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Shaken but not deterred

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has survived a series of scandals to hold onto her presidency

by Alan Robles
South China Morning Post

In 1997, the influential Catholic prelate, Jaime Cardinal Sin, belittled the ambition of then-senator Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to run for president. He asked her disparagingly: “What would you do when there is a coup d’etat? Cry?” The cardinal, who died two years ago, couldn’t have been more wrong about the diminutive leader’s personality.

Far from being a faint-hearted, delicate creature, Mrs Arroyo has proven to be as tough as nails. And she’s needed the grit because she’s also turned out to be one of the troubled nation’s most contentious and beleaguered leaders.

If opinion polls can be believed, the 60-year-old Mrs Arroyo is now the most unpopular president the Philippines has had in the past 20 years. A few months ago, her trust rating was lower than that of her ignoble predecessor, Joseph Estrada. Her administration has been linked to murders and human rights abuses, corrupt deals involving billions of pesos, systematic abuse of power and election fraud.

Yet, in a country where two presidents were ousted by “people power” uprisings, she has thwarted every attempt to dislodge her. She neutralised two impeachment complaints in congress, foiled at least three military coup plots, including one last week, and shrugged off desertions of cabinet members and key political allies.

Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon described her as “very strong. Very determined.”

Having taken power in 2001 and due to step down in 2010, the former economics teacher looks set to become the republic’s longest-serving president outside of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

Mrs Arroyo’s fortitude has earned the grudging admiration of adversaries. “We call her taga-Pata [from Pata],” joked Ustadz Sharif Zain Jali, an official of the Moro National Liberation Front, in a reference to a small island in Muslim Mindanao renowned for its fierce inhabitants. “A woman who can be president has to be braver than a man.” He said the people of Pata like telling a tall tale of a fellow islander convicted of murder, imprisoned in Manila and then married to a laundry woman, who gave birth to a girl who was adopted by a politician. That baby, goes the legend, became Gloria Arroyo.

To Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, the reasons for his boss’ staying power are simple: “She has done a lot for the economy as shown by the [growth in] gross domestic product and investments … I admire her. I know she is very dedicated to the job. She’s sincere in seeing to it that the programmes she has set forth are carried out.”

The problem is, each time Mrs Arroyo’s programmes have worked up a head of steam, they’ve been brought to a lurching halt by scandal. She’s also endured embarrassing revelations such as the temporary exile of her husband a few years ago over allegations he was involved in election cheating.

Other embarrassments include the resignation of her hand-picked election commission chairman under a cloud of corruption allegations, and the furore over an agriculture undersecretary who fled to the US rather than face an inquiry into public funds allegedly used for Mrs Arroyo’s 2004 election campaign.

Just before last week’s abortive coup, Manila was savouring two tales: one had Mrs Arroyo’s husband squabbling with other politicians over huge kickbacks from a telecommunications project funded by China; the other concerned hundreds of congressmen and governors invited to meet the president in her palace and then later receiving bags of cash. A couple of recipients said they were given half a million pesos each.

Stories like these explain why Mrs Arroyo is unpopular – and her reaction to them doesn’t help. She has issued executive orders banning officials from participating in investigations, in effect blocking any inquiries. She also has tried banning public rallies without permits, a move the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional. Lately, her adversaries claim, she has moved against the media, with which she has a poor relationship.

Justice Secretary Gonzales said there were “elements who want to destroy her leadership; these people who are envious of her, who want to sow dissension”. He added: “There is much black propaganda [against Mrs Arroyo] … so many people are being misled by these things.”

It’s hard seeing the accusations as unfounded rumours, when their airing has led to officials resigning or fleeing the country. Mrs Arroyo has never satisfactorily explained the so-called “Hello Garci” affair of 2005, when opponents released a recording of a phone conversation between someone who sounded like her and election commissioner Virgilio “Garci” Garcilliano. The two voices discussed padding the presidential election and kidnapping an election fraud witness.

In a televised “apology” Mrs Arroyo admitted talking to an election official, but did not identify him and denied any wrongdoing. There were huge demonstrations, nearly half her cabinet ministers resigned in protest and there was an impeachment hearing in congress. Although some insiders said that at one point she was almost ready to resign, Mrs Arroyo decided to tough it out. She survived, but that year was a turning point for many erstwhile supporters. Florencio Abad, who was education secretary until he joined the walkout, said: “I saw her ascension to power as an opportunity for reform. But after Garci it was a slide down from then on.”

Vicky Garchitorena, another cabinet member who resigned, said: “You have to demand accountability from our elected officials. It’s shameful when you have well-known individuals getting away with breaking the law with impunity.”

Despite being reviled and mocked, Mrs Arroyo almost succeeded in rewriting the constitution to allow her to stay in power indefinitely. “She is doing her job properly,” said Mr Gonzales. “I do not think the Filipino people at this point are still willing to be duped by these false prophets of doom.”

Several factors have sustained the president, the most important being the continued support of the military. As Mr Gonzales put it: “The chain of command is holding, police and military are beholden to her.”

A senior military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that as far as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) were concerned, “She is the legitimately elected president. The AFP does not have a hand in determining whether she was legitimately elected, that’s up to the Commission on Elections.” He said he opposed any military coup because “I don’t agree with a politicised military”. Mrs Arroyo was unpopular “because her detractors are effective in undermining her credibility. And the government has really failed to convince the public she’s a good president,” he said.

It helps her cause that Mrs Arroyo has close ties with General Esperon, who said he not only “admired” his chief, but had a “crush” on her. Mrs Arroyo was one of the sponsors of General Esperon’s wedding. The second factor is the weakness of Mrs Arroyo’s enemies, who are not only disorganised but also have nothing to offer as a replacement.

William Esposo, a marketing specialist who helped build Mrs Arroyo’s image 10 years ago but is now a staunch critic of hers, said he could never imagine bringing back Joseph Estrada. “Between the two, I’d rather stay with Gloria.”

Her foes have repeatedly underestimated her. Apparently last week’s plotters thought they needed to do nothing more than barricade themselves in a hotel and wait for “people power” to erupt. For their trouble, they were assaulted, tear-gassed and dragged to detention.

Sheila Coronel, a journalist who has investigated coups and corruption, said of the president’s foes: “Their judgment is warped by their hatred of Gloria. I wish we had more political actors who can see clearly through their hatred.” In contrast, she noted, “Gloria has managed to stay focused and clear-eyed, despite her hatred of those who hate her … and that is why she’s managed to survive.”

Mrs Arroyo has never been more resourceful and ruthless than when she’s defending herself. She hasn’t hesitated to tap dubious personalities, and has given largesse generously to supporters.

Mr Esposo said her political opponents “never imagined she would cross so many lines”, ignoring both the constitution and the Supreme Court when it suited her. “She is the epitome of patronage politics, she has perfected the art of patronage,” he said.

A third factor that has helped her is the inertness of the millions of Filipinos who, six years ago, took to the streets to overthrow Estrada in a peaceful uprising. Not only is civil society divided over what to do, many people are tired of uprisings. Fearful of what an Arroyo ouster might produce, they’d rather give the democratic process a chance. Mr Abad said that “as a country we have not been able to muster the unity we showed in ousting the Marcos dictatorship, in ousting Estrada … it’s every difficult to do that now.”

Although Mrs Arroyo has succeeded in hanging on, the downside is that a large amount of her administration’s resources and talent is devoted to the goal of self-preservation.

“You are no longer talking about governance, about development, about being able to address basic problems,” said Mr Abad. “You’re talking about being able to survive.”

Copyright © 2007 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All right reserved

Published inPolitics

188 Comments

  1. Excellent analysis by Alan Robles…

    Gloria’s new motto (might as well be Ermita saying it):

    “…no longer talking about governance, about development, about being able to address basic problems, …talking about being able to survive.”

  2. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “Many people are tired of uprisings. Fearful of what an Arroyo ouster might produce, they’d rather give the democratic process a chance. Mr Abad said that as a country we have not been able to muster the unity we showed in ousting the Marcos dictatorship, in ousting Estrada … it’s every difficult to do that now.”

    Functionality of law on diminishing returns. We had the most strength in removing Marcos. We barely manage to remove Estrada. Nothing left for Gloria. Because we are tired going through the same process again and again to face another corrupt president. Sino ba dyan ang mga Marcos-Estrada-Gloria clones presidentiables?

  3. Tough as nail? I don’t think so. More like a hardened criminal to me. If she is not removed right now, it is because the ones actually running the government with impunity find it convenient for their scrupulous activities to keep her there cajoling her like a spoiled brat.

    It is more like “you protect me, I protect you. You be loyal to me or act like it, and I will steal for you.”

    Point is why do majority of the ordinary Filipinos tolerate it. I saw those invited for instance to the receptions given to the OFWs, who are not being invited to go home but just visit the Philippines and see the developments and improvement (kuno) while the real problems that are unsolved and the scandals are swept under the rug, and I felt nauseated that they could even give her a standing ovation!!!

    Utak alipin is more like it!

  4. atty36252 atty36252

    To Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, the reasons for his boss’ staying power are simple: “She has done a lot for the economy as shown by the [growth in] gross domestic product and investments …
    *******************

    World Bank Statistics (lagyan ng h t t p : / /)
    devdata.worldbank.org/external/CPProfile.asp?PTYPE=CP&CCODE=PHL

    FDI (foreign direct investments)

    2000 (Erap) 2005 (Glo)
    $2.2 Billion $1.1 Billion

    Wow tumaas ang decline.

    GDP (growth – annual)
    2000 (Erap) 2005 (Glo)
    6.0 % 5.4 %

    Tumaas na naman ang decline.

    OFW remittance
    2000 (Erap) 2006 (Glo)
    $ 6.2 Billion $ 14.9 Billion

    That is what is keeping the economy afloat. Yung pobreng DH sa Hongkong, domestico en Madrid, etc.

    Huwag ka nang mag-comment sa economiya Raul, dahil sa larangang yan, isa kang muchacho. Stick to your warped interpretation of the law.

    Makakawala na ba si Manero? Yung kumain ng atay ni Father Tulio Favali? Please, gawin mong sisig ang kidney ni Raul. Ang panggisa, taba ni Pidal.

  5. Since we are into computations or statistics here, I suggest you read Tongue’s post on how he computed the bribery statistics about Pinas corruption released by Transparency Intl. http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=1936#comment-446771

    I thought it was an excellent computation — Tongue estimated the following: “Total 28.5M out of 88M population = 32%”

    32% equivalent to 28.5 million people have paid bribe, wow! Huge!

    Does this mean that the majority Filipinos of legal age has paid bribe?

  6. piping dilat piping dilat

    Dodong,

    IF you really want the answers to your question about why ousting Marcos was a big success then, you should factor in what US did behind our backs…

    Also, as I mentioned before, People Power toppling gov’t, per se, is a myth … it is the military that topples gov’t … why do you think EDSA 3 failed to topple GMA, then?

  7. piping dilat piping dilat

    atty36252,

    nag-iba po yata ang tono n’yo? mukhang mas radical na kayo ngayon …

  8. atty36252 atty36252

    nag-iba po yata ang tono n’yo? mukhang mas radical na kayo ngayon …
    *****************

    Dati na akong trying to be sarcastic. Baka hindi mo lang nabasa ang ibang posts.

    Or baka hindi malinaw ang sarcasm ng ibang posts.

  9. Well, it’s over…Gov’t loses case
    vs Lucio Tan according to Inquirer

    Excerpts:

    No prima facie evidence
    In the same month, the Sandiganbayan nullified the orders of sequestration of shares in Maranao Hotels & Resort Corp. PCGG appealed the decision before the Supreme Court, but the high court affirmed the judgment in 1996.

    In 2006, the Sandiganbayan ruled that the remaining writs of sequestration issued by the PCGG against Tan and company were void. The Sandiganbayan explained that before the PCGG issued the writs, it had failed to establish prima facie evidence that the properties were ill gotten.

    ¤¤¤¤¤¤

    My take: I wonder if there was bribery involved for govt to lose… Rumours have been all over the place since time immemorial that Tan bribes and bribes big — maybe they were just rumours, maybe not, but with Gloria’s govt involved, hard to tell.

    Very difficult to believe that Gloria’s appointees in Sandiganbayan are all honest.

  10. ipaglaban_mo ipaglaban_mo

    Yep,I know the US armed forces unit and some of the crew that was involved in actually bringing the Marcoses to Hawaii. So, it’s up to you all to make your own conclusions if they played a big factor or at least have some involvement in the ousting of Marcos. All I can say is, I will concur with piping dilat.

  11. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “it is the military that topples gov’t” -piping dilat.

    I am against military solution. People believed that military solution is the answer. That has been proven wrong. Since 1986 and many military attempts of withdrawal of support, the country is still getting nowhere. Military contributed to the problem. A tiny archipelago that could fit in one of the 50 states in the US, with population size close to a third of US population (with no effective population control) fighting for limited resources (education, health, etc) has one of its biggest budget cornered by military. The pension funding for nonperforming generals (ex-military) is enormous. The military establishment is well entrenched since the time of Marcos. It is resistant to change. Gloria Arroyo (and presidents before her) has given most resources to the military establishment while all other departments are fighting for resources. The 2004 elections would have not been accomplished without the military. The military bugs its own commander in chief to secure its own interest. You can understand why military establishment is supporting Gloria Arroyo right now. We did not go to war with another country so there is no reason for the military establishment. The next president will also be threaten under the barrel of the gun.

  12. piping dilat piping dilat

    Atty36252,

    Malinaw naman yung sarcasm sa ibang posts … pero mas glaring ngayon… mataas ang BP nyo, ngayong umaga?

    Anyway, aside from the data comparison that you posted above, i would like to note the following ( and correct me, if I am wrong… )

    1. Erap never signed a PPA contract…
    2. The Ayala’s and Lopezes were sore at Erap then for not allowing them to increase the water rates… which GMA allowed as soon as she was in power…
    3. Ramos left the gov’t coffers empty, in 1998, and it took Erap’s economic team about 6 months to normalize the situation. This was perhaps the reason why Ramos was kicked out of the advisory circle of Erap… remember Erap’s first(?) speech after taking over? ” Humihingi ako nang pag-unawa sa inyo… dahil bangkarote ang kaban ng bayan…”
    4. Erap had to clean Ramos’ mess in Mindanao with the MILF camps. Ramos’ appeasement policy made the MILF stronger. When Erap decided to take back the MILF camps, Ramos was among those who were against the action, saying that it is impossible to achieve… Napahiya ang West Pointer kay College Drop-out…
    5. Erap was about to charge FVR with plunder for the Phil Expo, PEA-AMARI, etc… but was beaten to the draw by FVR in 2001… ( By the way, isama pala doon yung pagbagsak ng Urban Bank where FVR is Chairman Emeritus(?) ba? )
    6. Was there any record that ERAP got involved in anomalous gov’t contracts? Ito yung plunder, dahil gov’t money… yung jueteng money, if true, e hindi pera ng bayan, per se…

    …. my point is that Erap was a victim of conspiracy of the elites… they have to remove him for their self interests not because he is incompetent in running the country… as per your data shows…

    Sad, but true… the elites had been always the spoiler of all Philippine revolutions…

  13. REBELS

    What do you call people who risk getting a failing grade because they dare tell a teacher to his face that awarding grades based on favoritism is wrong?
    What do you call people who would lose friends because they dare confront fratmates beating up on a hapless pledgee for no apparent reason is wrong?
    What do you call people who would lose high paying jobs because they dare speak against unfair labor practices of the company?
    What do you call people who would get out of their car in the middle of the street to bang on the door of an Explorer that dangerously cut in front as if the driver owned the road?
    …Those gutless mice, or “hooters” will probably have another word for them but I can only think of one word “REBELS!”
    YES, WE’RE REBELS, WHY AREN’T YOU?

  14. piping dilat piping dilat

    “People believed that military solution is the answer. That has been proven wrong. Since 1986 and many military attempts of withdrawal of support, the country is still getting nowhere. ” – Dodong

    ***********************

    If you are going to analyze the coups that happened during Cory’s time… again, factor in the US covert actions… note that in those times, the bases lease agreement is about to expire… didn’t Cory campaigned for the retention of the US bases after the 1989 coup that nearly toppled her? My 2-cents worth, US promised support for Honasan’s group then withdrew it when they were assured that Cory will work hard for the retention of the US bases…

    For the earlier coups, one of them was instrumental in putting FVR a step short of being president… by ousting Enrile as DND secretary, and taking over the post… then move on plotting to get nominated as successor to Cory overstepping Mitra…

    By the way, why can’t FVR solve Ninoy’s murder when Ninoy’s escorts are assigned by Camp Crame, where he is chief during that time?

    Anyway, the military establishment is as good as the men who lead them… bakit ang PNP napatino ni Lacson, then?

  15. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “Was there any record that ERAP got involved in anomalous gov’t contracts? Ito yung plunder, dahil gov’t money… yung jueteng money, if true, e hindi pera ng bayan, per se…” – piping dilat.

    Estrada got commission. People erroneously think that commission is not people’s money. In commerce, commission is built into the billing price paid by taxpayers money. Estrada as president has no business enriching himself with jueteng to serve public interest. The only reason jueteng is not legalized because the military did not want to lose another of its cash machine and going into national treasury to be shared by politicians. The plunder case clearly shielded the collection infrastructure which is pointing to the military and police.

  16. Mas malaki ang mga commission ni Fatso according to my source. They have even invented ways and means to make his commissions untraceable as a matter of fact. Kung mabisto, either pina-i-invoke ang privacy rule kuno or simply tell the witnesses, et al to disappear for good or temporarily.

    Golly, ang modus operandi bistado na nga, pero ang tinik, walang magawa kahit na si Lacson!

  17. piping dilat piping dilat

    Atty36252,

    Please enlighten us on what dodong had posted above? Thanks!

  18. “The plunder case clearly shielded the collection infrastructure which is pointing to the military and police.” — dOdOng

    Only to the military and the police?

  19. But let’s not lose hope. Prayers will help but answers to them will depend on faith and worthiness of those who pray for divine intervention. In God’s own due time, I know the evil one will be subdued and removed.

    Come to think of it, but it took the Filipinos back up by the Americans 20 years to remove Marcos, who should have quit the presidency when he first got sick. By the 80’s, despite his health, Marcos did not and would not quit. His removal was in fact more like to me God telling him to quit because he did not know better, especially with a wife like Imelda and crooks surrounding him like those who must have been telling him not to quit because he was making them richer!!!

    Mas grabe itong nakaupo ngayon as a matter of fact. Tindi! Ang kapal!

  20. piping dilat piping dilat

    AdB,

    Ayaw ni FG nang ganyang mga tanong, ha? Masama sa health nya yan…. kaka opera pa lang nya sa puso…

  21. atty36252 atty36252

    Jueteng money is not government money, so walang plunder. True, may corruption, but prosecute on some other basis, dahil hindi ninakaw ang pera from the national treasury. They used plunder, dahil hindi bailable. Baka mag-cave-in si Erap. Ganyan din ang coup/rebellion choice against Trillanes, dahil hindi bailable.

    Na-prosecute si Erap for taking commissions from jueteng, at star witness si Chavit. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng kaso where the most guilty was used to testify against the less guilty. Parang using the testimony of the killer or rapist to prosecute the getaway driver.

    The state witness is usually the least guilty, fingering (hoy legal term yan, hindi sexual) the most guilty. Example, Sammy the Bull Gravano testifying against John Gotti.

    Si Chavit ang nag-nenegosyo, at yung mga jueteng lords ang talagang guilty, yet, ang nangongomission lang ang naipit Tuloy pa rin ang negosyo ng mga nag-pa-commission kay Erap. In fact, may Junior Pidal daw na already in the business.

    Do you see now, why there is impunity in the Philippines? Big fish daw si Erap dahil presidente. Pero big fish ba siya sa jueteng? No. Those guys are still living it up.

  22. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “…. my point is that Erap was a victim of conspiracy of the elites… ” – piping dilat

    Elite conspiracy is getting too much credit. The elite can manage to survive any form of government so far. In fact, they continue to do business during Marcos martial law. They are good in business. Any politicians know the financing power of the elite that even Marcos use to exploit. The elite will just switch allegiance whoever is in power and business goes on as usual.

  23. PD,

    hahahahah!

    “Ayaw ni FG nang ganyang mga tanong, ha? Masama sa health nya yan…. kaka opera pa lang nya sa puso…”

    Sa dami na ng ninakaw niya, di bumili siya ng ibang puso.

  24. piping dilat piping dilat

    Hi Yuko,

    prayers to solve our problems? hmmm… i also believe in the power of prayer… in a different manner…

    When I was small, I prayed for a bicycle…
    But I realized that God doesn’t work that way,
    So I stole one and prayed for forgiveness….

  25. We invite all Filipinos in Japan to join us in a street demonstration against the fake president and her policy of state terrorism, etc. in Tokyo tomorrow. Meeting place will be at Ebisu Station at 11:30 am to 12:15 pm. Then proceed to the Ebisu Park where the march will start going to Meiji Jingu. It will be covered by the media in Japan and the Philippines. There will also be a candle vigil in front of the Philippine Embassy from 1700 to 1800.

    Now is the time to show your indignation against this state terrorist and her minions. Don’t wait for the Philippines to be like Burma, etc.

    It is not rebellion. It is freedom of speech, press and assembly. I don’t know in the Philippines, but over here, such freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution of Japan as in most CIVILIZED societies for that matter.

    For the Filipinos in Japan, ngayon ninyo ipakita kung hanggang saan ang sinasabing dada lang daw ng dada!

  26. Hihihihih! “When I was small, I prayed for a bicycle…
    But I realized that God doesn’t work that way,
    So I stole one and prayed for forgiveness….”

  27. The candle vigil is to symbolize the death of democracy in the Philippines, and the state of terrorism similar to Germany’s when Hitler was the German head of state!

    Nag-umpisa din si Hitler from having an image of some “maamong tupa” but by the 30’s, he escalated to be the fiend that horrified many. I understand that during the early years of his political career, countries in Europe were giving him great accolades and awards like those conferred on the Dorobo by the misguided and misinformed Spaniards.

    Sama kayo, mga kabayan in Japan bukas! Ngayon na, sipain na!

  28. Was it Tongue who asked what would Katrina Legarda, who chastized Trillanes for the Manila Pen incident, would say now that her president Gloria Arroyo, has communted the sentence of Romeo Jalosjos, who raped her child/client?

    Here’s what she said: “You know, there’s something we Filipinos must learn and that is to realize when to give up. Like Trillanes. You can’t keep beating your head against the wall. Unless the people rise up, the President is not going to be moved. Why would she be moved to overturn her own commutation.”

  29. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    Only to the military and the police? – Anna

    There are things left unsaid. The jueteng has not change in Estrada time to Gloria. You can run the government as usual, jueteng will ran as usual. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

    The opposition senators knew that. So why would touch it? You don’t want to ran against military establishment which is tough to overcome. The church had been fighting jueteng endlessly but had not been able to prevail. There is no advantage of stirring too much.

  30. What a blasphemous statement, Anna! Sinong may sabi niyan?

    Nababoy ang Panginoon sa totoo lang, for God does not tolerate evil intentions, and I doubt if there will be any forgiveness for any offense not properly retributed!

    Iyan ang nasusunog sa impiyerno sa totoo lang!

  31. piping dilat piping dilat

    Dodong,

    Who has the stronger jueteng connection between Erap and GMA … ? Does the name Pineda mean anyting to you? Sino ang mag-kumpare/kumare ?

  32. Hang on, Ellen — don’t quite get what Katrina Legarda means here:

    “Unless the people rise up, the President is not going to be moved.”

    What could she mean by UNLESS THE PEOPLE RISE UP? Let’s give a concrete example: If PEOPLE ROSE (UP of course, not “rose down”) to back up Trillanes, then, it would be ok for her? Wouldn’t she be contradicting her earlier statement about breaking the majestic RULE OF LAW in Pinas? Or maybe she meant something else?

    Just curious. Anyway, I think she’s right — she, of all people, a lawyer, knows that there’s not really great respect for the rule of law in Pinas and that Gloria Macapagal is the embodiment of that disrespect for the rule of law… So, why should she beat her lil head against the wall fighting a losing battle?

    Maybe if Legarda hits Gloria on the head, she might win the battle (coz Gloria is an unano and I gather Katrina Legarda is taller than Gloria.)

  33. Sinong may sabing naoperahan si Fatso sa puso?

    Yes, inoperahan nga talaga siguro ang tabatsoy, but not sa puso. Baka lyposuction to remove his fats kaya medyo pumayat! 😛

    Pero sa palagay ko bumawi sa Spain maliban na lang kung tinipid sila ng mga kastila, tapos konting payat sa UK dahil teatime lang yata nakumbida, tapos taba na naman sa France.

    Dasal ko sa totoo lang matuluyan na sana!

  34. dOdong,

    “There are things left unsaid. ”

    You mean this govt is deliberately leaving things unsaid because it’s better… new political treatise in Gloria’s politics, is that it?

  35. “Iyan ang nasusunog sa impiyerno sa totoo lang!” — Yuko

    Hihihihi!

  36. piping dilat piping dilat

    “What a blasphemous statement, Anna! Sinong may sabi niyan?

    Nababoy ang Panginoon sa totoo lang, for God does not tolerate evil intentions, and I doubt if there will be any forgiveness for any offense not properly retributed!

    Iyan ang nasusunog sa impiyerno sa totoo lang!” -Yuko

    ***********

    Ay ako yan… huwag mo naman ipasunog ang kaluluwa ko kaagad… ang ibig ko lang naman sabihin… e prayers without actions e walang silbi… i don’t mean to insult anyone especially God…

  37. Yuko,

    Sorry for laughing but I’m really amused between your and Piping Dilat’s one liners on religion or faith or whatever, just can’t help but laugh.

    More wars were done in the name of religion… People kill their own in the name of God… Extraordinary!

    Perhaps, best thing to do is not speak of religion — hindi na nga magkasundo ang mga tao dahil sa politics, pag dinagdagan pa ng religion, lalo ng magkakagiyera.

  38. Hihihihi!

    “Ay ako yan… huwag mo naman ipasunog ang kaluluwa ko kaagad… ” — PD

  39. atty36252 atty36252

    You know, there’s something we Filipinos must learn and that is to realize when to give up.
    *****************

    Go tell Old Man Tañada and Chino Roces. Go tell our old timers who walked the Death March.

    Go and tell the OFWs who count the days to the time when they can go home, to hug their already grown children.

    Go tell the poor seaman drinking his beloved whisky, listening to Elvis crooning “I’ll have a blue Christmas without you”, feeling it more than Elvis could ever have felt.

    Do this in the comfort of your Forbes Park home, while enjoying some Chardonnay, or is it Pinot Grigio, munching on Danish blue cheese, watching some inane Hollywood movie on your plasma TV.

    Then give a toast to the people who can hardly afford cuatro cantos. Sipol lang ang pulutan, unless may namatay na manok.

    Thank you for inflicting Gloria on us. Civil society? What the heck is that supposed to mean?

  40. Atty,

    Hystrionics lang iyan ni K Legarda… nagpapalaki ng role niya, of course, baka nga naman bigyan siyan ng puwesto sa Malacanang, who knows?

  41. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “You mean this govt is deliberately leaving things unsaid because it’s better… new political treatise in Gloria’s politics, is that it?” – Anna

    Bingo! In Mr. Abad’s words, “You’re talking about being able to survive.”

  42. duren duren

    Iisa ang gusto nating lahat.
    Ang alam ko, demokrasya, Paano matatamo,? Kailangan ang rule of law. Dapat nating itaguyod ang batas sa lahat ng pagkajataon. Walang short cut dito, Hindi pwedeng mainip o mapikon dahil mabagal ang proseso. – Rene Villanueva

    sumalangit ka sana Rene at salamat sa ilang taong Batibot.

  43. piping dilat piping dilat

    duren,

    nakikinig ba si gloria sa mga sinasabi ni rene? mas malaki ang impact nyan sa Pilipinas kung gagawin nya ang suggestion ni Rene…

  44. duren duren

    duren,

    nakikinig ba si gloria sa mga sinasabi ni rene? mas malaki ang impact nyan sa Pilipinas kung gagawin nya ang suggestion ni Rene… piping_dilat

    Sa palagay ko mas malaki ang impact pag ginawa natin lahat ang suggestion ni Rene…

  45. piping dilat piping dilat

    Papaano magkaka-impact yan? kahit sundin natin si Rene kung ang problema si GMA mismo ang ayaw sumunod ?… may I remind you na nasa poder sya para iayos ang pamamahala ng bansa… tayo hindi… kaya ko sinabi na mas malaki ang impact kung sya mismo ang makikinig sa payo ni Rene…

  46. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    BY REGINA BENGCO

    PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday told British businessmen in London that said she is not a good politician but she is a good economist.

    In a meeting with the businessmen, Arroyo said: “I’d rather deal with the economy than with politics. I think I’m a pretty good economist but a very bad politician. I’d rather spend (time) on the economy… and as an economist I believe in the power of the global trading system…” she said.

    —————–
    May tililing na talaga. What kind of economy she is talking about. Bitcha golly wow..ang daming naghihirap na mga Pinoy. Umaalis sila sa bansa para lang magpaalila sa ibang bansa. Magkano lang kita nila? $100 to $200 dollars.

  47. dOdOng,

    If you were referring to Gloria’s policy of saying the least or leaving things unsaid, there’s no question that you’re right.

    Hang on, but what do you mean? Just need some clarification here — is that a good thing or a bad thing?

    To me, if Filipinos know she and her clones or her alipores are doing the wrong thing, and would rather leave things as they are, i.e., not say anything against her in order “to survive”, then they deserve Gloria and they deserve their lot.

    Same as if the French left the aristocrats to their devices in order “to survive”, there wouldn’t be the democracy France enjoys today or if the American rebels left King George to his devices, there wouldn’t be America today, etc., etc., etc.

  48. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    Mga cronies at alalay lang niya ang yumayaman sa mga nakukulimbat nila. And they are ones who can feel the so-called good economy…

  49. duren duren

    piping dilat
    Sa palagay ko mas malaki ang impact pag ginawa natin lahat ang suggestion ni Rene…

    hindi ko na uulitin para maintindihan mo ang ibig kong sabihin.

  50. Jadenlou Jadenlou

    Nagyabang na naman siya sa mga Britons. Ano kaya kung isupalpal sa kanya na ang mga tsimaa nila ay pinoy. Good economy? Hello Garci……….

  51. ““I’d rather deal with the economy than with politics. I think I’m a pretty good economist…” — Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

    Wow! Tama si Yuko, mahusay magbuhat ng sariling bangko. Buti na lang hindi humalakhak ang mga tao sa paligid ni Gloria ng sabihin niya yan!

    No question about it! I might add, she’s the best bribery economist in the world!

  52. piping dilat piping dilat

    Duren,

    Naisip ba yan ni gloria when she plotted against Erap in 2000?

  53. piping dilat piping dilat

    Duren,

    Why was it important to follow Rene, now… but not then in 2000?

  54. piping dilat piping dilat

    Naisip ba ni Gloria yan when she was talking to Garci ? Anong rule of law ang sinusunod nya during those times?

  55. dOdong,

    If the English barons did not rebel and if they allowed King John to rule and abuse his authority with impunity, the Magna Carta would have never been born…

    Bad things, execrable governance, bribery, illegal number games benefitting the high and the mighty, humanr rights abuse, abuse of authority, etc., etc., shouldn’t be left unsaid — people must fight for their right with all their might but if people want to fight for their right with all their might, in parallel, as Duren said, they must start the change in themselves — small steps lead to bigger steps.

  56. Don’t pay bribes! Don’t accept bribes! Don’t throw basura in the street, don’t make dura in public, don’t pee in public (disgusting habit!) Don’t abuse others who are in the lower station in life… Read Alex Lacson’s pamphlet.

    Etc., etc., then shoot down Arroyo!

    Gloria knows she can get away with being a cheat, a liar and a thief and breach the rule of law with impunity because she knows full well that many Filipinos, rich and poor are somehow like her!

  57. duren duren

    piping dilat If you believe na kasalanan yan ni Gloria, then I will not argue with you…wala naman akong magagawa kasi yan ang paniniwala mo eh.

    I only made my point at walang kinalaman si gloria sa point ko na yun. Magandang araw sayo.

  58. Gabriela Gabriela

    Nagpapaniwala naman kayo kay Katrina Legarda. She has already used the girl for her end. Sumikat sya doon na kunyari champion of children and women rights. She is now one of the top family lawyers. Cases like marriage annulment, punta ka sa kanya. de kampanilya ang singil.

    You should remember she was the one who fronted for Mark Jimenez in the purchase of Manila Times during martial law.

    Tama ka Atty, “Do this in the comfort of your Forbes Park home, while enjoying some Chardonnay, or is it Pinot Grigio, munching on Danish blue cheese, watching some inane Hollywood movie on your plasma TV”

  59. Gabriela Gabriela

    Gusto pala ni Rene Villanueva demokrasya, e. Bakit siya galit sa mga lumalaban kay Gloria Arroyo sa kanyang pagbastos ng demokrasya.

    Hilo na ang paningin nun nang sinulat niya.

    Gloria Arroyo has destroyed almost all democratic institutions. The check and balance. Congress (the lower house), Comelec, Ombudsman, the military, the bureaucracy.

    What kind of democracy are you talking about under Arroyo? All these extra-judicial killings. harrassment of media, corruption, cheating in elections.

  60. Rene Vilanueva is another pansy! A grown man with the mind of a ten-year-old! Why take him seriously? All those who idolize this guy must get a job and get out of their mothers’ houses for pete’s sake! Grow up and smell the bullshit they now call “RULE OF LAW!”

  61. Who’s Rene Villanueva?

  62. Is Katrina Legarda related to the President or the First Gentleman somehow?

  63. atty36252 atty36252

    Who’s Rene Villanueva?
    *************

    Playwright, Palanca awardee, most famous for his contributions to Batibot – Imee Marcos’ unabashed copy of Sesame Street, with Pong Pagong, and other knockoffs of Big Bird, Erny and Bert, etc.

  64. duren Says:

    December 8th, 2007 at 9:39 am

    Rene O. Villanueva, award-winning writer of “Batibot,” the Philippines’ “Sesame Street,” despite his failing health, made one final entry in his personal blog, expressing disdain for the latest Trillanes caper at the Peninsula Manila on Nov. 29. By Gerry Plaza
    Inquirer

  65. Oh, thanks, never heard of him. Sorry…

  66. Juggernaut,

    Thanks very much for the link to the profile of Gen Lim.

    I like Gen Lim, hold him in high esteem although was a bit disappointed when he got caught in the Pen escapade but to me, he is still the epitome of a good and valiant officer.

    Ellen, with your permission, am cutting and pasting the contents of Juggernaut’s link here:

    But who is Gen. Lim?

    General Lim. In these times of endless shenanigans perpetuated by people who are supposed to serve our country and people, this man shines as a small candle in a sea of callousness and indifference.
    The roots of newly promoted Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim can be traced to Xiamen, China, formerly Amoy. His father married a girl from Bohol but Danny, as he is called by both friends and detractors, was born and raised in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya. He is the youngest of five brothers.

    He finished elementary and high school in Solano with flying colors. He was in his first year at UP when he took the entrance exams to the Philippine Military Academy. He topped the exams.

    While a plebe, he took the entrance exam to the US Military Academy at West Point, one of the world’s premier military academies. He topped the exams.

    After graduation, he returned to the country, took the Scout Ranger Course where he graduated not only No. 1 but also led his team in registering the only encounter of the class during their test mission. He opted to be assigned to Jolo after that. He commanded the forward Recon Unit of the 1st Infantry (Tabak) Division in Sulu where his name became a byword due to his combat exploits. He was wounded twice in combat.

    Then AFP chief Gen. Romeo Espino noticed this officer and promptly directed GHQ to transfer then Lt. Lim to his alma mater, PMA, for instructor duty. He stayed for a few years then packed his bags again for the US to take up the Advanced Infantry Course at the Infantry School in Fort Benning, Georgia. He not only topped the course but was also awarded the Distinguished Allied Student Award for that year. When he returned, he joined the First Scout Ranger Regiment as chief of operations.

    In 1989, then Capt. Lim led the Makati siege that lasted seven days. The failed coup attempt resulted in his incarceration for two years. He was released during the Ramos administration after the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement between government and the military rebels. He was a member of the RAM-SFP-YOU peace panel in the negotiations.

    Moving on with his life, Lim took the Command and General Staff course which he again topped. He ran off with seven of the eight awards given by the school. Only the physical fitness award called the “Tarzan Award” slipped through his fingers and was given to a much younger officer.

    He later commanded the 42nd Infantry Battalion where he again made a name for himself for the various combat accomplishments of his unit. He also endeared himself to the Bicolanos in Camarines Sur where his battalion was based.

    He then became deputy commander of the First Scout Ranger Regiment and later regiment commander.

    BGen. Lim is married with a daughter still in high school. Despite all his achievements and accolades, this soft-spoken and modest officer does not have his own house yet – in direct contrast to his siblings who occupy senior positions in huge corporations (also in direct contrast to some AFP officers we know). He has consciously chosen to live a simple life dedicated to serving his country and people.

    In six years, he will be bowing out of the military service.

    I take my hat off to this officer and gentleman whose values and principles seem to be dying traits in this mess of an AFP. We need more people like him if we are to even hope to lift our country out the quagmire it is in.

    So today, I greet all the other people who are not like BGen. Danilo Lim: Mabuhay ang mga kurakot sa gobyerno ni GMA!

  67. atty,

    I grew up on Sesame Street, I can still sing the “One of these things is not like the others..”, C is for Cookie, and Doing the Pigeon with matching Bert imitation.

    By the way, if you go to the “VIP room” of the KTV in Manila, you can ask for “batibot” its a special service! Just heard about it from friends though (no use making the Mrs, stage a coup in the house if she reads this).

  68. piping dilat piping dilat

    Duren,

    All I am saying is that, it would have been easier to follow the rule of law if ;

    1. GMA is not guilty of mocking it herself…
    2. GMA applies this “rules of law” equally on all … hindi yung kapag kakampi iba yung set of laws applied and kapag kalaban, iba rin…

    Lead by example, sabi nga…

  69. atty36252 atty36252

    Despite all his achievements and accolades, this soft-spoken and modest officer does not have his own house yet…
    ****************************

    They should prosecute him for unexplained poverty. Ang tagal nang general, wala pang nakurakot.

  70. “(no use making the Mrs, stage a coup in the house if she reads this).” — Juggernaut

    Hahahahah!

    It’s like Josie Mayo (wife of LtGen Vic Mayo) who screamed at Vic and said to him in front of me and other friends (jokingly of course):

    “Oy, you might be a general but in this house, you are only a lieutenant!”

    Hahahahah!

  71. Hahahahahah! “They should prosecute him for unexplained poverty. Ang tagal nang general, wala pang nakurakot.” — atty

  72. atty36252 atty36252

    juggernaut:

    VIP lounge? Batibot? Sounds interesting.

    Who can afford this? Mga Pidal lang marahil.

  73. Gabriela Gabriela

    Equalizer, where’s your quotation about , “when they came for the Jews, I did not say a word because I was not a Jew…

    Until…

    When they came for me, and nobody was left to be concerned of.

  74. Everytime I visit this blog (post Manila Pen) I can’t help it but get so emotional. Its so difficult to accept why those who became the jailers, the tools of martial law oppression, and violators of human rights (Honasan, Aguinaldo, et al) were hailed as heroes before and go unpunished and Gen. Lim and others who never detonated a bomb in their so called rebellion, did not kill anyone, and did not damage any property (the PNP did it) are treated like this. Is somebody waiting for somebody to cut a deal with this government? Is Esperon willing to harass this man, an old man already, his body showing the stress of years of dedicated service to his country, until he is forced to compromise? We have an “ungrateful” society indeed…

  75. piping dilat piping dilat

    “Hahahahah!

    It’s like Josie Mayo (wife of LtGen Vic Mayo) who screamed at Vic and said to him in front of me and other friends (jokingly of course):

    “Oy, you might be a general but in this house, you are only a lieutenant!”

    Hahahahah!” -AdB

    *************

    Atty36252,

    Maiba ako nang konti… bakit parang bias yata ang batas sa mga babae ? Sila… may “Wife Battering Law”… bakit kaya walang “Husband Battering Law” ?

  76. atty36252 atty36252

    Totoo nga. I thought it was just a witty quote:

    Some by vice rise, some by virtue fall.

  77. A question that seems to be on everybody’s mind these days turns out to be: Is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the worst President in recent history?

    A recent informal, unscientific poll of The EQualizer’s blog’s viewers found that 80% of votes cast for “Worst President” rate the current presidency as a very serious contender for the dubious title.

    Poll Results:

    Marcos:11 votes(13%)

    Ramos:18 votes (21%)

    Estrada:8 votes(9%)

    Arroyo:67 votes (80%)

    total Votes:83

    Note:voters allowed multiple answers.

  78. atty36252 atty36252

    Maiba ako nang konti… bakit parang bias yata ang batas sa mga babae ? Sila… may “Wife Battering Law”… bakit kaya walang “Husband Battering Law” ?
    ********************

    One who needs the law against his wife is not a man. Sino naman ang lalakeng mag-pro-propose ng ganyang bill?

  79. In French we say, “Tant qu’il y a la vie, il y’a de l’espoir!”

    (While there is life, there is hope.)

  80. Gabriela Gabriela

    Re Juggernaut’s “Everytime I visit this blog (post Manila Pen) I can’t help it but get so emotional.”

    Thank God, you have not lost your capacity for outrage over blatant injustice.

    You should worry when you are no longer moved all these rank violations of the law just like Katrina Legarda who says, “Give up”.

  81. piping dilat piping dilat

    Atty36252,

    Ganoon po ba? Sige po… time out muna ako… marami pa akong lalabhan…

    AdB,

    Don’t laugh! Sasama rin ang loob sa yo ni Senator Biazon!

  82. piping dilat piping dilat

    atty36252,

    yun na nga po ang problema… maraming ayaw umain… he-he-he…

  83. Gabriela Gabriela

    Equalizer, please post here again your quote about not being concerned of other. When they came for the jews….

  84. Hihihihih! “Don’t laugh! Sasama rin ang loob sa yo ni Senator Biazon!”

    Oo nga pala, si Senator Biazon din, malaking tao, 6-footer and his wife is like 4’11 pero kayang “bugbugin” si General Biazon! Hahahah!

  85. Piping dilat,

    Tawag sa kanila TAKUSA! (Takot sa asawa!)

  86. Spartan Spartan

    Isang magandang araw po sa inyong lahat na andirito sa kuwarto ni Ate. Sa iyo Manang Yuko, na matagal kong hinanap-hanap ang mga matatalim na komentaryo, kay Madam Anna de Brux, na palagay ko ay elegante pa rin kahit galit na galit na. Sa totoo lang kayong dalawa na lamang ang pamilyar na pangalan nakikita ko ngayon. Ako ay nawala at huminto mahigit isang taon na ngayon sa pagbibigay ng komento at kuro-kuro dito, dahil una ay halos nasabi na natin lahat ang dapat sabihin sa kasamaan at kabuktutan ng ating gobyerno sa pangunguna ni gloria macapagal-arroyo(sinabi kong pangunguna dahil hindi naman siya ang talagang namumuno), pero ano pa’t hanggang sa mga oras na ito ay siya at sampu ng kaniyang mga kampon ay patuloy pa rin ng pagsasamantala, pagyurak, at pagpapasasa sa ating Inang Bayan.

    Ako ay huminto dahil tulad ng mga sinabi ko nuon, ang panahon ng pag-iyak, pagrereklamo, at paghihinaing ay hindi na sapat
    dahil sila gloria at mga kampon nya ay sadyang manhid, bingi, at wala nang pakialam sa damdamin ng mga ordinaryong naghihirap na Pilipino. At panahon na ng pagkilos upang maabot ang mithiin nating lahat na tuldukan at tapusin na ang bangungot na hatid ni gloria sa ating mga kaisipan.

    Subali’t ano ang nangyari? Nang kumilos si Sen. Trillanes at Gen. Lim nuong isang linggo, ang ating mga kababayan na panay ang mga reklamo na mahirap ang buhay ay mga nagsawalang imik. Mistulang mga dagang nagsipagtago sa kani-kaniyang lungga. Nang humupa ang lahat ng eksena sa Makati City, ang tanging imahe na titimo sa ating mga isipan ay ang kung papaano kinakaladkad at halos ibalibag sa loob ng isang bus ng pulis ang kaawa-awang si Antonio Trillanes IV, isang makisig, matapang, at maidelohiyang dating sundalo na naging Senador ng Bayan.

    Iyon po mga mahal kong kababayan ang huling pag-asa na tapusin na ang lahat ng kabuktutan at kasakimang pinag-ga-gawa ni gloria. Dahil tulad ng tinuran ni Trillanes, kahit umabot pa ang 2010, si gloria ay hindi aalis sa poder, dahil lahat ng galamay na nakapalibot sa kaniya ngayon, tulad ng kaniyang mga kampon na sina ermita, raul gonzales, at mga senador at kongresistang tulad ni lagman, villafuerte, et al, ay mga halimaw na walang kabusugan, at si gloria ang kanilang tanging susi sa kusina na walang iba kundi ang kaban ng ating Inang Bayan.

    Mabuhay tayong lahat, pero patawarin sana tayo ng ating mga susunod na henerasyon dahil sa patuloy nating pagpayag sa patuloy na paghahari ng reyna ng kadiliman na si gloria macapagal-arroyo.

  87. Anna,

    One of the advantages of having parents who violently oppose a career in the military is that you get a lot of “foster parents” – you know, parents of bunkmates and squadmates who take pity on you because you don’t have visitors and can’t stand the thought of leaving you alone in the barracks while the others get to go to the city and enjoy every imaginable “boodles” they can get their hands on. Sometimes these foster parents are officers of consirable affluence, so you get to have a nice Japanese dinner in a nice hotel (checked in), or Camp John Hay, but still there are some officers can only afford Teachers’ Camp. It was the way things were during Marcos time, and still is today, albeit not so discrete anymore as you can see more generals, even colonels, playing golf now.

  88. Hey Spartan, where have you been? Missed you here… Welcome back!

  89. “Nang kumilos si Sen. Trillanes at Gen. Lim nuong isang linggo, ang ating mga kababayan na panay ang mga reklamo na mahirap ang buhay ay mga nagsawalang imik. Mistulang mga dagang nagsipagtago sa kani-kaniyang lungga.” — Spartan

    Spot on! I agree.

    Any well-intended and honest leader, military or civilian can only do so much… up to the Filipinos to fight for their rights with all their might and to beat the hell out of the abusive powers that be.

    Frankly, I’m confident that we still have decent and honourable men exemplified by the incarcerated military officers.

    While there is life, there is hope!

  90. atty36252 atty36252

    Atty36252, Ganoon po ba? Sige po… time out muna ako… marami pa akong lalabhan…
    *******************

    Pinaglalaba ka? Hiwalay agad.

    Hiwalay ang puti sa de color.

  91. Juggernaut,

    More and more young officers are into golf now so I heard. You want to do business with these officers, do it in the Navy or Air Force Golf.

    The golf course in Puerto Princesa even before it was finished in 1997 already saw some majors and lt col playing golf — those guys are now star ranking.

  92. Spartan Spartan

    atty. at piping-dilat, both of your analogies about Erap and gloria’s time are both high on the truth scale. me kulang pa, nuong panahon ni Erap ang US$ ay umakyat na sa Php50.00, ngayon sa panahon ni gloria US$=Php41.+ na lang, resulta? pati mga Bagong Bayani natin ngayon ay mga nagsisidaingan. Asan na ngayon iyong mga ungas na nagluklok kay gloria sa pamamagitan ng EDSA DOS, dahil lalo lang daw naghirap ang Pinas kay Erap? Sila iyong mga taong ngumangaw-ngaw ngayon pero hindi makapag-EDSA dahil nasunog na sila kay gloria. Kaya walang bukang-bibig kung hindi rule of law…mga IPOKRITO/IPOKRITA! What about gloria’s continous twisting of the meaning and implementation of the laws, like her EOs, Pres.Proc., corrupt biddings, curfew? Hindi ba iyon paglapastangan sa RULE OF LAWs? atty., nagtatanong lang po 😉 hehehe

  93. Hi Anna,

    Spent some time with friends down south, we have a mistah who got shot in an encounter and still can’t walk until now. We asked him what he needed and he asked if we can donate a wheelchair, of course we wanted the motorized one (nothing less but the best) but he insisted on the manual as he might lose “upper body strength” with the other. You can just imagine the threshold for pain, difficulty, and injustice of these men. If soldiers violate the chain of command, its because its “inhumanly intolerable” already as they are trained to obey first before complaining…

  94. Juggernaut,

    In general, officers and men in the military institution have always been known to have a higher degree of honour than those in the civilian institutions of govt.

    Let’s hope that Gen Lim doesn’t break down… I wonder if he’s not actually asked himself, “Are these Filipinos worth my life, my dignity?

  95. ace ace

    I hope the men in uniform incarcerated for their loyalty to flag and country read this quote:

    “Do not regard loyalty as a personal matter. A greater loyalty is one to the Navy or to the Country. When you know you are absolutely right, and when you are unable to do anything about it, complete military subordination to rules becomes a form of cowardice.”- Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, U.S. Navy, (27 January 1900 – 8 July 1986) was known as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy”.

  96. Spartan Spartan

    hi Ma’m Anna…well, I just been around Metro Manila 😉 I was there when gloria’s boylette little mike defensor got “clobbered” so to speak in the senate running…bwahahaha! even using his cute daughter as campaign material P-) and I was still there when the priest from the cabalen land came-out on public showing what gifts were inside those gift bags that the queen in Malakanyang gave away to her demonic tribesmen. In short, I saw that it’s really futile right as of this time to affect any forced change against gloria and her cohorts. Like the popular line said…”it’s not cowardice to run and live, so that you may fight another day”. hehehe

  97. “If soldiers violate the chain of command, its because its “inhumanly intolerable” already as they are trained to obey first before complaining…” — Juggernaut

    Am very well aware of that Juggernaut. I’ve seen it all my mature life in RP and abroad. My husband was in the sub service. A couple of nights ago, we were having dinner with military friends (still in active service) and one of them just got back from Iraq.

    Despite the lack of decent equipment for the men and the incredible pressure (coz of Gordon Brown’s defence cuts) to make do with what the troops have, he says his troops weren’t complaining. And I understand why not — because the British Army Chief, who will surely not be promoted to Chief armed forces position, is bellowing at Defence dept on their behalf. He is fighting for his men!

    Troops, despite the overwhelming hardship, the terrible pressure, the great sacrifices asked of them will carry on if they respect their commander.

  98. xanadu xanadu

    GMA: “I think I’m a pretty good economist but a very bad politician.”

    National Government Outstanding Debt as of Dec. 2005.

    During Erap’s time, the foreign debt amounted to P1.5 trillion.
    When GMA took over, the debt ballooned:
    2003:Domestic–1,708,781 Foreign–1,651,327 Total:P3,355,108
    2004:Domestic–2,001,220 Foreign–1,810,734 Total:P3,811,954
    2005:Domestic–2,034,992 Foreign–1,856,040 Total: P3,891,032

    To pay our debt,it means 1.48 billion pesos a day, or 62 million pesos an hour, 1.03 million pesos a minute.
    To divide this to 85 million Filipinos, each of us has a foreign debt of about P50,000 pesos.

    Hindi pa kasama dyan ang buong 2006 and 2007. Pretty good economist?

  99. “In short, I saw that it’s really futile right as of this time to affect any forced change against gloria and her cohorts.”

    Is that so, Spartan? Naku, happy living na si Gloria until 2010 and beyond!

  100. “To divide this to 85 million Filipinos, each of us has a foreign debt of about P50,000 pesos.” — Xanadu

    Yearly?

  101. Spartan Spartan

    by the way, whenever I see Her Majesty, the Queen Elizabeth II, I’ve always thought that she kinda short or small, I mean in comparison to the late Princess of Wales height…she’s like a young girl beside an elegant lady. But when I saw gloria(gaynor not her last name) with the Queen, I thought I saw a crossbreed chihuahua/askal beside a miniteure poodle. 😀 sorry your Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II, no offense meant on you your Highness.

  102. Ace, that’s an excellent quote! Thank you!

    General Dannatt of the British Army is doing the same thing and will certainly be punished for it by not obtaining the promotion that he rightly deserves but he doesn’t care — he’s been telling Gordon Brown that UK Govt is wrong to treat British troops badly.

  103. Gosh, Spartan, Her Majesty the Queen is 80 years old! Hahahah!

    She still works very hard and the money she receives from the British taxpayers are very well earned — no stealing, cheating or lying there, that much I can tell you.

  104. ace ace

    “Gosh, Spartan, Her Majesty the Queen is 80 years old!”-Anna

    Gosh, Anna, Her Highness (GMA) might get an idea. She’s 60 years old, she might rule until she’s 80 like the Queen and will work very hard for the easy money by continuing to steal,cheat,lie and tolerate those who do so(Abalos).

  105. Valdemar Valdemar

    The foremost reason why everyone wanted Marcos head was that sinasarili lang nya raw ang kickbacks. The foremost reason we want PGMA to step down is that she and her cohorts are mounting a lot of kickbacks. Perhaps, we can triumph with our will when she gets to even up with the $10Bn Marcos was alleged to have amassed plus of course inflation factored in to the present cost of money. Do we have now victims that outnumber the Marcos victims? In case they would demand payment, where would we get the funds? Increase Evat na naman. Simple.

  106. Ace,

    Come to think of it, do you think Pinoys will let her stay in Malacanang or in power beyond 2010?

  107. ace ace

    “The foremost reason we want PGMA to step down is that she and her cohorts are mounting a lot of kickbacks”-valdemar

    Tama ka dyan valdemar, at idagdag pa natin ito, yung kickback ni Macoy,kinikickback pa uli ni GMA.

  108. ace ace

    Anna,
    By all means no! Not only because it is illegal but also because she will not be as beautiful,elegant and queenly as the Queen of England beyond 2010.

  109. “By all means no! ” — ace

    Whew! That’s reassuring! (I worried that Pinoys might not give a hoot whether she stole and cheated and lied some more beyond 2010…)

  110. “Tama ka dyan valdemar, at idagdag pa natin ito, yung kickback ni Macoy,kinikickback pa uli ni GMA.” – ace

    Marcos must be turning over in his grave right now “ano, tinago-tago ko pa kay Imelda, kay Mareng Gloria lang pala mapunta?” Tama na, sobra na, buti kung makatikim si pareng Mike dun, eh kung idadatung lang niya kay Esperon yung not so secret admirer niya? Waaaah!!!

  111. rose rose

    AdB/Yuko: I saw a picture sa Phil Star ata yon, GMA with the Queen. What was she wearing..a tweed coat? or a tweed suit? I can’t figure it out..pero it did not look proper to me..to be dressed that way for the Queen? I guess that was her own style…nakakaiba.

  112. Rose,

    Gloria with her pugilist and chubby like look and her literally chichuahua size should not be wearing all those wooly or thick tweed type of clothes. She looks like a fat stubby hand wearing an oversized woolen glove…

  113. Buti na lang mag kimono (or kimona ba yon) at saya na lang dapat siya.

    Maybe she’d look better in a Maria Clara dress but definitely not in that burly type of material. Para tuloy nagsuot siya ng blanket.

  114. Rose, just looked at the pic again — parang suot niya ay Indian tipppee material.. heh!

  115. Noong magpunta iyan sa Europe last year, ang suot banig, ngayon naman suot niya kumot na galing sa Baguio… bakit kaya mahilig isuot iyong tulugan niya?

  116. ace ace

    Anna,
    Pagbigyan mo na,mabuti nga hindi kulambo ang isinuot kung nagkataon, “see-through” ang labas niya.

  117. florry florry

    I don’t buy the idea that Gloria is as tough as nails. It’s not her suppose toughness that helps her remain in power, but her expertise in transactional politics and in wheeling and dealing with almost anybody especially to those whom she believes can provide some cushion when trouble comes in.
    It’s not a secret how she pampered and make her generals super-super rich and whose lifestyles can match the rich and famous with just so much pay, that even after their retirement they are assured that there is something in store for them and mind you, not just an ordinary or lowly government positions but the top or head of departments. The deal is “Take good care of me and I’ll be very very good in taking care for you”.
    How about the church? The church leadership never took a position or asked her to step down, because millions of peoples or gambling money as charitable donations is being poured into their “baskets”. At saka sayang naman yong mga sobreng inireregalo sa kanila kapag iniimbita sila sa Malacanang.
    And how about the honorable buwayas disguised as humans in congress? Alam na natin kung gaano sila katatakaw at kung paano sila sumakmal ng salapi ng bayan na ipinangsusuhol sa kanila ni Aling Gloria.
    These are just some of the reasons why Gloria is still sitting up there. She is not as strong or as tough, but a weakling dependent created and a product of the military who are the real power behind her. She knows that no uprising or attempt to unseat her will succeed without the military, just as she knows that no impeachment will prosper as long as she holds the majority of the buwayas. It’s a symbiotic relationship. She uses them and they use her. But all of these don’t come without a price. It’s the root of an endemic corruption that is prevailing in all government institution today. No wonder the country is now among the top most corrupt country in the world, courtesy of the Pidals.

  118. Bwahahahahahahahah! “Pagbigyan mo na,mabuti nga hindi kulambo ang isinuot kung nagkataon, “see-through” ang labas niya.” — Ace

    Hihihihih! Oo nga — imagine, baka himatayin ang mga Royal Guards sa kapangitan kung see thru kulambo ang isinuot!

  119. ace ace

    Anna,
    Thanks!

  120. Anna,

    Saw the picture in your blog. Naka-bathrobe nga. Mukhang same material noong jacket ni Senadora Sira la Cabeza na parang binili sa ukay-ukay. Apparently, kahit siguro mamahalin ang suot, kapag magnanakaw, mukhang magnanakaw pa rin, basura pa ang dating!!!

  121. Anna:

    Mas maginaw sa London, kaya hindi nag-saya. Doon nga sa reception sa Spain, naglagay na nga ng blanket para hindi maginawan e. Gininaw siguro nang makitang naka-ukay ukay iyong best friend niya ngayon!

  122. cocoy cocoy

    She knows that no uprising or attempt to unseat her will succeed without the military, just as she knows that no impeachment will prosper as long as she holds the majority of the buwayas. It’s a symbiotic relationship.— florry

    The role played by Trillanes is well known.Indeed,unlike many of his colleagues in Magdalo had defected to Esperon camp,Trillanes has more consistently maintained his opposition to Gloria.For this reason,he became,for a savior-starved population, a messiah.For his valiant effort, he deserves praise and credit. Nevertheless,Trillanes is not recommended for his passive action.

    Regardless of his consistent opposition,Trillanes has an unwilling partner in Senate and Congress.That means 23 senators and 240 elected congressman disagree with his move. He is highly vulnerable.He is an easy target for both Gloria and Esperon, which makes him impotent.The only card played by him is his charisma, during the stalemate period attests to this situation,that he could not attend a senate hearing, in other words, will not be allowed to legislate, a badly needed commodity to exposed the cheating during the Garci scandal’s transition period. He was deprived of political power. Esperon control military are ready to use military force with deadly implications.

    Is the military take over solve the problem? The answer is no. In addition to the obvious fact that the need to rebuild the country will require foreign assistance, which is now almost universally subordinated to democratization, one needs to mention the paradoxically crucial role for a constructively active participation in the framing of the new constitution that will serve as the document of reference for governing the country.This new role assigned to political parties and the relatively entrenched opposition tradition among the masses will constitute a formidable deterrence.Indeed,Trillanes faced with this formidable opposition in the waiting,which he himself nurtured.Unsupported civilian majority population will always face international condemnation.Yes,right now,no one can gambit the Queen until 2010.There are a lot of silence assassin on the waiting to derail her down the drain.

  123. Yuko,

    What is “ukay-ukay” na nga? Is it like Divisoria or Baclaran or Quiapo? (Keep seeing the word here but can’t quite place it?)

  124. Give credit where credit is due. The article on Gen. Ganny Lim was written by Malaya columnist retired Col. Romeo Lim (no relation), also a scout ranger.

    It was already linked earlier in my Nov. 28 post: “Rise up and be counted”

  125. Spartan, welcome back. Nakakabagbag damdamin naman ang iyong comment.

  126. Juggernaut: If soldiers violate the chain of command, it’s because its “inhumanly intolerable” already as they are trained to obey first before complaining…

    Ace: “Do not regard loyalty as a personal matter. A greater loyalty is one to the Navy or to the Country. When you know you are absolutely right, and when you are unable to do anything about it, complete military subordination to rules becomes a form of cowardice.”- Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, U.S. Navy, (27 January 1900 – 8 July 1986) was known as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy”.

    John F. Kennedy: Those who make peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable.

  127. Mrivera Mrivera

    “ukay-ukay”

    anna,

    halukay ang salitang ugat.

    halo halo sa atin.

  128. Mrivera Mrivera

    MONEY (bribe) is the root of gloria’s survival!

    bukod pa sa TAPANG NG HIYA AT KAPAL NG MUKHA!

  129. Remember the relief goods being sold at Divisoria, mostly iyong mga pinagsawaan ng mga kano?

    Iyon yata ang sinasabi nilang ukay-ukay. Naalala ko noong maliit pa ako, sinasama ako ng mother ko sa Divisoria at nakikihukay siya! Ngayon doon naman siya nakikihukay sa Goodwill Store sa Tate. Sabi ko sa kaniya, OK iyong mga antiques na gamit sa bahay pero iyong pinag-anghitan ng iba, huwag na!

  130. Xanadu: Hindi pa kasama dyan ang buong 2006 and 2007. Pretty good economist?

    *****

    Ang ibig niyang sabihin ay maganda na siya kasi mahal ang bayad niya sa pagpaparetoke ng mukha niya! Economist? Kahit nga sa panaginip, hindi siya puede e.

  131. rose rose

    AdB: That was what it looked to me too…but akala ko she was starting a new style.. I am sure it cost a lot of money but what does she care. Ang laki ngang IMPACT-AH? ang labas.. sa buhay ng mahihirap sa Pilipinas ang mga gastos nila..more..what award will she get now? the new queen with a big impactah? Naluma si Imelda..

  132. Fluorides (we are told) are for the prevention of tooth decay. You, the reader, can decide if they really work. The real reason they are added to your drinking water and toothpaste is to cause you to become psychologically and physically placid, and therefore, apathetic.

  133. Being an Economics Teacher does not necessarily mean she is a qualified Economist.

  134. Right on Sampot! “Being an Economics Teacher does not necessarily mean she is a QUALIFIED Economist.” (caps mine)

    Gloria is one of those people who keeps repeating a lie to themselves and end up believing their lie.

  135. “Regardless of his consistent opposition,Trillanes has an unwilling partner in Senate and Congress.That means 23 senators and 240 elected congressman disagree with his move. He is highly vulnerable.” — Florry

    Very good strategic assessment. I agree entirely. Trillanes must be a thinker and stop being a sensor for a moment and plan his course of action with those elements in mind.

  136. Apologies, the post I attributed to Florry was actually Cocoy’s:

    “Regardless of his consistent opposition,Trillanes has an unwilling partner in Senate and Congress.That means 23 senators and 240 elected congressman disagree with his move. He is highly vulnerable.” — COCOY

  137. balweg balweg

    Good day to all of you clasmayts,

    Good job piping dilat!

    RE: Atty36252,

    Malinaw naman yung sarcasm sa ibang posts … pero mas glaring ngayon… mataas ang BP nyo, ngayong umaga?

    Anyway, aside from the data comparison that you posted above, i would like to note the following ( and correct me, if I am wrong… )

    Your datum were ALL correct, kasi wala yan sa print media na pro-GMA.

    For further INFOs, please do not hesistate to get in touch me in support to piping_dilat about this matter at ELLENVILLE, Balweg!

  138. balweg balweg

    Klasmayts i’m still reviewing ALL your messages, i’m here na to share with you.

    Hi Maám Ellen!

    I’m very hapi about the eagerness of your students to share their feelings and observations about the present events in our country.

  139. Hi Balweg,

    Afternoon to you from the land of cold rain and strong wind….

  140. Thanks Ellen for posting credit…

  141. balweg balweg

    Hi AdeBrux,

    Good PM to you klasmayts, medyo late sa klase kasi galing pa ng work, hanap-buhay muna para di tumirik ang sikmura.

  142. Heheh! Peros sabado na ah Balweg — wala ka bang day off?

    Btw, in my experience, I yet have to meet a Westerner who doesn’t think that Pinas is poor a country because it has no natural resources or capable manpower but they overwhelmingly believe it is generally poor because the nation is corrupt.

    When a group or friendly discussion inevitably leads to what ails the world, usually the talk centers on poverty as the common cause of conflict.

    Someone says, “Yes, poor countries like Zimbabwe, the Philippines, Afghanistan (or another country) are constantly in social turmoil because of poverty and poor education, etc., etc..”

    Or diplomitically, they would say, “It seems that there’s been neglect of the Philippine people because of rampant corruption since the time of Marcos.”

  143. And of course, the latest Transparency Intl survey ranking us among the Top 10 in the world in bribery matters, can only confirm Western general perception that Philippine poverty is caused by corruption.

  144. Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime. – Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC)

  145. Conficius said:

    In a country well governed poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed wealth is something to be ashamed of.

  146. balweg balweg

    RE: 144 Responses to “Shaken but not deterred”

    Well, it’s a nice question? In my point of view, GMA regime is a rubber stamp gov’t of Mr. TABAKO. I mean, TABAKO is the one who run GMA gov’t since 2001. Props lang yang si GMA kasi po mga klasmayts, si TABAKO ang tunay na nagmamaniobra ng ating Pamahalaan.

    Kung si TABAKO eh maerase na sa arenang ito for sure 100%, sa kangkungan pupulutin yang si GMA.

  147. balweg balweg

    RE: 144 Responses to “Shaken but not deterred”

    Well, it’s a nice question? In my point of view, GMA regime is a rubber stamp gov’t of Mr. TABAKO. I mean, TABAKO is the one who run GMA gov’t since 2001. Props lang yang si GMA kasi po mga klasmayts, si TABAKO ang tunay na nagmamaniobra ng ating Pamahalaan.

    Kung si TABAKO eh maerase na sa arenang ito for sure 100%, sa kangkungan pupulutin yang si GMA.

  148. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Breaking News….

    GMA thought she was invited by the Queen to spend the night! She brought her own blanket!

    It’s really bad! Economista cum fashionista?

  149. cocoy cocoy

    Balweg;
    Hi classmate!Are you a working student? I thought your parents pampered you with all the goodies.hehehe!-Joc-Joc Bolante

    I agree with you that the labandera is a chiwawa of Tabako.What is sarcastic and pitiful is Gloria’s bizarre interpretations of national facts. Her psychopathic minds, schizophrenic thinking and borderline personalities made her deaf and blind to reality and accordingly fell under illusion. No sensible expectation to this current puppet regime to deal with this major national event in a different manner or mentality for who can give what she does not have. You are right! she’s a robot, she has no will or discretion and are fully controlled by Tabako.They both have for a long time deleted the word shame from their dictionary; their shameful acts, became their virtues. Tabako have been using and abusing Gloria’s magic wand as drums to echo his wishes and as human vehicles to protect his interests. They are void from all ethical and national conductive codes and null from any credibility.

    They are mocking our constitution. Various political parties, partylist members, churches in the current regime, or in the disguised opposition, are as guilty as other subservient in regards. Their camouflaged opposition role covering the regime’s enslaved stance and treason is giving Gloria and Tabako more power to manipulate the event and maintain their military hegemony over the whole country. They proved to be opportunists, selfish, with double standards in heart, mind and spirit. These party of corrupt flocks gave Gloria the justifications to rule and to conquer and oppress the civil society of the country. Leaders of these treacherous parties are addicted to subserviency, humiliation and double standards. They practice exactly the opposite of what they preach. People’s misery and poverty with them in office will never be liberated.

  150. balweg balweg

    Good day to you Klasmayt Cocoy,

    A civilian employee from a Military establishment. Being a civilian staff working and serving with Military officers, i learned a lot of good things from them rather than in our Pinoy Military establishment.

    As an Specialist working in one of prestigious Military hospital somewhere around.

    Well, you got my point! GMA is only a props president, without gutz. Kasi kinain nýa yong sinabi niya noon na di siya tatakbo sa 2004 Presidential election.

    Now, wala siyang magawa kasi cabals of former and active General (PROBLEMS) with their Junta leader (TABAKO)eh sila ang nagpapatakbo ng gobyerno.

  151. cocoy cocoy

    balweg;
    Pag saturday naman ay may part-time job ako dito sa bahay.Laundry and boiler operator.Early morning distino ako sa pier nakikipagtawaran sa por kilo ng yellow tail.Nakapunta ka na ba doon sa tabi ng Queen Mary?

  152. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Balweg: Sorry for intruding into your semi-private (?)conversation with Cocoy. Where is Puno in this equation? I think he is the consummate boiler room operator who will do what it takes. Besides, what role did the AFP play during the siege? And the squabble with Ermita?

    I have a different take. FVR and JDV tandem belongs to a bygone era! GMA is forging a new alliance with ECJ as evidenced by the appointment of Gilbert Teodoro and the recent rulings on ownership of the controversy surrounding the Coco funds?

    Please enlighten us from your vantage point. Thanks!

  153. balweg balweg

    Co2y,

    Wala na akong time sa overtime, mag-enjoy muna ako sa Ellenville.

    Ok pala dito, showbiz ang dating Pre! Ang almusal, tanghalian, at hapunan eh si GMA… di ka pala magsasawa kasi masarap ang putahe na luto dito sa Ellenville.

    Kung gusto mong namang makipag-jamming eh nadiyan sina hawaiianguy, Chi, AdeBrux, J. Cruz, Sampot, Rose, Jaggernaut, Gabriela, Ace, Spartan, Yuko, Mrivera, Florry, Valdemar, Xanadu, Atty 36252, Piping dilat, The Equalizer, Duren, Jandenlou, d0d0ng, Ipaglaban-mo at maraming pang iba.

    My break naman, yong gustong magyosi eh available naman geniune TABAKO pa.

    Gusto mo namang maghele eh mayroon ka lang duyan pwede mo nang isabit sa PUNO (dapat dalawa yong para magkabilang dulo ang pagtatalian), class yon ha isang Secretary at Chief Justice pa.

    May ANGEL(O) de la guardia ka pa. Kaya lang itim ang pakpak.

    Kung nangangalay ka naman sa kauupo eh pwede kang magPIDAL patungong Switzerland, kung sinisipag ka eh pwede mo pang masilip yong baul mong dolyar kasi baka inaamag na.

    Pag naman me nakaaway ka kontak ka lang may GOON sales mura lang bayad. Contempt agad.

    Pag tuloy ang PEREZwisyo sa iyo, bigyan mo na lang ng $2M enjoy pa yan sa Espanya. May gift pang Championship trophy äkalain mo Human Rights?

    Itutuloy…. may review pa ako sa Ellenville International University.

  154. cocoy cocoy

    balweg;
    Okey iyan si Chi,huwag mo lang pintasan ang duster niya.Hehehe!Teka masama na ang tingin ni kumander gustong sumakay ng kotse sa hulihan at pupunta daw kami ng bangko bago mag alas dos.Tsuper muna ako,babalikan ko kayo mamaya.break muna sandali.

  155. balweg balweg

    Hi Klasmay J.Cruz,

    Kamag-anak mo ba si Juan De La Cruz? Kilala ko kasi siya eh, masyado nang inaapi ni tita Glo! Tulungan mo naman, kasi nga nakakawa na eh.

    Well, we have 2 Puno both controversial. Yong PUNO na itinatanong mo eh expert sa majong. After makipaglaro kay Erap eh kajamming namin si GMA.

    Laging laman ng mga balita, e ka nga little President!MAUTAK (sana gamitin sa mabuti at kapakanan ng taong-Bayan)

    About AFP (Atras From PEN) eh e pinadlock ni Esperon sa Kampo natakot baka mag one two three. Di ba kabiskawts Barrias ang umatake sa PEN, ayon sa news mayroon daw Marines props lang yong. Yon nga na nakaWIG sa PEN eh bata daw ni Mayor Binay sabi ni Razon.

    Si Gen. Ermita eh tuta ni TABAKO yon, kaya relax lang wait & see! Eh ka nga sa Pula o sa Puti. Naku po lalong lalo na si JDV wala namang K yon, buti pa yong JDV III mukhang may gutz wag lang magmana sa ama (NAWA PO).

    About COCO funds dapat isauli sa mga mayari nito.Kaya lang suntok sa buwan. Di niya madadala sa langit yon! Antayin na lang nating ang last breath niya tutal matanda na yan.

  156. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Hi Valedictorian Balweg! We are all related to Juan de la Cruz. Thank you for your insights!

    Increasingly, VIGILANTE JUSTICE FROM WITHIN has to take place! Hopefully, sooner rather than later….

  157. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Re: Shaken but not deterred

    Does it mean Gloria Arroyo is politically strong? I don’t think so. She survives mainly to bribery and patronage. If you believe on surveys her trust ratings are on the negative side since Edsa Dos power grab. The two remaining bailiwicks are the House of Represta-thieves and corrupt AFP generals headed by General Esperon. Puny tyrant Gloria Arroyo is exploiting the divided military in her favor. Top brass and retired generals are given juicy post as indirect bribe for their loyalty. In last midterm elections, GMA-supported Team Unity senatorial candidates were clobbered by the opposition. The wrath of the Filipino people is unstoppable. Only time can tell.

  158. rose rose

    J. Cruz: kaya ba siya nag dala ng blanket because she is insecure like Linus in Peanuts?..may security blanket lagi.

  159. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Rose naman…. it’s an insult to compare GMA to Linus. Linus is trim and not overfed!

  160. Rose & JCruz,

    Poor Linus — my yorkie would be heartbroken to leanr that a chihuahua has her eyes on him!

    Anyway, she risks to be shaken but not deterred (heh!) — She and I are watching Miss France live on TV for the first time of our lives (heh – haven’t seen a Miss something contest for decades, not a popular contest in Europe)… I’m batting for Miss Reunion and Miss Burgundy among the 5 finalists. (Don’t know however, which intl contest the winner will be competing in.)

  161. chi chi

    “Armed Forces chief Hermogenes Esperon described her (Gloria) as “very strong. Very determined.””

    Yes, the unano is very strong to ignore the laws of the land and very determined to pocket all the monies of Pinas!

  162. chi chi

    Spartan: “Nang kumilos si Sen. Trillanes at Gen. Lim nuong isang linggo, ang ating mga kababayan na panay ang mga reklamo na mahirap ang buhay ay mga nagsawalang imik. Mistulang mga dagang nagsipagtago sa kani-kaniyang lungga.”

    Spartan, ang tagal mong nag-bakasyon. Welcome back.

    Ewan ko nga ba, nagrereklamo pero ang kalayaan sa taong inirereklamo ay nais na ihandog sa kanila ni Trillanes and Co. sa silver platter.

  163. chi chi

    J. Cruz Says:

    December 9th, 2007 at 12:54 am

    Breaking News….

    GMA thought she was invited by the Queen to spend the night! She brought her own blanket!

    ***

    Grabe! Ha! Ha! Ha!

    Anna, I visited your blog and couldn’t help crying sa katatawa seeing the unano covered with a blanket. Were the Queen’s guards sleeping that this ‘beggar’ was able to slip through the gates of the Buckingham Palace?!

  164. cocoy cocoy

    Does it mean Gloria Arroyo is politically strong?–Diego.

    I guess so! Because women in their menopause stage are notorious for exploiting pillow talk with powerful men to carve out fiefdoms that, at times, rival the influence of the husbands or a rented dildos. It is bad enough when the ladies preoccupy themselves with skimming state resources. But often, the plunder is accompanied by a brazen display of power that has been known to manifest itself as state repression and occasional jailing or deaths of opponents, real or imagined. These women often recognized, become the perfect symbol of what is wrong with the regime of their men.

    The “Steel Butterfly” Imelda , is perhaps the best living incarnation of the plunder of a nation’s resources by beings with no other qualification than sexual liaison with the Big Man. Never mind Cory because she became a guru of sexual absenteeism upon the jailing of Ninoy. She mastered the muscle control. Imelda gifted with exquisite physical beauty who at one time reigned as Miss Manila, While Gloria was a palengkera at Divisoria. Imelda has3,000 designer shoes, including a pair with a three-inch battery inserted in its sole. It was Imelda’s dancing shoe with in-built neon lights to color the dance floor. Gloria was a jealous cinderella. The midget president has its own living answer to Imelda as far as obsession with shoes is concerned. Gloria wears only Ang Tibay designer shoes during her time because Dadong was only making spare changed as a kontra-bida in stage comedia, also, she has very narrow feet. She can only wear shoes that cost the weekly salary of a high school teacher in poverty-stricken town ofLubao Pampanga .Now, this former labandera needs stylish kimono and kimona to match her trademark luxurious accessories that include $25,000 Christian Dior sunglasses and her $ million Rolex watch. Never mind the shoes because none among famous designer can design any for her, there reputation is at stakes, she is a fugitive in fashion designs. This are the reason she become corrupt and adamant because the lazy husband will move-in with number Tho, if he could not get the most expensive room in Vegas every time Pakyaw has a payperview boxing match.

  165. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Chi: FYI, the blanket was a St. John’s knockout made in China through the courtesy of ZTE!

    The “only” good thing that came out of that “kodak” moment — she’s short on fashion sense and very shorter on stature!

  166. Iyong suot ni Dorobo hindi blanket sa Buckingham Palace. Tama si Anna. It was a bathrobe na pinaiklian para magmukha siyang matangkad! 😛

    Doon siya nag-alampay ng blanket sa reception ng hari at reyna ng Espana. Lalong pumandak! Kawawang nilalang, trying hard pero no dice. Kahit anong gawin, ang labas, basura pa rin!!!

  167. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Yuko: I agree! Garbage in; garbage out!

    Even Mike A’s suit looks like a rental! Wrong size yata!

    I’m sorry! When I say it’s really BAD, I am being generous!

  168. chi chi

    JC,

    Hahahah! Masakit na ang tiyan ko sa katatawa sa posts mo. Mike looks like suffering from constipation! Naiire sa tingin ko e!

  169. Mrivera Mrivera

    “When I say it’s really BAD, I am being generous!”

    this is one kind of generosity that generates constipiciency.

    in short, hindi natutunawan.

  170. chi chi

    Balik kakalugan, Mrivera. heheh!

    We need this during these dark times to keep our balance in fighting the Kaunanuhan.

  171. former pres j e estrada who was convicted for plunder is far more popular than the sitting president gloria arroyo. how did it happened. blame it to high-end corruption. blame it to greedy officials under her governance. blame it to mike arroyo the behind-the-scene operator. but the way i look at it, gloria “unelected president” seem to relish her being so unpopular. ANG KAPAL MO “TIYANAK”

  172. to you sec puno {puno ng kabalbalan sa malacanan} bilang na ang araw mo

  173. sec puno. gen razon, gen barias hindi ninyo masisindak ang mga journalists.

  174. balweg balweg

    Hi klasmayt damag46,

    Dapat lang Pre!

    In reference to RA 386, Chapter I, Article 3, says; “IGNORANCE OF THE LAW EXCUSES NO ONE FROM COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.”

  175. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    Ladies and Gentlemen:

    Off-topic, but I’m both shaken and deterred! Manila Standard Today reporting….

    China stops Ma-Ling shipments!

    First, they sold us their goods cheaply with unfair labor practices.. Secondly, they used the profits to bribe the world, Philippines, included! Finally, they are going to kill us!*

    * An interesting read! It contains cancer -causing NUTRIENTS! Unbelievable!

  176. balweg balweg

    JC,

    Dapat lang mayroon tayong recess, di ba nasa Ellenville Int’l University tayo.

    Kung sa showbiz pa eh may commercial di ba!

    Ok dito sa Ellenville ang merienda eh FOOD for the Brain. Pro-Health e ka nga! Para humaba ang buhay.

  177. rose rose

    balweg: my favorite food for the brain here in ellenville is Grilled liver ala Gloria sans ajos..kasi allergic ako sa bawang…kung gusto mo matikman ang dish na ito pumunta ka sa resto ni Tongue..pero mag pa reserve ka muna kay Cocoy..siya kasi ang manager ng resto…
    ..may nagsabing na operahan sa puso ang asawa ni GMA…naalis na ang puso niya hindi ba?..wala ng puso…kung mayroon man..masiado ng itim..as in cremated…

  178. “Mas maginaw sa London, kaya hindi nag-saya. Doon nga sa reception sa Spain, naglagay na nga ng blanket para hindi maginawan” — Yuko

    Ah ganoon ba?

    What I notice is Gloria Arroyo’s knack for travelling to Europe wearing her beddings! Last year, when she visited the EU, she was wearing a mustard coloured sleeping banig (mat). This year, as you can see in her picture with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Gloria is wearing no less than her bedclothes, i.e., a red woolen blanket!

    Baka sa susunod, magsuot iyan ng mosquito net!

    Sabi nga ni Ace: “Anna, Pagbigyan mo na, mabuti nga hindi kulambo ang isinuot kung nagkataon, “see-through” ang labas niya.” Hahahhaha!

  179. chi chi

    Ay naku, kayo talaga. Masakit na ang panga ko sa katatawa sa mga comments ninyo.

  180. Spartan Spartan

    Ellen Says:
    December 8th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
    Spartan, welcome back. Nakakabagbag damdamin naman ang iyong comment.

    hi Ma’m Ellen, thanks…nabagbag din naman ang damdamin ko ng makita ko nang ilabas sa Manila Pen si Trillanes na kinakaladkad pasakay sa PNP Bus. Sinundan pa ito ng paglabas naman ng mga media na nakatali ng mga electrical ties nanagsilbing posas. May God have mercy on us all!

  181. balweg balweg

    Hi Chi,

    Klasmayt comments palang yan, paano na kung ang tropang Ellenville ay magmartsa papuntang Malacanang at bitbitin si GMA palabas ng Malacanang.

    For sure magpipiesta tayo at kokontratahin nating ang Kapuso at Kapamilya upang ang buong Bansa eh magsaya at makabawi naman tayo sa pahirap na dinanas ng ating Bayan.

    Kung sinimulan nila noon ang txt brigade para pabagsakin si ERAP, eh tayo naman Ellenville bloggers brigade para bitbitin si Tita GLO palabas ng Malacanang.

    Bakit ka mo? Uunahin nating pagpaliwanagan eh yong mga kapamilya natin sa Pinas, pangalawa kaibigan/kapit-bahay, pangatlo eh yong mga kotra-pabor(kasi sila eh nagpapabago-bago ng kulay) and finally, ang tropang boyskawtz/kabiskawtz nila Esperon at Barrias con Razon.

    Eh di SOLVE ang problems!

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