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Worst is yet to come

The latest version of Malacañang’s charter change via Senateless Con-Ass shows the depth of the desperation of Gloria Arroyo and her cohorts.

When we say cohorts, that includes House Speaker Jose de Venecia and his dishonorable gang.

In a text statement, Rep. Roilo Golez (Parañaque) yesterday said,

“Last night, I witnessed one of the saddest and most saddening episodes in the history of the House (of Representatives.)

“Akbayan Rep. Mario Aguja was delivering a privilege speech on the impending water crisis when his speech and interpellation was unceremoniously terminated to give way to what the acting Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said was a motion on a matter more important than the water crisis.

“It turned out that Defensor’s motion was to amend Sec. 105 of the House Rules stating that resolutions to amend or revise the Constitution ‘shall follow the procedure for the enactment of bills.’ Defensor’s motion was to scrap that procedure to allow a constitutional amendment procedure without participation of the Senate.

“It showed utter insensitivity and apathy to the water crisis now facing the nation, especially Metro Manila. And it was a below the belt motion because it constituted changing the rules in the middle of the game.

“The majority relented only when their number dwindled as that motion required approval by majority of all the members of the House. It’s unbelievable how some people would utterly push aside a grave public interest issue to give way to their political interest.”

Golez further said, “But as street pundits say, we ain’t seen nothing yet. Expect worse next week when they start their direct assault on the Constitution with their machetes.”

Since Monday, Arroyo has been holding meetings with congressmen on this new assault to the Constitution that they are planning. Reported timetable is, their version of Con-Ass without the Senate on Dec. 6, a new Constitution that would change the system of government to parliamentary by Dec. 12, on nationwide plebiscite to approve the new Constitution on Feb. 12, and election for members of the Parliament by Nov. 30.

In this scenario, the May 2006 elections would be cancelled and the term of offices of the congressmen would be extended for six months.

We all know of course that what Arroyo and De Venecia are cooking up are unconstitutional. The Constitution provides three ways to amend the Constitution: Congress, by a vote of three-fourths, convening as a constitutional assembly; Constitutional Convention; and People’s Initiative.

People’s Initiative is out of the question because surveys after surveys show that majority of the Filipino people are against changing the Constitution now. Social Weather Station’s survey showed 67 percent of the Filipinos oppose Cha-Cha now while only 29 would go for it. Pulse Asia’s showed 42 per cent are against Cha-Cha now with 39 per cent per cent in favor.

Those survey figures support the Supreme Court’s judgment that it was a fraudulent “People’s Initiative” that Malacañang stooges, Sigaw ng Bayan and ULAP (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, presented before the Comelec as its first attempt to change the charter.

Constitutional Convention is not being considered by Malacañang because it takes time and a huge budget.

We can imagine that money is not much of a problem for Arroyo since she has access to government treasury. But she has problem with time.

It’s now December and mid-term election is only 164 days. The national sentiments, as reflected in a Pulse Asia survey of senatorial preferences, anybody associated with Arroyo is bad news. In the national level, administration candidates are expected to get a thrashing. “Pupulutin sa kangkungan,” is the perfect Tagalog description of the election prospects of Arroyo’s candidates in the May elections.

The local election is a different ballgame but there’s a high probability that people’s disdain for Arroyo could be a curse for those running for a seat in the Lower House. A defeat of Arroyo’s candidates in the 2007 elections, would make her highly vulnerable to impeachment.

Of course, Arroyo can again activate the cheating machinery that worked overtime for her in the 2004 election to make her candidates win. But she would need the cooperation of the military.

We have no doubt that AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon would not be so averse to reprise what he did in 2004 as hinted by Comelec Commissioner in the “Hello Garci” tapes but that would really cause more revulsion among members of the armed forces who are conscious of their supposed non-partisan role in elections.

That’s one of the concerns of just- resigned Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz. He felt that he could no longer guarantee to officers that the military will be insulated in the 2007 elections.

Even if she escapes impeachment up to 2010, Arroyo knows the danger she faces once she is out of power. She would be made to pay for the crimes she had committed against the Filipino people. Charter- change to her is survival.

We seriously doubt she and De Venecia and all 194 congressmen would succeed with their fake Con-Ass. Even if they get the Supreme Court, without Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, to go along with them, there is no telling what happens with an incensed public and all the institutions damaged.

Sen. Franklin Drilon spoke about Arroyo’s plan to impose martial law early this year which Secretary Cruz had opposed. Cruz, in an interview with ANC’s Ricky Carandang said U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had warned against it.

A Malacañang source gave us a slightly different scenario contemplated last year, when the hardliners in Malacañang thought that Arroyo would fall. He said there was a talk of a “Coup me” and the establishment of a junta to be composed of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, National Secretary Adviser Norberto Gonzales, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane. We were told that Arroyo’s brother, Diosdado “Buboy” Macapagal, Jr. was included in the junta.

In her desperation, what would prevent Arroyo from coming up with another variation of martial law? The people should be on guard. The worst is yet to come.

Published inMalaya

83 Comments

  1. This Dec 15 timeline of Joe de Venecia’s for coming up with a new charter is incredibly fatuous.

    Do Gloria and Joe really believe that they can shove their FAKE charter to throats of Filipinos and get away with it unscathed?

    Debilitated mentally by power, that’s what they all are.

    Unblievable.

    But as you suggest Ellen, Filipinos must be vigilant! I would go even further and say that Filipinos must now come to terms once and for all with the sad, impending reality that they might have to go out to the streets again by milions and support their military in toppling this bunch of political hooligans, these shameless enemies of the Republic!

  2. Its not insensitivity, but an insult to human senses. How convenient it is to delete the last line of house rule 105 to get what the majority wants. If my memory serves me right, they rejected continued requests by the minority to amend certain portions of the house rules which led to the death of the two impeachments. The majority blamed the minority as they approved the rules. Now the shoe is on the other foot, the minority should throw the very same reasoning to the majority.

  3. Renato Renato

    Gaguhan na talaga itong ginagawa ng arrovo mafia gov’t.!This bogus one think that the Filipinos are that stupid, to accept her deceptive and self-serving chaha shit, hook,line and sinker!The bogus one is already loosing it(her shitty mind), to resort to disgusting tactics to mangle our constitution and destroy whatever institutions we have remaining!!!Nakakadiri itong mga tongresman ni arrovo!Mga walang hiya, at taksil sa bayan!!!Sana tangayin na ni typhoon reming ang mga nagpakaputang tongresman na ito papunta sa impyerno(they belong there), lalo na si tengangdagajdv,buwayang pitchay!Ang tatanda na ng mga tongresman na ito,napakawalanghiya at napakagahaman pa rin, walang pinagkatandaan!!!Soldiers of the People, move now pls., iligtas niyo po kami, ang Bayan natin sa mga gahamang trapong aso ni arrovo.Patalsikin na, now na!!!!@!!!!!!!!

  4. luzviminda luzviminda

    THIS CONGRESS IS REALLY THE WORST IN OUR POLITICAL HISTORY. BULOK-NA-BULOK TALAGA BECAUSE OF THOSE IMMORAL CONGRESSMEN. EH MGA BOBO TALAGA SA BATAS. AND THE ROOT CAUSE IS THE ILLEGAL PRESIDENT!!! BAKIT BA NATIN PINAGTATAGAL PA ANG MGA DISHONORABLE MONSTERS NA ITO. KAILANGAN MATAPOS NA ITONG MGA KAHIBANGAN NA ITO!!! REBOLUSYON ANG SOLUSYON!!!

  5. norpil norpil

    i have a suspicion that these bandits are counting on the people’s goodwill during xmas season.it was not enough that they have stolen the peoples’ money and votes, now it seems they plan to steal the spirit of christmas.

  6. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    The Philippines notorious political con artists Gloria Arroyo and Jose De Venecia wants to impose half-baked Philippine constitution is an insult to 80 millions Filipinos. The out-numbered minority members in the lower house cannot stop Malcananang evil forces. Military intervention with the support of patriotic citizens can neutralize these shameful bloodsuckers. REVOLUTION is the answer to fraudulent Arroyo-De Venecia constitution! REVOLUTION! REVOLUTION! REVOLUTION! REVOLUTION!

  7. TonGuE-tWisTeD TonGuE-tWisTeD

    Pwede ba, sa susunod na eleksiyon wala nang boboto sa mga Defensor na iyan! Si Mike at amang Mat, di magkasundo ng posisyon. Si Mimi-Mike, ang gusto concon, yung ama, conass. Itong unggoy na Art naman, conass na pilit. Si Miriam naman parang gusto pero ayaw na naman ng conass. Hijosdeputa!

  8. Emilio_OFW Emilio_OFW

    Parliamentary rule has been prostituted again by the dihonorable acting Majority Leader Arthur Defensor when he cut short the on-going privilege speech of Honorable Akbayan Representative Mario Aguja (remember he’s one of the Gallant 32 during the second impeachment of the Tiyanak) regarding the impending water crisis being felt my millions of Metro Manila residents. Which is more important the water crisis or charter change?

    Bastusan na talaga! I can’t believe it happened.

  9. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Who will save us from the evil empire? A Batasan Pambansa take-over scenario by patriotic citizens and soldiers is highly possible. Only time can tell. The take-over incident occurred in Yugoslavia and Fiji Islands.

    October 5, 2000
    Demonstrators Take Over Parliament, Calling On Milosevic to Step Down

    Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have taken over the parliament and other major institutions in Yugoslavia, a dramatic day today involving the president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic and his future. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have taken over the parliament and other major institutions in Yugoslavia, a dramatic day today involving the president of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic and his future. WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR

    SUVA, Fiji (19 May 2000) Rebels take over Fiji parliament

    Seven masked gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles entered Fiji’s parliament at 10:00am this morning and took Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry and his cabinet ministers hostage.
    President Ratu Sir Kamisese Maru declared a national state of emergency as rioters looted shops in downtown Suva. CYBER DIVER News Network

  10. Renato, Luzviminda, Diego,

    In principle, I am against military action against Gloria and political hooligans because of a deep conviction that for a democracy to work, the nation’s civilian component should be at its helm.

    By the very nature of their training, their mission, their calling, the military survives because of its character: MARTIAL! If you like, democratic exercises are not quite the guiding strength of the military as a Republican component.

    There is no substitute for a democratic exercise whereby civilian authority rules supreme over a nation’s military component but when enemies of the state, i.e., the civilian hooligans in Congress are prepared to topple a Republic, there is no other recourse but to call on the military, who by the nature of their sworn mission should be the guardians, the protectors of that democracy and to help the rest of the civilian component to restore sanity in the Republic.

    It is imperative however, to be vigilant because calling on the military to help re-establish sanity in an anarchic republic could be a double-edge sword.

  11. chi chi

    I would rather prefer this pekeng pangulo and minions act out their stupid Con-Ass gimmick ASAP than wait for another day, while they play with the current mix sentiments of the general public. It is so obvious that they are just confusing the people to buy some more time to hold on to power. In reality, they’re already extremely frightened, losing sight of their next actions. In my opinion, they are merely floating this gimmick, kung makakalusot. Kaya mas mabuti ay harapan na, let’s see who’ll blink first!

    Glueria’s drama is already in the stage of denouement, and unknowingly she is also the one herself punctuating it with the much needed period to end her own script.

    GLUERIA MAKAPAL ARROVO PIDAL, THE END.

  12. artsee artsee

    Talagang pinipilit. Bagsak na pilit pang tumatayo. Patay na pilit pang binubuhay.

  13. parasabayan parasabayan

    Anna de Brux, I am with you on going through a democratic and electoral ways of going through governmental changes but in our case where obviously the house is dominated by Gloria’s trapos, you mean we will have to wait for the next elections to turn the tide?

    It is so blatantly obvious that these dirt bags want to trample(very much like the Marcoses) with our constitution and even want to postpone the local elections to November of next year so they can plan more on their next assault on the constitution! From just waiting for the Supreme Court Justice to retire so they can hand pick one of their kind to take his place to Gloria’s assuming the DND’s highest post so she can easily push Esperon’s button anytime she pleases and a lot more of craftily planned maneuvering to ensure her prolonged tenure in office.

    How can we even say there should be a process we have to go through? The few good soldiers we have are now incarcerated for simply intervening to make sure that we are not prostituted more by this super abusive and super corrupt leaders. How can we just sit around and just wait for the process to take its course? There has to be something where people will once again show their dissent of this government. People power anew might be a good one.

    Where is the church in all these? All of a sudden they are silenced. Most of their constituents are in the d,e and f classes. They engineered Marcos’ ouster. They are a force to reckon with if they want to. Why do we always just rely on the soldiers? With all the generals fattened like pigs with bribes of bigger monies to put into housing, updating of equipments( who knows where all these will go) and a juicy cabinet or the like posts after their military careers, do you think the military will do anything to even raise a finger now to oust Glue?

    By the way, I read your other blogs on British Military laws, they are worth reading. I wonder if the American Military Laws are also patterned after the British Laws, being that the founders of the coutry were from Europe. The Phillipine Military Laws are patterned after the Americans. I hope Military Wife and AFPOfficer read those so they can share it with the incarcerated soldiers.

    We have to come up with more alternatives. I am also wondering if the other justices who voted for the Cha-cha can reverse their votes to go against the newly proposed short version once it is presented to them. I still believe in these justices. I am hoping that any of the four nominated justices who will not make it to the top post( I have a strong feeling that Miriam Defensor Santiago will get it the post) will make up their mind and go against the proposed newer version( no matter what version it is, to me, they all look the same).

    I am also all for revising the constitution at some point but not as hastily as the majority is pushing it for now. As long as the changes to the constitution will not benefit any of the incumbents, I am for the revision ant time of the day!

  14. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    When is the right time to call for military intervention? It’s now or never! Calling for military action to stop Arroyo-De Venecia madness to trample the existing constitution is within the bound of law. Fake president Gloria Arroyo is not the State including the shameless congressmen. These greedy traitors want to force a fraudulent charter without public scrutiny and debate. The constitution is the basic law of the land. What happens if the proposed constitution is half-baked or half-cooked? The Filipino people will definitely in the polls. It’s just a waste of time and taxpayers money. Matagal na tayong binababoy. Patalsikin na!

    Philippine Constitution 1987
    The declaration of principles and state policies principles
    Section 3.
    Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

  15. kitamokitako kitamokitako

    Unbelievable talaga!!! Truly, if they can go away with this unscathed, as Anna said, then the Phil is hopeless. KILOS NA mga kabayan!!!

  16. parasabayan parasabayan

    Ellen, I read not too long ago that De Venicia had a close encounter up in the air when his plane had mechanical problems. According to one reporter, he prayed so hard that he would be spared and he would do anything to make things right! With his daughter’s death not too long ago too, those are two strikes! The third one will really be fatal! He must be soooo desperate to be a Prime Minister( on title only-do you think that Glue will let him have the power?). Maybe a guaranteed “toilet seat position” forever! Heh,heh,heh…

  17. artsee artsee

    Ang anak na namatay sa sunog ay dalagitang bunso ni JDV.

  18. hindinapinoy hindinapinoy

    kuhang-kuha na ni gloria ang pamamaraan ni marcos. kukuha lang siya ng mga ka-kosang mababayaran, militar man o politiko, at ‘voila!’, plantsado na. kung mauulit ang pinaka-malagim na yugto ng pilipinas sa kuko ni gloria, natuto na kaya ang MASANG pilipino at hindi magsawalang kibo na lamang?

  19. I don’t want to pray that these crooks be struck with lightning now, because I want to see these crooks rot in jail. I’d rather pray that Filipinos now be wiser and have the strength of mind, body and spirit to kick out NOW the bogus president and her minions, including the bully piggy of a husband she has.

    What are the Senators doing? Their interests and positions are being threatened by these bobos, why are they not doing anything to stop them? This Joe Devil-Amnesia has been globetrotting even on government junket trying to sell his ChaCha to the Filipinos overseas they are even depriving now of their rights to vote by promising them appointed seats in his Congress.

    Why should they believe these crooks who have hoodwinked them not just once but a thousand or more times. Walang ginawa si Bansot at itong si Devil-Amnesia kundi lokohin sila!

    HUWAG PAPAYAG ANG MGA PILIPINO NA TANGGAPIN ANG KALOKOHAN NG SALIGANG BATAS NA GINAWA NI ABUEVA THAT IS FAR FROM BEING AN ENCOURAGING CONSTITUTION. IT IS DISCRIMINATORY TO POOR FILIPINOS WHO ARE BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE RUNNING OF THEIR GOVERNMENT THAT BAN THEM FROM RUNNING FOR POSITIONS IN THE GOVERNMENT TO REPRESENT THEIR FELLOW POOR WITHOUT ANY PROVISION FOR THEM TO BE EDUCATED PROPERLY IN FACT. IT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED BY ALL MEANS

    SOBRA NA, TAMA NA, KALUSIN NA! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! I hate to say this pero bastusan na talaga. Tonguena nilang mga ganid sila!

  20. vonjovi1 vonjovi1

    Talaga naman mga bastos iyan alagad ni ARROVO eh.

    CON-ASS ang gusto nila dahil karamihan sa kanila ay mga CONVICTED ASSHOLL eh….

    Kita mo naman ang mukha ni Tenga.. si Sec. C raulo Gongozales. etc… Bulldog Mike Arrovo Pidal, ang ang Tsuwawa nila na si Mike bading Defensor.

  21. vonjovi1 vonjovi1

    Mga nakaka suka ang mga naka upo sa atin ngayon at puro recycle na general na mandurugas.. isa rin sila sa CON-ASS

    “CONVICTED ASSHOLE”…Mas maraming kaso kung tutuusin sila kesa sa mga oposisyon na kung ano anong binabato.

  22. kitamokitako kitamokitako

    “Where is the church in all these?” , tanong ni ‘Parasabayan’.
    OO nga, nasaan na sila? Sino kaya sa taga simbahan ang may ‘k’ na gagawa ng ginawa ni Cardinal Sin nuong 1986, na tinawagan sa radio ang mga walang kibong masa na pumunta sa EDSA na naging hudyat ng people’s power? Oh, kahit na sino sigurong may ‘k’ d’yan, magtawag na ng nga naghihintay lang na walang kibong masa.

  23. Re: “Where is the church in all these?”

    Church still has to rethink things. The Church, through His Political Turbulence, Cardinal Sin, was partly responsible for the state of affairs the Philippines finds itself in, i.e., Gloria at the helm, crooked military officers, political prostitutes.

    Having said that, as in any institution that forms part of nation, the Church has bad but also has good elements. I reckon, we shouldn’t despair.

    At the end of the day, the Church will be doing what it has to do – the Church will perform excorsism to rid our society of the demons (Gloria, Joe de Venecia, political hooligans, military scalawags, Arroyo pestilence, etc.) who are barricading themselves behind Singaw’s Legions.

  24. vonjovi1 vonjovi1

    Ang mga TONGRESSMAN.WOMAN SA ATIN AY TALAGANG MAHIHILIG SA :CON : DAHIL SILA AY MGA
    CON-CIERGE – DOOR KEEPER NG MGA ARROVO
    CON-DOR- VULTURE OR BUWITRE NG BAYAN
    CON-SPIRACY – KASABWAT SA PANDARAYA
    CON-TAGIOUS – DISEASE SA GOBYERNO NATIN
    CON-TAMINATE – MARAMING NAHAWAAN OR DIRTY NA POLITIKO
    CON-TRABAND – MAHILIG SA ILLIGAL NA GAWAIN
    CON-VICTED – NA MADURUGAS AY MARAMING KASO.

    SA :ASS: NAMAN

    AY ISA LANG ANG MASASABI KO NA PURO “ASSHOLE” SILA.

    KAYA PURSIGE SA CON-ASS ANG MGA HINAYUPAK NA IYAN.

    LAHAT NA LANG NG MALI AY GAGAWIN NILA AT BABALUKTUTIN ANG TAMA.

  25. Leave the Catholic Church out of this. The priests and nuns there have done more harm in fact than good in these so-called “people’s power.” Let them rest in peace, and just leave the crusading ones to do what is right even to attract back members who have dwindled in their faith because of the late Cardinal Sin who lived up to his carnal name.

    Let them be inspired of God instead of doing what is right, not by the dictate of another evil priest, etc. but by the Holy Ghost even to help them strengthen their own faith in God.

    Meanwhile, let us not lose faith that God will answer our prayers if they are right and proper, good and true in His Eyes. I do pray for a better Philippines, but right now, I also pray that it be His Will!!!

    As God has stated, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. • • • He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. • • • I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” (Eccl. 3: 1-8, 11, 17)

  26. Sorry, this should read, “Let them be inspired of God instead IN doing what is right!”

  27. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Bogus Gloria and illegitimate has been doing all the butts kicking all these time for over six years, it’s now time to return the favor. Stop listening to bogus Gloria, just do it. The only proper response to this constitutional highway robbery in broad daylight is “ONE MILLION WARM BODIES” in front of Malacanang, and for sure it will stop bogus Gloria’s nonsense. If you let bogus Gloria alone there won’t be no more clean water left to drink. Just do it!

  28. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    You got to be kidding, ” worst is yet to come”? If you guys haven’t notice, the worst is here and now. Ever since bogus Gloria took it upon herself to subverted a legitimate govt of the people, things has gotten worst ever since and how can it get any worse? Lets not be naive!

  29. TongueT,

    If you are planning something in Manila, just let me know. We’ll try to consolidate our actions in Tokyo with your activities there in Manila by a mass demonstration, too, especially now that we know there are lots of concerned Japanese who can lend us warm bodies in fact!!!

    Putok iyong ASEAN as a matter of fact. Lots of foreigners going there to protest from Europe, US and even Japan! As the group of Lacson says, “HUWAG MATAKOT SA MGA KURAKOT!”

    I agree with Tony Cuevas, the worst is here and now. So, BEWARE! Don’t be caught off guard by the crooks calling themselves “Legions” or the disembodied spirits that have fallen from the sky.

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  30. Yuko,

    Thank you very much for that beautiful biblical citation… I haven’t read it for quite some time and to read it again here, its beauty moves me deeply…

    ““To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

  31. chi chi

    Yes, Yuko. The Catholic church shouldn’t dip its hands again in this kaguluhan. I am a Catholic, but open-minded enough to partly blame the church under the politically inclined Cardinal Sin and his followers for this current state of the country. Of course, there’s no use blaming anyone for the past mistakes, but they’ve done a lot of damage already that in the end, it’s always the poors that shoulder the consequencies of the actions of their supposed protectors.

    I guess, if Gluria would be finally booted out of her fake throne by the Filipinos without the help of the Churches, then and only then the country will start to become stable. Why? Because the tradpols will stop pleasing the churches leaders, less one negative influence on the poors come election time. Let the tradpols invent some more gimmicks, it’s where they excell, anyways. Hindi naman sila mawawala hangga’t may politics, pero mababawasan.

    I’m not sure if the people can do it alone without the military’s help, but I wish we can do it without the men in uniform. We would be the proudest citizens of the world if this happens. Walang tulong mula sa simbahan, walang ayuda na military. Ating-atin ang tagumpay! I must be dreaming, but it is worth dreaming for!

    After this fake pangulo, the would-be-Filipino leaders, collectively, should learn how to follow and respect their own Constitution to ensure progress and good life for all, albiet slow! It’s good to dream if only for the soul! But I am not giving up on these scenarios, miracles from above happens every second, baka inihuhuli lang tayo for whatever reasons unknown to us all. Happy Philippine Independence!!! It will be real soon!

  32. apoy apoy

    ystak,
    dalawa ang palagi kong bisita.
    affiliatetarget.com at storezoombli.com.
    Laging naka-abang pero hinahayaan ko lang para lalo silang mainis.

  33. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Lets not get caught up with bogus Gloria’s own personal agenda, Con-Ass, Cha-Cha, Parliamentary, whatever. The people of the Philippines has to decide of how bad they want the country back and kick bogus Gloria out of Malancanang. The discussion is long over, time to kick asses, those illegal butts residing in Malacanang must be out there before they start injecting the polluted water of Pasig in the domestic water pipelines. Can’t trust these damn doggone Arroyos. They’re nothing but liars, cheaters and thieves. The country have no use for them now and/or never. They have done more damaged than the last typhoon and volcanic eruption that will last for the next two decades. Enough is enough!

  34. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Millions of warm bodies in not enough to oust the corrupt Arroyo regime. EDSA Tres as a very large protest rally that was sparked by the arrest in April 2001 of newly ousted President Joseph Estrada. The mass protest rally was held for several days in a major highway in Manila and Malacanang Palace. The protest was led by members of the political opposition Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Miriam Defensor Santiago and Vicente Sotto III. Why EDSA Tres was not successful uprising? The military and the police force sided with Gloria Arroyo. Military intervention is a key factor in a successful people power revolt in the Philippines.

  35. artsee artsee

    Hindinapinoy, hindi paraan ni Marcos ang ginaya ni tiyanak kundi ni Hitler. Di hamak na santo si Marcos kung ikumpara kay tiyanak.

  36. apoy apoy

    Ayaw makinig si Mang Joe? Sa laki ng tenga ayaw pa rin?
    Joe di Bingi siya,pati ba butas ng tenga mo nasarhan ng salapi? Ipinagdarasal kita dahil naaawa ako sa iyo.Pero bahala ka na sa gusto mong mangyari dahil bingi ka..
    Dapat gumawa ka na lang ng pelikula..Yung anime!! Kahit naka-tuxedo ko,mukha kang cartoons!!

  37. we-will-never-learn we-will-never-learn

    People talk as if the church was the only participant in elevating an un-elected GMA to such a powerful position.
    I seem to remember that the military; the Justices (no less than Davide); PNP; congress; the cabinet members; with the businessmen to finance it all; must take a share of allowing the present problem. Not least of all the public who allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by the thousands waving and rejoicing like children at a festival. They didn’t realize that this un-elected GMA already had a plan to ingnore the constitution (why shouldn’t she when she saw Davide do the very same for her)
    and ignore the rule of law even ignore the highest court in the land. Come on everybody wake-up please!
    Those who really believe that the military are the “protectors of the people’ then it must follow that the people should be the one’s to make the first move.
    That move is One Million warm bodies in front of the Palace with the resolve to stand there until GMA vacates the Palace. They are scared already; what more if they see One Million warm bodies outside their window.
    Thats when you will see a growing support of all classes of citizen including the majority of the military.

    Guns are not necessary; just One Million warm bodies is necessary to give this country a chance. Otherwise just sit at home; head buried in the sand and blame yourselves; not the church; the military or any other but yourselves for allowing them to hoodwink YOU yet again.
    For sure even worse is to come unless One Million bodies!

  38. parasabayan parasabayan

    If military intervention is a must, then let us try to help those datained soldiers to come out of their detention! Write or e-mail Esperon( just don’t put your return address on the envelope, heh,heh,heh…). Write or e-mail all the influential people to free them( not the trapos of course, hindi sila makakapayag- their reign will end). Do something! The other soldiers who are still in their positions are probably just waiting for a “critical mass”. Mga segurista kasi,eh! Mga nakakabakla, ‘no? Ano naman kaya ang promise ni Esperon sa kanila? Sabi siguro niya, ” magpapakabait kayo ha, tingnan ninyo ako, I helped rig the elections and I detained all the moral and fighting soldiers and look what I got?”. ” I got the highest military post and two stars to boot!!! “. “So, see, if you follow, you can be like me!” This is what is happening in our military right now. Binabartolina and mga sundalong tunay so that all the rest of the force will be afraid to move and do anything to institute any good reforms in the government. It is a one way street, the soldiers can be used for cheating but they can be cheated! Even the brilliant( he had his blunders too but at least he sees it now) DND Sec Cruz could no longer stomach what is going on in the administration now. His underlings resigned en masse as well. Slowly, those in the position of power are coming out and protesting. I hope more responsible heads of the cabinets etc… will do the same. This is a much better protest. But again, it can cut both ways. Puwede silang mapalitan kaagad ng mga lalong corrupt officers.

    I am always praying to the Holy Spirit to continue working on the evil minds of those in power today, that they should not just think of themselves but more for the general good of the country. We are just a young democracy, compared to other countries but this is not an excuse to not change our evil ways. Look at Japan, wiped out and all during the war but because of the individual integrity of each and every citizen(there will always be rotten eggs), Japan is on its feet again and is looked up to by the world!

    Our own people are to be blamed for the state we are in. The poor easily change their minds during elections. For a mere 500 pesos they can sell their votes! How can we change the system? We also vote by popularity. I bet you id Pacman would run foer any office now, he probably would win. Then after he gets elected, the people will realize that he does not have thge ability to run even a simple government because he is a boxer. So, then the people will try to take him out but can not do anything more because he is already elected to an office. The effort to take out an elected official from his position is much much harder than voting for the right candidate for any elected position. In the case of Gloria however, it was worst than electing the wronbg person! She stole her position the first time by engineering the ouster of the duly elected president which she planned from day one! Then stole her way into the 2004 elections. Whole is to be blamed on these two takeovers? The Chief Justice and the military in the first conquest and in the second one, the military again and the comelec officials. Now, the same entities are still in power-the corrupt comelec officials and the Garci generals-all sitting in high and mighty positions! Who will help us overthrow these scoundrels? Your guess is just as good as mine! Only the Almighty can do miracles for our country!

  39. apoy apoy

    To the Pambansang Kalihim,
    Walang lihim na di nabunyag..Takpan mo man ang baho,aalingasaw pa rin. Kung kelan ka tumanda saka ka nawalan ng respeto..Mr Ermitanyo, tapos na ang araw nyo..
    tsk,tsk,tsk…nakakaawa kayo!

  40. hindinapinoy hindinapinoy

    hay naku, ‘one million bodies’, pagkatapos ano? pinatalsik si marcos, ano’ng nangyari? pinatalsik si erap? ano’ng nangyari? hindi na ba kayo nagsasawa sa paikot-ikot?

    tingnan ninyo ang nangyari sa iraq. napakadaling napatalsik ng amerika si saddam. ngunit kulang. hanggang ngayon, magulo pa rin kasi walang ‘political solution’. sila-sila na ang nagpapatayan.

  41. apoy apoy

    Con Ass?
    Lahat ng may pakana niyan ay mga Con Artist..Hayaan nyo silang mahulog sa sariling patibong..Kumakapit na sila sa patalim..Dumating na ang ngitngit ni Barabas..

  42. Parasabayan:
    You write ‘military intervention is a must’ then you end your piece by ‘all the garci generals are sitting in high position; who will overthrow these scoundrel’s; your guess is as good as mine’. These Generals are there because we allowed them to be there!.
    Part of the GMA plan was to arrest all the AFP Officers that show that they will take a stand and ‘protect the people’; thats history, she did it!
    Thats all the more reason that One Million warm civilian bodies need to get their act together and place themselves outside the Palace gates. If the soldiery want to join and show their cards thats up to them.
    Before somebody says the military will shoot, they don’t have One Million bullets to do it because the corrupt AFP Generals sold them to the various rebels!

  43. Elvira Sahara Elvira Sahara

    How do we solve a problem like the the Arroyos and their cohorts? Nobody but the Filipinos can answer this question. Their response could be and should be SOONER! Later could be too late!
    Now is the time, when we should not only PRAY hard but sincere because as Ellen says and we do believed it: The worse is yet to come!
    Ystakei, thank you for reminding us of those verses from Ecc.3: 1-8,11,17
    Time to open our Bibles again, “for He gives us strength to overcome all these perils.!

  44. florry florry

    We ain’t seen nothing yet, Worst is yet to come”
    I think that will be the most highlighted and politically correct statement of the year.
    On the glue and her ass-licker minions, we already have seen their worst in making life miserable and unbearable for the people. Since day one of her stolen mandate, her acts are illegal and unconstitutional and there’s no let-up in sight. But if they try to ram their con-ass to the throats of the people, maybe that’s the ultimate and final nail which will seal their fate into the slammers which they rightfully belong.
    Maybe the glue and her idiots ass-lickers didn’t even consider how majority of the populace will react against their evil ways. They’re so bold and deliberate in their violations of all the rules and laws because they know that they are being supported by the police and military which they pampered and showered with piles of money and juicy positions in the government. They have tested the patience of the people and so far they succeeded in instilling fear that discouraged them from joining mass actions. But then it has come to pass that everything in this world is not forever and has to end. And maybe this time is the right time.
    This con-ass thing is a make or break for both the pros and cons. It’s like a double-jagged edged blade knife which hurt so deep, really deep to whoever loss the battle. If the pro side lead by the glue and her minions succeed in their plans, they will rule the country unchallenged with all the power one can imagine up to a time we don’t know when, and the people will continue to suffer under the regime of the evil one.
    If the antis and the people win, it will be payback time, the glue and her minions will get what they richly deserved.
    I predict the glue will loss this one. This time will be different. If she and her ass-lickers ever attempt to force their con-ass, I think the people and members of the police and military will no longer take this thing sitting down. Their patience on the abuses and corruptions have been stretched to the limit and stretching it farther will no longer hold, and so the time has come for a real confrontation, and the will of the majority will prevail. And the words of Golez will be proven to be prophetic; “we ain’t seen nothing yet, worst is yet to come”. But that will not be for the people to see, but for the glue, her pidal family and their minions. The writings on the wall will be very clear; it’s their worst nightmare; and their end of the line has come.

  45. Mrivera Mrivera

    nag-aagaw tulog pa ang kamalayan ng magigiting nating mga kawal sa tunay na kalagayan ng sambayanang kanilang dapat ipagsanggalang; ang kanilang karapatan, kapakanan at kalayaang magpasya upang makapamili ng magiging lider na magmamalasakit nang tunay upang makamtan ang pagbabagong kaytagal nang ipinagkakait ng kung sino lamang na gloria arroyong ito.

    kung hahayaan nilang lantarang yurakan maging ang kanilang dangal ng mga ganid na ayaw bumitaw sa kapangyarihan ay winawalang halaga rin ng mga kawal natin ang pagtitiwala sa kanila ng taong bayan. magiging taliwas sa kanilang sinumpaang paglilingkod kung ipipikit na lamang nila ang kanilang mga mata at tatanggapin ang kulapol ng kahihiyan sa kanilang mga mukha!!

  46. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    “One Million Warm Bodies” to whatever how long it would take is powerful message right in front of Malacanang gate(s). Can’t miss! It wouldn’t solve all the problems in the Philippines, but we at least get rid one of the biggest problem the Philippine ever have, bogus Gloria and the hungry dogs. And, whoever the next person, it’ll sure remind him/her of the willing One Million Pinoys are the one dictate who should govern the country. It really doesn’t matter who takes over Malacanang after bogus is good and gone, in jail, matter not the person’s name or personality. What really important for now is to rid of bogus Gloria corrupt government. If the next person gets out of the line as bogus Gloria, just keep bringing the One Million Pinoys at the gate(s) of Malacanang ’till the right person is in Malacanang. Over six long years with bogus Gloria’s lying, cheating and stealing are enough. Now is the moment!

    To do nothing now that meant really something to take the country back, it’s saying bogus Gloria is legitimate. Bogus Gloria is not, and the Pilipino nation knows it, including all her dogs.

  47. dimasalang dimasalang

    masama na ang balak ni mokang. itim na ang budhi, hindi pa rin nahihiya na lumapit sa simbahan. there should be a massive drive to let the people know that cha-cha or whatever movements her group/s are doing is evil.

    we, who are at the other side of the globe, will do our share in going against her devilish schemes.it’s time for her to face trial and pay for her crimes.

  48. artsee artsee

    Maging positive sana tayo. Ang pamagat ay dapat na “The best is yet to come”. The best kasi malapit nang mapatalsik si tiyanak. Ikinalat ko na ang mga Kung Fu experts na spies sa Malacanang. Huwag lang makialam ang mga Ninjas dahil kalaban ng mga Kung Fu guys ang mga Ninjas. Sila patalon-talon lang pero ang mga Kung Fu talagang magaling sa bakbakan.

  49. Tira lang ng tira, Mrivera especially in this blog! It is definitely being bugged. I suggest you all get the Mozilla Firefox for safer surfing, and be sure to turn on your spywares, virus busters and cleaners. Kahit papaano we see the stir, good or bad!

  50. norpil norpil

    for the first time i like this artsee comment that the best is yet to come.positive thinking ang kailangan natin ngayon.

  51. Renato Renato

    Calling all anti-gma bloggers!This belinda olivares cunanan (Inq.net) is a certified gma ass-licker!She’s one of tengang-daga jdvs’cha-cha spin-misters in the print media!The nerve of this … telling(deceiving)us that cha-cha and the parliamentary bullshit is for the betterment of our country!

    This chameleon .. is of the same color as soliven, a sycophant of the bogus one.Ipakita natin sa … journalist(?) na ito,di niya mabobola ang mga Pilipino sa kasinungalingan niya!Palibhasa naisasama lang nga pekeng presidente niya sa mga biyahebiyahe, inilako na ang kaluluwa sa demonyo!This … is no different from the immoral tongresman of arrovo, walang delikadeza.God forgive for saying this,she can go to the deepest recesses of hell,take with her this other arrovo-dog emil jurado(manila std.)soliven is waiting for them there!!!Patalsikin na, now na!!!!!

  52. Chabeli Chabeli

    Renato,
    Nobody really reads Cunanan’s column. She is usually by-passed by many readers! Who likes to read TUTA-STYLE columns! If you want to jolt your blood pressure, read her columns. Ha ha ha. Her husband, his name escapes me now, works for the administration of Gloria.

  53. chi chi

    Renato, Mrivera, Chabeli;

    Belinda Olivares-Cunanan, nagpapatawa na naman kayo!!!hahaha, hehehe!

    Yan ang babaeng pati smelly ass ni Tiyanak ay aamuyin kapag iniutos ng Pidals!

  54. Mrivera Mrivera

    i only read three lady columnists: ellen, ninez and dinah. i like their guts. parang wala ng bukas para sa kanila kung bumira sa mga kawalanghiyaan ng walanghiyang walang kahihiyan, gloria makapal ang apog aso-yo, ang reyna anay ng palasyo sa tabing bulok na ilog.

  55. npongco npongco

    Is this Belinda Olivares-Cunanan related to Daily Tribune’s editor Ninez Cacho-Olivares? If they are, they certainly differ in their political views.

  56. chi chi

    Pang Guinness talaga itong si Glue! World champ in corruption, cheating, lying, and murder!

    ****

    2006 seen as worst year of rights abuses

    BY REINIR PADUA
    Malaya, 12/02/06

    THE worst since martial law.

    This was how human rights group Karapatan described the extent of rights violations in its situation report for 2006 which was released yesterday.

    “The year 2006 is the worst for human rights since the toppling of the Marcos fascist dictatorship in 1986,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, executive director of Karapatan.

    Enriquez said the rising number of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, cases filed against government critics, including the media, and arrest of prominent dissenters showed the Arroyo administration “ran roughshod on the Filipino civil liberties and human rights.”

    The 23-page report said there was a “steep escalation” in the number of cases of enforced disappearances this year. It said abductions were reaching “alarming proportions.”

    The recorded 93 victims of involuntary disappearances this year already represent 45 percent of the 206 victims since January 2001.

    There were seven cases of enforced disappearances in 2001, eight in 2002, 11 in 2003, 31 in 2004 and 56 in 2005.

    Particularly mentioned in the report of Karapatan was the abduction of UP students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan last June 26 in Bulacan.

    Enriquez said military officials implicated in the abduction “hardly bothered” to attend investigations and hearings.

    Of the 93 victims of involuntary disappearances, 50 were from Central Luzon, 23 from Southern Tagalog, and rest were from Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

    Karapatan, however, said the rising cases of political killings remained the “utmost concern” in the 2006 human rights situation.

    The group recorded 185 cases of extra-judicial killings from January to November this year, bringing the total number to 797 since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001.

    A total of 101 cases was recorded in 2001, 122 in 2002, 125 in 2003, 75 in 2004 and 189 in 2005.

    Of the 185 victims this year, 104 were farmers, 22 workers, 20 professionals and 11 from the youth.

    Karapatan also noted the irony in the declaration of the state of national emergency on February 24, exactly on the 20th anniversary of the Edsa People Power uprising which toppled the Marcos dictatorship.

    “Copied almost word for word from the Proclamation 1081 of former President Ferdinand Marcos, Proclamation 1017 ordered the Armed Forces ‘to maintain law and order throughout the Philippines, prevent or suppress all forms of lawless violence as well as any act of insurrection or rebellion and to enforce obedience to all decrees, orders, and regulations…’” the report said.

    The report also said the AFP “imposed a state of martial rule and committed violations with impunity” in rural areas especially in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

    It noted that the “reign of terror” in the rural areas included a census of residents to identify suspected supporters of the New People’s Army, which was later followed by a “list of suspects,” which it said also served as an order of battle.

    Karapatan also included in the report government’s “legal offensive” on government critics that involved filing of charges and arrest even of those from the legal opposition and the media.

    Cited were the arrests of party-list representatives Crispin Beltran, Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, Rafael Mariano, Liza Maza and Joel Virador; the string of libel cases filed by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo against journalists and the attempt to arrest reporter Mia Gonzalez who is facing a libel case filed by the presidential spouse.

    The group said the human rights violations resulted in the condemnation by international bodies like the European Union, Amnesty International, and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce.

  57. Mrivera Mrivera

    chi Says: “sino si dinah! makikibasa na rin.”

    she’s with ninez cacho-olivares in tribune.

  58. Mrivera Mrivera

    chi Says: “Pang Guinness talaga itong si Glue! World champ in corruption, cheating, lying, and murder! ”

    let’s elevate her to the hall of shame as the first awardee!!!!

  59. Renato, let’s leave the cuss words to the Arroyo father and son. I understand your anger but we can do that without lowering ourselves to the level.

    Please do not use cuss words in your comments.

  60. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Good advise Ellen. I’ve tried my own censoring. But I wonder why my attempted postings always disappear, together with your blog, from my computer? The past two days, I’ve written some posting here, but suddenly it would go as the pops ups and unwanted ads come in.

  61. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    “WORST IS YET TO COME.” Yeah, I do believe in that. The way the House is now railroading the legal process just to realize their self-serving agenda unmistakably points to that direction. Changing the rules at midstream just so they can revise the constitution to their own selfish advantage is another type of deception this corrupt regime does to the people.

    Allowed to go on their most despicable ways, tomorrow we may wake up with nothing more left but a badly torn down country.

    Better change this people than the system. The sooner they go, the better. Oust Gloria and her evil cohorts in Congress, now!

  62. nelbar nelbar

     
    Mrivera:

    Dun sa tatlong lady columnist na sinasabi mo?

    Iyong interbyu noong 1987 ni NCO kay COLONEL GREG HONASAN ang hindi ko pa rin napapanood sa video ng buo.

    Censored kasi ito ng NTC.

    Meron pa nga ako na front page cover noon ng NEWSWEEK , Inside the Rebel Camp.

     

    Pati iyong mga video footages na Back to Barracks noong December 1989 sa Makati(Probe Team, Che Che Lazaro) , sana meron silang archives at pwedeng i-download para pang collectors item na videos.

     

  63. chi chi

    Pinaghati-hatian na ni Glueria, deVenecia at Pichay , the Three Stooges, ang parliament, hindi pa man pumapasa ang ConAss.

    ****

    AS I SEE IT
    Bicameral gov’t still the best for us

    By Neal Cruz
    Inquirer
    Last updated 01:52am (Mla time) 12/04/2006

    Published on page A14 of the December 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

    THE MORE PRO-ADMINISTRATION CONgressmen try to convince us that we should change the Constitution to effect a shift to a parliamentary system of government, the more the people are convinced that we should not. Why? Because by their forced arguments and “illogical logic,” they are showing that they, the present congressmen, are the worst people who can monkey around with the Constitution. If this were a basketball game, their persistence can be called “forcing through.”

    What they’re proving is that a unicameral legislature, such as what they’re advocating, could be the worst thing for us—especially if they were to remain as members of Parliament. They are showing how, under a unicameral system of government, we would be at the mercy of Ali Baba and his thieves or, worse, of the Mafia.

    The congressmen are showing that they will push through with what they want even if the people don’t want it as shown by the surveys. They’re supposed to be the representatives of the people, but they’re working only for themselves—and to hell with the people.

    A change in the Constitution may be more acceptable to the people if it is done through an elected constitutional convention. But the congressmen don’t want that. They want to be the ones to mangle the Charter because they have selfish motives. They want to shape it to their advantage.

    The Cha-cha train is straining uphill, against an air of desperation after the defeat of the people’s initiative in the Supreme Court, and with the campaign period for the 2007 midterm elections fast catching up with it. Congressmen will soon have to go back to their districts to start campaigning for reelection or for other positions.

    The Cha-cha train engineers have become desperate because the surveys show that administration candidates will be massacred in next year’s polls. And it is not only because being associated with the most hated person in the Philippines will be a kiss of death; it is also because two-thirds of the congressmen and local government officials are on their last terms and cannot run for reelection. On the other hand, being an opposition candidate anywhere has an added appeal to voters because this administration is so widely hated.

    The surveys show, for example, that the winners in the senatorial election, if held today, would be opposition candidates. Not one Cabinet member or administration candidate is in the winning circle or even near it. The best performer in the polls among administration candidates is Presidential Chief of Staff Michael Defensor, but he is way down out of the Magic 12. Other Cabinet members—Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, the two Gonzalezes, Raul and Norberto, etc.—would end up, the surveys show, in the “pusali.” That is why, with the exception of Defensor, nobody in the administration wants to admit he is running next year.

    The administration’s problem now is how to prevent the onrushing debacle. There is only one way: postpone the elections. And that gives urgency to the Cha-cha. If the constituent assembly is able to push the Cha-cha through, the polls will be postponed. The present congressmen and local government officials will get a bonus extension of their terms, gratis. Then they, as the Interim Parliament, can craft the new Constitution any which way they want for their own benefit. They will increase their salaries and allowances, they will remove the term limits, they will remove the ban on political dynasties, they will increase taxes—it would be like opening the bank vault to the thieves.

    It is basic in legislation that legislators cannot pass laws that benefit themselves. But the present congressmen will pass all the laws that will benefit themselves. They are that “garapal.”

    Imagine what would happen if we had a unicameral legislature. Don’t tell me that parliaments have worked well in other countries. If they did, it’s because they don’t have the kind of congressmen that we have. In other countries, legislators may engage in fisticuffs every so often, but at least they hurt only one another. Filipino congressmen hurt everybody else by putting their greedy hands in other people’s pockets.

    One of the two prosperous Prosperos in the House of Representatives (Pichay, the other is surnamed Nograles) told a forum last Saturday that a new Parliament would have a prime minister, a speaker and a president. President Macapagal-Arroyo would continue as president and chief executive, he said.

    Ganun pala! Why change the Charter at all if we would continue to have GMA as President, Joe de Venecia as Speaker, and Prospero Pichay as prime minister? That would be going from bad to worse. Then we would have the Three Stooges running the country.

    In other words, a parliamentary government will achieve nothing for us; but it will abolish the Senate and allow the congressmen to run wild and loot the nation blind. And that would be the only change we will have in such a system. Tuloy ang ligaya for the rest of the gang.

    So it has become clear that we need the Senate now more than ever. It is the only body—short of a coup or a full-blown revolution—that can temper the abuses of the House and the executive. The Supreme Court is too slow and its members may be tempted and co-opted by the executive.

    In short, the present Constitution and a bicameral legislature, even with all their imperfections, are still the best for us. We can improve the Charter later on, after the present congressmen are out of power. Then we can amend the Charter leisurely, carefully and responsibly. In writing constitutions, haste still makes waste.

  64. apoy apoy

    They know that the cha-cha is a lost cause,
    but by now,they are already planning to boogie

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