New Philippine Revolution

Twelve Little Things About Atty. Alex Lacson

2010-01-07T11:51:00.000+08:00

Many of my friends are asking me--who is this Atty. Alexander ("Alex") Lacson who's now running as Senator under Senator Noynoy Aquino's party? Is he the brother of Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson? Or, is he the son or grandson of the great Mayor of Manila Arsenio Lacson?

Good thing that the name "Lacson" continues to remain untarnished. Lacson, as a surname, has great political stock, beginning with General Aniceto Lacson, the former president of the Revolutionary government in 1898 based in Iloilo.

General Aniceto Lacson, for those who don't exactly recall or even heard of his name, lived as a revolutionary martyr from 1858 to 1931. I got an excerpt of him from the National Historical Institute website.

ANICETO L. LACSON

(1858-1931)

Ilonggo Revolutionary Leader

A well-known agriculturist and businessman, Aniceto L. Lacson gained fame in Negros as a general during the Philippine Revolution.

He was born to a rich couple in Molo, Iloilo on September 6, 1858. In search of the proverbial greener pastures, his parents, Lucio Lacson and Clara Ledesma, migrated to Negros Occidental. There they acquired a vast sugar plantation.

Lacson went to schools in Molo for his elementary and secondary education. Afterwards, his parents sent him to Manila. He enrolled at the Ateneo Municipal for a commercial course.

Returning to Talisay, Negros Occidental, he immediately embarked on farming and in business. Soon, he became a prominent hacendero. His vast landholdings included tracts he inherited from his parents and those he acquired by purchase from Nicolas Loney and Company.

On the second stage of the Philippine Revolution, Lacson, together with Juan Araneta, led the Ilonggo uprising that is known today as the “Cry of Matabang” because it originated in Hacienda Matabang. It came about as a response to the call of the president of the revolutionary government in Iloilo province, Roque Lopez, for Negrenses to rise against Spanish tyranny.

The “cry” sparked the island-wide revolt in Negros. On November 5, 1898, the revolutionists hoisted the Filipino flag at the Silay public plaza and in neighboring towns. Rebels under the command of Gamboa Benedicto attacked the 170-man Spanish garrison under Lt. Maximo Correa. That night, Lacson’s men vanquished Spanish cazadores during an encounter near the Matabang River.

A Visayan historian recounts this glorious phase of the Negros revolt:

“…While Gen. Lacson was engaging the Spanish forces in Silay and Talisay, Gen. Juan Araneta also took Bago and raised the First Filipino flag at the town plaza. In the north, Don Gil Lopez, commanding hundreds of farmers and hacienda workers, conquered the town of Sagay.”

Later, Lacson and Araneta joined forces in taking Bacolod from its colonial defenders. With Araneta’s men coming from the south and those of Lacson from the north, they pounced on the Spanish garrison of 300 infantrymen. To compensate for their lack of arms, the gutsy rebels simulated the use of nipa or coconut stems as rifles. Seized from the Spaniards in the aftermath of the attack were 185 Remingtons.

Once the Spanish forces surrendered on November 6, 1898, the victorious Filipinos set up a provisional government of Negros through an act signed by 45 prominent Negrenses, headed by Lacson and Araneta. On November 26, the provisional government adopted a constitution, which established a federal form of government. Elected to the executive positions were: Lacson, president; Araneta, secretary of war; Antonio Jaime, secretary of justice; Simon Lizares, secretary of the interior; Eusebio Luzuriaga, secretary of finance; Nicolas Golez, secretary of fomento, and Agustin Amenabar, secretary of agriculture. Their election was followed by those of members of the legislative assembly on December 19, 1898. The assembly was inaugurated on the same day, with Jose Luzuriaga as the presiding officer.

Demy P. Sonza, in his book, Visayan Fighters for Freedom, narrates the fate of the Negros struggle during the Filipino-American War:

“…When the Americans came to Negros after the fall of Ilo-ilo in February 1899, General Lacson and his leaders had a conference with General Marcus P. Miller. The Negrenses decided to collaborate with the Americans for two reasons: first, they knew it was futile to fight against America, and second, the leaders being all rich and landed people, did not want their sugar estates to suffer from the ravages of war. General Otis readily accepted their offer for cooperation and on March 4, 1899, General James F. Smith came with a battalion of the California Volunteers to occupy Bacolod. Except for the sporadic harassing activities of the fanatic “Papa Isio” in the southern towns, peace came to Negros.”

The American governor-general, William Howard Taft, appointed Lacson as governor of Negros. Lacson, however, declined the appointment. He preferred to concentrate on his business and the management of his sugar plantation.

He was married to Rosario Araneta with whom he had eight children: Jesusa, Carmen, Enrique, Perfecta, Isaac, Mariano, Aniceto Jr., and Dominador.

Lacson died in Talisay on February 3, 1931, and was buried in his hometown of Molo, Iloilo.

References:

Gwekoh, Sol H. “Hall of Fame: Negros rebel government head”, The Manila Times
February 7, 1961, unpaged, NHI copy.
Sonza, Demy P. Illustrious Ilonggos. Volume I. n.p.: Iloilo Provincial Historical
Committee, 1972.
____________. Visayan Fighters for Freedom. Iloilo City: Agustin Sonza and Sons,
1962.

Now, the question is---is General Aniceto Lacson and Alex Lacson, related by blood?

Google Alex Lacson's name and you'll find that he hails from Negros Occidental, the same place where General Aniceto Lacson was born. However, I asked Kay Abella of Meralco, a good friend of Alex Lacson's wife Pia and she told me that Alex hails from Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental, and comes from a poor family.

Another question---where did the Lacson family got their surnames? According to my research, Chinese mestizos adopted the surname "Lacson" or "Laczon" after the Claveria edict of 1849. So, Alex Lacson descended from the Chinese mestizo bloodline.

Okey, so now we know that Alex Lacson is probably a descendant of a great Filipino revolutionary and martyr based in Negros Occidental. Or, probably a far descendant.

Now, is Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson even related to Alex Lacson? Based on my research, the nationalist senator was born in Imus, Cavite, about a thousand kilometers away from Negros. Ping was born of humble beginnings. He was raised by his father, a farmer.

What is certain is this--since they both use the surnames "Lacson", they probably belong to the Chinese mestizo stock, especially Ping Lacson since Sangley Point in Cavite was once a port where Chinese merchants use to trade their wares with Filipinos. As I said, the surname "Lacson" or "Laczon" came from Chinese mestizos.

So, what are the twelve little things about Atty. ALEX LACSON that as A RESPONSIBLE VOTER, you need to know:

1. Atty. Alex Lacson, as I said, hails from Negros Occidental, the same place where General Aniceto Lacson was born and the place where the revolution of 1898 had its victories against the Spaniards.

2. Atty. Alex Lacson, however, is not as rich as General Aniceto Lacson's family who owns large tracts of land in Negros. He is not a haciendero. In fact, it is safe to say that his family works for a haciendero before.

3. However, both Alex Lacson and General Aniceto Lacson share the same desire---to create and build a society of freedom-loving Filipinos. Both are passionate about their causes and both love their Motherland.

4. Yet, since Alex uses the surname "Lacson", he is probably a great descendant of the first Chinese mestizos here in the country, the same brood which claims as their illustrious sons, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and Mayor Arsenio Lacson. Alex Lacson is a descendant of a great and patriotic clan.

5. Alex Lacson is famous for writing a book called "Twelve Little Things Every Filipino Can do for his country", a small orange colored book, now on its eight publication. Lacson wrote this book as a response to the call of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the height of the post-EDSA dos event. Many people were inspired while some, including my good old friend Marck Rimorin, wrote a derisive poem about it.

6. Alex Lacson graduated from the University of the Philippines in Diliman. He is a lawyer by profession. He also did post-graduate studies at Harvard University.

7. Alex Lacson has never worked for government. He is best known for taking indigent cases and fighting for the rights of farmers, fisherfolk and the poor.

8. Alex Lacson, for those who attended 1988 up to 1992 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman is a former student leader. He was elected to the University Student Council (USC) as Councilor and co-founded Independent Student Alliance (ISA), an offshoot from Samasa.

9. Alex Lacson is a classmate of Atty. Argee Guevarra at the UP College of Law. They are close friends, according to Atty. Trixie Angeles.

10. Alex Lacson likes to eat monggo, rice and tuyo when we were in college. We use to eat at the bus stop right infront of Narra dormitory inside the UP campus. For breakfast, we eat rice plus fried egg with tomatoes. For lunch, we eat rice plus some soup and tuyo. For dinner, as usual, monggo, rice and tuyo (sometimes if we have money, pork chop. Pork chops are luxury. Ask Ely Buendia of Eraserheads, fellow dorm mate).

11. Alex Lacson likes to jog around the UP quandrangle and circle, especially when he's tensed or when he wants to unload something. I once ran with him and could not keep up with him. He's an excellent jogger.

12. Alex Lacson loves to buy books, particularly discounted ones. When he sees a book that is worth his while, he buys it despite having just a few pesos in his pocket. When he was working for the Melo Commission, he asked me if he can borrow some of my books, especially Coup d'etat by Edward Luttwark. He never returned it to me. Also, if I remember, some of my Marxist books and history books. Anyway, its not that I wanted it back, I bought them cheap also, hehehe. :-). I love buying books with their prices slashed by 80%. Common haunts were: UP Main library, law library and of course, who could forget? That little bookstore in Dorotea Jose in Manila (now in Timog Avenue).

Oh, before I forget, I usually shun reading "tear-jerkers" or books like what Henry Thoreau wrote, what with that chapter called "The Pond"? But he made me read it. Until now, I still have that book, what's the title? Thoreau's "Walden".

That's why when I read his Twelve Little Things book, I suddenly remembered "Walden".

To those who want change.
To those who want new faces, with new ideas.
To those who want honest people in government.
Make that change.
Vote Alex Lacson. Tell your friends about him, tell your loved ones, your mother and urge your sons and daughters.

Time to make a change. Time to elect good and competent people.

Vote for Alternative Leaders. Vote Alex Lacson.

So long Ariel Bocobo

2010-01-07T10:44:00.000+08:00

The father of Leslie Bocobo just passed away, another giant in Philippine journalism now enjoying the bar there with Mang Max Soliven, Mang Art Borjal, Manong Jules Fortuna, Pompeyo Navarro, Jocap, Alecks Pabico, Nelly Sindayen, Noel Cabrera and about 32 other journalists, victims of retard mass murderer Andal Ampatuan "Dyayunyor."

Here's a photo of Ariel Bocobo, great guy, great columnist, great mind of our century. From left: Art Borjal, Isagani Yambot, Cornelio de Guzman, Nereo Andolong, Ben F. Rodriguez, Senate President Gil J. Puyat, Ariel Bocobo, Vito Barcelo,Sr., Primitivo Mijares and Jacobo Clave. I was fortunate enough to meet and be friends with some of them, including Mang Ben Rodriguez, formerly Editor-in-Chief of Manila Bulletin. It was under his management that I wrote for Manila Bulletin.

To Leslie my friend, be strong and always remember that you had a great guy for a father. We will miss him.

Why Do I think Manny Villar deserves the presidency

2010-01-07T06:26:00.000+08:00

I had previous reservations about Manny Villar. I thought that he's running for the presidency out of sheer madness. Yep. Imagine, you own several properties. You're a certified billionaire already. You got the top plums in the legislature already. What more can you ask for?

Why waste 5 billion pesos just to get elected? Is the presidency worth that much?

For someone like Villar, who came from the ranks of the proletariat, being president is a childhood dream. Several decades ago, most kids in Metro Manila dream of either being a doctor, an astronaut, or...being president someday. Even someone as dirt poor as I was, I once dreamt of being an astronaut or at best, the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Of course, I did not get to be an astronaut nor the president of this country but I am proud to say that, I got more than what I bargained for---I became a journalist and a teacher.

For Villar, being president is more than any other vocation. Its a mission. A mission to spread his message that anything is possible. That someone as poor as he was before can actually become a billionaire and probably even president someday.

That for me is a better proposition than Noynoy's, who just want to continue a legacy which we are not even aware of today.

And when Villar says that every Filipino can rise above poverty, he is talking from experience. Villar is an incurable optimist and we need someone like him to give us at least some hope that our future, and the future of our children will be as bright as his.

Villar also has the character and the strength of a Leader. Who, in his right mind, would actually get opposing groups together in one political party? Two decades ago, it was unimaginable for a member of the Leftist movement to be seen with a member of the Marcos family. Now, Satur Ocampo, a victim of oppression during the Marcos times, shares the same stage as that of Bongbong Marcos, the son of the dictator. It takes a great Leader to do just that.

And of course, Villar's platform of government deserves our support. It is a very clear platform of government that prescribes real solutions to real problems. Compared with Noynoy's platform, Manny Villar's program of government provides effective solutions.

Now, what is just disturbing is the fact that Manny Villar associated himself with known traditional politicians. He needs to resolve that. And he must assure the public that he will not be swayed by their sweet talk and their billion peso offers.

Barring any major hurdles, Manny Villar will be able to eclipse Noynoy in the polls but the question really is--will he be sworn in as president? Will civil society allow Villar to realize his childhood dream to become president of this country?

Cha-cha to derail 2010 elections? I doubt it.

2010-01-07T06:08:00.000+08:00

In an interview by Gerry Baja and Anthony Taberna in yesterday's "Dos por Dos", seventy nine year old civil servant and former Quezon City vice mayor Charito Planas gave us a hint on why Mrs. Arroyo appointed her as one of the palace deputy spokespersons--she shares the president's view on charter change. In fact, Planas believes Mrs. Arroyo wants a Constituent Assembly ahead of the scheduled May 10, 2010 elections. That's why Mrs. Arroyo needs a powerful voice to articulate what the president wants.

Note that Planas, an ardent believer for change, does not have a reputation as a congenital liar. Fact is, Planas has a solid reputation as a change agent. She's credible, and probably, for the first time, Mrs. Arroyo did the right decision of hiring someone the likes of Planas.

Planas' remarks are disturbing since talks about a renewed charter change bid are again percolating in public fora. Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. is even said to have included House resolution 6754 among the bills to be tackled in January 18. House Reso 6754 is slated for second reading and some say, this will be allowed to pass, given that the Lower House has the numbers.

Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Francis Kiko Pangilinan already gave a piece of these minds about this yesterday--don't try to do it. Estrada said it is a waste of precious time and money. Pangilinan said it would not look good for Arroyo if she uses her influence to push for charter change.

The game plan of the palace, says one insider, is schedule an election of Constitutional delegates by October of this year, synchronized with the barangay elections. The plan is actually move for a change of government after one year. Meaning, expect to have a parliamentary unitary government after June of 2011.

Charter change strategists are not clear on how they will actually hurdle the possible opposition of the new administration on charter change. Among the current crop of presidentiables, only Manny Villar and Gilbert Teodoro favor cha-cha. It is doubtful if Noynoy Aquino would allow the diminution of the powers of the Office of the President.

It is most likely that these initiatives will fall by the wayside, since, really, everybody is dead set on the May 10, 2010 elections.

Now, the only question is---will we have a peaceful, and orderly elections by May?

For Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu, who will be running for the gubernatorial post in Maguindanao, he doubts it.

In an interview by the Philippine Star today, Mangundadatu expressed fears that the dreaded private army of the Ampatuans will sow havoc in the May 2010 elections. He said around 2,000 members of the Ampatuan's civilian militia have set up camps in various locations in Zamboanga, Sulu and Maguindanao. They are still armed with high-powered firearms. Mangundadatu said that the Ampatuans plan to sow violence in Mindanao.

I dare say, we actually do not need an Ampatuan warlord to create violence in the up-coming polls. The Commission on Elections is more than enough for whoever plans to rig this elections up this coming May 2010.

Yesterday, Comelec admitted that most of those automated counting machines delivered just a few weeks back, are defective. They can't read ballots properly. So, we leased defective machines? And do you know how much Comelec already paid for these machines? Government already gave Smartmatic-TIM 2 billion pesos.

Two billion pesos for defective machines.

So, we have all the elements to make this elections pretty interesting by May 10.

1. We have a government who is still hoping for charter change.
2. We have private armies roaming around waiting just for D-Day to wreck havoc on the population.
3. We have counting machines which we leased for 2 billion pesos already which are defective.

Why do I believe Noynoy Aquino is "it"

2010-01-06T21:02:00.000+08:00

Why do I believe that Senator Benigno Noynoy Aquino will clinch this year's presidential post? First, every one who has experienced a national campaign will definitely tell you that funders and election groups consider the year-end surveys as barometers of the people's pulse. A 40 plus percent rating is insurmountable. Even if the next survey leader manages to get at least 39% (which is impossible), the survey leader will still win.

Former president Joseph Estrada, at the height of his popularity, only managed to get a 38-41% trust rating. As we all know, Estrada got the highest number of votes ever by a presidential contender.

Since funders always rely on scientific surveys, expect a deluge of financiers and funders to the Liberal party.

Second, I believe that there are only two contenders that will seriously challenge Noynoy Aquino and the Liberals in the end game: Manny Villar and Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, three if Joseph Estrada continues his campaign (there are talks that Erap will back out in the middle of March or April). Villar is Noynoy's serious opponent. Barring any controversy, Noynoy will squeak a win out of Villar. Villar's machinery will sputter in the end.

Now, since I expect the outbreak of political violence in this elections, Noynoy Aquino will still win in the end if he leads the people's movement against electoral fraud.

Erin Tanada---The Soft-Spoken Nationalist

2010-01-06T10:48:00.001+08:00

One of the things I find very encouraging is this---familiar names that once shaped the nationalist history of this country are again, taking part in its re-birth. And I am talking about the likes of the Rasuls, the Oples, the Dioknos and of course, the Tanadas.

Amina Rasul, daughter of former senator Santanina Rasul continues on her advocacy to strengthen the role of Muslim women in Moro society. She is one of the most active promoters of peace and development in Mindanao. She now heads the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy (PCID) whose primary goal is to strengthen the involvement of ulamas in the promotion of peace in Filipino Muslim community.

Another is, of course, Susan "Toots" Ople, daughter of Ka Blas Ople. Her advocacy is fighting for the welfare and rights of local workers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). She continues the legacy of her father.

Maria Serena Diokno, daughter of nationalist senator Jose Diokno, teaches still at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. You know, the very first job that I took when I was still in college is being a researcher over at the Jose Diokno Foundation. Nice one.

Of course, who will forget Cong. Erin Tanada? Erin is the grandson of the late Senator Lorenzo " Ka Tanny" Tanada.

Like his forebears, Erin continues to work to uplift the quality of life of his fellow Filipinos. He serves as Congressman of Quezon province. He is now on his second term.

The question really is---when will Erin make the leap to the big leagues? I mean, the Senate needs someone like him and had I known that he is running, I would have included him in my Magic 12.

Anyway, let's support Erin Tanada's advocacies and pray that God gives him the strength and bless him always so that he will always serve the People.

On Adel Tamano and Vicki Belo

2010-01-05T21:47:00.000+08:00

Dear Starr,

My previous entry, which you described as "baseless", was, actually based on facts. It is a known fact that Atty. Adel Tamano's client is Vicki Belo and in one of the interviews by the DOJ press, Belo publicly announced her support of Tamano's senatorial bid.

Likewise, have you passed by EDSA, particularly that spot in Guadalupe Makati? There's a big billboard there with Tamano's face plastered and what do you know---the billboard was put there by the Belo Medical Group. Tamano, by the way and if you don't know, is the "celebrity" endorser of the Vicki Belo Medical Group.

If that is not support, then, I don't know what is.

Now, as to the allegation that Tamano does not enjoy Muslim support, could you cite even ONE nationally accreditated Muslim organization that supports Mr. Tamano's senatorial bid? Suara Bangsamoro and Assalam Bangsamoro approached him and he rejected them. These two organizations have national constituencies. Same applies to AMANA, another Muslim partylist organization. Did you ask them if they support Tamano organizationally and officially? I actually know the answer---not one of them supports Tamano.

On his wife eating pork, Adel Tamano's wife was featured in the program " K" by Korina Sanchez, which showed his Christian wife eating pork. The wife eats the meat in just one table, being shared to her husband.

So, Starr, am I telling the truth or am just inventing things?

Militate against rising diesel prices

2010-01-05T10:21:00.001+08:00

Giant oil firms just raised diesel prices to about 33-34 pesos per liter today. This is just in Metro Manila. In the provinces, diesel prices are now hovering between 38-40 per liter.

Yet, if you check the Singapore crude oil price index, you'll notice that diesel prices should actually be lower by 8 pesos.

Government knows this. Yet, government is doing nothing. Nothing, absolutely nothing.

Meaning, government is totally inutile.

This government deserves our hate. And I must say that one of my resolutions is not to attack this government, but this is too much.

How will jeepney drivers cope with this with a 7.50 fare? And how will private motorists cope with a 33/liter pump price?

The collusion between giant oil firms and Energy officials is really one of the things which People should militate about.

People should rise up from their seats and show this government that enough is enough. The economic situation is really very serious and people are suffering.

When a government loses its concern with the people, it is not serving the people enough. Hence, it loses relevance. When it loses value, what is government for?

Dismantling private armies

2010-01-05T07:20:00.000+08:00

Defense secretary Norberto Gonzales said the Philippines has more than 157 private armies with 1 million loose firearms. The Inquirer is correct--that is more than enough firepower to start a nationwide war. Malacanang just ordered the creation of a commission to investigate and recommend measures.

The defense department already knows that there are 157 private armies, why build a commission and investigate when the government already has sufficient data to prosecute those with private armies?

Time for government to act and act with haste since it is just four months away from the May 10,2010 elections. Time for Malacanang to enforce the law and sweep these armies away from Philippine politics.

Under the Constitution, there are only two agencies of government legally tasked to constitute the State security apparatus---the AFP and the PNP. It is unlawful for anybody to maintain armed groups other than these two. So, what more?

More than the issue of legality or enforcement of law, dismantling private armies is also a decisive political action. If government elects to do its job, it would be instrumental in equalizing the political situation, particularly in the provinces. We already know that traditional political clans maintain their power thru the use or the threat to use firepower. If government moves in and dismantle the private armies of these political clans, then, they lose power. They also lose the ability to influence the conduct of the elections, which would enable new political groups to defeat them in the polls.

Mass murder mastermind Andal Ampatuan Jr. living like a King

2010-01-04T23:39:00.000+08:00

The head of our country's Criminal Investigation Division, the top unit responsible for maintaining peace and order in this country, sees nothing wrong with mass murderer Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. enjoying his alleged "incarceration" inside the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) with catered food and with privileges of using his mobile phone. Witnesses and at least five of my NBI friends saw Datu Unsay living like a King inside the "detention cell", complete with amenities like mobile phones and laptops.

And do you know the reason why almost everybody with a criminal mind flaunts the law everytime? Because many Filipinos, especially those with wealth see the criminal justice system like what the CIDG chief sees it---a system without any system.

Our "justice system" is a system without justice. If you violated the system and you are wealthy, you can enjoy the "perks" while in jail. But, if you violated the system and you are poor, no perks at all. Fact is, you'll be the resident chuwawah, the lowest of the low, of the brigada.

What's the reason why civilized societies created the very concept of "incarceration"? It is to prevent the prisoner from enjoying certain liberties, one such liberty is communication with the outside world. How in the world would this mass murderer even differentiate that of being jailed and that of being outside the cell when he can actually enjoy the perks he had when he was a free man inside the supposed "detention cell"?

Yet, for the chief of the Criminal Investigation Division, nothing wrong with allowing a serial killer, the mastermind of the most gruesome crime ever committed in the history of this country, living la vida loca inside jail.

Nothing wrong with a mass murderer, a friend of the palace, as what former spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo described him, enjoying sumptuous catered food and calling his amigas and amigos while slumped in an air-conditioned cell.

And absolutely no wrong with allowing Andal Ampatuan Jr., the most vicious drug lord and warlord of Maguindanao, living the high life inside the jail. This is not, actually, something new.

Jaloslos, convicted child rapist, had his own resort carved out of Muntinlupa.

High profile inmates such as the killers of a UP student, enjoy spending time gaming and Facebook-ing, inside their kubols in Muntinlupa.

And who will forget Calauan mayor Armand Sanchez, whose kubol can be likened to a medium-rise condotel?

Laws are supposed to be applied equally. Justice is supposed to be blind in this country. And the scales are supposed to be "balanced" in favor of the truth and of laws.

Here, the scales of justice precariously tilt in favor of the one heavier with gold coins.

JOBBS GALLARY

2010-01-04T12:51:00.000+08:00

For those who want nothing more than elect good men into office, here's a CODE for you to remember when election day comes: JOBBS GALLERY.

J------Joey de Venecia III (PMP-UNO)
O-----Susan "Toots" Ople (Nacionalista)
B-----Ruffy Biazon (Liberal)
B-----JV Bautista (Liberal)
S-----Satur Ocampo (Nacionalista)

G-----Teofisto Guingona III (Liberal)
A-----Alex Lacson (Liberal)
L-----Danny Lim (Liberal)
L-----Liza Masa (Nacionalista)
A-----Ariel Querubin (Nacionalista)
R-----Risa Hontiveros (Liberal)
Y-----Yasmin Lao (Liberal)

Susan Ople calls on government to help OFWs in death row

2010-01-04T10:36:00.000+08:00

The thing I like the most about Susan "Toots" Ople is this---despite her hectic schedule as an official Senatorial candidate of the Nacionalista Party, she does not forget her basic advocacy--helping distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). She still heads the Blas F. Ople Labor Policy Center, a place dedicated to the advancement of Filipino workers' rights.

When informed that the Saudi government is giving away pardons for foreign detainees, Ople immediately acted and called upon the Philippine government, especially the Department of Foreign Affairs, to activate its legal teams and ask that the Saudi government consider giving pardons to "overstaying" Filipino detainees and those on "death row". One OFW, Don Lanuza, is still languishing in the Saudi jail and his family is suffering from tremendous financial woes. Ople is helping him, along with hundreds of other Filipinos jailed for both petty and serious crimes.

There is another detainee, much like the same experienced by another OFW, whose sentence was just for one year but has been staying in jail for more than two years now.

In one of my conversations with Toots Ople, one of the problems she sees is the lack of adequate personnel of the DFA. In various consulates and embassies we have abroad, there is but 1 to 1,000 OFWs ratio. " We need to bolster the ranks of our professional foreign affairs personnel posted abroad, otherwise, cases involving Filipinos will rot and will not be attended to", says Ople.

Ople is trying her darnest best to help our embassies and consulates but the Center has limited resources. People, like me, who knows the real situation abroad (I'm an ex-OFW), supports Ople because we know that she will definitely help a lot in crafting laws to benefit OFWs, local workers and their families.

By the way, tomorrow, I'll be launching online "OT sa Pagbabago, OT sa Manggagawang Pilipino", an online effort to help Ople reach her dream of continuing the legacy left by her father, former Senator Blas F. Ople. "OT" means "Overtime Tayo". Or, it also means "Ople Tayo". :-)

Adel Tamano's backer is Vicki Belo, and no Moro

2010-01-04T10:10:00.000+08:00

I had a meeting with organizers of the Muslim communities two days ago. There's this nasty rumour that fellow Muslim Adel Tamano's campaign is being supported by no less than "beauty expert", Dr. Vicki Belo. Nothing wrong there except that Belo was involved in the nasty Hayden Kho sex scandal and cases were filed against Belo for alleged medical "malpratices".

If Belo is supporting Tamano, no one among the legitimate and hard-working Muslim organizers support him. No one is actually going the rounds, campaigning hard for Adel. What happened?

Two things: first, Adel Tamano did not approach any Muslim group for help. Hence, his fellow Muslims think that he is too proud to ask for their help. These organizers, as you know, made possible former president Joseph Estrada's decisive win in Mindanao and some parts of Luzon. Remember that Muslims are everywhere---Muslims have a large community in Pangasinan, a vote-rich province and Pampanga. Even in Cavite, Metro Manila and Bulakan. Tarlak also has a huge Muslim community. These organizers, have been them through war and peace, are hard-working ones. They are feeling very bad about Tamano.

And second, majority of Muslims hate Adel Tamano for issuing anti-Muslim statements and most of all, for not keeping his promise of staying with the camp of former president Joseph Estrada.

Adel Tamano is one of our most promising young leaders. He is intelligent, more capable than other candidates actually if you think about it. Yet, he destroyed his name when he changed parties because of some rumour that the administration will not allow Erap to run as a candidate AND he continues to disdain any association with Muslim groups.

POor Adel. His dismal rankings in the surveys show that he needs to do more than serving as Belo's spokesperson to generate enough "buzz". And he must not deny his being a Muslim.

Another thing---some elder Muslims, very influential in the communities, say that they think it is haram for Adel to allow his wife to eat pork in his table. I don't know where they got this information and surely, I will ask Adel to give his side about this. There is a rumour spreading among Muslims in the Philippines that Adel's wife (a Christian) is eating pork and other dishes considered haram (illegal). Fact is, they say, pig meat is stored in Adel Tamano's refrigerator. How true?

TG Guingona III warns Filipinos against so-called "pro-poor" candidates

2010-01-04T09:37:00.000+08:00

Congressman Teofisto “TG” Guingona III exhorted the voting populace to be wary of candidates who pass themselves off as being from the ranks of the poor or being pro-poor, and making idyllic promises of a better life for all.

The solon from Bukidnon issued the call in response to the New Year's message of Tandag Bishop and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Nereo Odchimar urging voters to choose only the “reliable leaders” and not to be swayed by the usual campaign favors and dole-outs.

“In the next few months leading to the elections in May, the Filipino public will be bombarded with messages from national and local candidates through all available media. These messages will be full of promises of a better life for all, housing for every family and food on every table. We have heard and seen them all before, and they turn out be nothing but mere slogans. It is time we learned our lesson and look beyond the rhetorics of well-crafted political advertisements,” Guingona stated.

Guingona also echoed the call of the CBCP urging the Filipino people to pray for a clean and honest elections on May 2010 and imploring voters to exercise their right of suffrage wisely in the presidential and national elections.

The solon, however, admitted that the current political system prey upon the poor and exploit them for political gain. The sheer number of those living in poverty makes them ideal vehicles for serving the interests of the unscrupulous and the corrupt.

"The poor are always exploited for the number of votes they can deliver in exchange for a measly sum and a mouthful of promises. It demeans the democratic processes of our country when the rich and powerful dupe the poor and the marginalized just to perpetuate themselves in power. The poor should not be used but rather helped. Feeding them empty promises only adds to their suffering and perpetuates cynicism and apathy. Only the good can serve the poor faithfully,” Guingona noted.

He urged all Filipinos, rich and poor alike, to change the current political system, and be part of the restoration of true democracy.

“The coming 2010 elections is a chance for Filipinos to be part of history and elect reliable leaders who would guide our nation in the coming years with wisdom, justice, moral ascendancy and spiritual fortitude. These are the leaders we need. It is time to weed out the corrupt and the greedy,” Guingona said.

Noynoy Aquino leads other presidentiables, even in cyberspace

2010-01-03T09:42:00.000+08:00

Noynoy Aquino, the top contender for the presidency, is leading even in Cyberspace. He has surpassed the 200,000 mark in terms of number of fans and supporters. He is being followed by Nacionalista party bet Manny Villar. While, at the bottom of the rung, former president Joseph Estrada.

It remains to be seen though if these encouraging numbers would translate into votes. Historically, as in the case of Senator Antonio Trillianes IV, these online supporters usually vote for their preferences.

According to studies made by AC Nielsen and other marketing agencies, social marketing is fast gaining ground. Social marketing is effective because it is engaging, meaning, unlike television, markets respond in a more personal and intimate manner online. 200,000 supporters mean 200,000 people. PCs and laptops are usually 1-is-1, so when someone uses social marketing as one means to reach his target audience, he usually achieves what he wants in so-short a time.

Let me reiterate my fearless forecast---Noynoy Aquino is the next president of the Philippines. He will win in a clean elections. He will still win even in a fraudulent one if he leads the people in protest actions. Manny Villar will definitely come close in the final stretch but not enough to post a win.

In the vice presidential race, it would be Mar Roxas by a squeaker. Supporters of traditional politics, led by the FVR group will help Loren Legarda. But, for the second time, Legarda's campaign will sputter in the end game.

For those who want help in social marketing tactics, send me an email and I will counsel you free of charge.

Who will clinch the presidency in 2010? Part II

2010-01-02T11:16:00.000+08:00

Imagine a scenario where power goes out in major cities and some municipalities in metropolitan areas during the counting period. Imagine a scenario where armed groups destroy counting machines in some far-flung areas of the archipelago. Impossible? In Philippine politics nothing is impossible.

What is a political certainty is this---if administration candidate Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro wins in the cleanest of all elections, he will definitely not assume power. He will not be able to swore himself in as president because no one will believe it and definitely, most of his political opponents will surely cry foul. When that happens, expect either two results: (1) Mrs. Arroyo calls for martial rule or (2) groups oust Mrs. Arroyo in a successful revolt and calls for a repeat of the presidential elections.

An automated elections, I remember what Senator Chiz Escudero said some months ago, is not an assurance that the entire democratic exercise will be clean and honest. The elections will only be as safe, as honest and as clean as what we expect it to be, if those behind those counting machines, are honest and are not susceptible to corruption. Machines will just count. Men are the ones inputting data into the machine.

Everyone knows that there are only two (2) ways to compromize an IT-based integrative system: hacking the software and physical attacks. The Comelec just hired an IT firm who will ensure the integrity of the source codes. That's fine. The question is---when will they install those source codes? Obviously, they will do it weeks prior to the elections. It is that crucial time when cheaters will definitely act. Thru collusion with election officers, these cheaters can replace these source codes with their own. If election cheaters procure or secure for themselves the technical specs of these source codes, they can very well, replace them even a day or two prior to the counting.

Now, should that be entirely impossible to do, the next riskier thing to do is physically harm the system through sabotage. This entails a bigger expense since it would need the cooperation of security agencies and election officials.

Many fear that cheaters will definitely do just that in selected far-flung areas where security is thin. To be able to influence the elections in a major way, these cheaters have to compromise not just a dozen, but at least 15% of election areas and if you look at the data of the PNP, this reflects at least 45% of their list of election hot-spots.

Definitely, this elections will surely go the way of a violent one, because election cheaters will definitely employ tactics to ensure that their paid clients win.

Now, in the event that the elections loses credibility, then, the one who will definitely win or clinch the presidency, will be the one ready to deploy his army of supporters and launch a civil disobedience campaign. That one would most certainly be the candidate who:

1. Successfully convinced the public that he is the best man to beat but
2. lost due to massive administration-initiated cheating

Why do I think that this is sure to happen?

Because no candidate will get a major slice of the electorate votes. No one. Come May 2010, everything stabilizes and every candidate is statistically given an equal chance of winning. Come May 10, no ratings or even star power would matter in the polling precincts. What would matter would be the preparations of these candidates prior to the voting and counting phases.

In a seven-cornered fight such as this one (Aquino-Villar-Estrada-Teodoro-Villanueva-Gordon-Delos Reyes), just one of these candidates cry "foul" or "I was cheated!" would spark public outrage. This will surely lead to a revolution of some sorts.

This is a very serious security matter. Every candidate right now is being supported by at least one PMA class and this could turn into a franatical war between and among military classes and a serious shouting match among various elite groups who already threw their support behind differing political groups.

Wherever you look at it, this elections would surely be explosive.

For example, everyone will surely express disbelief if Teodoro wins EVEN IN THE CLEANEST OF ALL ELECTIONS. Everyone thinks that Teodoro's liability is his association with Gloria and as early as now, the impression is, he will surely not win.

Now, what if the stakes just turn suddenly in favor of Teodoro and he wins, what now? Surely, the Aquino, the Villar and even the Villanueva camps will cry "fraud" and that would start a revolution against Arroyo. This will set the process of revolution which will only stop when Noynoy Aquino assumes power.

Whatever happens, Noynoy Aquino will definitely be the next Philippine president--whether there is a clean or a tainted electoral exercise. Why? Because he has the full crew of civil society members under his political party.

What happens to Erap? If Noynoy assumes the presidency, Estrada will recognize it. How about Villar? Will Villar contest Noynoy's leadership in that critical stage? No.

Surely, Villar's numbers will be as close as Noynoy's. A struggle between the two parties will happen but this will eventually result to a compromise.

Now, someone will definitely contest my analysis and say that, sure, these groups will oppose a Teodoro win and cry foul, but their efforts will be frustrated. Look at what happened in 1992? Miriam defensor-Santiago opposed FVR's win but FVR still got the presidency.

1992 is totally different because FVR managed to calm the frayed nerves of other political parties. Miriam is not exactly your "good version" of a rabble rouser. Miriam is different from Noynoy. If Noynoy says there was cheating (even if there is but it just will influence a small fraction of the presidential results), the people will definitely believe him and will support him.

Net---Gilbert Teodoro will surely lose in this elections even if he wins by a cleanest of all exercises because of the perception that his victory will be perceived as tainted and manipulated by the administration. Even if Teodoro manages to squeak in a margin of one million votes over, say Noynoy or Villar, there will still be public outrage due to accusations of fraud.

The only expected outcome of the May 20, 2010 elections is a clean toss-up between two major political parties---Noynoy Aquino's Liberal and Manny Villar's Nacionalista. If Noynoy wins in the most slim of margins, that is still okey since this will just be contested in the electoral tribunals. If Estrada wins, and his margin is not that big over say Noynoy's or Villar's, that will set the motion for FVR supporters to move for destabilization. The public does not expect Gordon or JC delos Reyes to win or even Eddie Villanueva. If they, however, squeak in a win, this will shock the country but will not be enough to mobilize masses of people for a revolt.

Yet, again, as I said, if Teodoro wins, expect a different kind of EDSA, probably the bloodiest of all. It would take a miracle to calm everything down.

Who will clinch the presidency in 2010? Part I

2010-01-02T10:25:00.000+08:00

The man who will spearhead the mass movement in May 2010 will become Arroyo's successor. And this man will be among those who will run in the presidential post, the man whom everyone thinks will win but will be cheated even in an automated elections setup.

Who is this man? Let us analyze.

For now, Noynoy Aquino remains the top contender for the presidency. He sustains a commanding lead over his opponents in the survey. What is damaging him at this point are Word-of-Mouth statements which say that his numbers are diminishing or decreasing. Obviously, any one who knows his statistics that when a candidate's numbers are high in the early stages of the campaign, it would "normalize" only by March or April. In Noynoy's case, surely, his numbers will remain high but when the actual start of the campaign begins by February, that will surely change.

Noynoy's problem is easier than, say, Villar's or Estrada's, since the Liberal Party's main worry is just how to sustain Noynoy's trust ratings. Conversion is another problem that is only solvable thru a wide and expansive grassroots machinery.

Though it is easier for Noynoy, in the final stretch, he has to have a big resource base to use in the actual voting and counting phases of the elections. Noynoy has to protect his votes, otherwise, he will lose. In order to do just that, the Liberal party must manage an entire virtual army of volunteers who will risk their lives just to monitor the developments on the ground. Management means billions, and that's an undeniable fact of political life.

Now, this is what bugs the Liberals since, at this point, they do not have the full support of the traditional political financiers, since some of these funders are obviously in other camps, especially in the Nacionalista party.

This is what Noynoy's Liberals and other contenders fear---the time when the Nacionalista Party unleashes their vaunted resources. The Nacionalista, as you know, is perceived to be the "strongest party" with the "biggest and strongest network", because of Senator Manny Villar.

Villar, as you know, is determined to win. He has charted his political career even way back when he ran as Congressman of Las Pinas. He planned this to happen. Villar has his billions and a wide network of supporters, coming from his real estate companies. Villar can actually spend five billion pesos and it will not even affect him in the short-run (long-time yung effects yan).

If Villar gives 1 billion pesos to Mindanao (that is the rumour), that is a game changer. If Villar allots 1.5 billion pesos to Luzon and 1.2 billion pesos in the Visayas and probably half a billion pesos worth of advertising and propaganda materials, he might, just might, clinch it.

The only stumbling block for Villar's ascendancy to the highest post is simply a public uprising.

Are you asking what will happen to Joseph Estrada's PMP and UNO? Their situation is worse than the Liberals since (1) their ranks have been decimated with defections and (2) they don't have the entire Tsinoy community financial support. There are even talks that Estrada might, just might, throw in the towel prior to the elections.

How about Gibo Teodoro's campaign? What will happen to him?

Gibo will only get as far as 14% or 16% of the votes, not enough for a win. Despite the much-publicized strength of the Lakas-KAMPI CMD party, it would take Gibo, more than 5 billion pesos to win, which, under current circumstances, the administration will be hard-pressed to get.

Remember that the Arroyo administration is now operating under a re-enacted budget; meaning, Arroyo will only get or expect to get the same amount of monies from the budget to support Gibo.

How to win in the coming 2010 elections

2010-01-02T10:04:00.000+08:00

Who is likely to clinch the Top Executive post of the land come May 10, 2010? For Juan Ponce-Enrile, if its not Erap Estrada then it is most likely Gibo Teodoro. For Miriam Defensor-Santiago, it will be a three-cornered fight among Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar and Erap Estrada. Note that the names they mentioned here already adopted them as guest candidates. :-)

Having experienced two national campaigns already, the best way to win the presidency is (a) allow your candidate to be bashed, criticized and maligned by the Arroyo mafia, especially the First Gentleman; and (b) have the widest grassroots network possible. This was the formula used by Antonio Trillianes and coincidentally, Alan Peter Cayetano. Both candidates spent the least in their respective campaigns in 2004.

The perennial problem of all those who campaign for national posts is simply how to protect their votes after the voting. The election is composed of three stages: pre-election, the voting and counting.

It is mostly in the counting that futures are won and lost. The pre-election, for those who know, is just cosmetics. You just do that to establish an impression. It does not count that much really in the actual voting nor of the counting. The pre-election or campaigning stage is just to show everyone that you're there, that you are running and that you are one of the strongest names in the winning circle.

Now, what is really critical for every candidate is the counting of the ballots. Of course, now it would be different because it will be an automated type. Hence, if it is automated, the preparation to secure your votes happens prior to the elections. Meaning, first, you have to be with a major political party with permission to look into the source codes. And second, you have to be under the good graces of the regional and provincial/city COMELEC directors and poll officers to ensure that your votes are "counted" by their machines.

Securing their friendship is half the battle. Monitoring them completes it.

You need a strong and vigilant network in every legislative district to ensure compliance. You don't just sit and let your "friends" do the work, you need to make sure that whatever happens, your votes are counted.

An election campaign machine should be built like the British and the US armies. Effective inventory management systems should be implemented. Strict, regimentalized teams should be deployed while special operations teams are just there, waiting in the wings, ready for deployment.

A common organizational setup should be:

1. A Management Team composed of the candidate, his close relative, friends and strategic partners. The candidate should employ his closest relative as his COO. Funds should be strictly managed by the candidate and the COO. The rest are just there to infuse newer thinkings and strategies.

2. A Legal team composed of a competent and experienced election lawyer. The lawyer will head the legal team and the team should at least have one or two lawyers or under-bar members for every legislative district, or if it is not possible, in every province at least. Most of them should be legal volunteers or what we call "para-legals". If you don't have the money to hire full-time lawyers in every province, just hire para-legals and deploy law students and full-time lawyers should only be deployed in key strategic places.

3. Political liaison team composed of experienced grassroots organizers and political operators who will represent the candidate before local government officials and social influencers. This is very crucial because they do the dirty work for the candidate. They close deals with local government executives and influential people in the area.

4. Propaganda Team composed of two sets: Publicists/Media Relations and Campaigners. Media Relations team, as the name implies, write press releases and interacts with both the national and the local media. Campaigners are those who go to the barangays and cities and municipalities and do the dirty work of postering, leafleting and flyering. Campaigners should be composed of three distinct crews: those who will conduct house-to-house or what I call "dalahiras"; forward teams who will go to the rally site a day before the candidate and raise his posters and distribute propaganda materials and another campaign team who will conduct "virtual rallies" and postering operations in other areas.

5. Core administrative team composed of the following: finance/treasury, clerical/appointments, events crew and inventory. Finance controls inflow and outflow of campaign funds. Clerical assures the smooth calendaring and balance of the candidate's schedule. Events is the one who prepares the way for the candidate especially in his speaking engagements and of course, inventory, which is responsible for the cost-effective deployment of propaganda/campaign materials.

The key really is, the Management team should hold every single team together with just one strategic goal---ensure the victory of the candidate. Winning is the only criteria of success, everything else is mush.

Arroyo mafia will continue in power even after Gloria steps down

2010-01-02T09:23:00.001+08:00

Six months more and she's gone. I'm referring to Gloria Arroyo. Her spokesperson by the name of Gary Olivar said Mrs. Arroyo expects more Arroyo bashings from her detractors. Why, you ask? Olivar is supposed to talk about economics. Is Olivar preparing already from an expected slew of public outrage because of the worsening economic situation?

The economy grew by 0.08%, much lower than the government targets. Inflation has shot to double digits again and the Consumer Confidence Index of the BSP shows a negative 46%. These are indications of a mismanaged economy. It also shows that despite what government told the people that they insulated the economy from the dire effects of the global recession, the truth was actually the opposite. Truth be told--the local economy suffered because foreign funds were siphoned off abroad and no new investments were coming in. Banks are also being hit by a ballooning debt/loan crisis. Only a steady stream of OFW remittances make the economy afloat.

Last Christmas, malls opened with 80% sales bonanza but no one was biting. Filipinos are saving their monies for the worst. Ayala Malls are giving 80% off from today up to January 17 just to dispose of their old stocks but, again, no one is biting. Filipinos are feeling the economic crunch and no hope is in sight.

Yes, more than half of Filipinos expect things to get better by this year because everyone knows that Arroyo is leaving in six months time. Between now and June 30, Filipinos expect things to get worst before everything normalizes. Fact is, if you analyze it, it would take the entire year before everything settles down.

This year is a transitional year, a year of expected political and social upheavals. We don't need to be a Jojo Acuin or a Madame Auring for us to expect that, in a transition period, everything goes in different directions first before some powerful force makes these things go to just one direction.

Dismantling the Arroyo mafia network is one of the expected and the hardest tasks of the new administration, regardless of who wins. If Noynoy wins, he has to contend with the wayward allies of Mrs. Arroyo who opposes him and his fellow Liberal party members. If Villar wins and installs his own men in government, he may have to contend with overstaying stooges of the former regime who already made their fortunes in their respective departments. And if Estrada wins, expect many contending forces to again call for his immediate ouster.

The new administration's task of rebuilding damaged political and economic institutions is the hardest, uncomparable even with what Cory Aquino encountered post-EDSA uno. The tentacles of the Arroyo mafia has infected every department of government and it will not be that easy dislodging these Arroyo men from their posts.

The saddest part is that Gloria has still two more aces in her sleeves. First, the appointment of a Chief of Staff of the AFP which will happen sometime in March. And second, the appointment of additional justices in the Supreme Court. These two key acts are essential for the continued survival of the Arroyo mafia and it would take a gigantuan act by the new administration to even neutralize such actions.

If we expect the Arroyo influence to wane shortly after June 30, we are dreaming. The Arroyo mafia will continue to weave their evil wands over the land because most of them will be occupying Congress, and Congress, as we already know, has become more powerful than the Senate. Last year's cha-cha showdown between the Senate and the House of Representatives prove that, in the final analysis, it is the tyranny of numbers which enables such evil administrations to exists and perpetuate their will over a few Nationalists.

We still have the Constitutional Convention in October to contend with. This is another event which will ensure the perpetuation of the Arroyo mafia in power. Arroyo may be "out", but the tentacles and the network established by her husband, who remains the number one big-time operator in this country, will persist even beyond June 30.

What am I saying? We may have to get rid of the entire Arroyo crew in government and I believe it would take the entire first 100 days of the new administration to just do that. It may be impossible to prosecute thousands of Arroyo mafia members.

Whoever wins the presidency will have his hands full; neutralizing these Arroyo mafia members and installing his own men in government. Even the very act of de-militarizing the civilian bureaucracy is one tough challenge which may derail the honest reform efforts of the new administration.

Magic 12 for the Senate

2010-01-01T11:01:00.001+08:00

It’s January, a few months before May 10, a time, which, many say, is an opportunity to change things.

As part of my responsibility as a journalist, let me recommend some names for you to consider.

The main worry of Filipinos today is the local economy. Most worry about job stability.

What best to at least enrich our government’s capabilities to address this problem by electing into the Senate, a young entrepreneur by the name of Joey de Venecia III.

Joey de Venecia III represents the young generation. He is an idealist and a no-nonsense fighter for the Truth and for good governance. He will definitely be a very good addition to the luminaries occupying the Senate.

And what more to complement him than seeing the name of Susan “Toots” Ople among the winners of this year’s Lucky Twelve.

Susan Ople has been fighting for the protection of OFW and local workers’ rights. She will definitely complement Joey there.

Of course, we need to have an expert in maintaining equilibrium in our accounts. What best than elect Teofisto Guingona III as your senator? TG, as many friends call him, is an expert in fiscal matters. His expertise would surely enrich the Senate.

Alex Lacson is a name not entirely familiar with most of us. For those who read his book, Alex Lacson is one bundle of inspiration. He is a lawyer by profession, and a political scientist. He has been giving inspiration to the Youth since 2001. His youthfulness and his ideals would surely be a fresh addition to the age-ing generation there at the Senate.

I met Ruffy Biazon once but I was impressed by his views about the economy, the security of this country and the general direction of this Nation. Ruffy deserves to replace his father, the Nationalist, Senator Pong Biazon.

And who would back Ruffy Biazon up particularly regarding the dream of professionalizing and modernizing the AFP than Col. Ariel Querubin and General Danny Lim? These fine gentlemen deserve our support because of their sacrifice to the Nation.

And I told myself, how about electing Senators who will truly work for the protection of the rights of the common tao, those oppressed and down-trodded? Satur Ocampo, Liza Masa and Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel are some of those who will definitely enrich the halls of the Senate with their eloquent defense of the people’s rights.

Not to mention also, Atty. JV Bautista, whose knowledge about the laws would definitely help us fortify our legal systems more. JV is one who will fight for our rights even if it means exchanging his life. He was once the Sanlakas-PM representative.

Don’t forget to vote for Yasmin Lao, a long-time advocate of Bangsamoro civil rights. She deserves to be the voice of our Filipino Muslim brothers and sisters in the Senate.

I am also considering Bongbong Marcos. Marcos deserves to be a Senator. He is intelligent, with a solid ideological grounding.

I know, I know, most of those named here are not as rich as others, not as exposed as some but let's help them so that the likes of Jinggoy Estrada or Bong Revilla or Juan Ponce-Enrile or those comebacking ones like Frank Drilon. Serge Osmena, despite being at the senate for twice already, deserves also support since Serge is the most nationalistic among the Osmena clan members.

So, there...remember

If you worry about job security, remind yourself that Joey de Venecia III can help us hammer out solutions to the job security problems. JDVIII stands for Jobs, Democracy and Values times three. :-)

If you worry about the condition of your relatives working abroad and how best to further protect the rights of both overseas and locally based workers, vote Susan "Toots" Ople to the Senate. Ople means Overseas Pinoy Laborers Empowerment (OPLE).

If you worry where the Filipino Youth is getting into and how to strengthen the Filipino Family, vote Alex Lacson. Lacson knows what he is talking about. AL means (Alternative Leadership)

If you worry about how to balance our national budget and maximize our resources without overstraining our finances, vote for Teofisto "TG" Guingona III. TG means Transformative Governance. :-)

If you worry about our AFP, trust Col. Ariel Querubin and Gen. Danny Lim to lead in the creation of laws that will professionalize the ranks and modernize our military to contain threats of the 21st century. Ariel Querubin means " Altruism Quotient ;-), while DL means Dugong Laya.

If you worry about how government actually handles the overall security strategy, including food security, vote Ruffy Biazon to the Senate. He deserves his father's place. RB means Repormang Bayan.

If you worry about how to protect the environment, how to maximize resources, how to infuse vision and mission to this country, vote for Bongbong Marcos. Marcos means New Hope.

If you worry about the continuing violations of human rights, especially the people's and women's rights, trust Satur Ocampo, Liza Masa and Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel to do the right thing. These people know the real score and they have the right solutions. Masa and Hontiveros are genuine women's rights fighters, not some cyclist out there to perpetuate their family's dominance in Philippine politics.

Ocampo-Masa means Onward Masses (OM). Riza H means Rise Hope.

If you worry about protecting Bangsamoro rights, particularly the rights of Muslim women, trust Yasmin Lao. Lao has been fighting for the protection and recognition of the invaluable role of Muslim women in Philippine society. YL means Youth & Love (Salam)

If you worry about how to strengthen our vital legal systems, remember Atty. JV Bautista. JV means just JV. Wala na akong maisip pa eh. :-)

Happy New Year!

My Hopes and Prayers for the New Year

2010-01-01T09:31:00.000+08:00

Let me say that 2009 is not exactly a bad one for me and my family. Despite me leaving a nice job over at an agency, I was still able to survive more than a year of financial threats. Through my solid base of friends, I was able to find some work, was able to sustain the needs of my growing family and able to enjoy some semblance of stability.

Yet, I now face an uncertain year, full of challenges in the first few months of the new year. I put my entire savings to an enterprise called rotisserie chicken. Sometimes I feel that I made a wrong decision. But when I talk with those young men I employed, I felt somewhat vindicated. I tossed good money and for me, its a leap of faith, faith that at least there is still hope in the economy and faith that, in the future, things will turn around.

Yesterday, I sold 9.5 pieces of Manok Kings. Right now, I sold more than 70% of my initial stocks. Some say, that is better than others, but, until I sell 30 chickens per day for a month, this business remains unprofitable for me. Others say, like Andok's, they sell 100 chickens or more every single day. And people say we are juicier, more delicious than Andok's. Nothing to prevent us from dreaming big, like selling at least 30 or 40 chickens a day and maybe, someday, sell at least 60 or even a 100 chickens a day.

I am now at a better location--MCI shoppers mall infront of Cash and Carry in Makati. If you have time, come visit my small nook and buy at least one (1) Manok King roast chicken. My place is easy to find. There's a big sign which says Manok King. If you see this sign

you're in the right place. I am now living off the small profits that I take home every single day.

One lesson---I am good at closing and making money out of big contracts and doing big things. In such endeavours as this rotisserie chicken business, this is not easy as others think.

My hope is, I'll be able to pay my amortizations and some loans, be able to save up and able to employ more jobless people. I pray that God the Father give me more money for my barely two year old kid and finance the education of my other two kids who are all elementary level students.

I pray also for more friends this year. Friends are someone's wealth. Better to have more friends than more money.

Let me use this space also to appeal to government----support us, small entrepreneurs. We put our monies in some business, a sign that we still have faith in our economy. Don't let us down. Don't make our lives difficult.

Make business processes easier for those who build businesses. Support us more by offering us training sessions, make a one-stop shop where we can do business or transact with suppliers so that we don't have to deal with unscrupulous grocery owners and please, offer us tax incentives, since we employ people. Probably, at the first year of our operations, government offers a 75% off our taxes? That way, we'll survive.

My prayers are:

1. That God anoints as his servants my friends who are running for national elective posts. May God grant them the victory. Just to name a few, here are, I think, a list of names to be considered as senators for the new 15th Senate session:

a. Susan "Toots" Ople (Nacionalista)

b. Joey de Venecia III (PMP-UNO)

c. Alex Lacson (Liberal Party)

d. Teofisto Guingona III (Liberal)

e. Ariel Querubin (Nacionalista)

f. Danny Lim (Independent; Liberal)

g. Ruffy Biazon (Liberal)

h. Yasmin Lao (Liberal)

i. Satur Ocampo (Nacionalista; Makabayan)

j. Liza Masa (Nacionalista; Makabayan)

k. Atty. JV Bautista (Liberal?)

l. Riza Hontiveros-Baraquel (Liberal)

2. That I pay off some of financial obligations and that God always give us food in our table and some blankets to cover us during cold nights.

3. That my kids grow healthy and strong and intelligent.

4. That I sell 30 chickens today. :-)

Dick Gordon's Platform of Government: Where is it?

2010-01-01T08:43:00.001+08:00

Dick Gordon, I heard, was once a fine UP student leader. Glad to know. And I really expect to find a Platform that is more responsive, than, say Noynoy's or Villar's or at least better than the ones presented by Gibo Teodoro or even his nephew's.

I was terribly wrong. Dick Gordon's "Manifesto" is a mushy, wishy-washy document filled with half-truths, half-lies and half-baked presumptions. Good thing that online handlers of Gordon did not describe this document as a "platform of government." They did not, obviously, for fear of being pilloried.

So, despite what Gordon's online pompom bearers say, that he has more substance than Noynoy's or has more wit than Teodoro, let me put on record that Gordon is the only presidentiable without a clear platform of government. His manifesto is not a call to arms. It is a manifesto written by a business writer, who dreams of seeing Pink fences and pink-colored bridges.

I remember most of those who handle Gordon online asks Noynoy--show us your platform. They even taunted Manny Villar and accused him of just using his money to win.

Now, please, tell me my young Padawans over there at Bagumbayan---where oh, where is Gordon's platform of government? All I see is his Manifesto. Is this the one which I will base my analysis with?

What kind of government will Mr. Gordon build? A government of motherhood statements and of reinvention. His first slogan---reinvent government from what to what? His second, peace and order which he says would be solved by self-discipline, vigilance and respect for the prevailing order. What Gordon is saying is this--he wants to teach criminals respect of our laws. What? Do you see anything wrong with this? It's more of a pipe dream rather than an honest-to-goodness solution to our peace and order problem.

He says of a strong and growing economy by probably raising our savings, work hard and invest. That's the thing. How do you do that under a very depressing economic state? You can't even save enough to cover higher bills and energy costs, like gasoline. Yep, working hard is one suggestion, but most of the 45 million Filipino workers, not less the farmers, work hard, than, say even a member of the Cabinet. Everyone works hard but we simply can't save enough. And how would this even improve the current state of the economy?

The problem is eminent---a totally unresponsive economic system, not giving equal opportunities to every Filipino.

Again, like Noynoy's, Villar's and Teodoro's platforms, Gordon says he will prioritize education, since he believes that it is a key driver of development. What's new? Education is the top priority listed in the Constitution. Every Tom, Dick and Harry who competed for the presidential plum all listed "education" as top priority. Even those who won and sat as president said they will prioritize education. Yet, twenty eight years after Martial law and about two centuries after the Bagumbayan sparked revolt, access to good education remains a big problem. Many of our compatriots fail to complete college education simply for one reason---lack of financial resources. And people still view the worsening local economy as a big factor why people fail to continue their college education, not the education department's "measly" multi-billion budget.

Even if we give a bigger slice of our budget to education, thousands of young Filipinos will still not finish their college education simply out of economic frustrations. The key therefor, is lift our fellow longsuffering Filipinos from the rut of poverty and financial distresses, give them more access to economic opportunities and in effect, allow them to plan the education of their children.

Gordon's sixth priority is health care services, probably FREE or Universal health care. This is good. But, how? What kind? Has Gordon thought of its impact in the budget deficit?

Another classic Gordon motherhood statement--create jobs. It is his seventh priority. How to do that remains still an unexplained phenomenon for Gordon.

The eighth is securing homes and lands to work on, meaning, Gordon favors the expansion of low-cost housing and probably, the former Mayor of Olongapo favors agrarian reform. If I am right, then Gordon should be lauded for this. It is not clear though if Gordon really intends to push for genuine agrarian reform.

Gordon's ninth priority is different from the others---strengthen the Family, by building values and instill proper virtues in individuals. How to do it? I simply don't know since Gordon is not entirely clear here. Another sweeping and broad-swathed statement? You bet ya!

The last of Gordon's priority is environmental protection, though, again, he did not say how. He just said he will protect the environment, period.

Before, I was thinking of volunteering my services to Dick Gordon. Now, how will I do that? Why will I be volunteering for something as arcane and as nebulous as Gordon's Manifesto? Surely, I will not allow myself to fall victim to the promises and rah-rah of somebody who used to protect a scheming and evil president. Definitely, why will I allow myself to campaign for somebody who is not entirely clear what direction will he lead the country into? Its toxic to follow a blind man. Gordon has admirable traits but he owe us a more concrete and more responsive platform. How would you volunteer yourself to somebody who does not offer a "transformative" platform when all he could say is what we all know already?

Praises and New Beginnings

2009-12-31T08:10:00.000+08:00

For the coming new year, expect something different here at New Philippine Revolution. Before I go to specifics, let me thank my friends for always reading and for being with me in the past months.

RJ Marmol...thanks my friend. I admire you because you're really a true-blue online journalist. Keep it up! To Cocoy Dayao...your posts always make me smile and think. Mabuhay ka!

To Leslie Bocobo, you are one super phenom online journalist. To Noemi Dado, keep on writing phenomenal stuff. To Dean Jorge Bocobo, always enrich us with your thoughts.

To Arlene dela Cruz, always keep on fighting. Our country needs more of you.

To Manuel Buencamino, you always make me wonder, smile, hate, smile, and think. Mabuhay ka! To Carlo Ople, strive towards strengthening New Media.

To Paul Farol and the Victorina guys, keep up with your advocacy for Richard Gordon. Mabuhay kayo!

To Trixie Angeles, nawa'y palakasin pa tayo tungo sa Bagong Umaga, and of course, Atty. Argee Guevarra, gumawa pa ng mga hakbang para mabago ang ating kondisyong panglipunan.

To Nick of FilipinoVoices.com, I love the new theme. Keep it up man!

To my colleagues over at FilipinoVoices, continue making us proud. To Sparks, continue on writing. To Marocharim, you're a young thinker. Forward to more enlightening stuff. To Jester-in-Exile, my man, I pray that you finish your law studies without sacrificing your blogging.

To all those I met online thru Facebook and other media, I appreciate your friendship. You are all valuable.

Now, let's be specific.

I intend to write more expository stuff in the future. To do just that, I would need to go out of my shell and indulge in political work. That I intend to do over the next few months.

Now, New Philippine Revolution will cease to exist after 2010. Yep, as soon as the Filipino People elect somebody worthy of the presidency, I will close this site and open a new one---New Philippines!

New Philippines will be a site where I will write positive things. Transformative Democracy, which is still in its infancy, will be the core philosophy of the new site.

I believe a New Era is in the offing--an era where democracy allows the individual to transcend to a higher stage of evolution, where common ground and common causes are always sought for and where Conscientization is considered a necessary ingredient for the improvement of one's DNA.

I have high hopes that the new year will be different. It will get worst before everything gets better. Our country will experience a tumultuous era lasting for most of the year as we transition from the Arroyo administration to a new administration. Whoever gets elected as Arroyo's successor faces a tough war ahead, against Principalities, against conventions and against traditional forces out to preserve the Old way of life.

The Change we seek and we so long for these past nine years, will definitely happen. The participation of a new set of political leaders, with newer and fresher perspectives particularly on good governance, will enrich our political system. The ascension of New Entrepreneurs and of the scions of past magnates will alter the way we do business.

Next year, we fight the demons of traditional thinking. Next year, New Patriots will be stronger and tougher against those who promote the old way of life. The fight is not about good and evil. The fight will be against the Old versus the New, the Traditional vs. the Modern, the Status Quo vs. Change Agents. The triumph of those who seek change will definitely come.

And New Philippine Revolution will always be there to write History and witness the dawn of a New Morning.

Gilbert Teodoro's "Galing at Talino" Para sa Tao o Para sa Cono? Judge for yourself

2009-12-30T14:46:00.000+08:00

Gilbert Gibo Teodoro’s handlers say their candidate possesses two distinct “talents” or “attributes” that no other candidate have–simply “Galing” (which means superb performance or capability) and “Talino” (wit or “intelligence”). I don’t doubt that. And simply, even other people do not doubt Gibo has the brains and probably the performance as a former Cabinet member to buttress his “stake” in the presidency.

At face value, Gilbert is an ideal president. He's handsome, looks intelligent and has a commanding voice. However, beneath that veneer, what lurks deep into that brain of his?

The question really is—is Gibo really thinking about the common welfare and not only the welfare of a particular class of people and did he serve the interests of the people, not those who nurtured his career as a public servant?

To answer this, let’s look at how Gilbert Gibo Teodoro views the world. His philosophical world-view can be found at http://www.gibo.ph.

Let’s discuss how he plans to manage our country.

First off, Gilbert Gibo Teodoro wants charter change. Gibo blames the 1987 Constitution for the lack of synergy between and among government agencies. He says that the Charter was crafted to lift the vestiges of dictatorship. Now that all the marks of the former regime are already gone, the Charter has already fulfilled its goal. It’s time, says Gibo, to change the Charter, from a hamstrung-ed Constitution, to a more flexible one.

Gibo toys with the idea of changing the political structure, from a presidential bicameral to a presidential unicameral. Gibo does not favor a parliamentary shift; rather he wants to change the Constitution to institute a presidential unicameral system, so that power is actually concentrated in just one entire Executive-Legislative system.

Doing so would mean the perpetuation of the tyranny of elite using a unicameral system and dominated by just one big political party. This model of governance has already been repudiated by other countries. For Gibo, this is the best solution to the current problem we face on our political system.

Obviously, a unicameral form of government would allow Congress to dominate the entire superstructure. If this is instituted, it would be easier for government to sell lands, particularly real estate, to foreigners. Gibo is in favor of allowing foreigners to own lands without cap.

And for a sustainable development, Gibo wants Congress to grant autonomy only to certain areas, where he defines as ready for autonomy. Gibo thinks the country is not yet ready for a Federal form of government.

On the Economy

Gibo provides two views about the economy: we lack innovation, therefore it is time to nurture human resources to be able to create newer and more responsive economic model and two, we need to pay our huge international and domestic debts. For Gibo, the solution to the growing disillusionment about the economy is simply introduce innovation and pay debts.

He avoided discussions on trade liberalization, on agrarian reform, on rural and urban growth and other things about the economy. In fact, his view about the economy can be summed into one paragraph only.

On Education

Gibo wants to push for the expansion of benefits under the Student Loan program. Tertiary level students will be allowed to loan their way to college. For Gibo, these loans are to be deemed “salaries”, therefore, students are given SSS membership cards, a sign that they are earning “salaries”. Meaning, if a student is given an SSS membership, government will be able to deduct a certain percentage in the loans of the student. Wow.

So, if you’re a student wanting a loan, you have to be an SSS member so that government will get a slice off your loan. That’s Gibo’s brilliant suggestion on how to help struggling students pay their college education.

On Disaster Management

Gibo claims to be an expert in disaster management. He proposes that government implements a more responsive disaster management program. There’s a slight problem though—his proposal was the same one he implemented when he was defense secretary and we all know what happened in the entire Metro Manila during the Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. He says, and I quote:

“…I support pending bills on National Disaster Act. Both versions state that local government units shall be authorized to use not less than 5% of their revenue for disaster risk management, which includes not merely response relief but also preparation and mitigation efforts.

The events [Ondoy, Pepeng] have really shown the fact that indeed local government units must take the lead in disaster risk management even in rescue and relief because the different topographies, the different conditions of the local governments cannot be managed and cannot be foreseen by the national government. So we have to rely on the different local government units to be our guide in case LGUs cannot handle the situation. And we have to rely on the state of LGU preparations. And take the risk also that these preparations maybe inadequate. And that’s the risk that we take when you make decisions everyday.

If at all, I am in full support that local government units take the lead. We can be guides by trying to build up [LGU's] capacities by placing some sort of a rational framework or technical framework for decision making. We have partner agencies that do that, too. With us are the United Nations, the OHA and the rest. However, the most important thing is to give LGUs the freedom and the leeway to use more funds for capacity building in so far as disaster risk management is concerned. And the proposed law which I support totally will give that. “

If elected, what would Gibo do in his first 100 days?

Gibo wants all infrastructure projects finished. He is also thinking of strengthening issues regarding security. Why is Gibo interested on pursuing those unfinished infra road projects? Simple. That's the best way to compensate those local officials who worked hard for him to win.

He will then craft his legislative agenda that includes: the constitutional convention law, a new education road map and the enactment of a Universal health care law. He will also try to convince Congress to enact a revolving student loan program, which funds are to be sourced from the Bangko Sentral and parked at SSS.

Meaning, if you elect Gibo, you are defining electing what he represents, which is cha-cha. And who benefits from cha-cha? You guessed it right---Gloria Arroyo of course.

So, there's a basis for people saying that Gibo is simply Gloria's stooge.

The Mindanao problem

Like other traditional politicos, Gibo parrots the already oft-repeated line of enforcing the law in Mindanao. Gibo wants the implementation of a tough-as-nails kind of policy, which resorts to deployment of more soldiers in the conflict areas. He will then try to implement disarmament, then afterwards, promotion of civic works to spur development. We all know these tactics failed in the past already since no insurgency group would allow government to disarm them. Gibo’s perspective in this lacks a deeper appreciation of the real security situation in Mindanao. In fact, this is just a superficial assessment of the situation, which is a disappointment since Teodoro served as defense secretary for many years.

Political Dynasty bill

Teodoro included this issue as one of his “visions” since he is being accused of being one of the beneficiaries of the non-implementation of a anti-political dynasty bill. Instead of directly addressing the issue, Teodoro blamed the non-implementation of the election finance law. Teodoro says that dynasties can be beaten if there is an efficient implementation or strict adherence to the finance campaign contributions. By levelling financial capabilities, Teodoro sees the defeat of political dynasties. This is a very simple analysis of the prevailing situation. It may be true that the hold of political dynasties are stronger due to their more improved financial status; yet, the fact remains that it would still take a great deal of money before a minority party can defeat a dynastic family.

Net---Gibo's Galing at Talino not for the Common Tao but for his fellow Cono.

To summarize—Teodoro’s prescriptions are no different from the cut-and-paste solutions presented by the elites in the long history of the Republic. Teodoro’s philosophical world-view is simply not transformational enough. In fact, it is simply reactionary. Teodoro’s platform or “vision” you might say, is actually a palliative meant to perpetuate elite domination over all spheres of Filipino life. There is nothing new with what Teodoro is saying, nothing extraordinary for us to get excited and nothing remotely effective in addressing the root causes of our ills and miseries.

Like his cousin, Noynoy Aquino, Teodoro avoided having a concrete stand or solution to the agrarian problem, trade liberalization, issues about the environment and even social injustices.

For me, Gibo’s so-called “Galing at Talino” is nothing more than Genuine Traditionalism or Grossly Trapo. Disappointing since I expect him to honor what he said that service is to the people, not to the Self. Yep, his visions are surely not for him, but for the class which he represents—the elite class whose interests is merely the perpetuation of their domination over the rest of the Filipino People.

What a waste of “Galing” and “Talino”.
By decentralizing efforts in disaster preparedness AND management, Gibo wants local government units to be responsible. The question really is–will this lead to more confusion since we all know what happens to ERAs devoted to LGUs?

Manny Villar's Platform: A No-nonsense Social Pact

2009-12-30T12:16:00.000+08:00

Satur Ocampo, former Nationalist Democratic Front (NDF) head and Lisa Masa, the recognized women’s rights activist, are running under the Nacionalista Party as guest senatorial candidates. In an interview, Satur said that the reason why they aligned themselves with the Nacionalista, a traditional political party headed by no less than billionaire Manny Villar were for two reasons: first, other parties are not interested in adopting the Makabayan platform of government and only Villar says the party is ready to accept these points as part of the Nacionalista platform.

I secured for myself, a copy of the Nacionalista Party platform and read it. I also have a copy of the platform of the Liberal Party, the main political rival of the Nacionalista in the forthcoming elections. Armed with these two documents, I am trying to put them into a matrix, comparing their points and seeing if these are responsive to the current social needs.

Based on data culled from the National Statistics Coordinating Board (NSCB), the Bangko Sentral’s Consumer Confidence Index and the current AC Nielsen reports, Filipinos’ top five (5) concerns are:

1. Stability of the local economy
2. Job security
3. Increases in bills (electricity, power, water)
4. Increases in gasoline prices
5. Good governance issues (re: graft and corruption)

The Nacionalista Party platform focuses on two main points: the issue of poverty and social injustice. Reading the document, the platform provides concrete solutions to the issue of poverty—develop the rural sector and enhance or strengthen local industries. Their anti-poverty program is the most concrete and the most responsive since it addresses the root causes, and presents not just cosmetic solutions.

For one, the Nacionalista Party wants to create a self-reliant and independent local economy. In order to do just that, the Nacionalista Party intends to improve the conditions in the countrysides by implementing agrarian reform, increase rural productivity and develop and strengthen local industries.

The Nacionalista Party believes in the concept of land-to-the tiller, the main essence of true agrarian reform. The Party also seeks to provide CARP beneficiaries of funds support thru rural finance and also provide technical supports. It seeks to compensate small and medium-sized land owners who were previously not given any by the government.

For the Nacionalista party, development of both the rural and the urban sectors of the economy should go hand-in-hand and results to job generation. While developing the economy, the Nacionalista Party hopes to involve the stakeholders in preserving the national patrimony, by introducing the National Land Use policy and infusing ecologically-sound practices on farm production. Fisherfolks will be involved in conserving marine resources.

Micro-financing, strengthening rural finance infrastructures, safety nets against the onerous effects of trade liberalization, promotion of subsidies and SMEs loans are just some of the support mechanisms propounded by the Nacionalista party. This shows a very close involvement of government in supporting both the rural and urban economies. However, it is curious to know though how the Nacionalista Party would address the budget deficit problem that may arise in the implementation of these programs.

In addressing social injustice, the Nacionalista Party encourages the involvement of all sectors. The platform recognizes the strengthening of human rights, promote involvement of stakeholders in preserving people’s and individual rights and likewise highlight the role of the Youth, women and labor sectors. Social injustice is viewed on two levels: domestic and foreign. In the domestic front, the Nacionalista wants to review onerous contracts entered into by government, prosecute officials who committed graft and corruption, liberalize the social sphere by respect of human rights and shield the people from grave injustices. Transparency in government transactions and the promotion of integrity are some of the solutions being offered by the party.

In the foreign affairs sphere, a review of the Visiting Forces Agreement and some trade pacts entered by the previous dispensation is offered. The Nacionalista Party says that these onerous trade agreements and foreign cooperative ventures should be scrutinized and reviewed.

For me, the Nacionalista Party platform is responsive. It gives no motherhood statements, no broad strokes solutions and no bull-shit phrases and promises. It is not a slogan merely to satiate the reformist tastes nor a program which offers the same old and tired strands of pseudo-nationalist propaganda. It is well-thought out and direct to the point.