Unlike the first impeachment complaint filed against Gloria Arroyo last year, where most of the complainants were politicians, the next one being prepared to be filed first minute of June 26 will have civic and religious leaders led by UP Professor Randy David as complainants. It will be People vs. Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo.
The three main charges will be:
* GMA exercised dictatorial powers to silence, if not stifle, political dissent arising from her illegitimate presidency. Charges of obstruction of justice, E.O 464, CPR and 1017, Daily Tribune, the Batasan 5 and electoral fraud.
* GMA committed crimes against humanity. She abetted, if not encouraged, the systematic and widespread killings of political dissidents and journalists to silence criticisms lodged against her and to continue her illegitimate hold on power.
* GMA criminally concealed her conjugal assets, engaged in graft and corruption, and entered into illegal government contracts. The Jose Pidal accounts, fertilizer scam, PIATCI bribery, Northrail, jueteng, as well as illegal witholding of the Internal Revenue Allotment(IRA).
In a forum on the impeachment move at the Manila Polo Club last Monday, organized by a group simply identified as “Concerned Citizens” led by Josie Lichauco, former undersecretary of the Department of Transportation and Communications, David acknowledged the weariness of people (click here for his brilliant speech) for another political battle that gives them a slim chance of winning.
However, he disagreed with the defeatist stand of Philippine Star columnist Boo Chanco that the political opposition must bow to political realities; that if they do not have the numbers, they should give Gloria the period of political calm she needs in order to “undo some of the things she did that are inimical to the public welfare.”
David said, “This kind of reasoning assumes that Mrs. Arroyo’s controversial rise to the presidency in 2001 and her equally controversial bid to keep it in 2004 have not tied down her hands so completely that she could still govern well if only she is not distracted by her critics. It assumes, above all, a well meaning and principled president.”
David said Arroyo has “accumulated enough political debts that she would likely need another lifetime to repay all of them.”
He added that the greatest threat to Arroyo now is the people who have an intimate knowledge of what she did to become president. “I do not think these people have been repaid, or if they have, it is likely that not all of them are happy with that they got. I think if you asked many people to help you lie, cheat and steal in the course of your rise to power, it would be next to impossible for you to have calm and peace of mind.”
David, who was the first victim of Proclamation 1017 last Feb. 24, gave four reasons why we should pursue the impeachment cause:
1. To remain quiet is not an option. A quietist attitude rewards thieves, opportunists, and dishonest people. Democracy is anything but quiet. The day citizens shut up will be the day they lose their stakes in the nation.
2. I also believe that our people are not ready for anything radical at this time. Out of exasperation, they may welcome a revolutionary government, but I am almost certain that if they were not part of it from the start, they would not have the energy to support or defend it. It will not take long before they start to question the basis of its authority, its legitimacy.
3. Our people are worried for their families. That is why, by the thousands everyday, they vote with their feet. They fail to see any hope of redemption for the country under any of the existing political leaders. They’re skeptical of almost all our present leaders. We must persuade them that there is hope for the country, but we must remind them as well that hope can only be forged in acts of sustained resistance.
4. I believe the 2007 mid-term election is unavoidable. It presents our people with an opportunity to see where their representatives stand on a crucial moral and political issue. They will be watching how their congressmen will vote on the impeachment of the most unpopular president this country has ever had. We cannot ignore elections, no matter how meaningless they might seem too many of us.
David said he has no illusions about the chance of the impeachment complaint in the Arroyo administration-controlled House. “But if,” he said, “perchance, we can persuade our people – especially the young to once more take up the challenge of political involvement as we go through the process of explaining the case against Mrs. Arroyo, I think we shall have contributed to restoring our people’s confidence in the nation as a whole.”
He said, “I think the impeachment of an unworthy leader is always a correct starting point for a nation’s political rebirth.”
This might just be the light at the end of the tunnel. Gloria has kept her opponents at bay and in the dark for so long by employing the muscle of the military and the police. Corruption and graft cannot be kept under wraps forever and the time is now to ventilate the foul air in government.
I saw a footage of the trial of Charles Taylor at the Hague last night. It gave me hope that someday soon Bansot will be presented there for the atrocities she has been committing against her fellow Filipinosm, answer even for her crimes against humanity.
Evidences presented at the People’s Court should be preserved for presentation there since there is no chance the Bansot will ever be charged in a Philippine court without removing all her friends and kin there, including Art Panganiban, and revamping the Department of Justice.
Romy Capulong, the ex-Judge of the ICJ, definitely knows what he is doing together with his fellow legal counsels at the CODAL.
What the Filipinos should do is get involved in this ind of people’s initiative, and learn.
I myself have learned a lot from this kind of civic concerns volunteering as translator/interpreter. Things I don’t expect to learn even in school, I surely learn and gain deeper insight, even commitment to try my best to help keep our world a better place to live in regardless of religion, political affiliations and creed.
This should read: What the Filipinos should do is get involved in this KIND of people’s initiative, and learn.
They should not allow themselves to be hoodwinked signing some Malacanang self-serving petitions that will benefit only the very person they should condemn and send to jail!
21 June 2006
I agree very much, now that 2007 is fast approaching, the voting populace should study carefully the candidates, especially those who are running for the lower house, most of these “REPRESENTATIVES”???? will tell us that they are doing it for the country???but actually it is for their own survival. I agree with other observations, that these politicians will use the impeachment case against the leprechaun as a springboard for their election.
Take the case of the 1b release for the AFP to eradicate the NDF-NPA, etc, etc….why not instead use these monies for the improvement of basic needs of the people, like social services, health, education, infrastructure, etc, etc…this is the way to eradicate the so called “leftist”, on the other hand, the 1brelease for the PAGC, how can the PAGC file cases against corruption, when the very person who is guilty has not been checked, like the case of former sec. nani perez, FVR, jose pidals (mike and iggy)joke joke bolante??? (where is he????) or perhaps efven erap??? but the problem right now, is that the admin is very choosy in filing graft charges, they will only file charges wo whomever they want to file the charges.
Finally, the government of the leprechaun claims there is no money for the basic services, but now they are releasing funds to some of the most corrupt government institution like the AFP, there is no money for the salary adjustment of civil servants, but there is for the AFP and PNP, there is no money to fund additional classrooms, but there is money for the AFP and PND, there is no money for the improvement of health services, but there is money for the AFP and PNP, there’s no money for the infrastructure development, but there is money for the AFP and PNP, there is no money to alleviate poverty, but there is money for the AFP and PNP, wow, if you list it down, there is money for the AFP and PNP, this just show that the leprechaun is really under the mercy of the AFP and PNP.
Before I forget, there’s also no money (not enough) for the 2007 election) but there is money for the cha-cha.
I say these to the leprecchaun, her clowns and stooges and even to the opposition, RESIGN ALL AND PAVE THE WAY FOR SNAP ELECTION, SO WE CAN START FRESH AND TO ALL VOTERS, PLEASE CHOOSE WISELY, DON’T LET YOURSELF BE USED BY THESE HOODS.
jinx
Let’s not lose our hopes. If gloria killed last year impeachment bid, this time she may not able to do it. Let’s not give up. Everything has end, and who knows gloria’s end is just around the corner, fast approaching. With the restiveness in the ranks of the marines and with the present anger in the hearts of the Filipinos, gloria, the liar, stealer and cheater in on the brink of collapsing.
Keep fighting for democracy. !!!
gumaganda na nang gumaganda ang mga nangyayari. out of desperation, hindi na malaman ni glueria kung ano pang mga panunuhol ang gagawin nya. 1 bilyon dito, 1 bilyon dito, nahahalata na mabuway na ang kapit nya.. ang kinakapitan nya na lang ang corrupt na militar kaya yun ang kanyang pinalalamon ng mabuti pero magugutom itong muli at pag wala na siyang maipakain dito, babalikan sya nito at siya na ang kakainin. malapit na. isang bulate na lang ang pipirma. bwa ha ha ha.
Goldenlion:
The sad fact is I don’t think Filipinos, who have NOT been to countries where the citizens have better interpretation of democracy, know what they are missing. Otherwise, it would not be easy for them to sell their votes as a friend of mine, who was challenged by the brother of Fatso Pidal, lamentably told me happened even to his own campaign managers.
He lost because he had not money to bribe voters with, something unthinkable in fact over here where the police are easy and fast to catch those who will attempt to do this kind of election violations that are very common and acceptable in the Philippines.
That is why it is imperative that they continue those sit-ins conducted by concerned Filipinos, who are however not appreciated but killed and liquidated, labelled as commies, leftists, and now terrorists even when in fact they are nationalists, more patriotic than those who sit in their Congress, or man their military and police.
With the Bansot’s military order to kill anyone who crosses her path, this is even impossible now.
I would rather fight my causes in fact the legal and peaceful way, but in the case of the Philippines, a mutiny seems to be the only option left for decent and patriotic Filipinos.
God, help them please!
Octavian, All:
You guys have to write to the President of the US and the Prime Minister of Japan to stop any monetary aid to this present government that hood them to give money for her bribing activity instead of what they think the money they are granting are going to be used for eradication of graft and corruption.
You have to show these leaders that they cannot depend on this Bansot who is the epitome of the graft and corruption they expect to be eradicated.
I don’t know with Bush, but I am sure about our Prime Minister, who still can weigh fairly public opinion to abide by it.
Yes, tell Koizumi via the Japanese Embassy there to stop the 8M dollar grant that De Venecia brags he has obtained from Japan. It still has to be approved by our Diet as a matter of fact.
So, get down there and flood the Japanese and US embassies with your petitions to stop the monetary aid to Bansot! By all means, don’t let the Bansot have the cash to distribute to those she will ask to kill the impeachment!!!
goldenlion, octavian, yuko,
Tagilid na talaga si pandakaki, wala na ring ibang options ang mga “LINTA” niya sa congress. Kahit ano pa iboto nila, for or against, patay na sila at mga kamag-anak nila. They can kiss their political ambitions good bye.
Yuko,
Just click the names of commenters whose name is in a different color and you will be taken to their blogsites. Now you don’t have to tire your fingers typing the addresses. I hope we can entice you to create your own blog too.
Yuko,
The World Bank has approved another $200M loan to the Arroyo administration to fund the education sector. I see no end to this borrowing spree of the leprechaun in the palace. Couple that to JDV’s $80M, how can we ever get out of this rut if the administration continues to push us deeper in this quagmire of foreign debt. This administration is notorious with diverting funds. There’s no assurance that these loans will be used for its intended purpose.
Yuko,
Tama si Schumey mas madali yong iclick mo na lang.
Ang akin lang ay kung gusto mo ibookmark kaya buong address ni Anna ang binigay ko.
The charges are simpler and shorter..
papasa ito sa KISS ni senator Lacson na…
Keep it Simple S
Schumey:
I followed your advise. I just created a blog for my group in Japan. It is called “Maria Clara in Revolution” (http://pinay-revolution.blogspot.com/).
For a starter I have posted a news on the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Iraq with proud Koizumi making the North Korean missile threat as an excuse instead of public pressure calling for such withdrawal regardless of US bullying and the threat of another Japan bashing by the Bushes.
In other words, ayaw mapahiya ng kumag kasi talagang nagmatigas despite the weekly protests, rain or shine, snow and otherwise, against this Japanese participation in this Bush war on Iraq despite provision in our Constitution against Japanese rearmament.
This we are able to achieve over here, I guess, because none is illiterate and willing to be debased and demeaned by anyone, especially by someone less worthy. Education is compulsory and is a priority, more than military pursuits although I understand that under Koizumi, the budget for the military has been increased.
Oftentimes, I wonder if this is because also of the fact that here we have an Emperor, who is believed even to be a direct descendant of the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu-no-Omikami, and therefore above us all, and so, this makes us all equal regardless of our social and economic standings unlike in the Philippines where the rule of the game is to grab another person’s feet to get to where he is by hook or by crook!
The emperor, however, does not meddle in politics, but in times of war and natural calamity, he proves himself useful as a symbol of national unity.
Thanks, too, Karl for the information on Anna’s blog.
Yuko,
Welcome to the new world. You may want to update your profile here so other commenters can link to your site.
Happy blogging my friend. BTW, I’ve linked to you. Now you’re just a click away.
Congratulations, Yuko.
BTW, thanks for your info on Angelina Jolie CNN interview. I watched it yesterday. I was impressed with her. She looked sincere and down-to-earth.
Mr. David, just like any citizen has every right within the law to lead a process of removing a sitting president, he believes is not worthy of the office. As he stated he has no illusion of the attempts to be successful, but the process could be be the tipping point where the “truth” will be finally laid before the Pilipino people who have to decide ultimately for their own fate and future. Agree or disagree with Randy David, but the man is true to his beliefs and steadfast with his principles and I wish him the Best of Luck..
At last – this will be light at the end of the tunnel that most of us in this loop has been wishing for quite a while – the removal of Bansot/Pandak/Nano/Reyna Balyena from Malacanang. The success will depend on the conviction of the opposition group in the House till the end of the process. No amount of promises and monetary rewards should changed their minds.
Let’s all hope and pray. This is the last chance and hope for all loving Filipinos to take back what was taken from us four years ago – DIGNITY.
Ellen:
Yes, the interview was cool. I was very impressed by Angelina’s sincerity as she related her experience of charity to the countries that she had been to even before she became a UN ambassdor.
There is something in fact about her speech on the UN. She was indirectly hitting at Bush, who wants the UN scrapped! So, why should the UN do the cleaning up of the mess that Bush did there? He is said to have on top of his desk a book written by someone who has recommended withdrawal of the US from the UN.
At least, our government is trying now to make amends by playing safe working with the UN now to supply food, etc. to the beleaguered Iraqis, not send mercenaries to help wipe the Iraqis out.
Vic:
The People’s Court is no joke. Romy Capulong who heads it knows what he is doing. What evidences they can get there can be presented to the ICC in the Hague even if the Arroyo court will not try her for as long as she is able to keep her appointees there. But let’s wait and see when Filipinos would stop relying on the Americans to do their battles for them, and have more courage to believe in themselves in removing a criminally inclined from her stolen seat.
Glad to see an EDSA 2 participant getting disillusioned and now doing his part to right the wrong like Randy David. At least, he does not have to feel forlorn unlike the way I felt in one egroup where I was the only one trying hard to defend the legal process, not Estrada, who was duly elected by the people and was in fact trying to prove his worth despite the odds and the crooks around him.
Emilio:
The Bansot took over the reins of government in January 2001, so it is not 4 years ago but 5 and half years ago!
Problem now, dear friend, is that we are having difficulty convincing Filipinos here to register to vote with all the cheating and all made possible by the inefficiency of the Comelec and incompetence of the people running it.
A lot are trying hard to get Japanese citizenship instead. Fortunately, the Ministry of Justice has made the requirements for such application more difficult.
Japan does not recognize dual citizenship, and so Japanese nationals like myself cannot vote, but we can provide the venue for such democratic process and help by getting recognized as foreign observers as I did in the last presidential election.
My friends and I in fact discovered some discrepancies in the canvassed figures(boto para kay FPJ at Roco ninakaw at idinagdag sa boto ni Bansot)but we were a day or two late so that when we asked for clarification and verification from the embassy, we were told that they could not oblige with our request because all the canvasses, etc. related to the election were duly sent and turned over to the Comelec in Manila.
Gosh, lamay kalamay din kami noon, walang tulugan basta makita lang walang dayaan! Ang problema hindi mo makikita ang dayaan dahil dito ang boto ay by mail at walang nakakakita kung ano ang ginagawa pagkatapos na ma-deliver ang boto sa Philippine Embassy at Consulate ng Japanese Post na hanggang gate lang naman ng embassy at consulate na foreign territory!
Sa totoo lang hindi na maaayos iyan kung hindi mismo mga pilipino ang umayos ng mga pag-iisip nilang huwag mandaya at huwag i-tolerate ang pandaraya. Malakas ang loob ni Bansot dahil alam niya ang utak ng karamihang katulad niya na hindi na marunong magtiis at magdildil ng asin! Get mo?
By heading the signatories in the impeachment complaint against Gloria Arroyo, Randy David sets the example of “walk the talk”.
Dapat lahat ng media sa Pilipinas ay maglabas na ng mga istoryang pro-impeachment para hindi na magmayabang itong sina Nograles dahil lang sa gusto nilang makakuha ng malaking pork galing doon sa Bansot. Tignan natin kung gagamitin ni Bansot ang mga baril na sinu-supply ngayon ng kamag-anak ni Fatso para pagpapapatayin ang LAHAT ng mga matatapang na kakalaban sa kaniya. Civil war ang labas niyan pag nagkataon.
Ingat mga pilipino na hindi maging katulad ng Burma ang Pilipinas. Alisin na iyong mga sundalong nakasilbilyan na nagmamando sa mga pilipino ngayon.
Yuko,
Sorry if my memory recall did not served me right when I wrote my piece. Yes – you are right! It has been 5 1/2 years under this oppressive regime – which is incomparable with Marcos’ 21 years in power!
I really admire Prof. Randy David in his determination to fight it out to the end. He is one of those few who can see white as white and black as black, no if’s & no but’s!
Ang mga kampon ni Nano sa House of Representatives at military lamang ang namamayagpag at nakikinabang sa kasalukuyan. Talagang wala ng palabra de honor, delikadesa at konsensiya ang mga katulad nina De Venecia, Nograles, Ermita, Senga, Raul at Bert Gonzales etc… na kasama palagi sa photo opportunity ni Nano.
Hindi makuhang ipakita ang galit ng taong bayan kaya maski kalikasan ay nakikidalamhati sa hinagpis na nadarama ng mga abang Pilipino. Mga bulkan na matagal ng nanahimik ay ngayon nagngangalit dahil sa pakikiramay sa atin!
You bet! Alam ko iyong mga bulkan sa probinsya nina Nograles at Lagman ay malapit nang magbuhos ng lava at lahar! Kung hindi iyan signs of the wrath of heaven, ano na iyan?
Signs of the times, dear friend, ang mga iyan.
Magdilang anghel ka sana Ate Yuko, sana sumabog ang lahat ng mga bulkan s Pilipinas [dun lang sa mga maka-bansot], tapos sabyan ng lindol ng malakas at tsunami para tayo-tayo na lang matira. Siguro ang saya-saya ng Pilipinas pag nangyari ang ganyan kasi naubos na silang lahat!
Magdilang anghel ka sana Ate Yuko, sana sumabog ang lahat ng mga bulkan s Pilipinas [dun lang sa mga maka-bansot], tapos sabayan ng malakas n lindol at tsunami para tayo-tayo na lang matira. Siguro ang saya-saya ng Pilipinas pag nangyari ang ganyan kasi naubos na silang lahat!
Hayaan mo Ate Yuko, kasama mo ako sa pagdarasal na tamaan ng matinding kalamidad ang lahat ng lugar na maka-bansot!
E-mail from Es Velasquez:
Maybe if you will/can convince the constituents of each and every administration’s Congressmen to write,phone,text,rally or whatever means to convey to their Representative to vote for the impeachment bid or else ……
Hoy, Mr. Mabini, kahit na galit ako kay Bansot or sa mga ulupong na tuta niya ay hindi ko ipinagdarasal na wasakin na ng Diyos ang Pilipinas. Nasasa Diyos na iyon at hindi ko siya puedeng utusan! Kawawa naman iyong mapapahamak dahil lang sa kawalanghiyaan ng mga pinuno nila bagamat kung magdarasal sila ng mataimtim ay walang dudang tutulungan sila ng Panginoon na maibsan ang kanilang paghihirap at hindi na nila kailangan pang magpakamatay sa Iraq o Afghanistan.
Alam mo sa totoo lang nababaduyan ako sa inyo. Pirmi kayong may gusto sisihin sa mga pinaggagawa ninyong gusto pa ninyong magalit nang husto ang mga nagpo-post dito na inilalabas lang naman ang mga damdamin nila laban sa magnanakaw at sinungaling na nakaupo sa trono.
Ang husay-husay ng usapan, ginugulo ninyo? Bakit kayo nasisiyahan sa mga ganitong panggugulo? Ano kayo may sakit sa ulo?
Sa totoo lang my blog kami sa International Criminal Tribunal for Iraq sa wikang hapon. Walang ganitong pumapasok sa usapan para manggulo lang. Kaya lahat maraming natutunan! Sana ganito ang ugali ng mga pilipinong sumasali sa ganitong matitinong blog at usapan! Hindi naman mga bata ang kausap ninyo dito! Puede ba?
Malaya reports that Lozano is not filing a new Impeachment complaint. Buti naman! Handa na ninyo ang mga drums ninyo para sa cheering squad pag natuloy ang Impeachment. Problema iyong judge. They should choose one who has no connection with the Bansot. Not Panganiban, et al, please!
Ellen, All:
You can find the case against Arroyo for her crime against humanity at
http://www.icti-e.com/GeneratedItems/2005%20ICTI%20Final%20Judgment.pdf
Other references are in:
http://209.157.64.201/focus/f-news/1377744/posts
http://www.mdsweb.jp/international/i868/i868_01a.html
http://groups.google.com/group/england.current-events.general/browse_thread/thread/06ac9391ca918ba2/bb779ff700adc0e5
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D8C1C363-308C-41F7-8B32-935312621768.htm
There are other more. Just type ICTI on Arroyo on Google search and you get all the references.
Ellen,
I’ll send you the ICTI indictment on Arroyo re Iraq via post. She is judged there as guilty of the crime against humanity.
There are many references on this crimes against humanity of the Bansot. Just type ICTI on Arroyo at any of the search engines online. I use Google.
Baka hindi si Lozano ang kanilang panggulo. Let’s pray and be vigilant until tomorrow.