Preemptive Strikes

Preemptive strikes will soon be launched after the New Year. Characters affected will be those involved in the unravelling alphabet play known as ABZTE. My forecast: the Speaker will be removed, there will be local consolidation, the AFP-COS will be extended at least beyond the traditionally precarious months until probably March and money will flow.

Whatever happens due to the strikes will shape the politics for 2010. As they'd say... may the force be with you.

Mocking Sonny and Look Who are Talking...

When LtSg. Antonio Trillanes, IV together with the Magdalos occupied the Oakwood Hotel last 27 July 2003, the issue at heart was all about corruption - corruption in the military and the so-called Oplan Greenbase. Like a true soldier, the Magdalos paid for wearing their hearts on their sleeves. We have seen the kind of military justice these soldiers went through up to the point of challenging the AFP Chief of Staff of signing their charge sheets (PTAs) so they can truly know what crime have they been charged with. flashback, their men were recently released - serving time in their barracks for no crime whatsoever. Since they are "merely" enlisted personnel, they were given a pittance and discharged. What a shame.

Worst, it was the Strong Republic of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who violated the Oakwood Agreement signed by retired Gen. Roy Cimatu (www.sundalo.bravehost.com).

Then came Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, Brig. Gen. Danny Lim and 26 other officers allegedly involved in the plan to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo’s administration in February 2006. From corruption, the issue moved to legitimacy of the 2004 elections for the presidency. The revelations of the existence of the Garci tapes in June 2005 showed the involvement of several generals in electoral fraud and cover-up. One of the names mentioned and identified of his reported involvement was Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, presently, Chief of Staff of the AFP.

The Mayuga report remains hidden and since 2003, more and more illegal activities have been discovered which became the battlecry of the jailed Trillanes to launch his campaign for the Senate in 2007. A vote for Trillanes was a vote against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Sonny's was a protest vote. With little money and relatives of members of uniformed personnel helping out, private citizen Trillanes won with 12 million votes. His was a clear message. His was a single issue campaign and that was on CORRUPTION. Post 2007 was another revelation in the making what with ZTE, Cyber Ed, the WB report on the road project, more extra judicial killings, more corruption with the PNOC-EDC sale, the Transco bidding and a lot more.

Having won a mandate, Sonny was not allowed to serve. Having found a new arena, a new mission to represent his 12 million mandate, he was restrained further -- from attending the opening of the Senate, to voting, to holding a committee hearing. This was persecution. A different set of rules for Sonny as compared to Gringo. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being higher than We the People. They just have to continually mock and taunt Sonny.

Today is no different than four years ago. After the Manila Pen surge, Sonny is again mocked and taunted:
1. VIVIAN YUCHENGCO, PSE Director:

ANC host (Ricky Carandang): it would seem that this walkout is being taken by the market in strides. it did, however, still have some effect.
VY (apparently irate): yes. earlier we are up by a hundred points, but right now it's only about 24 points up. this is what things like this do to our economy. these people should be thrown in jail!
RC: but apparently they were already in jail...
VY. Yes. if i were in charge of this i would have snipers on them!

2. HERMOGENES ESPERON, AFP Chief of Staff:
"should there be casualties then charge it to the foolishness of Trillanes"

3.IGNACIO "IGGY" AKA JOSE PIDAL ARROYO, HOR Member:
“For one who was elected to uphold the law, what Trillanes did was reprehensible and should be condemned in the strongest terms. He must be made to account for the damage he has done to our people, our economy, our country...Trillanes should go back to school to learn the basics of law. He is worse than a terrorist because he is terrorizing the country.'

4. SERGIO APOSTOL, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel:
"The guests affected by the incident will definitely sue for damages. They should sue Trillanes. And why did he not want to come out of the hotel until the last minute? Has he paid his bill for using the conference room during the standoff?"

To those who heard or read others like Bunye's joke about "5-star" rebellion or Remonde's off the cuff remarks, just send it to this blogger and will include it... and of course from the Top Banana: "IPATUPAD ANG TAMA LABAN SA MALI."

In the scheme of things, Trillanes will outlive them if Yuchengco's snipper snide remark remains as such and let's see how the equation will change 360 degrees... sabi nga nila sa isang ad... bilog ang mundo Sonny!

Again... November 29, this time at Manila Peninsula Hotel, Makati City

SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLANES, BRIG. GEN. DANILO LIM, MAGDALO SOLDIERS, THEIR GUARDS AND THE PEOPLE ARE NOW IN MANILA PENINSULA.

Bishops Yniguez, Tobias and Labayen, former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former PNP Chief General Ramon Montano, former UP President and Laban ng Masa Leader Prof Francisco Nemenzo are now with the patriotic soldiers in Makati


Today, we address all and decent Filipinos, to announce that NOW is the time to end the sufferings and miseries inflicted upon us by the illegitimate Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Government and start a new life and a new Philippines.

The die is cast.

Pursuant to our constitutional mandate as “protector of the people and the State,” and by this act, the patriotic officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, supported by the masses of our people and the various political forces, give substance to the constitutional provision which says, “The Philippines is a democratic and republican state. Sovereignty resides in the people, and all government authority emanates from them.” Thus, we take the fateful step of removing Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from the Presidency and undertake the formation of a new government.

Mrs Arroyo had occupied the Presidency under a questionable mandate, publicly disputed by the vast majority of Filipinos. She stole the Presidency from President Joseph Ejercito Estrada through unconstitutional and deceitful means, and later, manipulated the results of the 2004 elections to perpetuate herself in power.

We have individually and collectively tried all means to resolve this legitimacy issue through the normal electoral, judicial and congressional processes. But Mrs Arroyo used naked power through the issuance of EO 464 and other executive proclamations, and the sheer weight of numbers to paralyze the impeachment process—procured at the people’s great expense – to frustrate us at every turn.

After all these had failed, our people tried to air their grievances in peaceful street assemblies. They thought they were exercising a combination of constitutional rights, which no official or agency of government may legally abridge. But they were stopped and dispersed violently with water cannons from firemen and truncheons from the police.

The abuses of her government continue. The deliberate refusal or failure of the dubious leaders to investigate and prosecute the people responsible for the scandalous “Hello Garci” electoral cheating, the Jocjoc Bolante multi million peso fertilizer scam, the IMPSA bribery scandal, the “Jose Pidal” and the jueteng scandals involving billions of public funds, the Northrail Project scandal, the Venable contract scandal, the NBN scandal, wholesale bribery of congressmen and governors in Malacanang, as well as the unabated and resolved extrajudicial killings of citizens, particularly journalists and members of the judiciary, and the use of military and police officers for some unlawful missions, among others, are clear proof her failure of good and decent governance. There are numerous illegal and immoral activities and transactions conducted by this government with impunity that betray the citizens and the State of their pristine right to exist as a people with decency, dignity and integrity.

With all the avenues closed by the use of naked force, no other means remain but for the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to exercise their constitutional mandate take the side of the sovereign Filipino people against the illegitimate ‘president’.

We beg your indulgence and apologize for any temporary disruptions attendant to fighting this righteous cause. We are confident that the will of the sovereign people will prevail. The end of the corrupt and vicious government and its bogus leaders is long overdue.

We support the political and economic reforms that will be initiated by the new government, regardless of the personal cost it may impose upon each one of us.

We, therefore, call on all our people and all the governments around the world to give the constitutional rescue initiated by our patriotic brothers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police a chance to work.

To the task of organizing a new government, and pursuing a program of total and no-nonsense reform we commit our full support.

We shall do whatever we can do to prevent any backsliding to the corruption and abuse of power of the immediate past, and advance the cause of truth, freedom, justice, peace and progress for all Filipinos.

God bless the Filipino people, Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Villar's Nacionalistas @ 100

Nacionalista Party Centennial Celebration
PICC
November 28, 2007

IBALIK ANG DANGAL NG PILIPINO: ANG BAYAN HIGIT SA LAHAT

Mga Kapatid, Mga Kababayan:
Mga Kabalikat Ko Upang Maibalik ang Dangal ng Pilipino,

Magandang gabi sa inyong lahat.

Ipinagdiriwang natin ngayon ang isang daang taon ng pagkakatatag ng Partido Nacionalista – ang ating partido, ang partido ng sambayanang Pilipino, ang partido na napakahalaga ang nagawa at naitulong sa paghabi ng ating makulay na kasaysayan.

No other political party has done as much to win our political independence. No other party has done as much for our country and people. No other party has done as much in fighting for the cause of nationalism.

Malalim ang ugat ng pagmamahal sa bayan na kinatatayuan ng Partido Nacionalista. Ang mga dakilang diwa ni Rizal, ni Bonifacio, ni Mabini, ni Aguinaldo, ni Osmeña, ni Quezon, ni Laurel, ni Recto, ni Magsaysay, ni Garcia, ni Puyat at sampu ng mga nag-alay ng talino, sipag at lakas upang itaguyod ang dangal ng Pilipino ang siyang dumadaloy sa buhay ng ating partido.

The Nacionalista Party stands firmly on the rock of a noble tradition. Its early pillars have heroically won for the nation its political emancipation. The heart of our party resonates with the spirit of nationalism.

Ngunit maaaring sabihin ng ating kabataan na ang kadakilaan ng Partido Nacionalista ay nakasulat lamang sa dahon ng kasaysayan. Habang sinasariwa natin ang nakaraan, nararapat ding itanong kung saan ba talaga tayo patungo. Ano ba ang nais nating maging hugis ng ating pambansang kinabukasan? Ano ang tamang daan patungo sa katuparan ng ating pinag-isang mithiin? Ano ang dapat gawin ng buong sambayanang Pilipino sa tulong at pamumuno ng Partido Nacionalista?

Indeed, the question raised by my daughter Camille is urgent and compelling. Ito ay katanungan ng kabataang Pilipino. The question echoes the dreams and hopes not only of the most idealistic sector of our society but the rest of the nation as well.

The urgency of the question cannot be ignored anymore. It cannot be made trivial by repeated empty pronouncements, by lack of public accountability and transparency, by cold statistics of national economic growth that is not directly and personally enjoyed by the many millions who are poor.

Kaya walang kabuluhan ang lahat ng pagdiriwang kung hindi natin haharapin ang hamon ng kinabukasan. Hindi sapat ang lumingon sa ating magandang pinanggalingan. Higit na kailangan natin ang makaisa upang matagumpay nating marating ang nais nating patunguhan.

Madilim ang hinaharap ng ating inang bayan kung hindi tayo kikilos at magkakapit-bisig ngayon.

Hindi pa tapos ang pakikipaglaban ng Nacionalista Party. We cannot truly take pride in what we have accomplished for the nation if we do not address the many challenges confronting us.

What good is there in gaining political independence if we are not really economically free? Freedom is empty without bread and food on the table. Anong silbi ng kalayaan, kung maraming nagugutom, Sa survey isa sa apat na Pilipino ay nakakaramdam ng kagutuman.

Walang tunay na kalayaan kung ang sambayanan ay nasa kuko pa rin ng kahirapan. Ang bansang mahirap ay hindi tunay na malaya.

The next chapter in the journey of the Nacionalista Party and the nation is the fight for economic independence, the moving force that will propel us to victory is the spirit of nationalism.

Nationalism is not an old fashioned idea that was relevant only in the times of Rizal and Quezon. It is not a romantic concept that speaks of a self-contained national community detached from the rest of the world. It is not isolationist. It is simply putting the welfare of the nation above all. Ang bayan higit sa lahat. It is a lofty and timely ideal of empowering the Filipino to regain the dignity that was stolen by economic misery.

IBALIK ANG DANGAL NG PILIPINO! ANG BAYAN HIGIT SA LAHAT. Ito ang battle cry ng Nacionalista Party.

Sa bisa ng nasyonalismo, magbabalik ang tiwala sa angkin nating kakayahan at mabibigyan ng halaga ang katutubong katangian.

With nationalism as our central orientation, we become deeply aware of who we are as a nation. We take justifiable pride in our achievements. We find the courage and the will to compete in the marketplace of the world. We are motivated to give our best for the sake of our nation. We begin to care for one another as brothers and sisters in one national community.

Sa pamumuno ng Nacionalista Party, bubuhayin natin ang diwa ng nasyonalismo upang ito ay lumago na parang malalaking sanga ng isang mataas at matibay na punong kahoy na magbibigay lilim sa mga nawalan ng pag-asa. Paghariin natin ang diwa ng nasyonalismo sa ating pinagbuklod na kaisipan at damdamin upang mapaglabanan natin ang mga maling pananaw at kaugalian.

Nationalism is the creative force that will enable us to break the cycle of poverty, the sense of fatalism of the gulong ng palad outlook, and the momentum/ of national disunity.

Kung maisapuso natin ang diwa ng nasyonalismo, mailulunsad natin ang isang makasaysayan at malawak na entrepreneurial revolution, na kung saan ang maliliit na negosyanteng pinoy ay magkakaroon ng tiwala sa sarili.

The Nacionalista Party has the institutional mission to to launch a Filipino entrepreneurial revolution. We need to build a new nation of achievers, a new generation of Filipinos who have the courage to try and explore, to walk the extra mile, to go where the weak are afraid to go and to use all their energies and talents to make the Philippines the land/ of the truly free and happy.

The vision of the Nacionalista Party is the road to the nation’s future. It is as old as its wisdom and tradition. It is as young as the nobility of its dream and its passion for meaningful change.

Kaya nating magbago. Kaya nating umunlad. Kaya nating labanan ang kadiliman. Kaya nating maging tunay na malaya.

Maganda ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Nasa ating mga kamay ang ating kaligtasan at kasaganaan. Ibabalik natin ang dangal ng Pilipino.

Mabuhay ang Nacionalista Party! Mabuhay ang PIlipinas!

Pagpalain tayong lahat ng ating Amang Makapangyarihan.

###

MAR takes center stage

Oras Na!
(Speech delivered by Sen. Mar Roxas at the LP NECO Meeting held on Monday, November 26 at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino)

Tinatanggap ko ng buong kababaan ng loob ang karangalan na maging pangulo ng partidong Liberal.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa inyong lahat na bumubuo ng Partido Liberal.

Nais ko ding magpasalamat sa ating mga bisita na dumalo ngayong umaga para ipadama at ipakita ang kanilang suporta sa inyong abang lingkod.

Dahil po sa inyong pagtitiwala, ako ngayon ay tumatayo sa makasaysayang entabladong ito.

Today our Party has taken another determined step in its already long and illustrious journey. And I too am taking this same step towards bringing our Party’s honorable history into the greater service of our people.

Yesterday, our Party was led by statesmen who fought to win back for our people, their rights to freedom, justice and the rule of law. Today, our Party is led by us, fighting the enemies of freedom, the perpetrators of injustice, and the corruptors of the rule of law.

Yesterday, I sought to live by the exalted principles and traditions of our Party – the core beliefs of conscience over ambition, principles above glory, integrity over power. Today, I take responsibility for applying these principles and traditions to the challenges of our times.

Today our noble party, founded by President Manuel Roxas in 1945, is being entrusted to my care.

We owe the freedoms we enjoy today to LP stalwarts Benigno Aquino, Evelio Javier, Cesar Climaco, Joe Lingad, Gerry Roxas, among so many others; to leaders such as Ka Jovy Salonga, Ka Bobby Tanada, Raul Daza, Butch Abad. At certain periods of our history, these great men held back the night and opened the doors to freedom and light. Sa kahabaan ng gabi, sila ang nagbigay sa atin ng liwanag.

This battle for civil liberties, justice, and freedom was bravely carried forth by my predecessor, Senate President Frank Drilon. And I thank him for bringing in our ship through turbulent waters into safe harbor. Salamat, Senator Drilon, sa iyong pagbabantay at pagsasakripisyo para sa ating partido.

Our LP leaders were prepared to wage lonely battles for their beliefs, suffer humiliation and isolation, and even face imprisonment and death with calm acceptance of the consequences of their actions. Citizens looked up to them. Young people aspired to be them.

Who can forget the martyrdom of Senator Ninoy Aquino, the miracle of EDSA 1 and the quiet and enduring courage of President Cory C. Aquino?

Who can forget how the Philippine Senate led by Senate President Jovy Salonga and his fellow Liberals, including Ka Bobby Tanada, held fast to their conviction, despite enormous contrary pressure, and voted against retaining the US bases?

I feel privileged to have seen up close, and admired from afar this rare breed of statesman-politicians – the kind that wore their hearts on their sleeves, the kind that believed in the resonance and romance of history.

I was just a young teen-ager when Plaza Miranda was bombed.

One cannot have such intimate recollections of the past and be indifferent to what is going on in our present. One cannot be a part of our beloved Liberal Party and ignore the assaults to our democracy and freedoms as signified by the subversion of our institutions, the number of unresolved killings of journalists and activists, the widespread graft and corruption, and the callous sense of impunity held by those supposed to be accountable to the people.

Today, you cannot be a true Liberal and not be enraged:

That where the people are thirsty for the truth, facts are withheld.

That where the people are keen to engage government, power is not shared.

And where the people express themselves through the ballot, their votes are miscounted.

And because people believe that their leaders are more preoccupied with self-interest rather than with genuine public service, we see and feel the helplessness, the cynicism, the despair, and eventually the estrangement of our people.

Ka Teddy, an OFW in Saudi Arabia, wrote:
“Minsan nga, iniisip namin kung paano na kaya kami kung wala ang Saudi?”
(Imagine that, a Filipino worried about Saudi simply because it is the wellspring of his hope.)
“Mahigit sampung taon na rin ako dito, at minsan lang ako nakauwi sa ‘Pinas – pero sa mga nakikita ko eh lalo pang pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay. Kaya paano pa kami makakaalis dito?”
“Hanggang kailan pa ba kami dito kung walang pagbabago sa ating bayan?”

Ka Teddy’s desperate call for change deserves a sincere response from our nation’s leaders.

Recently, the World Bank reported that even the social contract in our country is breaking down.

This social contract, the most basic bond that ties the people to their government, stipulates that people will obey their government in exchange for their government preserving and protecting their general welfare and fighting for their best interests.

What does this social contract mean to farmer Luisito Bustamante of Davao City?

He disappeared into military custody and was tortured on suspicion of being a communist rebel. And even then he was lucky. The RTC, by the writ of amparo, set him free. What about all the other “desaparecidos” – people like Jonas Burgos who vanished without a trace?

Save for the Martial Law years, at no time in our country’s history, has the Supreme Court been called upon so often to rule on multiple cases of disappearances of persons in the hands of supposed agents of the law.

Oras na. It is time for change, a time for renewal.

You and I must work even harder and with greater urgency to change our country. We have to do it together as a political party and as an organized movement based on values, on ideas, on competence, and on vision.

Our party shall be a movement built around fresh ideas. Our first rule is to treat our Filipino brethren with respect as grown-ups, capable of making wise decisions, and not as children to be amused or pandered to.

Magpapakatotoo tayo. Let us call things as we see them.

Whenever policy is wrong, we are the party that will say No!, and make an honest and determined effort to provide solutions. As important as it is to know the “whodunit”, it is even more important for our future to know the “how-to-solve-it.”

Oras na! It is time for change, a time for renewal.

Our Party seeks to realize nothing less than the hopes of our people.

To win back the kind of government that reflects our people’s honesty, decency, competence, and hard work.

To win our people’s trust in the wisdom and prudence of our public institutions in spending their money.

To win our people’s fair share in the benefits of a growing economy through better jobs, higher incomes, affordable prices, and improved public services.

To win our people’s fight for justice, security, peace and predictability in their lives.

To win our people’s birthright to lead robust, healthy lives, to be educated, to land a job, to own a home, to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and have an attainable plan for their future.

Oras na!

Our Party seeks to win because our winning will be our people’s victory.

We will reach out to all individuals and groups who will fight with us – for freedom, for fairness, for tolerance and for redeeming our faith in our future. These are the battles that I will fully engage in as your party president.

We will be attuned to the modes and methods of the modern world without losing sight of our core values. The world has changed, the challenges have multiplied, and even though the symptoms of poverty and hunger have stayed the same, their causes have evolved in their virulence. Thus, repeating the old cures will no longer help obliterate the disease.

To be relevant and responsive, we must seek out and embrace new ideas, increase our professionalism, formulate policies that offer transformative change.

Business as usual is simply unacceptable.

Oras na!

We will continue to pursue an agenda to bring quality education to the last classroom, reduce hunger and poverty, provide opportunities for decent jobs here and abroad, bring safety to our streets, justice to our courtrooms, and economic freedom to our farmers.

We will strive to build and enlarge our middle class, narrowing the gap between rich and poor by raising the status of the lowly. This will be a home and land owning middle class, engaged in our national life not only by theoretical linkage but because they share in the output of the nations’ economic endeavor.

The Liberal Party will fight for social, legal, and economic justice, and, for clean and honest government.

Oras na!

We shall defend the Constitution, seek relief in the courts when necessary, and team up with the people in fighting corruption and abuses of power.

We shall support professionalism in, and the patriotic duty of our Armed Forces and National Police, and work with local governments and civil society on an agenda for change.

Oras na!

The victory that we seek is the victory of the Filipino people. Their fight is our fight. We believe that the people are the masters of government and not the government as the master of the people.

Oras na! It is time for change, a time for renewal.

The LP will open its doors to calls for unity, but never at the expense of our independence. Every member shall be given every opportunity to shine through their advocacy of ideas and integrity of character.

We shall build a strong, united, and modern LP – rooted in its founding principles, sharpening its purpose – and lead it to victory in 2010.

Oras na!

I accept the burdens of leadership.

I accept the solemn duty of securing the best future for our country through the leadership of our party.

I call on you to come along, roll up your sleeves, open your hearts and re-discover that inner touchstone of idealism that first beckoned us to public service. With moral courage and conviction and with a strong commitment to the tenets of liberal democracy - equal opportunity, freedom, and justice for all – we shall make a difference.

In this hall, twenty-one years ago, our people re-claimed their democratic birthright when Mrs. Corazon Aquino took her oath as President.

Since then, a whole generation has struggled to transform our democratic society into a truly just and prosperous one. Today another generation stands ready to take its turn, ready to assault the high walls of the status quo inspired by the unblemished righteousness of their cause. That generation is us, and many others throughout the country, who believe that the promise of freedom for all has yet to be redeemed by the fulfillment of justice and prosperity for everyone.

Sapagkat ngayon ay oras na.

Sa kahabaan ng gabi sa ilalim ng isang diktador, ang mga Liberal ang nagbigay ng liwanag sa karimlan.

Ngayon ay oras na para tayo naman ang humarap sa hamon ng kasaysayan upang manindigan at lumaban.

Let us, when we must, rage against the dangers of the night; but remain hopeful and ready to embrace the blessings of a new dawn.

We will win because we are fighting for the poor, the helpless, the discouraged, all who only want a decent life and a chance to make their way in this world.

In this and in the many battles ahead of us, I shall not let you down.

Oras NA!

Mabuhay ang Liberal Party!

Maraming salamat po.

Remember July 8, 2005

Much has been said about that critical moment on July 8, 2005 when the administration was about to cave-in. News reports have stated that the caving in was prevented by former President Fidel V. Ramos and Speaker Joe de Venecia when the two hurriedly made it to Malacanang to manifest their support for the incumbent Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Actually what saved the day was the support given by the incumbent Vice President during the cabinet meeting. His appearance assured the incumbent president that no Edsa Dos scenario will occur.

The Erap pardon was a hurried pardon gave on the same day that JDV3 again spilled dung on the floor of the Senate on the corruption attendant to the ZTE Broadband deal. As early as the 19th of October, news have been circulating about a presidential pardon to be given by the end of the week of 22-26 October. Part of the political news circulating was that even Senator Jinggoy Estrada is assured of the VP slot for 2010 in KAMPI, the erstwhile party of President Arroyo. Most of those involved in politics were totally shocked at the developments but having been from one crisis to another, political consultants have taken the news with a grain of salt.

Days after the grant of pardon, news are again circulating about the division in the official cabinet of the PGMA with 8 cabinet secretaries saying no to a fastbreak pardon. It appears though that DILG Secretary and concurrent political advicer got the upper hand in the process. His stock has again been attractive sheperding the agreement between two presidents. It should also be noted that meetings went to overdrive among key stakeholders: a) Left and civil society, b) Military, c) FPJ group, d) Opposition, and e) Lakas and Kampi.

A petition is going around calling for a snap election. Chief Justice Reynato Puno has politely said "no" to the offer to lead a transition team, the conservatives in the CBCP appear to have gotten the upper hand in the debate within the church on what to do with PGMA. And the pardoned Erap seems to be media shy with UNO president, Mayor Jojo Binay, asking Erap about his plans.

Today, flashpoints remain. The Pulido-San Luis endorsed impeachment complaint is pending, the payola scandal covering both the local governments and members of the House of Representatives is hanging, the net on the ZTE scandal appears to have been thrown wide, the ethics case against the Speaker and the looming opening of Congress on November 5 with the Speakership at stake. Looks like the principal character in all the plays is Jose de Venecia. We shall see in the days ahead whether the Speaker will cross his rubicon.

Erap pardoned by GMA

After the resumption of the ZTE hearing in the Senate today where star witness Jose de Venecia III narrated how much money the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, will receive from the ZTE deal, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo granted pardon to former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. Estrada is the first president to be impeached by the House of Representatives under then Speaker Manuel Villar.

In the said Senate hearing, de Venecia quoted busineman Ricky Razon as saying that Abalos intimated to the First Gentleman that he has $70 million for the NBN project if it is given to ZTE. Still recovering from such accusation, President Arroyo gained foothold to counter the results of the Senate hearing and in a government-owned and -controlled TV station broadcast issued the order, read by Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye:

"Whereas this administration has a policy of releasing inmates who have reached the age of 70;
Whereas Joseph Ejercito Estrada has been under detention for six and a half years;
Whereas Joseph Ejercito Estrada has publicly committed to no longer seek any elective position or office;

In view hereof and pursuant to the authority conferred upon me by the Constitution, I hereby grant Executive clemency to Joseph Ejercito Estrada, convicted of plunder and imposed a penalty of Reclusion Perpetua.

1. He is hereby restored his civil and political rights.
2. The forfeitures imposed by the Sandiganbayan remain in force and in full, including all writs and processes issued by the Sandiganbayan in pursuance hereof, except for bank accounts he owned before his tenure as President.

Upon acceptance of this pardon by Joseph Ejercito Estrada, this pardon shall take effect."

You just can't fool the people all of the time!!!

What is the League of Provinces? What are its mandate and programs? Somehow one gets to wonder with all the money coming out for elected officials last October 11, 2007 in Malacanang Palace, two things remain unanswered: why in cash and what is the money for?

When you have an institution calling for multi-lateral dialogs for the release of Php19.9 Billion unpaid Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) due to local government units then all of a sudden handing out Php500,000.00 to new governors, you somehow wonder... what gives? In the website of the League of Provinces, the main story there is all about the "unpaid IRA due to the reenactment of the 2001 and 2003 national budget and a portion of the Local Government Service Equalization Fund which was not released according to the provisions of the Constitution, the Local Government Code and the landmark Supreme Court decision on the issue." It further stated that the "P19.9 billion is broken down as follows: P3-Billion of 1991 LGSEF, P2.5 Billion of 2000 LGSEF, P2.0 Billion of 2001 LGSEF due to the re-enactment of 2000 GAA, the P10.0 Billion discrepancy due to the re-enactment of 2000 GAA, and another P2.4 Billion difference due to the re-enactment of 2003 GAA." The Php19.9 Billion is public money.

Then last October 22, the public was again subjected to contorted lies from Palawan Governor Joel Reyes, the League's Executive Vice President and Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone. After a one page paid advertisement regaring political noise, they somersaulted after 11 days saying the money given to Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza came from the League as support to new governors, a practice from the past. To which Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca immediately debunked. So after the one page ad, Reyes and Evardone shot themselves with their explanations. Incredulous! When further asked who among the new governors received the bag, Reyes said there schedules in the future. How much? probably the same?

Lets do the math then. From the horses' mouth came the information that each province pays a membership fee of Php120,000.00 to the League. Lets accept the amount as the base. That money is not private money by the way. It comes from the coffer of every province, supported further by a provincial board ordinance. So everything is public, meaning government. There are 81 governors, 44 of whom are neophytes. The Leageu therefore realizes a total of Php9.72 million from membership fees alone. Assuming, the story is true, if Php500,000.00 will be given to the 44 new governors, the League would need Php22 million or is short by Php12.28 million.

Now, let's go to the League itself since apparently the blame for different depository accounts (Bank of Commerce for Gov. Panlilion's bundle and PSBank for Gov. Mendoza's bundle), distribution in the Palace, etc. are all being thrown now to the Executive Director of the League. Now, here is another twist: how can an appointed officer rise above the appointing power? You mean to tell me he determines everything on his own? What a story!

Lets look at League's Plans & Programs and the only nearest thing to the "gift giving" act or "support for projects" is that on Expanding Revenue Base which does not talk about donating League funds for neophyte governors. Lets now take a look at their Constitution and by-laws and again there is nothing about assistance to new governors. If that is true, then the League should show an approved and signed resolution passed by their National Executive Board.

C'mon guys... the people are not stupid!

"Only the event will teach us in its hour"

Jose de Venecia is the man of the hour.

The speaker of the 14th Congress, de Venecia is the father of ZTE whistleblower Joey de Venecia. His son apparently has been the redeeming value of the epitomy of Philippine traditional politics and it seems the man is steadfast in pursuing a different path, marching to a different drum.

De Venecia heads the 239 member House of Representatives. He is on his last third term and with 115 new termers representing 48% of the total membership, the Speaker may just be molding a different legacy totally different from the political brand he has been known for. When Congress resumes its session on November 5, all eyes and ears will be in the House of Representatives because of several flash points: 1) the compliant filed by Atty. Pulido against the Speaker before the Ethics Committee headed by Rep. Eleandro Madrona (Lone Dist-Lakas, Romblon) ; 2) the impeachment complaint filed by the same Atty. Pulido against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which was endorsed by Rep. Eggy San Luis (4th Dist-Ind, Laguna) and the possibility of amending the same; 3) the resolution filed by Rep. Teddy Casino (PL-Bayan Muna) on the purported bribery of members of the House by Malacanang, and 4) the possibility of declaring all seats vacant thus removing Speaker de Venecia.

A senior member of the House occupying a leadership position has said that the removal of Speaker de Venecia could lead to the downfall of Arroyo may have some ring to it considering that the Speaker has defended the fortress three times; two impeachments and rallying the faithful in a show of force together with former President Fidel V. Ramos at the hieght of the resignations by Arroyo's official family (Hyatt 10).

Today De Venecia talks about a "moral revolution." One wonders why the belated clarion call when all along his name has always been whispered in big ticket deals. In his "An Appeal to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo," the Speaker asked that the president use the vast powers of the presidency to lead a moral revolution in our public life. De Venecia described the political system as "hopelessly corrupt, morally tainted and beyond saving" and pointed to a model ("do what Lee Kuan Yew did in Singapore: cleanse national society of corruption") further quoting Proverbs 14:34, "righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."

De Venecia has called for the "creation of a high-level Council on Moral Reform and National Renewal." In this call, he cited three thematic issues: "politically, the key problem is corruption; economically, it is slow and highly uneven gowth; socially, it is mass poverty passed down from generation to generation." The Speaker listed 13 principal tasks under political, 8 under economic and 9 under social; promising further that the House will do its share of House cleaning, such as: "ridding the House of undesirable practices by subjecting dusbursements of public money to the strictest scrutiny, all items in teh CDF be itemized in a line budget publicized in full transparency and subjected to public bidding, using the electronic-procurment law, institutionalize district-wide development planning through formal "town-hall meetings" to determine the choice of projects for public financing."

Somehow, such effort should be a welcome development. But as everybody knows, one cant get much action done in the last two minutes of any administration, political will and everything. But if Speaker de Venecia can institute reform in his sphere of influence -- the House of Representatives -- and spearheads the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act and I will add one more measure that surely will be supported, the Legislative Reorganization and Reform Act, then indeed there is meaning to what the Speaker once said: "only the event will teach us in its hour."

From MTPDP to ZTE, where are we going?

On 11 October 2004, NEDA Director General Romulo L. Neri presented to the donor community the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan or MTPDP 2004-2010. Interestingly, there were two slides on the planned Digital Infrastructure which somehow veers away from what little we know of ZTE since the annexes of the Supply Contract has not been made public, as yet.

How do we now reconcile the MTPDP and ZTE? Why the changes in the reference? Hazard a guess?

Regulatory Capture

The theory of regulatory capture was set out by Richard Posner, an economist and lawyer at the University of Chicago, who argued that “Regulation is not about the public interest at all, but is a process, by which interest groups seek to promote their private interest ... Over time, regulatory agencies come to be dominated by the industries regulated.” Most economists are less extreme, arguing that regulation often does good but is always at RISK of being captured by the regulated firms.”

Richard Posner’s approach to regulation exactly echoes Chicago School’s traditional attitude to market economy. The Chicago School of Economics became famous with the theories of Milton Friedman, who had been influenced by the ideas of Hayek. Friedman and his colleagues in Chicago support the deregulation of market, free trade and retreat of state intervention. It was an assault on the macroeconomic assumptions of Keynes, which ended up as a thoroughgoing critique of antitrust law, administrative regulation, tax policy, trade and monetary theory. In brief, they support the theory of a competitive market as a regulatory system. Elsewhere Posner wrote that "The evils of natural monopoly are exaggerated, the effectiveness of regulation in controlling them is highly questionable, and regulation costs a great deal." According to the Chicago School of Economics, governments do not accidentally create monopoly in industries. Rather, they too often regulate at the insistence, and for the benefit of interest groups who turn regulation to their own ends. For them administrative regulation serves the regulated entities rather than the consumers.

The two slides of the powerpoint presentation of then NEDA Director General Romy Neri best exemplify what he was talking about in the Senate hearing where he testified on the ZTE deal. These slides were part and parcel of his inputs for the so-called Reform Agenda of the Arroyo Government.

Too Brazen!!!

BRAZEN! This was the only word I can utter upon hearing the phrase: "Sec. may 200 ka dyan." On 26 September 2007, the three standing committees of the Senate continued its ZTE hearing with the maiden appearance of former NEDA Director General Romy Neri. The meeting lasted well beyond 12 hours and led to an Executive Session when now CHED Chair invoked executive privilege in order not to respond to questions involving President Arroyo.

The photo I chose here shows COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos almost taunting the mild mannered Neri when he told the committees that Chairman Abalos made the bribe offer. Where on earth do you see a person like Abalos who, under oath, lied to the Senators and the people in the gallery and those watching the ANC coverage by saying he does not remember the figure mentioned when even Neri does not know if the amount is Php200.00 or Php200,000.00 or Php200,000,000.00. He was already taunting Neri, lying to the people, and offering a incredible story on the amount offered. And yet, what does a COMELEC chair who cannot implement the modernization program, is in the thick of preparations for the May 2007 election, doing with the Digital Infrastructure program of the Arroyo Government?

Why does he have more time playing golf in Wack-Wack than transforming the COMELEC into a better coordinated and well-responsive agency of government tasked with election administration? After the Garci caper in 2004 now comes ZTE in 2007. He is set to retire February 2008, the 6 years has indeed been too... brazen!!!

"Back Off!" - FG

"Back Off!" was what the First Gentleman said to Joey de Venecia during an alleged reconciliatory meeting that took place in Wack Wack sometime March 2007. This is based on the testimony made by Joey de Venecia before the three Standing Committees of the Senate: Blue Ribbon, Trade and Industry, and Defense today. Who is Joey de Venecia?

The first Speaker of the House of Representatives from Pangasinan was the late Eugenio Perez and it was only after 54 years that another Speaker from Pangasinan emerged, in the person of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, now in his fourth term as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaker Jose de Venecia was first married to the daughter of then Speaker Perez. Joey de Venecia III is his son from the first marriage.

PTC'06 Conference and Exhibition gives this backgrounder of the erstwhile son and namesake of Speaker Joe de Venecia:

"JOSE P. DE VENECIA III is the Chairman of Broadband Philippines. He is an entrepreneur and his vision for the convergence of multi-media technologies created the first broadband service provider focused solely on Philippine business. He is responsible for directing the Company's broadband data, internet, and wireless services. He is responsible for organizing Broadband Philippines' core management team and has strategic responsibility for building the Company.

In 1995, Mr. De Venecia founded Multimedia Telephony, Inc. (MTI), a telecommunications operator and operating company of Broadband Philippines. With the technical backing of its then foreign partner, the Loxley Public Company, Ltd. of Thailand, the company operated a high-quality mobile information network that led the market in the advancement of information applications. The company established and implemented the first nationwide financial information paging network and generated more than 40,000 corporate users in a 12-month period. MTI also established the country's first call center which offered call center management operations and web related services for both U.S. and Philippine markets. After being granted its new nationwide broadband licenses, MTI sold its paging division to Easycall in 1999 and in early 2000, sold its call center business to American investors in order to concentrate on its new broadband projects.

Prior to founding MTI, Mr. De Venecia was an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Washington D.C.. While he was in the U.S., he was mainly involved in financial audits of companies involved in federal government infrastructure contracts, telecommunications, cable TV, and technology. In the Philippines, he joined SGV & Co., where he conducted financial audits of companies in electronics, investment banking and consumer goods. He was instrumental in the initial public offering of the Philippines' largest power utility.

Mr. De Venecia is currently Chairman of Asia Renewables, a company focused on energy development using alternative energy sources such as wind power and other indigenous sources.

Mr. De Venecia is on the Board of an aquaculture joint venture between Chinese, Taiwanese, and Filipinos to propagate high value fish in strategic locations throughout the Philippines.

Mr. De Venecia is on the Advisory Boards of technology companies Strategiweb LLC, a global outsourcing organization based in Boston; and Emrtec LLC, a Beijing-based business development company, which brings technology to and from emerging markets.

Mr. De Venecia is on the Board of Trustees of the Virlanie Foundation (VFI), a private, child caring institution, which works with street children and young prostitutes in Manila. Each Year VFI looks after 600 street children, 300 of whom are directly housed in its family homes.

Mr. De Venecia is a member of various professional and civic organizations in the Philippines and was named in the publication "Who's Who in the World" in 2000.

Mr. De Venecia was awarded a research scholarship and holds an MBA from the Fordham University in New York, and an Accounting degree from the American University in Washington, DC."

2050: Domination of BRICs

BRIC is a term used by Goldman Sachs (GS) in 2003 refering to Brazil, Russia, India and China. Goldman Sachs is a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm. It argued that the economies of the BRICs are rapidly developing and by the year 2050 will eclipse most of the current richest countries of the world. It further projected that the BRIC countries will account for 30% of the world economy. In plain and simple english, BRIC are emerging markets more like that of the so-called Tiger economies pre-Asia crisis.

For all countries, similar to BRIC or not, it stated that, “the key to converting potential into reality continues to be progress in strengthening key long-term conditions for growth [macroeconomic stability, political institutional development, trade and investment openness, and education].” GS further introduced a Growth Environment Score (GES), which aims to summarize the overall structural conditions and policy settings for countries globally. The BRICs are all in the top half of the rankings for developing countries. Proof of which are as follows:

1. China would now overtake the US by 2040 (slightly ahead of 2003 projections)
2. India would overtake Japan by 2033 (slightly later than earlier projections, due to the recent improvements in Japan’s economic performance).

China would become the largest economy, followed by the US, India, Japan and Brazil. Mexico will be the sixth-largest economy, slightly ahead of Russia, though Russia still emerges as the wealthiest BRIC nation in terms of GDP per capita. Indonesia, Nigeria and Korea could overtake Italy and Canada by 2050, but the other N-11 members may not be able to “catch up” with the current G7 group. GS has identified 11 BRIC-like countries labeled as the "Next Eleven or N-11". These are: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, Vietnam.

Between 2000 and 2005, the BRICs contributed roughly 28 percent of global growth in US dollar terms, and 55 percent in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Their share of global trade continues to climb at a rapid rate. At close to 15 percent currently, it is now double its level in 2001. Trade among the BRICs has also accelerated, with intra-BRICs trade now nearly 8 percent of their total trade compared with 5 percent in 2000.

Since GS first published its BRICs 2050 scenarios, the BRICs have grown significantly better than it was initially assumed. Each of the BRICs exceeded its growth path in 2004 by at least a percentage point, and all but Brazil are expected to do so in 2005.

The BRICs’ impact on the global economy has continued to grow over the last few years, through a wide range of different dimensions. Latest estimates suggest that the BRICs now hold more than 30 percent of world reserves. China is the dominant contributor, but Russia, India and Brazil have all accumulated substantial reserves also. BRICs’ share as a destination for global FDI also continues to rise (now 15 percent of the global total, nearly three times higher than in 2000). More striking is that BRICs’ FDI outflows have also picked up (to more than 3 percent of the global total, a sixfold increase since 2000) as BRICs companies expand their own global presence. Markets BRICs’ share of oil demand is moving steadily higher, with an estimated 18-percent share, projected to rise further this year and next.

This dynamic still has a long way to run, with the next decade in particular the likely point of maximum pressure on energy and other natural resources. BRICs stock markets have also generally performed very strongly since 2003, with Brazilian, Russian and Indian indices all up by around 150 percent over that period. China is the one exception, where the idiosyncrasies of the local market have seen very lackluster performance continue into this year. China provides a warning that the local market may not be the best investment vehicle for the local growth story. BRICs market capitalization continues to climb, currently at close to 4 percent of the global total, a story we described in our report last year.

Two themes that have come up repeatedly since GS introduced its BRICs 2050 scenarios are: Will the BRICs make it? And who else might join them? GS opined that the key to turning one into the other is on the BRICs finding and keeping in place the conditions for growth. Without these improvements, the BRICs’ potential will not be fulfilled. Demographic advantage is not sufficient.

So, is the Philippines learning from any of these?

The Nation is Strong?

President Arroyo ended her 7th State of the Nation Address with the following sentences: "They say the campaign for the next election started on May 15, the day after the last. Fine. I stand in the way of no one’s ambition. I only ask that no one stand in the way of the people’s well being and the nation’s progress. The time for facing off is over. The time is here for facing forward to a better future our people so desperately want and richly deserve. Uulitin ko: Hindi ako sagabal sa ambisyon ninuman. But make no mistake. I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be. Pagpalain tayo ng Diyos at ang dakilang gawaing hinaharap natin. The state of the nation is strong. Inyong lingkod, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas."

By the 25th of July or exectly three days after she delivered her SONA, broadsheets reported water and energy crises the country will face if water sources continue to dry up because of the extended summer. People were still reacting to a very infrastructure-biased, politician coddling and lack of identified sources of fund SONA of the President, what with a declaration that the "Nation is Strong." There was no mention of the deficit blowout that is about to hit the Pilipinas ceiling. No mention of poverty, of hunger, etc.

Indeed, from where I sit watching intently the highly political rhetoric, I recall the most applauded line of the night: "From where I sit, I can tell you, a President is always as strong as she wants to be." So tell me Madam President, what has been accomplished not from 2002 but lets just speak of 2004, during your inaugural address where you laid out your 10-point legacy agenda, to the present. Surely, the powers you hold are so vast that you can create change and pursue reform. Surely, you yield power tremendously that anything is possible... just to serve our people...surely...


Inaugural Speech:
The 14th President, enumerated her 10-point legacy after she steps down in 2010:
1. The creation of six million jobs in six years via more opportunities given to entrepreneurs, tripling of the amount of loans for lending to small and medium enterprises and the development of one to two million hectares of land for agricultural business.

2. The construction of new buildings, classrooms, provision of desks and chairs and books for students and scholarships to poor families,

3. The balancing of the budget,

4. The "decentralization" of progress around the nation through the use of transportation networks like the roll-on, roll-off and the digital infrastructure,

5. The provision of electricity and water supply to barangays nationwide,

6. The decongestion of Metro Manila by forming new cores of government and housing centers in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,

7. The development of Clark and Subic as the best international service and logistic centers in the region,

8. The automation of the electoral process,

9. A just end to the peace process, and

10. A fair closure to the divisiveness among the Edsa 1, 2 and 3 forces.

The Unprecedented 5th!

What a way to get the 5th! After 5 hours of plenary debate starting 10:00 a.m. of 23 July 2007 up to just a few hours before PGMA delivered her 7th SONA, the House of Representatives used all parliamentary and unparliamentary ways to question the roll call, presiding officer, the rules for the nomination of a Speaker of the House, quorum, among others. Interestingly, even if 159 voted for Rep. Jose de Venecia to be Speaker, in the end he was unopposed since the presumptive candidate from KAMPI was not even nominated. Lets see if it will be business as usual or the same old barrel.

When Majority Becomes Minority

23 July 2007 - Senator Manuel Villar was re-elected by the Group of 15 to the Senate Presidency together with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as President Pro Tempore and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan as Majority Floor Leader. Villar became Senate President not because of the Opposition Bloc which numerically had a majority than the Administration Bloc. Villar became Senate President because of 8 votes from the pro-Administration, consisting of Angara, Arroyo, Enrile, Gordon, Lapid, Revilla, Santiago, and Zubiri; 2 votes from the so-called independents: Honasan and Pangilinan and 4 from the Genuine Opposition, Cayetano (P), Escudero and Estrada plus the turncoat (she was with the Pimentel Group initially), Cayetano (P).

Nene Pimentel has 8 votes: Lacson, Madrigal, Roxas, Aquino, Biazon, Trillanes, Pimentel and Villar (a courtesy vote). Had the Genuine Opposition really followed the mandate given by the people last May 2007, the minority today would have been the majority in the Senate with the Pimentel 8, Cayetano (A), Escudero, Estrada and Pangilinan or a total of 12. This can further go up if Cayetano (P) would join them, hence a Magic 13. But that's magic, so today we are left with no gain after May.

On the way to the Senate Presidency, the Villar Camp has stated that the Lacson-led camp pushing for Pimentel forgot to consult them. In retaliation, Villar decided to tap the Wednesday Club and "took care of Estrada." A simple formula indeed. What Estrada wants, Estrada gets and whoever has the Junior Estrada in their folds, gets the Senate Presidency. Get Sen. Arroyo, one gets his foot inside the belly of the pro-Administration. While the Lacson-led (or is it Roxas-led?) Group started revealing all their plans in media (even the secret voting part), creating a lot of noise in the process, the Villar Group was so quiet, one can't even see the shadows moving behind. Cayetano (A) will definitely join Villar since he is the Secretary General of the Nacionalistas. He will bring his sister with her. Taguig is close to Las Pinas too. Escudero was the poster boy of the FPJ for President as its spokesperson. He is with NPC (Danding Cojuangco). Silent water runs deep when it comes to Escudero and Lacson. Estrada is simple to discern - President Pro Tempore in 3 years is not bad. Better than the father when he was senator.

Let us see how the spoils will be divided. Although most of the ranking positions have been filled up, there are 2 major committees that matter most in a deliberative body: Blue Ribbon and Finance. In the old days of the Senate, much is said about the Seniority Rule. Today under Villar II, it would seem the exception rather than the general rule. In fact, Villar may just have painted himself to a corner with the news that the pro-Administration Group led by Sen. Santiago is insisting for a status quo in the Blue Ribbon Committee. How would Cayetano, Escudero and Estrada take that? Will Pangilinan leave his position if the Santiago Group becomes more aggressive with its position?

The Blue Ribbon is key if we base on the campaign platform of the Genuine Opposition. Corruption was the mantra, but then again who is more genuine between the majority and the minority? Or are they all shades of grey?

After May 2007... what now?

Clearly the elections of May 2007 is all about the opposition. The 7-3-2 victory (7 to GO, 3 to TU and 2 Independents) is really the mid-term vote of the populace to the GMA Administration. The message to the Senate has been defined with no ifs and buts. The fact that Congressman-elect and candidate for Speaker Jose de Venecia is still consolidating a few days before the SONA on 23 July is also a telltale sign of the kind of support the GMA Administration will be getting from the House of Representatives as it prepares for its sunset ride to 2010.

As Cebu played an important role in 2004, so it is today. In the fight for the Speakership, a gentleman from Cebu is trying to prevent a speakership for the 5th term for Sunshine Joe. Congressman Pabling Garcia, a noted lawyer and expert on legislative rules and motions, is using parliamentary maneuverings to get an interim set of rules approved for the selection of the Speakership. Issues have been raised by their proxies in the run up to Monday, 23 July.

The Senate is also breaking apart. From a supposedly strong opposition after May 2007, the Villar Group, initially eased out by other presidentiables in the opposition wagon, gained strength by the support of the allies of the administration. Villar just needed 4 "oppositionists" to secure the Senate Presidency. These are ESCUDERO, CAYETANO, PANGILINAN, and ESTRADA. Despite presidentiables LEGARDA, ROXAS and LACSON (LEROLAC) all on one side, it showed that the Villar Group was quite skillful in backroom operations because after the much publicized secret balloting at Manila Golf among the so-called members of the LEROLAC Group, the same was left holding an empty bag, with their candidate, former Senate President Nene Pimentel saying he is not interested al all since his name was merely floated by the opposition. Worst, there was no quorum to hold a secret ballot.

The Genuine Opposition is set to have its convention on Thursday, 19 July. Lets see where the coalition will go in the everchanging political landscape of the country. As it tries to consolidate, the administration attempts to write one of the last three SONAs of Gloria. It has been said that it will be a joyride to First World. We have to watch and see for ourselves how the whole wrapping up of the Great Filipino Gift will happen.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is a joy to watch as it soundly faced the challenges of the times. Cheers to Chief Justice Puno! Guys and gals...there is HOPE!

Third Way Gone Bad

The Third Way (synonymous to the New Center) is beyond the politics of extremes, social exclusion, isolation and despair. Anthony Giddens, the architect and political philosopher behind 3W, identified six fundamentals in 1998: an acceptance that Left and Right no longer apply to all politics; that constraints are needed on government, the economy and communities of civil society; the creation of a new social contract in which there are responsibilities as well as rights; extensive social investment in education, communications and infrastructure; the fostering of a diversified society based on egalitarian principles; participation in global change. Its prominent practitioners are Tony Blair of Great Britain, Bill Clinton of the United States and Gerhard Schroeder of Germany. Today 3W is all over, from Switzerland to Palestine, from Brazil to Japan, 3W is becoming the global debate of the Center.

The Third Way philosophy seeks to adapt enduring progressive values to the new challenges of the Information Age. It rests on three cornerstones: the idea that government should promote equal opportunity for all while granting special privilege for none; an ethic of mutual responsibility that equally rejects the politics of entitlement and the politics of social abandonment; and a new approach to governing that empowers citizens to act for themselves.

It would have been a different play for 2007 had a credible alternative based on Choice of Voters was put together by leaders who had the country in mind. But alas, most of them are preoccupied with their own self interests that they cannot see why voters are important.