Along Came Bong
Mr. Austero's open letter is one of the most interesting ever written on the GMA issue for a couple of reasons.
First, he posits that other people's clamor for change is something that he himself shares. But he does not make it clear why he suddenly changed his mind at some point. I venture that any information on Mr. Austero's change of heart is necessarily deleted since it is, in view of the current political and economic crisis, indefensible. His readers are therefore forever barred from knowing what he himself could not know since the real reason behind his anger towards those who are critical of GMA is an ideological moment he takes for granted. He simply says that he is tired of being spoken for by "all bleeding hearts out there" (ABHOT). A focus on this sentiment which he attempts to pass off as reason is in order. He laments the fact that the ABHOTs cannot respect his chosen silence. He abhors the fact that people fight for democracy and freedom for the simple reason that he does not feel like doing so. He is sick of all these people who claim to speak for him and many Filipinos. Isn’t Mr. Austero guilty of that discursive sickness called performative contradiction? Without his knowing, he performs the same discursive movement that makes him so angry. Mr. Austero simply hates the fact that many people do not think the same way he does. He could not take the idea that some people could have opinions, beliefs, political and economic stakes other than his own. In the end, he is the type who could not stand difference and dissenting views. A very dangerous individual indeed.
Madami pa dito. Click nyo lang.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Gonzalez endangers judicial system, must quit post
Gonzalez endangers judicial system, must quit post — Virador
Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador today lambasted Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez for openly admitting that he wanted the case dropped against the erring U.S. soldiers.
Though Gonzalez excluded Cpl. Daniel Smith, Virador said that the other three GIs should face Philippine law for acting accessorily to the crime. Accused of conspiring with Smith were Marine Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier and Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis.
He added that Gonzalez’ comment on the case obviously showed the secretary’s unfairness and partiality in favor of the erring U.S. soldiers.
“Once again, Secretary Gonzalez has shown his arrogance and disregard for the due process of law. His comment on the Subic rape case is at the very least uncalled for and highly unethical for his position,” Virador said.
He added, “Gonzalez has been proven time and again to be a stooge of Malacañang and the U.S. If the Justice Secretary cannot lift a finger on this issue in favor of his kababayan, then he must quit his post in the name of ‘delicadeza’. He is not fit for the position,” Virador said.
The militant solon likewise warned that Gonzalez’ statement gravely endangers the Philippine judicial system for it conveys a message that the U.S. can do anything and everything up to the extent of disregarding our own laws.
“Gonzalez’ statement virtually allows U.S. military men to abuse and exploit our laws. Imagine the very Department of Justice abandoning its duty to seek justice and redress for the victims of right abuses. What we need right now are people who can stand and fight for the people’s rights and welfare. Unfortunately, what we have right now is the opposite,” Virador said. ###
Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador today lambasted Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez for openly admitting that he wanted the case dropped against the erring U.S. soldiers.
Though Gonzalez excluded Cpl. Daniel Smith, Virador said that the other three GIs should face Philippine law for acting accessorily to the crime. Accused of conspiring with Smith were Marine Staff Sergeant Chad Carpentier and Lance Corporals Keith Silkwood and Dominic Duplantis.
He added that Gonzalez’ comment on the case obviously showed the secretary’s unfairness and partiality in favor of the erring U.S. soldiers.
“Once again, Secretary Gonzalez has shown his arrogance and disregard for the due process of law. His comment on the Subic rape case is at the very least uncalled for and highly unethical for his position,” Virador said.
He added, “Gonzalez has been proven time and again to be a stooge of Malacañang and the U.S. If the Justice Secretary cannot lift a finger on this issue in favor of his kababayan, then he must quit his post in the name of ‘delicadeza’. He is not fit for the position,” Virador said.
The militant solon likewise warned that Gonzalez’ statement gravely endangers the Philippine judicial system for it conveys a message that the U.S. can do anything and everything up to the extent of disregarding our own laws.
“Gonzalez’ statement virtually allows U.S. military men to abuse and exploit our laws. Imagine the very Department of Justice abandoning its duty to seek justice and redress for the victims of right abuses. What we need right now are people who can stand and fight for the people’s rights and welfare. Unfortunately, what we have right now is the opposite,” Virador said. ###
Transition Council for beginners
Hi V, F, All,
Alam mo, the original article by this person S.C. Austero is actually published sa inquirer today by some group claiming to be the Mahal ko Bayan Ko movement. But if you ask most cause oriented groups, this organization seem to be virtually non-existent till now. I guess they should have called themselves Mahal Ko ung Kurakot ng Bayan Ko, heh-he.
In any case, back to your question on names & the next government. Sa totoo lang, all the legal or constitutional doors to seek the truth and remedy it seem to be now all but closed. If the impeachment would have been allowed to proceed, then we would have either the vice president or the senate president to take the reins of power. That did not happen.
If ate glo would have called for an election, then that would necessitate the cleanup of the COMELEC and holding of national elections. Then we would have known the real winner of the 2004 elections (at a great cost, though), but we would have established our duly elected leaders. Of course, that did not happen nor do we think that GMA will risk it given the lesson of the Marcos years.
On the establishment of the Truth commission, truth is, no one will believe it would be 'truthful', heh-he. So that was scrapped. NOW WHAT?
Despite what GMA thinks is her victory at suppressing the truth, I am actually proud of the many Filipinos who will not stop searching for the truth. If they cannot find it in the legal arena, then they will find it elsewhere and the last place left for them now is the streets.
People Power is not UNconstitutional, nor is it illegal. Even the gma administration's best conjurers cannot discredit people power as the people's legitimate tool to seek for truth & justice, try as they might with the aid of the apathetic segments of society.
Now back to your question. As the only viable option to seek the truth is through people power, the victory of any people power revolution will necessitate the formation of a 'transition/revolutionary council' which would guide the country to its next elections. We already had our experience with this during EDSA I. The difference with Edsa I is that while the 'revolutionary/transtion council' had Cory as its figurehead, it had no representations from the most marginalized sectors. Soon
after the establishment of the Cory government, the more progressive sectors were even booted out from government. This is partly why the first government after EDSA I failed to deliver its promise of genuine change.
This time, if people power would succeed, a transition government is proposed to be headed, of course, by those who had taken the pains to go out into the streets to make people power happen. Yes, you would have here the presence of some people we consider as trapos, and those associated with the past government. That is not all, however. The more imporant thing is, that in the proposed transition council, marginalized sectors would have to be represented. These include farmers, workers, OFWs, urban poor, scientists (yes, even scientists & other professionals).
Herein comes the absurdity in asking their names....If farmers nominate Danilo Ramos for farmer representative or Carmen Deunida for urban poor representative or Connie Regalado for migrant workers, how many of us would recognize these people through their names? Nope, I don't think we would recognize these people through their names. We would know of them through the work they have been doing all these years in supporting the cause of their sectors. And this how the members of the transition council will be chosen. It would include their principle, track record, acceptability to most, etc. To my mind, a truly honest and sincere individual is more often than not unknown. We just have to create a system where we can find them by knowing their track record.
Now, what's the plan of this transition council? For most of the marginalized sectors, this would be the easiest to outline. Farmers would demand genuine agrarian reform, workers for just living wage and industrialization, urban poor for housing and employment opportunities, students for the right to free quality education, etc. For the first time, we may have an opportunity to actually outline these very basic issues as the next agenda of whichever government will take its place. We may even have the opportunity to change the constitution to incorporate these demands so that the next government will have to work on these very basic issues.
If we want this transition council happen and be headed by mostly the sincerest and most honest individuals who are acceptable for us, then I suggest we organize ourselves to make people power happen. The transition council can only come about when the liar and the cheat is ousted from Malacanang.
See you in the streets.
T
Alam mo, the original article by this person S.C. Austero is actually published sa inquirer today by some group claiming to be the Mahal ko Bayan Ko movement. But if you ask most cause oriented groups, this organization seem to be virtually non-existent till now. I guess they should have called themselves Mahal Ko ung Kurakot ng Bayan Ko, heh-he.
In any case, back to your question on names & the next government. Sa totoo lang, all the legal or constitutional doors to seek the truth and remedy it seem to be now all but closed. If the impeachment would have been allowed to proceed, then we would have either the vice president or the senate president to take the reins of power. That did not happen.
If ate glo would have called for an election, then that would necessitate the cleanup of the COMELEC and holding of national elections. Then we would have known the real winner of the 2004 elections (at a great cost, though), but we would have established our duly elected leaders. Of course, that did not happen nor do we think that GMA will risk it given the lesson of the Marcos years.
On the establishment of the Truth commission, truth is, no one will believe it would be 'truthful', heh-he. So that was scrapped. NOW WHAT?
Despite what GMA thinks is her victory at suppressing the truth, I am actually proud of the many Filipinos who will not stop searching for the truth. If they cannot find it in the legal arena, then they will find it elsewhere and the last place left for them now is the streets.
People Power is not UNconstitutional, nor is it illegal. Even the gma administration's best conjurers cannot discredit people power as the people's legitimate tool to seek for truth & justice, try as they might with the aid of the apathetic segments of society.
Now back to your question. As the only viable option to seek the truth is through people power, the victory of any people power revolution will necessitate the formation of a 'transition/revolutionary council' which would guide the country to its next elections. We already had our experience with this during EDSA I. The difference with Edsa I is that while the 'revolutionary/transtion council' had Cory as its figurehead, it had no representations from the most marginalized sectors. Soon
after the establishment of the Cory government, the more progressive sectors were even booted out from government. This is partly why the first government after EDSA I failed to deliver its promise of genuine change.
This time, if people power would succeed, a transition government is proposed to be headed, of course, by those who had taken the pains to go out into the streets to make people power happen. Yes, you would have here the presence of some people we consider as trapos, and those associated with the past government. That is not all, however. The more imporant thing is, that in the proposed transition council, marginalized sectors would have to be represented. These include farmers, workers, OFWs, urban poor, scientists (yes, even scientists & other professionals).
Herein comes the absurdity in asking their names....If farmers nominate Danilo Ramos for farmer representative or Carmen Deunida for urban poor representative or Connie Regalado for migrant workers, how many of us would recognize these people through their names? Nope, I don't think we would recognize these people through their names. We would know of them through the work they have been doing all these years in supporting the cause of their sectors. And this how the members of the transition council will be chosen. It would include their principle, track record, acceptability to most, etc. To my mind, a truly honest and sincere individual is more often than not unknown. We just have to create a system where we can find them by knowing their track record.
Now, what's the plan of this transition council? For most of the marginalized sectors, this would be the easiest to outline. Farmers would demand genuine agrarian reform, workers for just living wage and industrialization, urban poor for housing and employment opportunities, students for the right to free quality education, etc. For the first time, we may have an opportunity to actually outline these very basic issues as the next agenda of whichever government will take its place. We may even have the opportunity to change the constitution to incorporate these demands so that the next government will have to work on these very basic issues.
If we want this transition council happen and be headed by mostly the sincerest and most honest individuals who are acceptable for us, then I suggest we organize ourselves to make people power happen. The transition council can only come about when the liar and the cheat is ousted from Malacanang.
See you in the streets.
T
Political prosecution continues Bicol youth leader shot dead, Davao youth leader abducted
March 20, 2006
Political prosecution continues Bicol youth leader shot dead, Davao youth leader abducted
Anakbayan condemns the brutal killing of a student activist leader in Bicol and the illegal abduction and warrantless interrogation of a youth activist leader in Davao City this weekend.
Cris Hugo, a National Council Member and regional coordinator of the League of Filipino Students in Bicol, was shot dead around 10:30pm yesterday in Legazpi City by unidentified armed men.
Raunil Mortejo, Anakbayan-Davao City chairperson, was abducted last Friday night, March 17, at Juna, Matina near the BAYAN office in Davao by suspected elements of the Isafp. Witnesses said he was boarded into a blue green URVAN van with a covered plate number.
Mortejo was released an hour later. According to his account, he was interrogated and harrassed for almost an hour. He was unhurt but was visibly traumatized by the illegal abduction.
"In this administration's desperation to quell growing protests, it is now harassing and attacking harmless and respectable personalities. We hold the Arroyo administration criminally and politically liable for the killing of Hugo and the continuous attacks against our youth leaders. This regime is a monster, it dares and does not think twice to shed the blood of young patriotic leaders whose only "faults" are that they continue to be steadfast and vigilant in upholding civil liberties and calling for social change despite continuous tyranny and repression perpetuated by the Arroyo administration,’ said Eleanor de Guzman, Anakbayan national chairperson.
Meanwhile, Anakbayan also expressed strongest condemnation against the baseless and false accusations against one of its local leaders and seven other militant leaders in Davao City.
Lorie Ann Cascaro, Anakbayan National Council member and Vice-Chairperson for Mindanao, was charged with seven others after being implicated as conspirators in inciting to sedition and rebellion cases filed against Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador.
De Guzman added that while leftist leaders and organizations are seemingly the primary targets of the government's crackdown, ordinary civilians remain the most vulnerable.
"Anyone is vulnerable to warrantless arrests, political prosecution and, yes, even extrajudicial killings by the Arroyo regime. It can range from Arroyo's most ardent political foes to the most unsuspecting ordinary bystander. Who, then, is the real enemy of the state?” she said.
The militant youth groups Anakbayan and LFS held a candle lighting protest later today to denounce the killing and continuous political prosecution against activist leaders and organizations. ###
Political prosecution continues Bicol youth leader shot dead, Davao youth leader abducted
Anakbayan condemns the brutal killing of a student activist leader in Bicol and the illegal abduction and warrantless interrogation of a youth activist leader in Davao City this weekend.
Cris Hugo, a National Council Member and regional coordinator of the League of Filipino Students in Bicol, was shot dead around 10:30pm yesterday in Legazpi City by unidentified armed men.
Raunil Mortejo, Anakbayan-Davao City chairperson, was abducted last Friday night, March 17, at Juna, Matina near the BAYAN office in Davao by suspected elements of the Isafp. Witnesses said he was boarded into a blue green URVAN van with a covered plate number.
Mortejo was released an hour later. According to his account, he was interrogated and harrassed for almost an hour. He was unhurt but was visibly traumatized by the illegal abduction.
"In this administration's desperation to quell growing protests, it is now harassing and attacking harmless and respectable personalities. We hold the Arroyo administration criminally and politically liable for the killing of Hugo and the continuous attacks against our youth leaders. This regime is a monster, it dares and does not think twice to shed the blood of young patriotic leaders whose only "faults" are that they continue to be steadfast and vigilant in upholding civil liberties and calling for social change despite continuous tyranny and repression perpetuated by the Arroyo administration,’ said Eleanor de Guzman, Anakbayan national chairperson.
Meanwhile, Anakbayan also expressed strongest condemnation against the baseless and false accusations against one of its local leaders and seven other militant leaders in Davao City.
Lorie Ann Cascaro, Anakbayan National Council member and Vice-Chairperson for Mindanao, was charged with seven others after being implicated as conspirators in inciting to sedition and rebellion cases filed against Bayan Muna Rep. Joel Virador.
De Guzman added that while leftist leaders and organizations are seemingly the primary targets of the government's crackdown, ordinary civilians remain the most vulnerable.
"Anyone is vulnerable to warrantless arrests, political prosecution and, yes, even extrajudicial killings by the Arroyo regime. It can range from Arroyo's most ardent political foes to the most unsuspecting ordinary bystander. Who, then, is the real enemy of the state?” she said.
The militant youth groups Anakbayan and LFS held a candle lighting protest later today to denounce the killing and continuous political prosecution against activist leaders and organizations. ###
Monday, March 20, 2006
Transmit Mayuga report to House now!
GMA, AFP conspiring vs. Congress, people re refusal to transmit Mayuga report to House
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Representative Satur C. Ocampo today said that Malacañang and the AFP could be guilty of “a conspiracy of silence and cover-up” over their refusal to turn over copies of the controversial Mayuga report to the House of Representatives.
“Why are they so afraid to give the House a copy of the Mayuga report? Maybe because it contains incriminating facts and evidence confirming the widespread perception that Mrs. Arroyo stole the 2004 elections and used the military as a tool to further her selfish ambitions,” said Ocampo, a leading critic of Mrs. Arroyo in Congress.
He vowed to raise more questions about the Mayuga report when the House resumes deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense.
Ocampo said both Members of Congress and the rank-and-file of the military are interested in ferreting out the truth behind the fraudulent 2004 elections and the military generals involved in the Arroyo presidential campaign.
He said the House should reject the AFP’s use of Executive Order 464 as basis for not furnishing the Lower Chamber a copy of the Mayuga report.
“We hope the House leadership shall exercise its powers and show that it is not under the command of the AFP. The AFP cannot disobey the orders of Congress, especially when the Mayuga report has been deemed an integral part of the House joint investigation of the Hello Garci scandal,” said Ocampo.
According to Ocampo, the Mayuga report is also awaited by the Filipino people whose votes have been reportedly violated. They have a right to know what the AFP did before, during and after the 2004 elections and how military generals performed their functions.” ###
House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Representative Satur C. Ocampo today said that Malacañang and the AFP could be guilty of “a conspiracy of silence and cover-up” over their refusal to turn over copies of the controversial Mayuga report to the House of Representatives.
“Why are they so afraid to give the House a copy of the Mayuga report? Maybe because it contains incriminating facts and evidence confirming the widespread perception that Mrs. Arroyo stole the 2004 elections and used the military as a tool to further her selfish ambitions,” said Ocampo, a leading critic of Mrs. Arroyo in Congress.
He vowed to raise more questions about the Mayuga report when the House resumes deliberations on the proposed budget of the Department of National Defense.
Ocampo said both Members of Congress and the rank-and-file of the military are interested in ferreting out the truth behind the fraudulent 2004 elections and the military generals involved in the Arroyo presidential campaign.
He said the House should reject the AFP’s use of Executive Order 464 as basis for not furnishing the Lower Chamber a copy of the Mayuga report.
“We hope the House leadership shall exercise its powers and show that it is not under the command of the AFP. The AFP cannot disobey the orders of Congress, especially when the Mayuga report has been deemed an integral part of the House joint investigation of the Hello Garci scandal,” said Ocampo.
According to Ocampo, the Mayuga report is also awaited by the Filipino people whose votes have been reportedly violated. They have a right to know what the AFP did before, during and after the 2004 elections and how military generals performed their functions.” ###
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