inaugurated the 15th president with the highest number of votes since the end of the Marcos dictatorship -- President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III was faced with the biggest challenge of his presidency. Retired Bishop Oscar Cruz made allegations that two of P-Noy’s trusted aides and five other government officials were receiving monthly payola for protection of jueteng, the illegal numbers game.
According to Cruz’s allegations, the two top aides were receiving a minimum of P2 million monthly payola from jueteng operations. He said that the two officials occupy key positions involving security matters which include “efforts to weed out the multi-billion-peso underground lottery especially prevalent in Luzon and the Visayas.” If I interpret it correctly, “security matters” would be within the purview of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), more specifically the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Trusted aides on the take
Malacañang Palace immediately reacted by asking Cruz to name names. “We encourage the prelate to report the anomalies he knows about so that these can be investigated and those found guilty will be punished,” said Presidential Communications and Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma. Initially, Cruz responded that he would identify the two aides in the proper forum. Meanwhile, his group, Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, was busy collecting more information about them. He further said that the two officials’ names surfaced in recent field reports submitted to him by his organization’s network in the 86 dioceses in the country.
However, a day later Cruz retracted his offer to provide evidence because he was afraid that his witnesses would get hurt or killed like what happened to jueteng whistle-blower Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor who was murdered earlier this year. He also said that he has been receiving death threats since he exposed the jueteng payola. One was sent by mail which contained a message in big bold letters: “SHUT UP.”
Cruz said that the only clue that he would provide at this time -- for his own safety -- is that the two trusted officials of P-Noy are male; one of them has been in government for a “long time” and the other was relatively new. The other five officials are in the “lower echelon.”
DILG Undersecretary approached
Last September 13, DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno disclosed that he was approached by “emissaries” of the jueteng lords about “payoffs.” “Some of them are retired policemen. Some of them are politicians. Some of them are even friends. Some of them are even relatives who approached me,” Puno said. But he said that he declined to meet with them.
Puno also said that Cruz promised him a list of government officials receiving jueteng payola or involved in protecting the jueteng lords. He noted that that if there was evidence against these officials, the government would file a case against them.
However, P-Noy wasn’t totally sold to Cruz’s allegations. He said that if anyone of his officials accepted jueteng payola, he would see to it that they would face heavy penalties. But he also said that he heard that some people involved in the numbers game were dropping the names of his officials. When he was asked whether he believes that Cruz was misinformed, P-Noy said that he did not know the “quality of information” that was provided by Cruz.
Jueteng is not a priority
P-Noy, who campaigned on a slogan, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” (No corruption, no poverty), was gung-ho on eradicating jueteng when he assumed office. In fact, when his new DILG Secretary Robredo took over, P-Noy issued “marching orders” to stop jueteng. But in a sudden change of plans, P-Noy announced the following day that jueteng was not a priority in his administration. Robredo later acknowledged that his “new assignment” was to concentrate on local government while DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno -- P-Noy’s long-time friend whom he appointed several days before Robredo -- was given direct and sole jurisdiction over the PNP. In essence, DILG was split into two: local government under Robredo and security under Puno. Makes one wonder if Robredo was deliberately taken out of the loop on police matters.
Recently, there were reports that Robredo was on his way out. The buzz going around was that Verzosa, who retired on September 14, was a leading candidate to replace Robredo. However, with Verzosa’s controversial “disappearance” during the Luneta hostage crisis, P-Noy announced the other day that Verzosa will not take over DILG but would most likely be appointed to a non-Secretary post.
In an earlier article, Cruz claimed that jueteng protectors who are holding key positions in P-Noy’s administration are leading the calls for Robredo’s resignation. He said that the plotters are using the Luneta hostage crisis as the reason for Robredo to resign, holding him responsible for bloodbath that resulted from the botched rescue attempt by the Manila Police. But Robredo has no responsibility over police matters, Puno has. Shouldn’t Puno be the one who should resign then?
It is interesting to note that a Liberal Party stalwart revealed that even before P-Noy assumed the presidency, there was already an “arrangement” for Verzosa to serve as DILG secretary. However, due to the public pressure to appoint Robredo, P-Noy gave in. But according to that LP official, compromise was reached for P-Noy to bring in Puno to oversee PNP operations.
Red flag
The red flag is up: it seems that corruption is creeping back... or perhaps, it never left. As I said before, corruption is like weed: if you don’t kill it, it will grow and spread rapidly until the entire landscape is full of weed.
It is common knowledge that for jueteng to thrive, it needs the protection of the PNP. For as long as the PNP protects the jueteng lords, nobody could touch them -- not even the DILG Secretary.
With the retirement of Verzosa as PNP Chief, P-Noy has an opportunity to clean up the PNP and appoint a person who is committed to stop jueteng. In regard to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, P-Noy should put the PNP directly under the authority of Robredo. As for DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno, he should work “under” the DILG Secretary subject to his authority.
P-Noy has a grand opportunity to prove to the people that he will not betray his covenant to eradicate corruption, stop jueteng, and end poverty. He made his pledge in the name of his parents, the martyr Ninoy Aquino and the icon of democracy Cory Aquino. Ninoy was immortalized by his words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” I fervently hope that P-Noy would find the moral strength -- and will power -- to prove that Ninoy did not die in vain. P-Noy can effectively stop corruption because his 90 million “bosses” are behind him.
Mr. President, it’s time to get your act together, don’t let your people down.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
By Perry Diaz
Last September 11, 2010 -- ten weeks after he was inaugurated the 15th president with the highest number of votes since the end of the Marcos dictatorship -- President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III was faced with the biggest challenge of his presidency. Retired Bishop Oscar Cruz made allegations that two of P-Noy’s trusted aides and five other government officials were receiving monthly payola for protection of jueteng, the illegal numbers game.
According to Cruz’s allegations, the two top aides were receiving a minimum of P2 million monthly payola from jueteng operations. He said that the two officials occupy key positions involving security matters which include “efforts to weed out the multi-billion-peso underground lottery especially prevalent in Luzon and the Visayas.” If I interpret it correctly, “security matters” would be within the purview of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), more specifically the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Trusted aides on the take
Malacañang Palace immediately reacted by asking Cruz to name names. “We encourage the prelate to report the anomalies he knows about so that these can be investigated and those found guilty will be punished,” said Presidential Communications and Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma. Initially, Cruz responded that he would identify the two aides in the proper forum. Meanwhile, his group, Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, was busy collecting more information about them. He further said that the two officials’ names surfaced in recent field reports submitted to him by his organization’s network in the 86 dioceses in the country.
However, a day later Cruz retracted his offer to provide evidence because he was afraid that his witnesses would get hurt or killed like what happened to jueteng whistle-blower Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor who was murdered earlier this year. He also said that he has been receiving death threats since he exposed the jueteng payola. One was sent by mail which contained a message in big bold letters: “SHUT UP.”
Cruz said that the only clue that he would provide at this time -- for his own safety -- is that the two trusted officials of P-Noy are male; one of them has been in government for a “long time” and the other was relatively new. The other five officials are in the “lower echelon.”
DILG Undersecretary approached
Last September 13, DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno disclosed that he was approached by “emissaries” of the jueteng lords about “payoffs.” “Some of them are retired policemen. Some of them are politicians. Some of them are even friends. Some of them are even relatives who approached me,” Puno said. But he said that he declined to meet with them.
Puno also said that Cruz promised him a list of government officials receiving jueteng payola or involved in protecting the jueteng lords. He noted that that if there was evidence against these officials, the government would file a case against them.
However, P-Noy wasn’t totally sold to Cruz’s allegations. He said that if anyone of his officials accepted jueteng payola, he would see to it that they would face heavy penalties. But he also said that he heard that some people involved in the numbers game were dropping the names of his officials. When he was asked whether he believes that Cruz was misinformed, P-Noy said that he did not know the “quality of information” that was provided by Cruz.
Jueteng is not a priority
P-Noy, who campaigned on a slogan, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” (No corruption, no poverty), was gung-ho on eradicating jueteng when he assumed office. In fact, when his new DILG Secretary Robredo took over, P-Noy issued “marching orders” to stop jueteng. But in a sudden change of plans, P-Noy announced the following day that jueteng was not a priority in his administration. Robredo later acknowledged that his “new assignment” was to concentrate on local government while DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno -- P-Noy’s long-time friend whom he appointed several days before Robredo -- was given direct and sole jurisdiction over the PNP. In essence, DILG was split into two: local government under Robredo and security under Puno. Makes one wonder if Robredo was deliberately taken out of the loop on police matters.
Recently, there were reports that Robredo was on his way out. The buzz going around was that Verzosa, who retired on September 14, was a leading candidate to replace Robredo. However, with Verzosa’s controversial “disappearance” during the Luneta hostage crisis, P-Noy announced the other day that Verzosa will not take over DILG but would most likely be appointed to a non-Secretary post.
In an earlier article, Cruz claimed that jueteng protectors who are holding key positions in P-Noy’s administration are leading the calls for Robredo’s resignation. He said that the plotters are using the Luneta hostage crisis as the reason for Robredo to resign, holding him responsible for bloodbath that resulted from the botched rescue attempt by the Manila Police. But Robredo has no responsibility over police matters, Puno has. Shouldn’t Puno be the one who should resign then?
It is interesting to note that a Liberal Party stalwart revealed that even before P-Noy assumed the presidency, there was already an “arrangement” for Verzosa to serve as DILG secretary. However, due to the public pressure to appoint Robredo, P-Noy gave in. But according to that LP official, compromise was reached for P-Noy to bring in Puno to oversee PNP operations.
Red flag
The red flag is up: it seems that corruption is creeping back... or perhaps, it never left. As I said before, corruption is like weed: if you don’t kill it, it will grow and spread rapidly until the entire landscape is full of weed.
It is common knowledge that for jueteng to thrive, it needs the protection of the PNP. For as long as the PNP protects the jueteng lords, nobody could touch them -- not even the DILG Secretary.
With the retirement of Verzosa as PNP Chief, P-Noy has an opportunity to clean up the PNP and appoint a person who is committed to stop jueteng. In regard to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, P-Noy should put the PNP directly under the authority of Robredo. As for DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno, he should work “under” the DILG Secretary subject to his authority.
P-Noy has a grand opportunity to prove to the people that he will not betray his covenant to eradicate corruption, stop jueteng, and end poverty. He made his pledge in the name of his parents, the martyr Ninoy Aquino and the icon of democracy Cory Aquino. Ninoy was immortalized by his words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” I fervently hope that P-Noy would find the moral strength -- and will power -- to prove that Ninoy did not die in vain. P-Noy can effectively stop corruption because his 90 million “bosses” are behind him.
Mr. President, it’s time to get your act together, don’t let your people down.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Is the “Compromise Agreement” compromised?
PerryScope: By Perry Diaz
The recent “compromise agreement” signed by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) owners and the farm workers is now awaiting approval -- or rejection -- by the Supreme Court. The “compromise agreement,” submitted to the High Court for approval on August 12, 2010, would allow the farmer-beneficiaries to choose ownership of HLI stocks or a parcel of 1,400 hectares of the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita. The remaining undistributed portion -- 5,053 hectares -- of the plantation would be retained by the Cojuangcos.
According to HLI, 70% or 7,441 of the 10,502 farmer-beneficiaries signed the “compromise agreement” during a referendum conducted from August 6 to August 10, 2010. Of the 7,441 who signed the agreement, 98.13% or 7,302 voted for the stock distribution option (SDO) while only 1.88% or 139 voted for land distribution. In addition, a financial assistance worth P150 million will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries on a staggered basis once the “compromise agreement” is approved by the Supreme Court.
But while the High Court is reviewing the “compromise agreement,” several groups -- including the powerful Catholic Church -- are divided over the terms of the agreement, a situation that could ignite a firestorm of controversy and compromise the “compromise agreement” itself.
The crux of the controversy is the SDO part of the “compromise agreement.” A group of farmer-beneficiaries, the Alyansa ng mga Mangagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) opposed it. They based their opposition on a resolution issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) in 2005 which revoked the SDO approved by the farmer-tenants in a referendum held in 1989 for “violations of the agrarian reform law, rules and regulation.” The resolution also ordered the distribution of 4,915 hectares covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). However, HLI asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the enforcement of the land distribution called for in the DAR-PARC resolution. The High Court granted the TRO in 2006.
“The landed and the landless”
In my article, “The Landed and the Landless” (October 21, 2005), I wrote: “In 1987, a new constitution was adopted. Interestingly, a provision was inserted in the constitution exempting landowning corporations from land reform provided they give out shares of stock to the tenants. In June 1988, President Cory Aquino signed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). Under CARL, 10.3 million hectares were targeted to be given away to farmers. At last, the long-awaited land for the landless. However, only 24% of that target were given away. The 76% not given away included the 6,300-hectare Hacienda Luisita owned by President Aquino’s family, the Cojuangcos. According to a newspaper account at that time, ‘the hacienda is the largest single piece of contiguous land in the Philippines.’
“To comply with the special provision of the 1987 constitution, Hacienda Luisita gave away stocks to its farmers… on installment. The catch: until the stocks were fully paid for, the Cojuangco family retained the voting rights; thus, remaining in full control of the hacienda.
“In May 1989, a stock distribution option (SDO) -- as opposed to outright distribution of land -- was agreed upon after a referendum by the farmers approved it overwhelmingly. The SDO would give the farmers 33% of the shares of the corporation, Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI), that will own the land.
“In October 2003, the farmers of Hacienda Luisita petitioned the government to revoke the SDO, saying that HLI was not giving them enough dividends and profits. If the SDO is revoked, Hacienda Luisita would be distributed outright to the farmers. On September 23, 2005, a special legal team from the Department of Agrarian Reform submitted a report recommending the revocation of the SDO. That would mean that the hacienda has to be distributed to the farmers as prescribed by CARL.
“A few weeks later, HLI revealed that portions of Hacienda Luisita was mortgaged to five banks due to losses suffered by HLI. The question is: If the SDO is revoked and the land is distributed to the farmers, who will pay off the mortgage?”
21-year battle
Last August 16, 2010, a faction of AMBALA filed before the Supreme Court “a comment and opposition with motion to expunge the compromise agreement” submitted by HLI four days earlier to the Supreme Court for approval. AMBALA alleged that the “compromise agreement” was illegal because it was signed before the High Court could issue a ruling on the validity of the SDO.
If the Supreme Court approved the “compromise agreement,” then that would clear the road for the implementation of the “compromise agreement.” However, if AMBALA prevailed and the Supreme Court rejected the “compromise agreement,” then that would effectively invalidate the SDO and pave the way for land distribution to the farmer-beneficiaries.
The question is: Will a Supreme Court decision end the 21-year battle between the Cojuangcos and the farmer-beneficiaries? It probably would if the High Court ruled in favor of the farmer-beneficiaries’ motion to expunge the “compromise agreement.” But if the High Court approved the “compromise agreement,” it could lead to further warfare between the Cojuangcos and those farmer-beneficiaries who opposed the “compromise agreement.” And this is where it could haunt President Benigno “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III for the rest of his presidency.
Although Noynoy has divested his one percent share of HLI when he assumed the presidency, he made a promise during the campaign that the land would be distributed in five years. In the farmers’ minds, it was not just a campaign promise, it was a covenant that Noynoy should -- nay, must! -- fulfill.
No matter how much Noynoy distances himself from the “compromise agreement” issue, he is permanently associated with Cojuangcos. They are his family. Interestingly, the people see Noynoy more of a Cojuangco than an Aquino.
Country over family
Recently, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo voiced out his opposition to the “compromise agreement.” He said HLI should distribute the land to the farmer-beneficiaries. He said that Noynoy should “prioritize the country over his family in dealing with the issue.”
Noynoy is riding the crest of “Pagbabago” (change) and has a popularity that no other president had enjoyed since the time of the late President Ramon Magsaysay more than 50 years ago. The people see in Noynoy a messianic leader who will deliver them from poverty. They are now his “family” including the farmer-beneficiaries of HLI. If he gets closer to them, he would feel their pulse and listen to their heartbeats. Then he would know how it feels to be landless… and powerless.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
The recent “compromise agreement” signed by the Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) owners and the farm workers is now awaiting approval -- or rejection -- by the Supreme Court. The “compromise agreement,” submitted to the High Court for approval on August 12, 2010, would allow the farmer-beneficiaries to choose ownership of HLI stocks or a parcel of 1,400 hectares of the 6,453-hectare Hacienda Luisita. The remaining undistributed portion -- 5,053 hectares -- of the plantation would be retained by the Cojuangcos.
According to HLI, 70% or 7,441 of the 10,502 farmer-beneficiaries signed the “compromise agreement” during a referendum conducted from August 6 to August 10, 2010. Of the 7,441 who signed the agreement, 98.13% or 7,302 voted for the stock distribution option (SDO) while only 1.88% or 139 voted for land distribution. In addition, a financial assistance worth P150 million will be distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries on a staggered basis once the “compromise agreement” is approved by the Supreme Court.
But while the High Court is reviewing the “compromise agreement,” several groups -- including the powerful Catholic Church -- are divided over the terms of the agreement, a situation that could ignite a firestorm of controversy and compromise the “compromise agreement” itself.
The crux of the controversy is the SDO part of the “compromise agreement.” A group of farmer-beneficiaries, the Alyansa ng mga Mangagawang Bukid sa Hacienda Luisita (AMBALA) opposed it. They based their opposition on a resolution issued by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) in 2005 which revoked the SDO approved by the farmer-tenants in a referendum held in 1989 for “violations of the agrarian reform law, rules and regulation.” The resolution also ordered the distribution of 4,915 hectares covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). However, HLI asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the enforcement of the land distribution called for in the DAR-PARC resolution. The High Court granted the TRO in 2006.
“The landed and the landless”
In my article, “The Landed and the Landless” (October 21, 2005), I wrote: “In 1987, a new constitution was adopted. Interestingly, a provision was inserted in the constitution exempting landowning corporations from land reform provided they give out shares of stock to the tenants. In June 1988, President Cory Aquino signed the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL). Under CARL, 10.3 million hectares were targeted to be given away to farmers. At last, the long-awaited land for the landless. However, only 24% of that target were given away. The 76% not given away included the 6,300-hectare Hacienda Luisita owned by President Aquino’s family, the Cojuangcos. According to a newspaper account at that time, ‘the hacienda is the largest single piece of contiguous land in the Philippines.’
“To comply with the special provision of the 1987 constitution, Hacienda Luisita gave away stocks to its farmers… on installment. The catch: until the stocks were fully paid for, the Cojuangco family retained the voting rights; thus, remaining in full control of the hacienda.
“In May 1989, a stock distribution option (SDO) -- as opposed to outright distribution of land -- was agreed upon after a referendum by the farmers approved it overwhelmingly. The SDO would give the farmers 33% of the shares of the corporation, Hacienda Luisita, Inc. (HLI), that will own the land.
“In October 2003, the farmers of Hacienda Luisita petitioned the government to revoke the SDO, saying that HLI was not giving them enough dividends and profits. If the SDO is revoked, Hacienda Luisita would be distributed outright to the farmers. On September 23, 2005, a special legal team from the Department of Agrarian Reform submitted a report recommending the revocation of the SDO. That would mean that the hacienda has to be distributed to the farmers as prescribed by CARL.
“A few weeks later, HLI revealed that portions of Hacienda Luisita was mortgaged to five banks due to losses suffered by HLI. The question is: If the SDO is revoked and the land is distributed to the farmers, who will pay off the mortgage?”
21-year battle
Last August 16, 2010, a faction of AMBALA filed before the Supreme Court “a comment and opposition with motion to expunge the compromise agreement” submitted by HLI four days earlier to the Supreme Court for approval. AMBALA alleged that the “compromise agreement” was illegal because it was signed before the High Court could issue a ruling on the validity of the SDO.
If the Supreme Court approved the “compromise agreement,” then that would clear the road for the implementation of the “compromise agreement.” However, if AMBALA prevailed and the Supreme Court rejected the “compromise agreement,” then that would effectively invalidate the SDO and pave the way for land distribution to the farmer-beneficiaries.
The question is: Will a Supreme Court decision end the 21-year battle between the Cojuangcos and the farmer-beneficiaries? It probably would if the High Court ruled in favor of the farmer-beneficiaries’ motion to expunge the “compromise agreement.” But if the High Court approved the “compromise agreement,” it could lead to further warfare between the Cojuangcos and those farmer-beneficiaries who opposed the “compromise agreement.” And this is where it could haunt President Benigno “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino III for the rest of his presidency.
Although Noynoy has divested his one percent share of HLI when he assumed the presidency, he made a promise during the campaign that the land would be distributed in five years. In the farmers’ minds, it was not just a campaign promise, it was a covenant that Noynoy should -- nay, must! -- fulfill.
No matter how much Noynoy distances himself from the “compromise agreement” issue, he is permanently associated with Cojuangcos. They are his family. Interestingly, the people see Noynoy more of a Cojuangco than an Aquino.
Country over family
Recently, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo voiced out his opposition to the “compromise agreement.” He said HLI should distribute the land to the farmer-beneficiaries. He said that Noynoy should “prioritize the country over his family in dealing with the issue.”
Noynoy is riding the crest of “Pagbabago” (change) and has a popularity that no other president had enjoyed since the time of the late President Ramon Magsaysay more than 50 years ago. The people see in Noynoy a messianic leader who will deliver them from poverty. They are now his “family” including the farmer-beneficiaries of HLI. If he gets closer to them, he would feel their pulse and listen to their heartbeats. Then he would know how it feels to be landless… and powerless.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Fat Cats and Kleptocrats
Balitang Kutsero: By Perry Diaz
Barely a month after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ended her tumultuous and scandalous presidency, fat cats and kleptocrats are crawling out of the woodwork like a can of worms. Yup, one by one they’re being exposed for graft and corruption.
What do fat cats and kleptocrats have in common? Answer: They’re all thieves.
What’s their difference? Answer: Fat cats steal and tell everybody it’s salary, allowance, and bonuses while kleptocrats steal and then secretly stash their loot in Swiss banks.
Recently, the Commission on Audit released a list of top executives — or fat cats — receiving huge salaries and allowances in 2009. They are:
1. Armand Arreza, administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), with P26.9 million.
2. Benigno Ricafort, chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp., with P14.5 million.
3. Edgardo F. Garcia, deputy executive officer of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), with P12.7 million.
4. Amando Tetangco Jr., governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with P10.8 million.
5. Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr., executive vice president of DBP, with P9.3 million.
And how about the kleptocrats? Well, we can only cite allegations made against them because the “truth” has yet to come out. That’s why president Noynoy Aquino created the Truth Commission to dig out the truth about Gloria and other suspected kleptocrats in her administration.
But from what I understand, the Truth Commission headed by Gloria’s pal, former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., hehehe…, has to dig deep into the Earth’s core to get the evidence to prove that Gloria and her cohorts stole from the government. Davide has a big problem: He was accused recently by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada of graft and corruption. Holy shit! The question is: Is the Truth Commission going to investigate Davide too? Well folks, it seems that moro-moro is still being played today.
Noynoy must be fuming mad when he saw the list of fat cats receiving millions in pay and perks. As president of 90 million Pinoys whom he calls his “bosses,” Noynoy only gets P63,000 a month in salary! And these fat cats get millions every month just sitting on their fat buns? They ought to be skinned alive and thrown into the Pasig River behind Malacañang! Poor Noynoy, he had to use his first paycheck to pay his utility bills otherwise those Meralco fat cats would disconnect his utilities. Perhaps, he should tell the people that he is their “boss,” not them, and should get a pay raise.
Barely a month after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ended her tumultuous and scandalous presidency, fat cats and kleptocrats are crawling out of the woodwork like a can of worms. Yup, one by one they’re being exposed for graft and corruption.
What do fat cats and kleptocrats have in common? Answer: They’re all thieves.
What’s their difference? Answer: Fat cats steal and tell everybody it’s salary, allowance, and bonuses while kleptocrats steal and then secretly stash their loot in Swiss banks.
Recently, the Commission on Audit released a list of top executives — or fat cats — receiving huge salaries and allowances in 2009. They are:
1. Armand Arreza, administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), with P26.9 million.
2. Benigno Ricafort, chief executive officer of Clark Development Corp., with P14.5 million.
3. Edgardo F. Garcia, deputy executive officer of the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), with P12.7 million.
4. Amando Tetangco Jr., governor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with P10.8 million.
5. Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr., executive vice president of DBP, with P9.3 million.
And how about the kleptocrats? Well, we can only cite allegations made against them because the “truth” has yet to come out. That’s why president Noynoy Aquino created the Truth Commission to dig out the truth about Gloria and other suspected kleptocrats in her administration.
But from what I understand, the Truth Commission headed by Gloria’s pal, former chief justice Hilario Davide Jr., hehehe…, has to dig deep into the Earth’s core to get the evidence to prove that Gloria and her cohorts stole from the government. Davide has a big problem: He was accused recently by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada of graft and corruption. Holy shit! The question is: Is the Truth Commission going to investigate Davide too? Well folks, it seems that moro-moro is still being played today.
Noynoy must be fuming mad when he saw the list of fat cats receiving millions in pay and perks. As president of 90 million Pinoys whom he calls his “bosses,” Noynoy only gets P63,000 a month in salary! And these fat cats get millions every month just sitting on their fat buns? They ought to be skinned alive and thrown into the Pasig River behind Malacañang! Poor Noynoy, he had to use his first paycheck to pay his utility bills otherwise those Meralco fat cats would disconnect his utilities. Perhaps, he should tell the people that he is their “boss,” not them, and should get a pay raise.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
2010 Summer Solstice @ the Playboy Mansion
Los Angeles: The Prive Group is proud to present it's "2010 Summer Solstice @ the Playboy Mansion" charity event benefiting the Rescue Humanity Foundation. The event will be held from 8:00pm until 1:00am on Saturday July 24th, 2010 at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles.
The Prive Group has produced many successful charity events at the Playboy Mansion since 2006. The event this year will feature models and a fashion show from CopaWear International, Benchwarmer International, Dreamgirl Interntional and AMI Clubwear, guided tours of the mansion grounds by Playboy playmates, sexy body painted models, a live and silent auction produced by Bang The Gavel, and over 250 gorgeous models from across the country in attendance.
Summer Solstice @ Playboy Mansion charity event announces it's featured performers. "Electro-Hop Sensation Broshigeez for the Haus of "M" management with DJ Tommy T and Antoinette Taus". Apl.De.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas orginally formed BROSHIGEEz. Also spinning are DJ's Ron Reeser and Dan Sanez who are Summer Solstice resident DJ's.
Broshiggez, the band founded by one of the artists of apl.de.ap's label (Jeepney Music), will also be doing a soft launch of a song that features a number of artists on Saturday, July 24 at the Playboy Mansion. Tommy Taus (DJ Tommy T) and his sister Antoinette Taus will be there as with the Haus of M. See you there !
The Prive Group has produced many successful charity events at the Playboy Mansion since 2006. The event this year will feature models and a fashion show from CopaWear International, Benchwarmer International, Dreamgirl Interntional and AMI Clubwear, guided tours of the mansion grounds by Playboy playmates, sexy body painted models, a live and silent auction produced by Bang The Gavel, and over 250 gorgeous models from across the country in attendance.
Summer Solstice @ Playboy Mansion charity event announces it's featured performers. "Electro-Hop Sensation Broshigeez for the Haus of "M" management with DJ Tommy T and Antoinette Taus". Apl.De.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas orginally formed BROSHIGEEz. Also spinning are DJ's Ron Reeser and Dan Sanez who are Summer Solstice resident DJ's.
Broshiggez, the band founded by one of the artists of apl.de.ap's label (Jeepney Music), will also be doing a soft launch of a song that features a number of artists on Saturday, July 24 at the Playboy Mansion. Tommy Taus (DJ Tommy T) and his sister Antoinette Taus will be there as with the Haus of M. See you there !
Monday, June 21, 2010
A Reception for Underprivileged Children to be hosted by Kobe Bryant, Gina Alexander, and BCCF at the Americana on July 5
KOBE BRYANT, GINA ALEXANDER AND THE BLACK CARD CIRLCE FOUNDATION TO HOST UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN AT KOBE BRYANT BASKETBALL ACADEMY
(Los Angeles, CA. – June 2010) – For the first time, the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation and the Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project will host ten underprivileged children with scholarships to attend the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy in Santa Barbara, California next month. In a special event to raise funds for this partnership, the Black Card Circle Foundation, a volunteer run organization created to assist other non-profit groups, will spearhead a special Reception on July 5, 2010 at the Americana in Glendale along with Nike.
“We are so excited and honored that Kobe Bryant has provided us with this opportunity” beamed Gina Alexander. “The kids that we are bringing over from the Philippines will actually get to interact with Kobe Bryant daily and will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn the leadership skills that has brought Kobe 5 NBA Championship rings and distinguishes him as probably the greatest basketball player of all time.” Part of the mission statement of the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation is to raise leaders and teach children to be champions.
“Raising leaders is a sentiment we echo with each of our projects,” says Black Card Circle Foundation Founder and Chairman Lotay Yang. “We are honored to be able to part of this endeavor to help Gina and Kobe with their goals.” The Black Card Circle Foundation exists to attract influential donors, supporters and corporations to promote and spotlight non-profit organizations who empower individuals who otherwise may not have access to opportunities and resources to reach their full potential in life. “Charity is the backbone of BCCF. We want to emphasize that giving back to the community or helping philanthropists and worthy causes is our priority,” says Yang.
The event will include appearances by some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, a gourmet selection of foods and live entertainment and proceeds will go directly to the Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project. To purchase tickets and for further information, please log on to www.BlackCardCircleFoundation.org. Tickets go on sale beginning Tuesday, June 22nd at 1:00pm.
*****
BLACK CARD CIRCLE FOUNDATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KOBE BRYANT FAMILY FOUNDATION AND GINA ALEXANDER PHILANTHROPY PROJECTS
PRESENTS
“A Reception for Underprivileged Children”
MONDAY, July 5, 2010
6:00 pm – 10:00pm
Katsuya at the Americana
589 Americana Way, Glendale, CA. 91210
Ticket prices: $300, $150, $75
Available only at www.BlackCardCircleFoundation.org
No tickets available at the door. This is a pre-sale event.
Red Carpet Arrivals: 6:00pm
Reception and Entertainment: 7:00pm
(Los Angeles, CA. – June 2010) – For the first time, the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation and the Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project will host ten underprivileged children with scholarships to attend the Kobe Bryant Basketball Academy in Santa Barbara, California next month. In a special event to raise funds for this partnership, the Black Card Circle Foundation, a volunteer run organization created to assist other non-profit groups, will spearhead a special Reception on July 5, 2010 at the Americana in Glendale along with Nike.
“We are so excited and honored that Kobe Bryant has provided us with this opportunity” beamed Gina Alexander. “The kids that we are bringing over from the Philippines will actually get to interact with Kobe Bryant daily and will have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn the leadership skills that has brought Kobe 5 NBA Championship rings and distinguishes him as probably the greatest basketball player of all time.” Part of the mission statement of the Kobe Bryant Family Foundation is to raise leaders and teach children to be champions.
“Raising leaders is a sentiment we echo with each of our projects,” says Black Card Circle Foundation Founder and Chairman Lotay Yang. “We are honored to be able to part of this endeavor to help Gina and Kobe with their goals.” The Black Card Circle Foundation exists to attract influential donors, supporters and corporations to promote and spotlight non-profit organizations who empower individuals who otherwise may not have access to opportunities and resources to reach their full potential in life. “Charity is the backbone of BCCF. We want to emphasize that giving back to the community or helping philanthropists and worthy causes is our priority,” says Yang.
The event will include appearances by some of Hollywood’s top celebrities, a gourmet selection of foods and live entertainment and proceeds will go directly to the Gina Alexander Philanthropy Project. To purchase tickets and for further information, please log on to www.BlackCardCircleFoundation.org. Tickets go on sale beginning Tuesday, June 22nd at 1:00pm.
*****
BLACK CARD CIRCLE FOUNDATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
KOBE BRYANT FAMILY FOUNDATION AND GINA ALEXANDER PHILANTHROPY PROJECTS
PRESENTS
“A Reception for Underprivileged Children”
MONDAY, July 5, 2010
6:00 pm – 10:00pm
Katsuya at the Americana
589 Americana Way, Glendale, CA. 91210
Ticket prices: $300, $150, $75
Available only at www.BlackCardCircleFoundation.org
No tickets available at the door. This is a pre-sale event.
Red Carpet Arrivals: 6:00pm
Reception and Entertainment: 7:00pm
Monday, April 5, 2010
As1: Again
Photos and article by Jay Fermin (FMG)
Pasadena, California: Gary Valenciano has been the act to follow all these past 27 years and with no slowing down in sight, has returned to Pasadena for a repeat concert entitled AS1 with longtime balladeer, songwriter Martin Nievera. This show is produced by world-class Starmedia Entertainment headed by Ms. Anna Puno.
Forget that the two are perceived as archrivals on stage all these years by the fans, with Gary jokingly recollecting on the video intermission that his fans would go to a Martin concert just to find out what is being said of him.
However, this time it's different. In an ambitious collaboration, they embarked on a world tour entitled ‘AS1’ with both of them sharing the stage and the limelight, as well as showing the creative merging of songs that fans have associated with each of them thru these years, not competing but complimenting each other.
This was double treat to the fans, and when I arrived at Pasadena Civic Center on a warm March afternoon, there is no question that, although this was a repeat performance from the October 2009 show in the same venue, the house was full packed and sold out once again. I personally have not seen the October concert, and when my editor (Star Times) sent me to cover the show, I did not know what to expect. Of course, I have seen them perform before, Gary going back to when he was beginning to break the concert scene in 1983, and Martin during the Pops and Martin days. But tonight will be different.
The show took off boldly with the anthem rock and roll beat of Martin & Gary doing a rendition of Martin’s ‘On The Right Track’ and followed up with an absolutely fast and amazing dance moves by the two performers to Gary’s ‘Hataw Na’ which had the audience explode in applause, seeing Martin mimicking Gary’s fast dance rhythm. Martin has proven to the delight of the audience that he can keep up with Gary’s synchronized moves, sweat and all. Who said he can’t dance?
Martin’s comedic rantings had the audience laughing in between songs and especially during the tribute to MJ when Martin was complaining that ‘ there was no budget for sleeves’ for his tux. A big band rendition of ‘Billy Jean’and ‘Beat It’ had Gary showing off his moonwalk illuminated by the follow Spotlight.
They did tribute to 80’s big bands like Toto, Tears For Fears, Journey, culminating the segment with Chicago’s ‘You’re The Inspiration.’
The beauty of the repertoire and arrangements were crafted by no other than Mon Faustino as Musical Director. Martin’s love ballads ‘Say That You Love Me’ and ‘Be My Lady’ were complimented not only by Gary’s high energy praise ‘Sa Yahweh’ and ‘Shout For Joy’ but the familiar and heartwarming ‘I Will Be Here’ and the classic ‘Take Me Out Of The Dark.’ This inspirational portion of Gary’s concerts are always what uplifts the audience including myself, and of course his unwavering personal testimony to God, which is well known in the industry. On this night, even Martin became a little emotional, perhaps touched from above, and Gary aptly giving him a hug but pointing upwards, as if to give glory for these brief sweet moments, which could happen anywhere, even onstage!
And as the night progressed, it was pure musical entertainment thru and thru from these two world-class singers. No one can stop the grinning smile and teary eyes of those seated behind me when they heard the Filipino themes medley , a collection of musical scores from Filipino movies which included ‘Nong Tayo’s Magkalayo, You Are My Song, Ikaw Ang Pangarap, And I Love You So, How Did You Know, and Kahit Isang Saglit,’ transporting the audience back into the heavy drama of the movies they were made for.
The crowd now edged forward and most were dancing as Gary and Martin wrapped it up with the lively rendition of Earth, Wind, & Fire medley of songs ‘Fantasy, Reasons, Let’s Grove, and September.’ All I can see are I-Phones and camera phones amidst the heads of the dancing audience trained on the two performers jamming it up as they reach for the hands of fans. Pasadena erupts in joyous celebration of another very successful U.S. Tour.
They were good performers by themselves alone. Tonight, they have come together as one. All I can say is that the two are really better – together.
(Other shows: Washington DC, Tampa , Arlington, Texas, Connecticut, and Reno)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Pacman vs. Kris
Balitang Kutsero By Perry Diaz
“If Noynoy has Kris, I have Pacman,” says Manny Villar, a.k.a. “Money Villarroyo.” Thus began the battle royale between two Titans in the entertainment industry. Yup, it’s going to be Pacman vs. Kris, folks. Pacman has 48-3-2 stats (confirmed) while Kris has 36-24-36 stats (unconfirmed). Kris is brainy and beautiful, Pacman is brawny and loves beautiful women. Kris is good at acting, Pacman is acting like he can act good. Kris sings and dances on stage, Pacman sings in a karaoke bar and dances in the ring. Well, folks, may the best woman win!
After his easy victory over Joshua Clottey, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao hinted that he might be retiring soon. Makes me wonder why? Is Pacman scared of Floyd Mayweather? Well, like the old saying goes, “Quit while you’re a head.” I’m not sure about that cuz I thought Pacman already lost his head over a young and sexy actress. I’d like to see a match between Pacman (1-0) and Tiger Woods (14-0) at what they do best. That would really be something to watch.
Pacquiao has been promoted to Senior Master Sergeant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A reservist, Pacquiao goes to military training once in a while. When he first showed up at the boot camp, Pacquiao gave a salute to the commander. The commander noticed the way Pacquiao saluted so he told him, “You salute with all your fingers straight. You’re saluting with only two fingers. That’s for boy scouts.” Pacquiao was flabbergasted, he said, “Sir, I tut I joined the boy scouts, hindi pala.”
***
With the presidential campaign heating up, the candidates are bringing in top entertainers in their campaign sorties. Money Villarroyo has Comedy King Dolphy campaigning for him. Bur rumor has it that Dolphy told Villarroyo that he can only spend one hour a day on the campaign trail. Villarroyo didn’t give up, he offered Dolphy more money to spend more time campaigning for him. Yup, what Manny wants, money gets.
What do Manny Villar and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have in common? Gloria is the daughter of the poor boy from Lubao while Manny is the son of a poor man from Tondo. Today, both Gloria and Manny are filthy rich. It really pays to be elected in office.
What do Manny Villar and Bro. Mike Velarde have in common? Manny made P6 billion from the C-5 road extension project while Bro. Mike made P1.2 billion. Some people call them, business partners, others call them partners in crime. Either way, they made lots and lots of money. Now, Villar is running for president and Bro. Mike for Congress. On to better things; the opportunities never end in the land of milk and honey. Yup, lots of cows to milk and plenty “honeys” of the night.
***
Conversation between Gloria and her granddaughter:
Apo: Lola, I’m very sad.
Lola: Why, my apo?
Apo: Cuz, lolo told me that you’re not going to be president anymore.
Lola: Don’t worry, apo, cuz I’ll be Prime Minister soon.
Apo: What is Prime Monster, lola? Sounds scary! Nakakatakot!
Lola: No, apo, it’s not ‘monster,’ it’s ‘minister.’
Apo: You mean like a church minister?
Lola: Yup, but the church will be very big, it’s the entire country.
Apo: But a church minister doesn’t make lots of money like you did as a president.
Lola: Well, in my church, the minister makes tons of money.
Apo: How?
Lola: Think of the money the people donate to the church.
Apo: I’m confused, lola. I thought the people give money to the church, not to the minister.
Lola: Yes, apo. But you see, I am the church.
***
With all the land-grabbing charges made against Money Villarroyo, columnist Lito Banayo wrote: “
A retired colonel who was once one of FVR’s most trusted managers, and whose integrity has been unquestioned, sent me this funny text message: ‘We need a land grabber to get Sabah. Vote Villarroyo and get Sabah back.’ ”
News Item: “Villar vows justice for Luisita victims.” That is a big piece of land that is ripe for pickin’ and grabbin’ by Money Villarroyo.
***
Mikey Arroyo gave way to his mom Gloria so she can run for his congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district. Mikey said that he did it because Gloria is one million times smarter than he is. Nobody disputed him on that. But when it was announced that he’s the nominee of the party-list Ang Galing Pinoy, a lot of people protested. It turned out that Ang Galing Pinoy
is a party-list that seeks to represent the marginalized sector of security guards and tricycle drivers in the House of Representatives.
Critics are saying that Mikey and other alleged “bogus” party-list nominees are “bastardizing” the party-list system. With the numerous “bogus” party-list groups that sprang recently, the House of Representatives would end up as the “House of Inglorious Bastards.” Hey, one of them is called GLOW (Gloria Arroyo). I guess Gloria considers herself marginalized now, huh?
I agree that Mikey can’t represent the security guards -- he’s never been a “sikyu,” as security guards are called, all his life. But my investigative reporter James Macaquecquec got a scoop that Mikey is going to prove that he was at one time a tricycle driver. Mikey has an old picture showing him driving a tricycle, a gift from his mom when he was four years old. I’m sure that, with little greasing, he can convince the Comelec commissioners that he is qualified to represent Ang Galing Pinoy.
If Ang Galing Pinoy wins in the May 10 elections, Mikey will join his mom Gloria, who is expected to win Mikey’s old seat, and three other Arroyos: his brother Dato Arroyo, his uncle Iggy Arroyo, and Iggy’s sister Lourdes of Ang Kasangga party-list. Evidently, the Arroyo dynasty will be around for sometime. Wah wah wee! Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
“If Noynoy has Kris, I have Pacman,” says Manny Villar, a.k.a. “Money Villarroyo.” Thus began the battle royale between two Titans in the entertainment industry. Yup, it’s going to be Pacman vs. Kris, folks. Pacman has 48-3-2 stats (confirmed) while Kris has 36-24-36 stats (unconfirmed). Kris is brainy and beautiful, Pacman is brawny and loves beautiful women. Kris is good at acting, Pacman is acting like he can act good. Kris sings and dances on stage, Pacman sings in a karaoke bar and dances in the ring. Well, folks, may the best woman win!
After his easy victory over Joshua Clottey, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao hinted that he might be retiring soon. Makes me wonder why? Is Pacman scared of Floyd Mayweather? Well, like the old saying goes, “Quit while you’re a head.” I’m not sure about that cuz I thought Pacman already lost his head over a young and sexy actress. I’d like to see a match between Pacman (1-0) and Tiger Woods (14-0) at what they do best. That would really be something to watch.
Pacquiao has been promoted to Senior Master Sergeant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. A reservist, Pacquiao goes to military training once in a while. When he first showed up at the boot camp, Pacquiao gave a salute to the commander. The commander noticed the way Pacquiao saluted so he told him, “You salute with all your fingers straight. You’re saluting with only two fingers. That’s for boy scouts.” Pacquiao was flabbergasted, he said, “Sir, I tut I joined the boy scouts, hindi pala.”
***
With the presidential campaign heating up, the candidates are bringing in top entertainers in their campaign sorties. Money Villarroyo has Comedy King Dolphy campaigning for him. Bur rumor has it that Dolphy told Villarroyo that he can only spend one hour a day on the campaign trail. Villarroyo didn’t give up, he offered Dolphy more money to spend more time campaigning for him. Yup, what Manny wants, money gets.
What do Manny Villar and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo have in common? Gloria is the daughter of the poor boy from Lubao while Manny is the son of a poor man from Tondo. Today, both Gloria and Manny are filthy rich. It really pays to be elected in office.
What do Manny Villar and Bro. Mike Velarde have in common? Manny made P6 billion from the C-5 road extension project while Bro. Mike made P1.2 billion. Some people call them, business partners, others call them partners in crime. Either way, they made lots and lots of money. Now, Villar is running for president and Bro. Mike for Congress. On to better things; the opportunities never end in the land of milk and honey. Yup, lots of cows to milk and plenty “honeys” of the night.
***
Conversation between Gloria and her granddaughter:
Apo: Lola, I’m very sad.
Lola: Why, my apo?
Apo: Cuz, lolo told me that you’re not going to be president anymore.
Lola: Don’t worry, apo, cuz I’ll be Prime Minister soon.
Apo: What is Prime Monster, lola? Sounds scary! Nakakatakot!
Lola: No, apo, it’s not ‘monster,’ it’s ‘minister.’
Apo: You mean like a church minister?
Lola: Yup, but the church will be very big, it’s the entire country.
Apo: But a church minister doesn’t make lots of money like you did as a president.
Lola: Well, in my church, the minister makes tons of money.
Apo: How?
Lola: Think of the money the people donate to the church.
Apo: I’m confused, lola. I thought the people give money to the church, not to the minister.
Lola: Yes, apo. But you see, I am the church.
***
With all the land-grabbing charges made against Money Villarroyo, columnist Lito Banayo wrote: “
A retired colonel who was once one of FVR’s most trusted managers, and whose integrity has been unquestioned, sent me this funny text message: ‘We need a land grabber to get Sabah. Vote Villarroyo and get Sabah back.’ ”
News Item: “Villar vows justice for Luisita victims.” That is a big piece of land that is ripe for pickin’ and grabbin’ by Money Villarroyo.
***
Mikey Arroyo gave way to his mom Gloria so she can run for his congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district. Mikey said that he did it because Gloria is one million times smarter than he is. Nobody disputed him on that. But when it was announced that he’s the nominee of the party-list Ang Galing Pinoy, a lot of people protested. It turned out that Ang Galing Pinoy
is a party-list that seeks to represent the marginalized sector of security guards and tricycle drivers in the House of Representatives.
Critics are saying that Mikey and other alleged “bogus” party-list nominees are “bastardizing” the party-list system. With the numerous “bogus” party-list groups that sprang recently, the House of Representatives would end up as the “House of Inglorious Bastards.” Hey, one of them is called GLOW (Gloria Arroyo). I guess Gloria considers herself marginalized now, huh?
I agree that Mikey can’t represent the security guards -- he’s never been a “sikyu,” as security guards are called, all his life. But my investigative reporter James Macaquecquec got a scoop that Mikey is going to prove that he was at one time a tricycle driver. Mikey has an old picture showing him driving a tricycle, a gift from his mom when he was four years old. I’m sure that, with little greasing, he can convince the Comelec commissioners that he is qualified to represent Ang Galing Pinoy.
If Ang Galing Pinoy wins in the May 10 elections, Mikey will join his mom Gloria, who is expected to win Mikey’s old seat, and three other Arroyos: his brother Dato Arroyo, his uncle Iggy Arroyo, and Iggy’s sister Lourdes of Ang Kasangga party-list. Evidently, the Arroyo dynasty will be around for sometime. Wah wah wee! Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas.
(PerryDiaz@gmail.com)
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