Win-win ruse?

REMEMBER, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo fast-tracked the creation of the Consultative Commission because of the “Hello Garci” scandal. Its real objective was to mollify a nation who wanted to oust her. Precisely, the ConCom was meant to accommodate former President Ramos and Speaker Jose de Venecia—who both saw on that critical night of July 8, when the Arroyo regime was about to fall, an excellent opportunity to dangle Charter change as a way of providing GMA (Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) a graceful exit by cutting short her term of office to 2007—so they would not join the ouster calls.

Many fell for the ruse. Now, the ConCom has this very unpalatable “extension” proposal for all elective public officials whose terms are expiring in 2007.

For GMA, her political lackeys and media apologists, the proposal is a win-win strategy. If the people don’t agree to the proposal, then GMA stays. If the people approve it, then GMA can stay longer in power, as prime minister, of course. (Politicians are most likely to go all-out for its approval since their terms will be extended.) Either way, GMA’s term is not cut short. Tuloy ang ligaya. (Let the good times roll.)

I may be cynical, but I think we’re better off with the present Constitution. We don’t need a new constitution to pull us forward. We just need to get rid of the politicians who are dragging us down.
Philippine Daily Inquirer, January 2, 2006, page A12

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Win-win strategy = lose-lose for the people

GMA's Con-Com is designed to fail. Remember that although it was hinted of in the Sona (as with other motherhood statements), it was fast-tracked because of the Garci scandal. The main objective was to mollify a nation who wanted to oust her. Precisely, it was an accomodation for FVR and JDV not to join the ouster calls. Indeed, many fell for the ruse. Now they want to put in the very unpalatable condition of term extension. For GMA and her lackeys (politicians) and apologists (some media people), it should be a win-win strategy. If the people will not approve of the Con-Com proposal, then GMA stays. If the people approves (with the full campaign support of politicians who want a free ride extension), then GMA stays longer. Either way, GMA's term is not cut short. Tuloy ang ligaya.

I may be cynical, but I think we're better off with the present constitution. We don't need a new constitution to pull us forward. We need to get rid of the politicians that drag us down.
Postscript/PhilSTAR/Dec. 20, 2005/Tuesday
Ducky Paredes/Malaya/Dec. 21, 2005/Wednesday

John and Ninoy

It's been 25 years since John Lennon was killed. He died at 40, after contributing greatly not only to world music but more importantly to world peace and understanding. Had he lived this far, he would have wanted to kill himself, if not kill people like George W. Bush. In a sense, his death like that of Ninoy's, preserved his legacy. Their deaths prevented them from being tainted by this increasingly corrupt world. Ninoy would have killed Joey M. Hell no, he wouldn't have the chance because he would have killed Kris a long time ago.

PLAK! Pera lang ang katapat.

Questions: Why would a Comelec Commissioner and a Shariah Court judge allow themselves to be ridiculed by a neophyte senator who himself has been accused of graft? Why would people lie outright on national TV? What self-respect will be left to those who are caught lying and continue to prevaricate? Why are they willing to be subjected to public humiliation because they are caught cheating, lying and abusing their given authority? Why do they continue to cover-up for a cheater, liar, stealer? Why would people decry the present government, only to make a complete turn-around? Remember Mahusay? Mahusay ang pagkagawa!

One simple answer: PLAK. Pera Lang ang Katapat. Some other people have discovered how much the Commissioner and Judge cost, and have paid them accordingly. Everybody in Philippine politics can be labeled as either "sold" or "for sale". Almost no exception, especially those 50 years and above. We see bright, articulate young men on TV, but it's easy to label them as "sold". Mike Defensor comes to mind. Chiz Escudero? Hmm, let's all groom him as "not for sale".