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Banat ni Arroyo sa media

Wala na sa sarili itong si Gloria Arroyo. Hindi na niya alam kung ano ang tama at kung ano ang mali.

Binanatan niya ang media noon Huwebes sa conference ng mga matataas na opisyal ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas .Sinabi niyang “media is pushing the negative angle of stories too far and too often”. Sobra na raw ang mga negatibo na lumalabas sa media.

Kung hindi pa alam ni Arroyo o baka nakalimutan na niya, ang papel ng media ay para sumulat ng katotohanan kung ano nangyayari.

Ano pa ba ang mas negatibo kaysa isang taong hindi binoto ng mamayanan ni minsan na president ngunit naka-upo sa Malacañang?

Ano pa ba ang mas negatibo kaysa sa isang sinungaling at mandaraya na kumakapit sa inagaw na pwesto?

Ano pa ang mas negatibo kaysa isang naka-upo na president na lumalabag ng batas kaliwa’t kanan para lamang mapagtakpan ang kanyang paggamit ng pera ng bayan para sa sariling niyang interes?

Karapatan ng media alamin kung nasaan ang mga nawawalang dating Comelec Comissioner Virgilio Garcillano at dating Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante na ginamit ni Arroyo sa kanyang panloloko sa taumbayan.

Obligasyon ng media na ilabas ang kasinungalingan at pandaraya upang malaman ng taumbayan ang gingawa ng taong binabayaran na mamuno sa bansa.

Marami naman sa media ang kakampi ni Arroyo kaya lang, lang walang credibility sa mga tao. Ang mga responsable at hindi nabibiling media ang problema ni Arroyo. Kaya matindi yan dahil dahil katotohanan ang dala nila. Malas ni Gloria.

* * *

Ang isa nating mambabasa, si Peter, ay nababahala sa pagpatay sa mga suspects kuno sa carnapping ng mga ahente ng Traffic Management Group sa Ortigas noong isang linggo.

Sabi niya: “Hindi na natin alam ngayon kung saan tayo pupunta kung kailangan natin ang tulong bagama’t may mga awtoridad para sa mga kriminal.

“Ngunit hindi naman natin alam kung sila ba ay ating kamkampi o higit pa sa kalaban. Kung kriminal man yung mga taong kanilang hinuhuli o di kaya’y pinapatay dapat din naman nila itong respetuhin at dinggin ang panig. Ipatupad ang hustisya na pantay-pantay.

“Paano na lang kung isang araw ikaw o di kaya’y isa sa mga kamag-anak natin mapagkamalan na kidnappers o hijackers at bigla na lang ratratin o di kaya’y mapagbintangang isang terorista. Sana maisip din ng mga nasa gobyerno na lahat tayo ay tao at may karapatan mamuhay ng maayos at tahimik.”

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131 Comments

  1. Well said, Ellen.

    Binanatan niya ang media noon Huwebes sa conference ng mga matataas na opisyal ng Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster sa Pilipinas .Sinabi niyang “media is pushing the negative angle of stories too far and too often”. Sobra na raw ang mga negatibo na lumalabas sa media.

    Kung hindi pa alam ni Arroyo o baka nakalimutan na niya, ang papel ng media ay para sumulat ng katotohanan kung ano nangyayari.

    Ano pa ba ang mas negatibo kaysa isang taong hindi binoto ng mamayanan ni minsan na president ngunit naka-upo sa Malacañang?

    Ano pa ba ang mas negatibo kaysa sa isang sinungaling at mandaraya na kumakapit sa inagaw na pwesto?

    Ano pa ang mas negatibo kaysa isang naka-upo na president na lumalabag ng batas kaliwa’t kanan para lamang mapagtakpan ang kanyang paggamit ng pera ng bayan para sa sariling niyang interes?

  2. E-mail from Andrea Horn:

    “Media is all-powerful in our society. They can expose, criticize, exalt and destroy. They shape minds, influence opinions and even dictate our political and business climate just by wielding their pens. However, they are not above scrutiny,” Bunye said.

    Yung mga kasama dito sa abroad, Abante ang palagi binabasa kasi hindi ingles. In my own observation, I can always notice that after they read it, they are becoming frustrated not only with the goverment, politics, with entire country and sometimes all of its people. Eventually, they have developed within themselves a kind of negative perception and attitude. I think some media people contributed to it, maybe a lot. When your’e working abroad, I rather to see good and uplifting news from our country not the everday everday everyday everyday negatives ones. Can you somehow help, in your capacity, molding us to go back to being a better positive thinker filipino with high hopes?

    Thanks,

    Andrea

  3. E-mail from Juan de Vera:
    Nabasa ko sa column mo ang tungkol sa usapang medya .Hindi ako maka Arroyo o maka oposisyon,Nasa gitna ako ng dalawang panig.Pero sa nakikita ko ngayon na talagang parang sobra na ang demokrasya sa bansa tungkol sa pamamahayag.Oo nga at malaking tulong nag medya,pero tingan mo, sa mga kaso ng ilang tao, halos medya na ang nag-iimbistiga, ano ba ang medya?sangay ng PNP o ng hudikatura?Tingnan mo rito sa Singapore, puro magaganda ang ipinapakita ng media,mayroon mang kabulukan pero napagtatakpan na lang ng mabuti kasi di na pinalalaki ang isyu.Sa TFC, ano ba ang laman ng balita?Nakakabwisit na.puro pulitika, patayan,rally.Sinong imbestor pa ang mag-lalakas loob na mamuhunan dyan.
    Ngayon, unti unti na bumabawi ang peso,kung tutuusin ay lugi kami dyan dahil bumababa naman ang palitan dito, pero ano ang reaksyon ng ilan.Kesyo kukurakutin di umano yong natitipid.Kung anu-anong laban sa pamahalaan.Kung nakikiisa kaya tayong lahat para sa pagbabago?
    `Tanong ko sa `yo, yan bang mga Satur Ocampo na yan, Teddy Casino na yan, Crispin Beltran na yan at iba ay natahimik na sa bawat pangulo na nauupo?HINDI.!!!
    Kahit sinong iupo mo dyang presidente ay walang katahimikan yang mga `yan kasi pangsarilig kapkanan lang ang iniisip nyang mga yan.
    Iupo mo ulit si Erap, sa palagay mo ba may mababago pa?
    Ang sana ang pinag-uusapan natin ay ang negosyo hindi ang pulitika na walang maidudulot na pag-unlad sa bansa.
    Kaya sana `yong media ay maging responsable sa bawat isusulat nila at isipin kung makakaepekto ba ito sa bansa at sa kabuuan sa pangkalahatan.

    Salamat…
    John

  4. loy loy

    Andrea and Juan,

    Maraming mga dyaryo dito na tinatawag nating pro-administration. ang ibig sabihin, kadalasan at karamihan sa ibinabalita nila ay puro magaganda tungkol sa presidente, tungkol sa gobyerno at tungkol sa bansa. Kung tutuusin, kokonti lang ang mga binabansagang opposition papers. siguro may dalawa o tatlo lang. ito ang mga dyaryo na walang takot mag-expose at ilabas ang mga anomalya na nagyayari sa pamahalaan.
    ang tanong: bakit sa kabila ng katotohanan na mas marami ang mga dyaryo at tv stations na pro-adminsitration na puro magaganda lang ang binabalita e bagsak pa rin ang ekonomiya (mataas langang piso ngayon dahil magpapasko na at lumalaki ang remittances ng mga ofw kagaya ninyo); mataas ang unemployment rate; laganap pa rin ang korupsyon sa gobyerno; etc. etc.?
    Hindi po media ang may kasalanan kung bakit walang imbestor na pumapasok sa bansa. ang totoo nyan kung walang pangit na balita e walang pangit na mababasa o mapapanood ang mga tao.
    Alam ng media na hindi ito perpektong organisasyon. Marami din itong pagkakamali at hindi maipagkakaila na maraming miyembro ng media na iresponsable. Pero hindi po nag-iimbento ng balita ang media. Inirereport lang po nito kung ano ang nakikita nito.
    Hindi po ikinatutuwa ng mga diyaryo, tv o radyo na magreport ng hindi maganda. Sa tingin ko walang miyembro ng media ang gustong bumagsak ang Pilipinas. Walang pilipino, ksama na duyan ang mga miyembro ng media, na hindi nangangarap na bumuti ang kalagayan ng bansa.

  5. Atong Kuliglig Atong Kuliglig

    Masaya po ako nang aking mabasa
    Ang E-mail kay Ellen ni Juan de Vera;
    Mga kampon namin, yayabong darami pa,
    Mga kampon po kami ng mga taong Walang Taenga.

    Dito po kasi sa aming maliit a daigdig
    Ay tahimik na tunay ang aming paligid;
    Kasinungalingan, kapalpakan di man namin pag-ibig
    Patay-malisya kami, pagkat kunwa’y di namin dinig.

    Kaya nga ba dito sa mga dyaryo po namin,
    Ang piktyurs po ay mga taong labing-labing;
    Kolumnista at reporters dilat always esmayling,
    Mamamayan ay dilat din — pagkat kulang sa pagkain.

    Heto po ang sampol ng mababasang balita:
    “Lolo At Pustiso, Nag-reunion,” ang headline kanina.
    At dugtong pa ng report, “. . . nagdiwang ang karinderya,
    “Pagkat si Lolo po “die hard” at namber one suki nila.”

    Sana si Mang Juan, ay sa amin magmiyembro
    At hindi doon sa mga Walang Boses tutungo;
    Doon po kasi ay dinig nila ang totoo,
    Ngunit wa sey naman sila. . . Ewan ko! Ewan ko!

    Saan ka man tumungo, kapatid na Juan,
    Ang pangaral ni Nanay sana ay tandaan:
    “Ang mga taong nagbibingi-bingihan
    “Sa businang malakas, nabubundol ng sasakyan. . .”

    Atong

  6. avid reader ako ng abante dto s mdle east riyadh,eto lng mssb ko s colum mo,bkit wla k ng ibng blita kundi pninira kay pgma,wla k n bng ibng maisusulat p,kundi kay pgma lng.hndi ako pro gma or anti gma cnsb ko lng totoo,kc nkksw n mga blita mo,s twing mgbbsa nga ako ng abnte d ko na bnbsa part mo,kc alm ko n na pninira n nman ky gma un.ewan ko b asr at inis ako syo.dito n lng at sna s susunod ung kapupulutan ng aral ang iblita mo.fr.jp catt ng ryadh saudi arabia.

  7. Something is in the air and amiss…these recent manifestations (outbursts, by past subdued actions of GMA before media), are “out of character role, previously played by GMA.”

    I would watch and listen more intently and carefully. When somebody exhibits or manifests, a behaviour, which is not typical or predictable…I automatically become extra cautious.

    May bagong palabas. I wouldn’t jump in head first…less I risk not being able to get “heads up” in the next “ripple”.

    Pepeton

  8. andrea andrea

    “Bad news about politics and destabilization should not be on the front pages. They drive foreign investors away,” said Fan Cho Chow, a HK businessman operating in the Philippines whose corporation, Welex Fire Retardants, has set up a branch and invested in the Philippines.

    Thomas Mao, a visiting Singapore businessman said, “You Filipinos should follow what our Go Chok Tong suggests: The media should assist the government.”

    Ito ang matagal ko nag hinaing sa ating mga mahal na manunulat. wala na ibang maissulat? ok sana ang balita pero kung sa loob ng halos one year na “Hello Garci at Pidal” ang dinadakdak, consider pa bang balita yun? para sa akin eh Tira na yun. kaya yung mga tulad naming masa na mahina umintindi na tulad ko, sasama na lang sa rally kasi carried away ako (at malay mo baka makakuha pa ako ng P200, pero never na report yung ng media, nalusutan ba?…so ang gulo no ewan ko pero I am just sharing my feeling and opinion but the bottom line in my heart is I am really concerned about our economy in general; kasi marami akon mga kapatid na naghihirap kasi matagal na either wala trabaho or maliit kita, yung iba trabaho nila nagsara, nabweset yata sa KMU at Satur Ocampo, kaya eto ako kayod, padala para me makain sila…hay buhay…teka inom muna kami dito..pang-aliw sa inis sa ibang media.

  9. Atong, alam ko yata kung sino ang members ng iyong “always eysmayling” columnists at reporters. Unang-una sigurado si Belinda Cunanan. Isama mo na rin si Winnie Monsod at si Amando Doronila, na nagtangkang maging ambassador to Belgium ngunit naunsyami sa Commission on Appointments. Kasama rin siguro ang buong staff ng Philippine Star na pinangungunahan ni Max Soliven. Siyempre pati na rin ang nasa Manila Standard Today ni Ricky Razon, na very close kay GMA.

  10. Juan De Vera Juan De Vera

    Hi Ellen, salamat sa pagbibigay daan mo sa aking komento.Salamat din sa tulad ni Atong na bukas din ang isip sa mga nangyayari pero
    Di ko alam kung saan din ako lulugar sa ganitong sitwasyon,Una sa lahat, pinaninindigan kung wala akong pinapanigan, di rin ako nagbibingibingihan sa mga nangyayari, bagkus ay bingingbingi na nga ako sa mga balita kong naririnig at nababasa dito sa singapore, nakakasawa ang walang tigil ang balitaktakan.Para bang ang nangyayari ay isa na lang paligsahan at pagalingan.
    Ginagamit lang ang media para sa pangsariling kapakanan.Kaya sana naman sa mga nasa Media.Maging responsable tayo sa inilalabas nating balita,dahil ang pangit na impresyon na yan din ang magkakaladkad sa atin sa isang kahindik hindik na sitwasyon pagdating ng araw.
    Malapit na ang ASEAN games, di kaya magdalawang isip ang mga turista na pumunta dyan sa atin kung ganito ng ganito parati ang naririnig at nababsa?Sinong kawawa di ba ang ang ating bansa rin.Siguro nga nagsasabi rin ng totoo ang media, Pero dahil sa nakasanayan na lang na ang ibalita ay puro negatibo,eh iyan na talaga ang laging bubulaga sa atin araw-araw.PATAYAN, NAKAWAN,PANGGAGAHASA at `yong kahirapan na laging isinisisi sa gobyerno ng mga tao kung bakit sila`y naghihirap.Matuto sana tayong kumilos para sa ating sarili,`wag sana nating lahat iasa sa tulong ng iba ang ating ikabubuhay at sana`y magsumikap ang lahat para matapos na ang lahat ng ito.
    Salamat Ellen…
    John..

  11. Ellen,

    Now that you have mentioned openly about media and journalists who, in your (well-informed) perception, are definitely (diehard) Pro GMA…who among the journalists and media would you rank as definitely ANTI GMA, regardless?

    Let me weigh in on this one, as one journalist used to say it “Straight From the Shoulder.”

    For instance, how about Malaya and its pusblisher Jake Macasaet? The Daily Tribune? Ninez Cacho? Herman Tiu Laurel? Yourself? Conrado Quiros? Billie Esposo? Isn’t it a fact, that by sheer number, there are more ANTI-GMA bloviating/spinning journalists than PRO-GMA administration????

    Personally, I will have to take serious exception to your characterization of Ricky Razon as PRO-GMA.

    Manila Standard Today does present GMA in a more favorable light, but that is only because of the unforgiving and often exagerrated ( stress: dirty and humiliating, i.e., ad hominem attacks), journalistic background provided by the Anti-GMAs. You might perceive Manila Standard Today as PRO-GMA, only because Malaya is decidedly Anti-GMA.

    Ditto, I take exception with a similar characterization of Doronilla. He has been a respected OP-ED columnists that may even have preceded your time. The fact that he has been considered for ambassadorship should not deter or distract from the fact that, as a journalist, Doronilla is heads and shoulders above most of the “younger” – “me too” OP-EDs, who I personally hold accountable for the often oversensationalized “disinformation” in broadsheet, broadcast, and yes, tabloid, reporting, too. “After this, therefore, because of this” is an obvious fallacy in reasoning (and kwentutan telling lies).

    As for Max Soliven, personally, I have never been impressed with him as a forthright journalist. I remember him as an also-ran, junior (wannabee) columnist during the time of Doroy Valencia (Over a Cup of Coffee), JV Cruz, Joe Guevarra, Teddy Benigno…speaking of some “standouts” during the 50’s – 60’s… Going farther back, I am reminded of some OP-ED Columnists “greats” Malay, IP Soliongco, JD Constantino…Definitely (and absolutely), in my estimation, Max is not in any of these journalists’ league or stature.

    Final comment: Between the PRO (a definite minority in media) and the Anti, there is a chasm…as wide as the difference between the “haves and the have nots” or the Rich and the Poor subsisting below the level of poverty…in Philippine society. KAYA HINDI TAYO MAGKAINTINDIHAN…AT HINDI TAYO MAGKASUNDUAN ABOUT THE RULES AND PROCEDURES, AND TERMS OF PROPER ENGAGEMENT IN DEMOCRATIC SELF-RULE AND SELF GOVERNANCE.

    The fact is….GMA IS NOT ALL THAT BAD AS ANTI GMAS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PROTRAY HER SINCE SHE WAS INSTALLED AS THE LEGITIMATE SUCCESSOR TO AN OUSTED PRESIDENT….

    The fact is, too, GMA is not all that good as her own cordon sanitaire and allies picture her to be….

    And that would be the fairest estimation of where all of these ATTACT COLLECT -DEFEND COLLECT political bloviating and political punditry is….i.e., neither here, nor there.

    Some may not like, what we have in GMA, right now…Others may just be a bit more tolerant…BUT THAT IS WHAT DEMOCRACTIC SELF-RULE and SELF GOVERNANCE IS FUNDAMENTALLY BASED ON. Some of those who insist on denying the facts, are only a skip,hop, and small jump from stoking anarchy.
    And that is what I am personally not in favor of. Because, at the end of it, if the “agitators” have it their way…the people who will suffer the most…are those who can least afford it. That comes up to at least 40 MILLION PILIPINOS, IN THE PHILIPPINES. NOW, JUST THINK OF THAT FOR A MOMENT, SERIOUSLY, AND HONESTLY.

    And answer this question just as honestly and sincerely – “What are you really agitating about? – something good for the greater number, or just something terrible for GMA?

    Pepeton

    Pepeton

  12. Pepeton, let me tell you about my conversation recently with your friend Willy Villarama. He asked what’s my problem with GMA:

    I replied: “She was never elected president by the Filipino people and she is in Malacañang.”

    The Supreme Court does not elect presidents. Namfrel officials have reconsidered their earlier statements about the election being fair and credible. SWS had admitted they made a mistake in their exit poll when FPJ won in Manila contrary to what they said in their exit poll.

    There are numerous evidences now that prove GMA cheated in the 2004 elections.

    If we allow GMA get away with her lying, cheating and stealing, should we also let go of tax evaders and robbers. What do we tell the children, that it’s all right to lie, cheat and steal?

  13. Tomas Tinio Tomas Tinio

    Ang hinahanap yata ng ibang manunulat dito ay gaya noong martial law days na walang anti-administration na journalism dahil nga censored. Yung iba diyan na nagsasabing middle of the road ang kanilang stance, bistado rin na maka-GMA dahil sa mga sinulat nila. Kaya ako, aaminin ko na, anti-GMA ako dahil hindi lang siya “corrupt,” siya ay “corrupting.”

  14. =================================
    November 17th, 2005 at 7:34 pm

    Ellen,

    This is where we must draw a line between your perception of the results of the election process and mine:

    1.Fact: GMA was elected Vice President. Or do you deny this fact, too?

    2.Fact: The Vice President must serve in the absence of the duly elected President (i.e., unable to serve for whatever reason – the stress is – “unable to serve”) This is provided in the Constitution. Do you deny or challenge this Constitutional provision?

    3.Fact: The Supreme Court is empowered and authorized to install the Vice President into the office of the president.

    4.Fact: In January 20, 2001, GMA was installed President by the Supreme Court; subsequently, it reviewed and reevaluated its decision to install GMA as President, in light of “opposition” (popularized by media that is definitely PRO-EJERCITO; consequently, and finally REAFFIRMED its decision, not once, not twice, but thrice.
    GMA stays as President. She was constitutionally installed to replace a president who was unable to serve.

    5. Fact: On May 2004, GMA ran for re-election. The Congress is the constitutionally empowered branch of the government who can make the official pronouncement of the results.
    COMELEC certified the results. Even Namfrel’s tallied results showed GMA won. There were complaints and protests filed by the opposition. Again, the Supreme Court deliberated and adjudicated the case, and the results were once again upheld that GMA won the presidency in election 2004, by about 2M votes.

    ======================
    Which of these established and corroborated facts do you deny and challenge, and what factual basis can you advance or present to justify your charge that “GMA WAS NEVER ELECTED BY THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND SHE IS IN MALACAN~ANG”???

    =======================

    COMMENTS ON YOUR OTHER VIEWS:

    1. “SUPREME COURT DOES NOT ELECT PRESIDENT”–IT DID NOT ELECT GMA. It installed GMA as President, by virtue of the fact that she was a duly elected VICE PRESIDENT. That is provided in the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Plain. Clear. And Simple. You have mischaracterized the role that the Supreme Court played in her installation.

    2. “NAMFREL HAS RECONSIDERED THEIR EARLIER STATEMENTS”. It does not matter what NAMFREL says about the results of the elections…any elections. NAMFREL HAS NO LEGAL AUTHORITY AND IS NOT EMPOWERED TO MAKE A LEGAL DETERMINATION ABOUT THE RESULTS OF ELECTIONS…ANY ELECTIONS! NAMFREL IS A CITIZEN’S EFFORT TO SUPPORT-FACILITATE THE ELECTION PROCESS. If in their judgment they believe that a protest or complaint must be filed to contest the results of the elections, they are free to do so. And they did in fact. And the Supreme Court has ruled. So has Congress.

    3. “SWS ADMITTED THEIR MISTAKE DURING EXIT POLLING”. This is not evidence. This is not proof. This is an indicator…FOR THE MOMENT! That is all. Polls of any kind are not based on science! Even Mahar Mangahas – CEO of SWS, and first cousin of FPJ, will admit that. Incidentally, both Pulse and SWS surveys a week or so before the May 2004 election showed…that GMA was ahead in ALL SURVEYS…

    That fact can easily be corroborated and verified. Let me stress that. Until a week or so before the elections in May 2004, BOTH SWS AND PULSE ASIE POLLS SURVEY REVEALED THAT GMA WAS AHEAD OF FPJ! What does this mean to you?

    If we are to attach any value to Polls and Surveys, of any kind, then we must do so, on a CONSISTENT basis, and without
    discrimination and selectivity.

    One more time. Before the elections, the surveys showed, GMA was ahead of FPJ who was the nearest contender. The elections were held. The results confirmed the PRE-ELECTION surveys and polls. GMA won. The victory was further confirmed by COMELEC, CONGRESS, and the Supreme Court adjudicated the election protests in favor of GMA.

    4.”THERE ARE NUMEROUS EVIDENCES THAT PROVE GMA CHEATED IN THE 2004 ELECTIONS”. Cite one, please, that can stand the scrutiny of due process of law!!!

    Mere claims are NOT ACCEPTABLE! COMPOUNDED ALLEGATIONS, no matter how often repeated, over and over and over again, neither. Otherwise,

    I can just as easily say the same thing about FPJ and his camp and all other candidates. I can say, THERE WAS CHEATING ON BOTH SIDES, ON ALL SIDES. I can allege that there was an equal amount of cheating on both sides; just as easily as I can claim, there was more cheating on one side than the other; or more specifically that the losing side tried desperately to outcheat the winners, but despite their efforts at cheating, they still lost.

    I can further assert that in Philippine elections a certain measure of CHEATING is endemic to the culture,and is inherent and integrated into the election infrastructures, systems and processes. That cheating in Philippine election is a TOLERATED EVIL. Why?

    BECAUSE UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES IT CANNOT BE EFFECTIVELY PROVEN! SO WE LEARN TO ACCEPT IT. LIVE WITH IT.

    5. “IF WE ALLOW GMA (TO)GET AWAY WITH HER LYING, CHEATING AND STEALING, SHOULD WE ALSO LET GO OF TAX EVADERS AND ROBBERS?”

    My answers to the presumptive questions are:

    (a.) First, this “generic” type of accusation is unfair. It is like the question – “Since when have you stopped beating your wife?”

    You have assumed that we all agree with your characterization and profiling of GMA as a liar, cheater, and stealer.”

    In politics, a certain amount, and a certain kind of “lying, cheating and stealing”, are ALLOWED, and considered PAR for the course.

    That is why I am asking for concrete and specific examples of your charge that GMA has been “lying, cheating and stealing.” So that we can determine for ourselves the validity of your allegations.

    AS FAR AS TAX EVADERS AND ROBBERS GETTING AWAY….hasn’t that really been one of the biggest and perennial problems of the country? The Philippines has been a “nation in denial” for well over half a century – i.e., “forgive the criminal, forget the victim, deny the crime!

    I am reminded at the moment of the decision of Joseph Ejercito to grant LUCIO TAN FULL TAX AMNESTY….we are talking BILLIONS…just like that…forgive, forget, and deny!

    I cannot forget the full pardon and amnesty granted by FVR to Gringo – the nation wrecker – along with all his fellow mistah “coup d’ etaters” – “Just give me 30…push ups…and all is forgiven…welcome home boys.”

    I do not condone nor tolerate “sleeping with the enemies”. And I still am shocked to see the remnants of the muck farcos dynasty still in government service.Specially after 3,257 salvaged political opposition; 35,000 tortured; 100,000 incarcerated. And countless other human rights violations inflicted by the muck farcos regime, upon his very own “kapwa Pilipino”.

    And for all these human rights violations, how does the Pilipino citizenry respond? Forgive the criminal. Forget the victims. Deny the crime. ELECT THE REMNANTS OF THE MUCK FARCOS DYNASTY.

    That is the reality of politics in the Philippines.

    =======================

    MY POINT:

    There are many more important, and more critical issues…other than GMA and politics, afflicting the Philippines and the Pilipinos, in the Philippines, and elsewhere.

    The reason why GMA is still the President of the Philippines is because the GREATER NUMBER OF MASANG PINOY, don’t really believe half of what they hear or read, enough to REACT TO (THE CHISMS, AND RUMOR MONGERINGS, AND RECYCLED CHARGES). In the first place, they don’t really care!

    The only ones who care…(for discussions’ sake) are people like us who read the news, listen to the news, participate in blog forums. The starving 30M (subsisting below poverty line) are too hungry to talk politics. They may go thru the motion of showing up in demos and rallies…but that depends on HOW MUCH, WHERE, AND HOW LONG. It does not matter what the issues are…FOR OR AGAINST…basta may makakain, at konting pamatid uhaw., at kung may “to go” (or take out pa), so much the better.

    The rest of the population, some 54M are polarized and dichotomized politically, depending on how they perceive any kind of reform will affect their status quo.

    SUMMATION:

    GMA IS NOT AS GOOD AS HER PR-HANDLERS, PROPAGANDISTS, CLOSED-IN CORDON SANITAIRES PORTRAY AND PICTURE HER TO BE.

    GMA IS NOT AS BAD AS HER DETRACTORS, POLITIAL ENEMIES (AND THAT INCLUDES MEDIA, NATURALLY) PROFILE HER TO BE, EITHER.

    WE CANNOT MOVE ON TO THE BUSINESS OF SELF-RULE AND SELF-GOVERNANCE ON A HIGHER PLAIN, UNTIL WE AGREE TO PUT A STOP TO ALL THE BLOVIATINGS AND SPINS ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF GMA’S ELECTION.

    SHE IS THE DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. NOT A POPULAR ONE, AMONG THOSE WHO DON’T LIKE (OR SIMPLY HATE) HER PERSONALITY OR PERSONALLY – BUT REGARDLESS, OF THE NUMBER OR INTENSITY OF DENIAL…THE FACT IS CLEAR AND ESTABLISHED…GMA IS THE PRESIDENT, AND I PREDICT WILL REMAIN TO BE…UNTIL, SUFFICIENT LEGALLY PROVEN BASES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ABORT HER TERM.

    And from the looks of things….that is not going to happen this December…or next.

    P.S. Ellen, “re Willy the V”…will send you private note on it.

    Pepeton

  15. loy loy

    i hope GMA is as confident and sure of her victory and mandate as pepeton is of GMA.

    dahil kung ako ang presidente at alam ko ako ang nanalo at hindi ako nandaya ay haharapin ko ang mga tao at sasagutin ko lahat ang mga katanungan tungkol sa aking legitimacy ng walang takot. i.e. bakit ko kinausap si garci tungkol sa aking mga boto sa mindanao samantalang hindi naman sya ang comelec in-charge sa armm (i believe southern tagalog ang assignment ni garci noong eleksyon); bakit kelangang mag-cover up ni bunye tungkol sa hello garci tapes nung una (bunye said dalawa daw ang tapes isang spliced, isang original) tapos biglang babawiin nya when it was found out that his version of the original turned out to be the one that was spliced (take note: isang aide ni iggy arroyo ang nag-voice over sa part ni garci doon sa tape); ermita then said bunye acted on his own. tapos gma admitted to a lapse in judgment by talking to a comelec official. sinong comelec official? si garci ba? di naman niya klinaro.

    marami pang mga katanugnan na kelangang sagutin mismo ni GMA ( halimbawa sa media, isang no holds barred press confrence). she owes it to the people whom she claims to have the mandate to represent. ayoko si bunye ang sumagot kasi mamaya i-deny na naman nila at sabihing he acted on his own.

    alisin nya rin ang EO 464. hayaan nyang mag-testify ang mga military officers or government officials sa mga hearing sa kongreso. hindi sya matatakot kung alam niyang wala syang tinatago.

  16. Che Che

    At bakit niya tinatago si Garci. Dahil takot siyang i-confirm ni Garci ang narining sa tape? Kung hindi siya nandaya, dapat hindi nya itatago ang katotohanan.

  17. Loy,

    Maganda ang mga punto de vista na pinahayag mo dito.

    1. “Kung ang tao ay walang kasalanan, haharapin niya ang mga taong nagpaparatang”.

    Tama. Kaya nga inamin ni GMA na tinawagan niya si Garcillano. Dahil wala naman siyang tinatagong kasalanan sa sambayanan. Yun ang isang interpretasyon.

    Ang minumungkahi mo naman ay nasa kabilang dako. Nais mo pang humingi ng detalya kung ano ang pinagusapan, at kung ano talaga ang kanyang dahilan bakit niya tinawagan si Garcillano.

    At ito ay pinaliwanag din niya sa pamamagitan ng pagamin na mali nga ang ginawa niyang pagtawag kay Garcillano. Inamin niyan “Lapse of Judgment”. Ang ibig niyang sabihin ay, dahil wala naman siyang masamang iniisip gawin or sabihin, kaya tinawagan niya si Garcillano. Pero maski na wala siyang iniisip na masamang sabihin o gawin, mali yata yung mismong pagtawag, sapagkat yun ay nagbibigay ng hindi magandang mensahe o impresyon na siy (si GMA), ay mayroong masamang hangarin o plano. Hindi niya naisip yun, dahil nga, wala naman siyang iniisip na gawin na masama. Yun ang “lapse of judgment” nas sinasabi niya. Mali talaga. Hindi niya dapat tinawagan si Garcillano.

    Ang hindi natin iniintindi ay ang pagamin nila Enrile at iba pang pulitiko na sila ay tumawag din kay Garcillano.
    Halimbawa, inamin ni Enrile na tinawagan din niya si Garcillano…at wala namang masama siyang layunin…”My conscience is clear” ang pahiwatig pa nga ni Enrile noong isang ambush interview sa kanya. “Wala akong masamang intention. Inaamin ko tinawagan ko at nakausap ko si Garcillano. pero wala naman kaming masamang pinagusapan or pinagkasunduan.”

    Yung pagamin ni Enrile (at mayroon pang iba)…lapse of judgment din yata yun, hindi ba? Bakit hindi inuusing si Enrile na baka siya ay nangdaya, kaya siya nanalo?

    Kaya yung sinabi mo, na pag wala akong kasalanan, haharapin ko ang mga nagaakusa sa akin. Para ano, Loy? Para patunayan sa kanila na IKAW AY INOSENTO??? Mukhang baligtad yata yan.

    Hindi ba ang dapat kung sino ang nagakusa, siya ang dapat magpatunay at magpatotoo? Dahil sa prinsipyo ng “innocent until proven guilty”.

    Ukol naman kay Bunye…sangayon ako sa obserbasyon mo. Talagang “hindi crisis manager” ang taong yan. Madaling magpanic. Ang taong nerbiyoso ganyan ang dating talaga. Parang palaging nagtatakip ng kasalanan.

    Ngunit, dapat nating intindihin na ang trabaho ni Bunye ay bilang tagapagsalita ng Presidente. Trabaho niya talaga ang humarap sa media para parating ang mensahe na galing kay GMA. Walang masama akong nakikita sa ginagawa ni Bunye.
    Ako ay hindi sangayon sa lahat ng kanyang mgadeclarasyones.
    Pero wala akong problema kung magtatalak siya ng buong gabi at umaga…sa pagdefensa or pagpuri kay GMA… Ang pula ko kay Bunye ay…”masyadong mababaw” ang mga “palusot” niya.
    Pamali-mali pa. Yes ngayon. No tomorrow. Si Erap ganoon din nuong presidente siya…mali-mali…”I said that”- “No I did not say that”. Pero si Erap may sakit na sugapa sa alak (alki)kaya may dahilan na puedeng intindihin…lasenggo kaya hindi maaalala lahat ng sinabi niya nuong nagiinuman sila ng barkada niya. Pero si Bunye, ano ba talaga ang problema ng taong ito???

    Ito namang si Che, kung dumali, isip mo may prueba siya na si GMA ang dahilan kaya nawawala si Garcillano. Hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig sabihin ni Che – na “Dahil takot siyang i-confirm ni Garci ang narining sa tape?”

    Bakit kailangan pang i-confirm ni Garci, kung narinig na siya sa tape? Hindi ko maintindihan ang nais ni Che ipahiwatig.

    Huling punto. Ang aking paniniwala ukol sa resulta ng eleksyon 2004, ay base sa mga documented official reports
    at hindi base sa emotion…Karamihan ng mga ayaw tangapin ang katotohanan na si GMA ang talagang nanalo, ay dahil galit na galit sila kay GMA for personal reasons; at kamping-kampi sila sa ibang kandidato. At kaya hanggang ngayon, na higit ng isang taong nakakalipas ang eleksyon ang mga “diehard anti GMA” ay banat-tangi sarado pa din. Ang nagpapalala ng situation sa Pilipinas ay ang media na hindi sangayon kay GMA. Yan ay tunay na katotohanan.

    Tawagin uli natin ang pansin ni Che…Tanong ko…Ano ang pruweba niya na tinago ni GMA si Garcillano? Kung hindi siya nandaya, dapat hindi niya itatago ang katotohanan…anya ni Loy. Ang tanong na ito ay walang kabuluhan. Parang tinanong ko din si Che na:”Kelan mo pa tinigil ang pangugulpi sa asawa mo?”

    Napaliwanag ko na. Tama. Dapat magpahayag. Inamin na nga. Humingi na nga ng paumanhin…pero, ayaw pa din lubayan ng media na saradong “anti-GMA”. Hindi journalism ang tawag doon. Bigotry ang tawag doon.

    Tinanong ni Shiela Coronel (Exec Director ng Phil Center for investigative Journalism – sa isang kasulatan niya – “The Problem with GMA” – sinagot ko ang mungkahing tanong ni Shiela – “Ang problema ni GMA…ay MEDIA PILIPINAS, higit sa lahat.”

    Pepeton

  18. andrea andrea

    obserbasyon ko lang:

    Maraming pinoy ang mahilig sa gulong ng palad, annaliza or flordeliza, ek-ek. tayong pinoy siempre galit na galit tayo sa contrabida. also, I can further say that na tayong pinoy ay compasionate in nature (kaya number #1 tayo sa nursing eh). Kahit sa area musika, napapansin ko mahilig tayo sa ballad, malulungkot na kanta about sawing pag-ibig, medyo pa-taghoy na kanta, etc. ANg point ko, tayong pinoy ay talagang ma-emosyon, madrama at madali ma-sales talk.

    Kaya kung ang headline na tagalog is medyo dramatic at exaggerated againts “contrabida”, yung medyo mababaw umintindi na tulad ko ay madali mapaniwala, so lock agad isip againts contrabida. kaso marami yung mga tulad ko..

    yung naman ay aking opinion lang kabayang Che and Loy.

  19. loy loy

    Kulang at hindi sapat ang paliwanag ni Gloria. Hindi kailanman inamin ni Gloria na si Garci ang kausap nya. Sabi nya lang comelec official. Kailangan pang linawin ng mga mamahayag kay bunye (and bunye was even reluctant to admit that it was indeed garcillano). Kulang ang paliwanag nya para sa akin. Ang sa akin lang, seryoso ang ang mga akusasyon sa kanya. Di ba nya naisip yun na nag-sorry na sya’t lahat e hinahabol pa rin sya ng multo ng hello garci tapes na yan. Hindi nya pwedeng isawalang bahala na lang at sabihing “tutal nag-sorry na ako eh tama na yun.” Sa tingin ko kailangan pa ng mas masusing pagpapaliwanag.

    Yung impeachment sana malaki ang maitutulong sa paglilinaw ng lahat. GMA even welcomed it dahil gusto naman nya na sagutin ang mga akusasyon sa kanya at a proper forum. Sana hinayaan na lang na matuloy yun.

    Para sa akin hindi nag-umpisa si GMA sa pagiging kontrabida. Nung nailuklok si GMA sa pwesto pagkatapos mapatalsik si Erap, isa ako sa mga natuwa. Sabi ko siguro naman may papatunguhan na ang bansa. Maraming mga “bloopers” noon si Erap na nagagawa nya sa tuwing haharap sya mga ibang lider ng ibang bansa tuwing may apec, asean at ibang meetings. sabi ko, nakakahiya. kaya naman proud ako sa tuwng may maririnig akong balita noon na “impressed” ang mga ibang lider kay gloria.

    Noon yun.Bakit nga ba sumama ang imahe ni GMA? Ilan sa naiisip kong dahilan eh ang mga pagsisinungling nya. Una, sinabi nya na to foster unity eh hindi sya tatakbo sa 2004 dahil alam nyang sya ang dahilan kung bakit divided pa ang mga pilipino. pero tinalikuran nya ang pangako nyang yun at tumakbo sya. nagsinungaling din sya sa hello garci. sabi nya di sya nakipag-usap sa isang comelec official pero umamin din sya at nag-i am sorry. ang jueteng na isa sa mga pinakamabigat na dahilan kaya napatalsik si erap ay hindi nya napatigil. bagkus ay lumakas pa uli. and to think ang pampanga ay home province nya. political will lang naman ang kailangan bakit hindi nya nagawa yun. ayun, naakusahan pa tuloy sya at ang asawa at anak (pati na ang bayaw) nya na tumatanggap ng jueteng payola.

    presidente sya. role model. pero hindi iilan ang tumatawag sa kanyang sinungaling, mandaraya at kung anu-ano pa. umpisahan natin ang pagtatanong sa kanya, tapos isunod sina enrile at ang mga ejercito.

    ilabas din si garci (bakit ba kasi kailangan nya pang magtago?) at tanungin kung sino pa ang nakausap nya at kung ano ang pinag-usapan nila.

    ang sabi ng iba, masyadong mabilis manghusga ang mga laban kay GMA sa kanya (sinungaling, mandaraya, kurakot etc.). pero ang mga supporters naman ni GMA ay mabilis din manghusga sa mga laban kay GMA (destabilizers, power-grabbers etc.).

    depende lang yun Andrea kung sino sa tingin ng tao ang contrabida. pwedeng si GMA pwedeng ang oposisyon. di ko pinaniniwalaan lahat ng sinasabi ng oposisyon pero di ko rin pinaniniwalaan ng lubos si GMA.

    wish ko lang eh lumabas na ang katotohanan. pero suntok yata sa buwan yun.

  20. Search of truth ba ang talagang pakay ninyo? Ang tanong nga ni Jack Nicholson sa “A few Good Men”—“You want the truth? You cannot handle the truth.”

    Ang sa akin naman, YOU DON’T NEED TO KNOW THE TRUTH. The pursuit of the truth in politics is an ILLUSION. Magandang pakinggan. Punong-puno ng MORALIDAD. It’s the right thing. Dapat lang. It is what life is all about. I do not subscribe to that…even if there might really be some people who actually believe and live by that.

    Magandang gamitin sa propaganda. Kasi we always associate ang karangalan sa kagalingan. Let me put that to the acid test right here, right now:

    Given two options or choices…and only two options and choices of a president…SINO ANG PIPILIIN MO:

    Perst Candidate – Mabait. Makatotoo. Pero BOBO.

    Second Candidate – Salbahe (as in Kriminal-instinct pa). Bolero at sinungaling. Pero Marunong.

    Ngayon next question:

    SINO SA PALAGAY MO ANG BOBOTO NG KARAMIHAN NA PILIPINO?

    Iwan na muna natin ang ating usapan sa mga katanungang ito.
    At aantayin ko ang sagot mo.

    Have a nice thanksgiving.

    Pepeton

  21. andrea andrea

    Unahan ko na sila….

    I’m practical. i’ll pick the second choice. In reality, neither provides assurances but hey i’d rather gamble for marunong than bobo…mas malaki edge.

  22. andrea andrea

    I dont think making me decide to pick # 2 makes me immoral or my priciplae goes nowehre but I can scarifice if majority may benefit. My top concerend is the econmony situation. As you can see, people are tired and hungry. In a practical situation, i’ll gamble for someone who possesses tools to fix it, than the other one. In my own obeservation, kahit sino iupo mo sa malakanyang kahit yung number #1 candidate, later on nagiging pare-pareho lang sila.

  23. Andrea,

    Ang karamihan ng “bloggers” na liberal-radical-militanteng leftist- SPECIALLY those who deign to epitomize morality… ay dindi sasangayon sa iyo. Kasi ikaw naman, telling the truth. Da honest truth…and sincerely.

    Ang mga bloggers at political pundits (all over the world) who I described, ay parepareho ang “style”…”if it sounds like, looks like, smells like the truth…puede na…and da hell if it ain’t” It is WHAT APPEARS and WHAT IS PERCEIVED that is important to these “conscientious objectors”. They perceive some events, some persons as “vicious”…therefore, they conclude, they (the bloggers) must be virtuous!.

    =============

    My take on Ellen’s question: Ano ang nangyari sa moralidad?

    =============

    1. Not an issue. Never was. Morality ay ginagawa lang isyu ng mga pulitiko dahil “easy sell” ang concept na yan…lalong lalo na sa Pilipinas na “sardong Katoliko” ang mahigit na 85% Pinoy.

    2. Magandang PAKINGGAN ang “political platform” at “profiling” at “image building” propaganda geared towards promoting – “The Moral Person”. Pero sa totoo, ang moralidad is PERSONAL…at, sige, pagbibigyan ko ang mga “liberal-radical” – INDIVIDUAL ang moralidad. Kanya-kanyang paniniwala. Sige, allowed ko na yan.

    3. Masarap sabihin na “I am an advocate of morality in governance.” Whether totoo or hindi. Masarap din pakinggan.
    At ang mga propagandista, PRpeople, peryodista kasama diyan…ginagamit yan palagi. Pero ang tanong ko, ano yan, may kahulugan ba talaga ang “MORALIDAD SA PAGPAPATAKBO NG BAYAN?”

    4. Hindi ba ang MORALIDAD ay nauukol sa sariling paniniwala, basa sa relihiyon na pinaniniwalaan ng bawat isa? At sa totoo, iba-iba talaga ang ating paniniwala sa MORALIDAD? So, ano ang conclusion? Pag sinama mo ang isyu ng MORALIDAD sa GOVERNANCE or pagpapalakad ng bayan…eh di, as the leader, kung ikaw yun, YOU WILL TRY TO BE A LEADER TO MANY DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS…END UP A JACK (OFF) OF ALL TRADES…TRYING TO PLEASE EVERY SENSE OF MORALITY…SERVING NONE, IN THE END! Just think about that for a moment.

    5. The morality issue has no place in governance. You do not elect a leader dahil RELIGIOUS SIYA. You elect a leader because…the leader can help bring “(not what is (morally) RIGHT)….BUT WHAT IS GOOD…(practically)…the greater (practical) good, for the greatest number!

    6. The Utilitarian Principle – “The greatest good, for the greater number….the least pain for everybody else.”

    7. Realistic, objective, Perception of the world : “A country has no soul, nor conscience. A country only has INTERESTS (pecuniary and estimable) to protect.”

    But the “moral pretenders” insist otherwise…and so far, I have not seen in the Philippine history, or anywhere in my readings of the history of civilization…where the concept advocated by the “do gooders” have actually prospered and thrived….except maybe….THE VATICAN….(for their greater (benefit) good, and the least pain for their constituents.” Think about that too.

    ================

    Agree ako sa iyo, Andrea. Yung mga “masang pilipino” (daw) DO NOT HATE GMA, AS MEDIA HAS BEEN TRYING TO PORTRAY…they are FIRST hungry and desperate. Try talking MORALITY to an EMPTY STOMACH. Sige nga. “Give me a hungry man, and I will persuade him to change his religion (morality), for a loaf of bread, to satisfy his hunger and feed his family.”

    “There are no heroes nor villains in the Philippines – only a bunch of struggling to survive, trying to be wannabees…human beings, and power mongers…all suffering from SAD-KSPs syndrome.(Salik Ako Diyan – Kulang Sa Pansin).

    Who said this? “Peter, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord.” “Feed my people”.

    Happy sana ang Thanksgiving mo din Andrea.

    Pepeton

  24. loy loy

    anong edge ang sinasabi mo andrea? edge sa kasamaan? ayoko sa marunong nga pero ubod naman ng sama. sa tingin mo uunlad ang bansa, sasaya ang tao, mananatili silang malaya kung ganyan ang lider nila?

    saka bakit kelangan dalawang options lang? sa dami ng gusto at pwdeng maglingkod dito sa pinas eh unfair naman kung dadalawa lang ang options na ibibigay.

    sa dami ng mgapilipino. i’m sure meron dyang matalino na mabait at makatao pa.

    mas gugustihin ko pa rin ang isang lider na marunong at may moralidad at may takot sa diyos.

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