Last month,Meralco chair Oscar Lopez said in a forum that with what is happening now to his family in relation to the ruling power, it’s as though Ferdinand Marcos’ dictatorship had not ended.
Lopez said this following attempts by Gloria Arroyo’s avid supporter, Winston Garcia, president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System, to takeover Meralco, the Lopez family’s flagship firm.
Analysts say the Arroyo government’s desire of Meralco stems from its pique over what it perceives as critical coverage of the administration by the Lopez broadcast network, ABS-CBN.
One gets the feeling of déjà vu reading “A Country Not Even His Own” by Steve E. Psinakis, a Greek-American Lopez in-law. Psinakis is husband of Presy Lopez, daughter of Don Eugenio Lopez, Sr, who founded the patriarch of the Lopez business empire that includes power and media entities.
Published by Anvil Publishing, “A Country Not Even His Own”, recounts Psinakis’ involvement in the Filipino people’s struggle against the Marcos dictatorship.
The book is well-written. It lives up to Anvil’s promotion that it “reads like a Ludlum novel”. It has suspense, adventure, humor , political intrigue and international conspiracy.
Although the story of the escape of the late Geny Lopez, the big boss of ABS-CBN and former Sen. Serge Osmeña III, has been extensively written and made into a movie, Psinakis’ narration of that is still riveting.
Psinakis account of the role of the US in supporting the Marcos’ authoritarian regime (complete with State Department confidential documents) is very relevant as we witness today the Bush administration’s turning a blind eye to the illegitimacy of the Arroyo administration and its role in the controversial Memorandum of Agreement between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Ancestral Domain.
But it seems that to the Americans, meddling in another country’s affairs should only be one way. In 1987, when Psinakis was facing charges of transporting explosives in the U.S, then Senate President Jovito Salonga wrote State Secretary George Shultz asking for him to “prevail upon the Reagan administration to exercise the highest diplomacy and sense of fairness… as a way of re-affirming the basic friendship and mutual respect between our two peoples.”
Shultz’ reply was arrogant. He said, “ Your letter suggests that the prosecution had political origins and that its continuance may have implications for the United States-Philippine relations. I believe you may misunderstand the nature and basis of Mr. Psinakis prosecution…”
Shultz continued:”I am profoundly disappointed at the suggestion in your letter that United State-Philippine relations will, in any way be affected by a United States prosecution of a United States citizen for terrorist-related activities committed in the United States.”
One journalist said Psinakis’ book is actually an “ode to Presy”. The chapter on Presy starts with this paragraph: “Presy was Don Eugenio’s only daughter – his crown jewel. She was stunningly beautiful young woman who moved gracefully and always seemed at ease. Everything about the way she carried herself was unhurried and elegant.”
Psinakis’ account of the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship, however, reveals that behind Presy’s delicate facade, is a strong and decisive woman who was not afraid to take risks for the family and country.
The sidelights of the book give a glimpse of the lifestyle of the very rich in the Philippines. Like the part where Psinakis related the time Don Eugenio and the whole Lopez family visited him and Presy in Greece. His father-in-law noticed that his car was an 8-year old Jaguar with an air-conditioning unit that was not working. Since they were going to tour Greece by car, Don Eugenio bought three new cars: a BMW, and Audi and a Mercedes Benz.
I’m reminded of Scott Fitzgerald’s line “Let me tell you about the rich. They’re different from you and me.”
In his foreword, former Senate President Jovito Salonga underscored why the story of Psinakis, most of them transpired in the later 80’s should be read today. He said, “Because we have very little sense of history and are likely to forget what is not featured on television and radio,the youth particularly those in the universities and colleges, would do well to peruse and discover anew how Filipinos and foreigners alike, during the trying times of our historic struggle for freedom and human dignity, gave of themselves without counting the cost.”
In the name of fairness, we should look at both sides of the coin. While it was true that the Lopezes and their business empire suffered under Marcos regime, we don’t really know what the Lopezes wanted from Marcos that resulted in the government’s take over of Meralco. Sources say the Lopezes were in deep financial trouble. Meralco owed the government so much that the best option was for the government to buy it out. And that was what happened. In fact, there was even a letter sent to Marcos by then elder Lopez for assistance.
When Neri spoke about the oligarch controlling the country’s economy, the Lopezes were among those he had in mind. Weren’t the Lopezes and their huge business network like ABS-CBN allied with Gloria Arroyo at first? Then something went wrong somehow. Maybe the Lopezes were asking or demanding something from her. The Lopezes through their huge media empire were part of the ouster of Erap which led to the illegal installation of GMA. People hatred for ABS-CBN was shown during that tragic May 1st riots wherein even an ABS-CBN van was burned. Today, the Lopezes’ relationship with Malacanang is at its lowest. That’s why ABS-CBN through its veteran broadcast media such as Korina Sanchez now keep hitting GMA and Malacanang. Anyway, that’s good for us. If many rode on the tiger to oust a legitimate President like Erap, we don’t mind them doing it again now.
The first time one of the Lopezes made noise against Gloria was when Maynilad started getting into deep financial trouble (before finally returning the franchise) that in one of the businessmen’s fora I attended, Oscar Lopez (if I remember right) told Gloria squarely to steer away from politics of pleasing the masa and make the hard decisions that will remove policies keeping businesses’ growth stunted which in the long run will benefit the poor more. The businessmen recognized that Gloria had always been playing to the crowd for one reason: re-election. And after she has successfully cheated in the 2004 polls, she didn’t appear to be changing her course.
Much later of course, and after more similar prodding from other biz leaders, Gloria made the “hard” decisions and raised VAT to which she attributes all her present “economic miracles”.
Lopez’ vision is light years away from the Economist-pretender. Neri, on the other hand, is confining regulatory capture merely to the old elite when it is Gloria who has captured all regulatory bodies directly and indirectly overseeing Lopez’ business: Nat’l Telecoms Commision, Tollways Reg. Board, ERC, etc. she even calls in her allies in GOCCs like GSIS when a regulatory body is friendly with the Lopezes. But despite all these, the Lopezes survive.
I’m no Lopez fan, butI’d rather be paying my hard-eaned money to the Lopezes than to the Aboitizes (who’s itching to devour Meralco anytime).
BE, the background of that Lopez letter to Marcos is in the Psinakis book. It’s available in National Book Store. The paperback sells for P550. The hardbound, I think, sells for P1150 but I didn’t see it in bookstores.
Behind every added fortune is a crime before and after Marcos.
It all boils down to greed. EDSA2 was actually done for that. I agree with Tongue. Filipinos shoudl not allow the Aboitizes to take over the withholdings of the Lopezes. Katsuba ng sakim na mga dorobong Pidal ang mga iyan sa EDSA 2. Remember that the Aboitiz woman who was making drama at the bogus impeachment trial of Erap?
Golly, komo malakas, di kinulong! Over where I am based, such act of defiance is enough for one to be sentenced to jail and ordered to pay fine.
There’s no love lost between the Marcoses and the Lopezes, so consider WHO is the author of the book. Can we expect from him a non-bias and fair presentation and narration of events that happened more than 30 years ago? I am not saying that it’s all a creation of the mind but of course there will be some doubts about the veracity and some exaggerations of events.
Marcos is dead and he is in no position to rebut whatever written in the book. But just bear in mind that behind the book is the author; behind the author is the story and behind the story is a real and true story and whatever that is, only the author and others involved knew it but will share it and remained as their secret.
but will not share it…
Florry, a case in point is Cory’s continuous denial of witnesses pointing to her relative as the real mastermind of Ninoy’s death. Cory just refuses to believe it. Assuming Marcos was part of it, he was not the mastermind. He was too sick then to oversee its operation. Unknown to many, Marcos and Ninoy’s relationship goes way back. They were fraternity brothers. Ninoy’s return to Manila was precisely to discuss with Marcos about the post Marcos era. Whoever killed him had so much interest after Marcos was gone.
During Cory’s tenure on her six years power grab, it is impossible for her not to know who killed Ninoy Aquino. She has all the resources of our banana republic to find out who killed him.
Cory will never admit publicly that Ninoy Aquino was killed by a person other than Marcos. Why? She wants to perpetuate a myth that Ninoy is a national hero. If Cory will admit it publicly that Ninoy was killed by someone else other than Marcos then Ninoy will be relegated to just a collateral damage and not a national hero.
Besides, Marcos is not stupid to order the assasination of Ninoy in broad daylight with press in tow. He knows for sure that he will be blame for it. So, it is impossible for Marcos to be the one who did it.
Bitchevil,
You’re right; Cory refused and never wants to believe that others may have masterminded the killing of Ninoy. It’s her mindset that Marcos did it even if evidence didn’t warrant. Who knows, the mastermind beside from the one you suspect may even be somebody from her trusted circle of supporters, advisers and the so called friends and sympathizers who just like what you said will benefit after Marcos. So sad she closed her mind to other possibilities and so the mystery of Ninoy’s death remains a mystery. .
etcetera,
Its possible for her not to know who killed her husband. So many murders here are left unsolved until now, its a sad reality. Cory may have her faults but intentionally being callous is not one of them.
EDSA 1 and 2 are part of our history, our heritage, our pride as a people showing our determination to steer our own destiny. Misguided or not, we as a people have shone during those times, let us not desecrate the memory of the times we as a people stood up to be heroes. If we continously criticize each other, compare each other’s level of zeal or patriotism, religious beliefs, intentions, and shoulda coulda wouldas, then Gloria has won the war even before the battle has begun…
Re the Lopez’s, like tongue, I’m willing to pay whatever Meralco asks of me, even if its burdensome, I trust them more than I do Gloria and her minions. If it were Harry Roque who presented a case against Meralco with the proper alternatives to choose from, that will be the day I will listen…
“Ang system loss na binabayaran sa Meralco ay parang yelo na kapag binili mo ay natutunaw pagdating sa bahay. “(The system loss paid to Meralco is like ice that melts after buying from the store). Actress Judy Ann Santos in a Meralco/FPHC ad.
To Meralco:Why should we continue to pay for melted ice?
18 Agosto 2008,
Mga kaibigan, alam naman ngmga nakatatanda sa atin na noong panahon ni marcos ay kinuha sa mga lopezes ang kanilang stasyon ng TV at ang iba pa nilang negosyo. Mahariap sabihing tama ang lahat ng haka-haka natin, subalit ang mas nakakaalam ng buong pangyayari noon, ay ang pamilya marcos at ang iba pang tuligsa sa mga lopez. Ayong sa mga kwento, ang mga lopez ang naging sakim sa kapangyarihan at kayamanan, na pilit dinidiktahan si marcos. Katulad ng nangyari kay erap, ang mga lopez ay kinalaban si erap at nagtagumpay na sya ay mapa-alis.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang pag tuligsa ng mga lopez sa impakta ay mayroon malalim na dahilan na sila lamang ang nakakaalam.
Yung tungkol naman sa amerika, kailan ba naman nagmalasakit ang bansang amerika sa Pilipinas, basta ang kanila (america) ay isusulong nila ang kanilang kapakanan at matapos na pakinabangan ang isang bansa, tulad ng Pilipinas, ay ilalagay ng lang isang sulok para mabulok.
Sa ganang panahon, ni cory, masasabi nating tama at mali ang ating mga haka-haka, kung anuman ang nangyari kay ninoy, sila at sila na lang ang bahala. Marami kasi ang maga haka-hakang lumalabas. Ang sapat nating intindihin ay ang kasalukuyang hinaharap, PAANO NATIN MAIPAGLALABAN ANG ATING KAPAKANAN LABAN SA MGA BINABALAK O PINA-PLANO NG IMPAKTA AT NG KANYANG MGA KAMPON NA MANATILI SA KAPANGYARIHAN.
sabi nga nila, NOSTALGIA will only happen if people will do nothing, until it becomes a bad omen.
prans
I’m with Prans, lets keep our eyes on the ball guys, once she’s out and we have someone with integrity in place, its just a matter of time for these oligarchs.
There will always be capitalists, industrialists that will be influential enough to dictate government policies, the US have their own share, perhaps even China. What we can’t allow to happen is government taking over private enterprise as this would be a bad precedent for investors. Have we become a communist state of a sudden? Winston Garcia, a member of the Garcia’s of Cebu – its a family not known for honest public service, like the Arroyos, not even Indiana Jones comes close to them in the “looting” business. While we’re at it, lets ask Winston Garcia how much is his monthly salary? I hear its even equal to the top executives of San Miguel Corp.? Do we really thrust this guy to head Meralco, I believe the level of efficiency of GSIS speaks for his track record alone.
At the moment, lets let the businessmen be, and fix our eyes on the prize – the removal of Gloria Arroyo and her minions and the installation of a new set of leaders molded closer to our hearts’ desire. Break the big target into small manageable pieces, per district, per barangay, per city, lets bombard our mayors, our governors, our congressmen with letters of protest, or better yet talk to them, picket their offices, their houses even, until they realize that they speak for us and not for themselves alone…its the democratic way is it?
Not long after Marcos was ousted and after his death in Hawaii, people cursed and attacked him not only because of his corruption; but mainly because they thought that he masterminded the killing of Ninoy. After more than two decades, people are saying differently. Many including his worst enemies now have different opinion about Marcos. And that includes some journalists who used to be activists during the time of Marcos. Example is Mr. Herman Tiu Laurel. He was a street activist during Marcos time. He hated Marcos just like the others. Today, his columns are quite different. He saw the light. He found out the truth. He regrets that many of Marcos’ projects beneficial to the country were thrown into the garbage by the Cory Administration. Those who understood Marcos from the very beginning believed that history would be kinder to Marcos. And from the way people like Mr. Laurel talk and write about his today, history indeed is now kinder to Marcos.
be,
Marcos had his strengths and his downfalls, just like any leader (even the biblical ones like Saul, David, etc.) He had his own agenda, one of them was to break monopolies of old oligarchs, but then only to supplant them with cronies of his own. He is not a hero and never will be, just a part of our history, our collective learning experience…The “good old days” are just “old days” and I don’t subscribe to “buti pa dati…” we have to live in the here and now and urgently as peoples’ lives are at stake. As we blog, people’s homes are burned as they are being driven away, some families are running for their lives (with small children in tow), some people are imprisoned arbitrarily, some are missing, some are dead and dying and nobody is raising a hand to help…
Lets live in the here and now, as we pine for the big goal of removing this fake president, lets try to change the country along the way, bit by bit…they say we can do this in random acts of kindness…as we look at the big picture, lets look at small doable opportunities around us also. When we pass by street children begging give them the jollibee take out we are holding, or spare some money – I know some people will scoff at giving alms, but what if this single random act prevented someone from dying of starvation at that very instant. I have a colleague from Singapore who at one time when we passed by some street children and street mothers asked me to stop the car, he opened his window and gave out some 100 peso bills from his wallet. I told him that was too much and besides its against the law to give alms, he told me that if I couldn’t afford to be generous then I really am poor…that had a profound impact on me eversince…
For his effort, I revere Senator Aquino. I see him though as an unwitting victim and only a collateral damage in the brewing upheaval. Both sides designed created his martyrdom. The Philippines as seen by his son had not progressed as expected but the other side made their point.
How much did GSIS lose when the value of Meralco stocks went down due to the antics of Winston Garcia? I bet it was more than fifty million pesos. If plunder is stealing from government more than fifty million pesos in one instance or a series of acts, what would you call causing the government to lose more than fifty million pesos in such manner?
Psinakis never mentioned the true killers of Aquino. No one ever came out to acknowledge it. No one admitted it from those suspects that languished in prison. He knew it was the mark of the CIA. The CIA were with the plane. A couple of them were in the cockpit. We must understand that Taiwan is a protectorate of the US. It has a permanent buffer between the mainland and the island province. Thats the 7th Fleet. It calls the shots on its security and its part of the region.
It reminds me of “Two Terorist Meet” another great book of Steve Psinakis during the dark days of martial law.
Napakaganda ng palaging sinasabi ng great statesman na si Jivito Salonga. Dapat lang na malaman ng mga Filipino sa malalim na perspektiba ang kasaysayan ng Bayan. Dapat malaman kung sinong pumili kay Rizal para maging national hero (as usual Amerika uli). Dapat malaman na kailangan ibalik ng Amerika ang ninakaw na Balanggiga Bells.
Balikan ang kasaysayan… suriin at alamin ang tunay na kalaban ng Bayan.
Exactly what I had in mind also…
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080818-155266/Stop-the-madness
Jug,
A lot of my friends, who went underground when Marcos declared Martial Law, now compares him to the criminal calling herself “President,” and say that indeed he had a vision for his beloved Philippines. At least, there were the evidences of projects done that he actually tried to keep from being used by a lot of people who tried to ingratiate themselves to him, and caused a lot of them corrupt officials to turn coat and join the Aquino camp, and blame Marcos that they were solely responsible for.
I know for a fact a lot of people being axed when words reached Marcos about some hooligans fleecing money from Japanese entrepreneurs involved in the projects to connect Luzon to Visayas and Mindanao with the construction of the Japan-Philippine Friendship Highway. In fact, his effort to lessen graft and corruption that seemed lesser than the graft and corruption now made him a lot of enemies who then supported Ninoy and their EDSA revolution.
Gloria Dorobo is definitely no Marcos. She is just what she is, an Evil Bitch! And the husband definitely much worse than Imelda.
Marcos loved his country and people that was why he had the confidence that “history will be kinder to him.”
Ninoy’s legacy:
Then:
A japanese friend once said… “Marcos robs you, but Imelda robs you more”
*******
Now:
Groria: I rob you very much…!!
Mrike: I rob you too..!!
18 Agosto 2008,
Maraming salamat sa iyo kaibigang juggernaut sa pagsuporta sa aking opinyon.
Tagairaya, huwag sanang si winston garcia lamang ang tukuyin tungkol sa kanyang umento sa GSIS, marami yang mga iyan. Pag-usapan natin ang mga miyembro ng board of directors – tanungin natin kung ilan ang miyembero at kung magkano ang kanilang umento. Ang problema hindi natin napapansin ang mga direktor na iyan, palagi tayong nakatuon kay garcia. Marami sa ating mga kababayan na nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno o kaya yung retirado na ang hanggang ngayon ay kulang ang kanilang natatanggap o kaya kung mamalasin e, hindi pa matanggap ang buwanang insurance.
Ang mga direktor ng GSIS ay pulos malalaki ang sweldo (baka naman allowance ang tawag dyan) habang ang mga retiradong o magreretiro pa lang ay hirap makakuha ng buwanang insurans, itong mga direktor ng GSIS ay napakalaki ng sahod. ANo ba ang kanilang ginagawa??araw-araw ba silang pumapasok??ang ginagawa ng mga direktor na yan ay palagatasan nila ang GSIS, dahil, lahat nang mga iyan ay nagtatrabaho sa pribadong sektor o kaya ay may mataas na katngkulan sa gobyerno, kaya ang alam ko ang tawag sa kanilang sahod nila ay allowance. Imbes na mapunta sa mga karaniwang retiradong empleyado ng gobyerno ang pera ng GSIS, ay sa kanila napupunta. Dahil nga sa taas ng kanilang allowance ay halos wala ng matira para sa mga pobreng retiradong empleyado ng gobyerno.
Itigil na natin ang pagpupunyagi kay marcos at ninoy, kung anuman ang nangyari sa kanila ay itala na lang natin sa ating kasaysayan at tayo ay umsad at harapin ang kasalukuyan. Lahat naman ng nilalang ay may maganda at masamang katauhan (katulad ko karamihan ay pulos katampalasan), subalit, katulad ng sinabi ko, dapat nating harapin ang kasalukuyan at dapat tayong lalong maging mapagmasid at talasan ang ating pakiramdam lalo na at mukhang may binabalak na hindi maganda ang tabas ng dila ng impakta at ng kanyang mga kampon. Mukhang gusto talaga nilang manatili sa “PANSAMANTALANG” kapangyarihan nila, dahil ang lahat ay may katapusan.
Tungkol sa MOA-AD, ngayon nila sabihin na tama ang kanilang ginagawang pakikipag-usap sa MILF. Tingnan nila ang kawalanghiyaan ginagawa ng MILF sa mga kristyano, lumad at kapwa nila muslim sa mindanao. Dito pa lang makikita mo na ang kanilang pang-aabuso, paano na kung ibibigay pa ng impakta ang kalayaan ng mindanao sa pamumuno ng MILF???kayo na mas maraming alam sa akin ang sumagot nito.
Tungkol naman sa pederalismo – sino ang makakapagsabi na ang mga TRAPO, na syang numero unong TAMPALASAN ang hindi makikinabang sa pederalismo??? ang aking masasabi, WALA SA SISTEMA NG GOBYERNO YAN, NASA URI NG PAMAMALAKAD, NASA URI NG MGA LIDER-PULITIKO YAN, dahil kung ang sistema ay bulok at at mga lider-pilitiko naman ay tapat sa kanilang panunungkulan, magiging matiwasay ang lahat. UULITIN KO, WALA SA SISTEMA YAN, NASA INYO ANG PROBLEMA, KAYONG MGA TRAPO AT LIDER-PULITIKO. Mga buset kayo……
prans
Valdemar, I absolutely agree with you. It was a CIA hit…in cahoot with Cory’s relative. Most CIA hits were never solved for obvious reason. That’s why it’s called “intelligence agency” notorious for its covet operations and assassinations of world leaders. The late Gen. Ver knew a lot about Ninoy’s death. I heard his family keeps his letter or document explaining in detail the actual circumstance and who the mastermind was. Sometimes, a dying person redeems himself by telling the truth. If we don’t find out the truth in our time, maybe in the next generation. But then, JFK’s death has not been solved yet.
To Ellen and her faithful companions…
It has been awhile since my last visit in this informative and life-enriching blog. Medyo busy sa kunting negosyo at bumalik na rin ako sa pagtuturo sa unibersidad.
Anyway, i will buy this book — not much to add “treasure” to the golden caves of the Lopezes, but to get in touch with the struggle of the elite in the hands of a dictator and perhaps, to have a glimpse on how Cory managed to re-distribute the power and wealth in the hands of the economic and political elite after Edsa II.
Or perhaps there is something more in it. Jovito Salonga saw its worth! Is it worth searching the value of this “historical treasure” written from the perspective of the elite?
Welcome back, Deepcaring. We missed you.
I finally got through, glad that Ellenville’s back to normal.
I’m grateful to a client of mine for gifting me with a copy of Psinakis’ book. A page-turner from start to finish, I bet you too wouldn’t be able to put it down.
One thing the book makes very clear: the Marcos days were one of the darkest periods in the history of the country. They were hardly the halcyon days that Filipinos could look back on fondly whenever they find today’s life the too oppressive.
It’s easy to fall under the spell of nostalgia — pine for the days when gas was cheap, when the exchange rate was four pesos to the dollar, when the True, the Good and the Beautiful reigned supreme.
But the mists of antiquity can at best only blur the horrors of that period. Alas, they are not enough to completely obscure the murders, the forced disappearances, the warrantless arrests, the wholesale plunder of a nation.
Those were pretty bad times.
Which is not to say times are better now. On the contrary, we are under the rule of Gloria Arroyo, another certified hellspawn. And we all know what sort of inferno molded her into the demon she is now — tne kind where Marcos was headmaster.
Who taught her that she could take over private business; co-opt the military, the judiciary, the legislature, and other institutions; who taught her to be so cavalier with the Charter?
Who showed her she could do all these? And do it with such incredible brazenness? Who taught her to erase “shame” from her working vocabulary?
It’s the same person who taught her that Filipinos can sometimes be a gullible bunch. That we fall for the wrong types easily. That it takes a lot to stir us into action. That a tyrant can steal as much as she wants because there will always be enough idiots who will roll out the red carpet and wave at her while she’s robbing the nation blind.
Psinakis’ book is a potent antidote for forgetfulness and gullibility. And it’s also a testimony to the bravery of many Filipino patriots who didnt give up even when everything seemed hopeless. Most importantly, it dusted the cobwebs off Ninoy Aquino’s words and showed me in countless anecdotes and humorous vignettes exactly why is it that the Filipino is worth dying for.
That doesn’t sound too Greek to me.
skip,
It’s a pity Pinoys need to be reminded all the time. I think we inherited the gene of a goldfish, a fish whose memory spans a mere 9 seconds.
Tongue,
Either a goldfish or Ten-Second Tom, that unfortunate chump in “50 First Dates” whose memory is wiped out every ten seconds.
Finally, got a copy of Psinakis’ book.
Pray got much time next week. Thanks Ellen.