Manila Bay Watch

Simplicity is beauty... even in matters pertaining to law or why Mr Justice Corona's elevation to SC chief post is invalid

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Fri, 21 May 2010 22:36:00 +0000

Former Law professor Alan Paguia, the lawyer that the Supreme Court loves to hate (shown in the middle), has just confirmed the saying that SIMPLICITY IS BEAUTY... even in matters pertaining to law.

Just been blog hopping and found a post over at Uniffors by Manuel Buencamino containing another lovely Alain Paguia law gem and related to the latest controversial act by tricky Gloria Macapagal elevating Mr Justice Corona to the post of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...

And I quote:

6. The “vacancy” cited by the law refers to the position of “Member” of the Court.

7. The law mandatorily requires “at least three nominees” for every such “vacancy”.

8. In other words, the JBC appears to have committed a misstep in its aforementioned announcement. Instead of referring to the position of “Member” of the Supreme Court, as expressly provided by law, it erroneously referred to the position of “CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT”.

9. The parties’ intention is clear. The JBC, Mrs. Arroyo, and Mr. Justice Corona all intended to follow the cited provision of the Constitution.

10. Did the JBC submit “at least three nominees” for the vacant position of “Member” of the Supreme Court?
11. The answer is NO. While it submitted the names of four nominees, only Justice Sandoval of the Sandiganbayan could be appointed to fill the vacancy. The other three are already Members of the High Court.

12. Under the Civil Code, acts executed against the provisions of mandatory or prohibitory laws shall be void, except when the law itself authorizes their validity (Art. 5). In the JBC’s case, the exception does not apply. The law itself does not authorize the validity of the questioned nominations.

The professor concludes authoritatively

Dura lex sed lex. The law may be harsh to some, but that is the law. Mr. Justice Corona’s appointment as Chief Justice is, therefore, INVALID

There you go... The law is a real beauty when explained simply. I highly recommend that Mr Justice Corona take further tutorials in law from Alan Paguia...

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo simply can't help herself... she just had to play one last dirty trick. For the umpteenth time, she needed to pull one over everybody, and once again, complicit in the act are members of the Supreme Court! How on earth can good thinking citizens of the republic respect the institution, which is what many lawyers in our midst are clamouring that we do, i.e., accept this latest trickery and violation of the law, if they, the supreme interpreters of the law always try to bend and mis-interpret the law?

Link: “Chief Justice”?

Run-off election and why a "vote against"

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:34:00 +0000

Manuel Buencamino's blog post for the die-hards perfectly illustrates the usefulness of a run-off election and the power of the vote against.

“Did you vote for Sarkozy?” I asked.
“No and yes. I did not vote for Sarkozy in the general election but I voted for him in the run-off,” he replied.
“What made you change your mind?”
“I did not change my mind. I still will not vote for Sarkozy in any general election, but I voted for him in the run-off to keep the Socialist Party candidate out of the Elysee.”
“So you voted for the lesser evil.”
“That’s one way of looking at it,” he said.
“That’s sad, isn’t it?”
“Yes, you can say that, but look at what happened in the 2000 US presidential election. Bush won Florida by a hair or, to be more accurate, by hanging chads. Those chads would never have been an issue if only Ralph Nader’s followers had voted for Gore. They knew Nader had no chance of winning the presidency, he was not even on the ballot in many states, but they voted for him to make a statement and.… ”
“But it’s different over here,” I interrupted.
“Let me finish…Gore was the second choice of many of Nader’s followers, but by insisting on their lost cause, they ended up with Bush. Now that, mon ami, is sad.”
“We don’t know yet who’s going to win over here,” I pointed out.
“True, but you know who is going to lose.”
“Well….”
“You do not believe in surveys?” he asked.
“They’ve been wrong before,” I said.
“Do you think the surveys are wrong about JC, Jamby and Perlas?” he asked.
“No.”
“But they’re wrong about Brother Eddie, Gordon and Gibo?”
“All right, so what’s your point?”
“Your country, like the US, does not enjoy the luxury of a run-off election. You only have one chance to vote. Now, if, by this late date, your candidate is still way behind Aquino, Villar and Estrada, then you must accept the reality that he is going to lose. Be proud that you fought the good fight, but now you have to vote for one of the probable winners if you want to keep the other two out of Malacañang.”
“I’m voting for Aquino,” I said.
“Okay, but what if he was not in the picture, suppose your only choices are Gibo, Villar and Erap, what would you do?”
“I won’t vote,” I replied.
“You don’t care which one of them will hold the key to the nation’s vault for the next six years?”
“Of course I do, I don’t want another crook in Malacañang!” I exclaimed.
“Then you must vote against him.”

That piece by Manuel on how the vote is used some of the time in France is spot on. I don't know if he's ever been to France to observe how political votes go but he's very spot on. He captured the exact thinking of your usual French sceptic voter.

This was best illustrated during the 2002 run-off election that saw highest primary election scorers Jacques Chirac and far right Jean Marie Le Pen battling it out for the final election. The Socialists and Communists, who were Chirac's avowed enemies, turned out in force to vote for him. They almost choked doing it but they had no choice. If they didn’t, Le Pen could win. Theirs was a vote against Le Pen and not for Chirac. It was a monumental victory for Chirac who humbly acknowledged that the 80% votes cast in his favour were not necessarily in his favour.

I too cast my vote as if I was voting in a Philippine run-off election: my vote for Aquino was a vote against Villar. At the time I cast my ballot, poll results showed that the two leading contenders for the presidency were Aquino and Villar and it appeared that they would be battling it out in the final run. None of the candidates, in my opinion, deserved to be president so it was a difficult exercise Fortunately, Aquino's pronouncement that he would prosecute Gloria and the people involved in corruption issues under her administration made it less painful to cast my vote in his favour.

I personally consider my right to vote as an extraordinary privilege to use for or against someone or something in local and national political matters.

The power of the ballot is immense… It must be used wisely. Faced with very limited options, the power of the vote need not necessarily be a vote for; it can be used to vote against in order to force powers that be to listen to you. Obviously in the Philippine setting today, Gloria won’t give a damn. She’s on her way out.

To me, faced with limited options, I would vote against to help stop the most undeserving fellow to get through just as I would use that vote to show disapproval of issues involving government that I feel strongly about.

That’s how I saw it when I voted against party lines in one referendum here a few years ago, not because I didn’t like the president but because I wanted to tell him I did not like the policies his government had put in place (policies which had nothing to do with the subject of the referendum, which was about the Lisbon Treaty).

It appeared that many voters had the same idea; the referendum which was the ruling party’s “baby” was soundly defeated. The President acknowledged on TV that the vote against the Treaty was in fact a wake up call; essentially, it was not a vote against the referendum but a vote against his government. Because presidential elections were still far away, the voters, short of running amok in the streets to make their voices heard used their votes to make him listen. They were telling him that they were unhappy with his governance. It was the best way to be heard. And it worked. Reforms were instituted — the next referendum about the Lisbon Treaty referendum was a success.

After the just recently concluded May 6 UK General Election, there is every chance that there will be a hung parliament as none of the three leading party contenders amassed 326 votes to take the majority of seats in parliament. An extraordinary situation in UK politics. As Boris Johnson, the Conservative mayor of London opined, "the UK voters punished all the political parties."

This election 'battaile royale' should be Erap v Noynoy Aquino

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:19:00 +0000

To my mind, if there ever was a run-off, I’d like to see an Erap v Noynoy election run off.

The Philippine presidential ellection 2010 will be an opportunity for those voters who feel they’ve been cheated out of their right when Erap was unconstitutionally deposed to do something to correct that Constitutional violation of their right and an opportunity for those pro-Aquino who contributed to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's illegal installation in Malacanang in 2001 via “Edsa 2″ but who I’d like to think had only good governance in mind to finally push for change (if this is at all possible inasmuch as we all know the same people who propped up Gloria righty or wrongly will be with Aquino)…

This election battaile royale should be between these two men. And may the country win!

Recommended blog read: For the die-hards by Manuel Buencamino
Or why a run-off is necessary in a multi-party election system.

Some of the nation's most qualified leaders are in jail

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:53:00 +0000

One of the most admirable young men whom the Philippines must be proud to have the honour and privilege of counting among her sons: Captain Dante Langkit... running for governor of Kalinga. He had been offered freedom to waylay his convictions and turn against his friends and comrades but refused.

Ellen Tordesillas gave us a glimpse of what Captain Langkit has been going through in the hands of the AFP for saying no to corruption in all its form:

Anna, I know that there were days when his custodians would deprive Dante of food during his bartolina days.
When the court martial hearings were still in Camp Capinpin in Tanay (now it’s in Daza Park, Camp Aguinaldo, Dante would be brought to Tanay in handcuffs without breakfast because they had to leave Fort Bonifacio (he is confined at the Intelligence Service Group quarters) early morning.
Dante lost a lot a weight during those bartolina days.
During court martial hearings, we would take pictures of him beside his twin brother, Danzel, to show the toll of incarceration on his health.
Since detainees wives and supporters bring food for them, they would make sure that Dante gets double share.

It is sickening to learn that Dante's AFP jailers could do something as repugnant as torture through food deprivation to one of their own. It is something that the AFP shouldn't even do to its sworn enemies.

In a message to Ellen, Dante also gave a short description of the maltreatment he received, and undoubtedly still receives from the hands of his AFP jailers:

Ellen - May 2, 2010 5:53 am
Dante sent me this message:
Thank you so much Ma’am for posting my video and my profile narrative.
Thank you for the reassuring comments , Tongue-twisted, Chi, Sychitpin, Anna, Tru-blue,Joeseg, Balweg, Mike.
I cannot help but recall again that bartolina ngayong summer. Sobrang init, gutom, suffocation, i didn’t know how i survived.
More than breaking your physical and psychological condition, they wanted to break your humanity and nobility.
They wanted me to tell a lie, they wanted me to agree with their lies and planted evidences (grenades recovered allegedly from LT Baldonado, etc).
They wanted me to agree with their anti- people schemes which made the soldiers sow fear (remember purported discovery of bombs in PMA and the perimeter of fort bonifacio as though the handyworks of magdalo just to fortify their lies, etc).
They wanted us to agree with their money making schemes (how much fund is given to the intelligence and several generals every time a coup is projected).
They want us to betray and be cruel to our fellow detainees.
They want us to agree to human right violations and their unprofessional tendency to conjecture or speculation without solid evidences at the expense of civilian lives.
They wanted us to condemn fellow soldiers with honest grievances. They wanted us specifically to turn against Gen Lim.
They wanted us to sing praises to the present administration.
They cannot just do that. Our training for endurance when subjected to severe circumstances has served us good. The Bible says that “you cannot alter the truth but only to further it”.
Lest they forget, we have an oath to serve the people who pay our salaries with their taxes. I know my Honor code, i remember my Cadet’s prayer. I can sing the Lupang Hinirang and PMA hymn, all by heart.
They may have succeeded in depriving me of my military career but not my love for public service. Sana i can perform my duty in other fields of public service. If God wills it.
(By the way Ma’am, there are also survivors of that napakainit na bartolina: LT Sonny Sarmiento, Lt Aldrin Baldonado, and Major Jason Aquino).

It is my conviction that one day, despite all the attempts of the repugnant people who kiss Gloria's ass today to break the noble spirit of these junior officers, one of them will be elected to the highest position of the land.

They are leaders in the real sense of the word; trained, educated and tasked to lead, they did. They have proven that they can do it beyond the shadow of a doubt.

There's no question that they possess a track record of service to the country unmatched by today's breed of politicians as they personify moral courage, fortitude and discipline, honour and integrity which have become very, very rare commodities in God-forsaken Philippine politics.

To them I say, Gentlemen, retreat doesn't mean defeat. What goes round comes round...

How I will vote... Philippine election 2010 (UPDATED)... How I voted

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 10:03:00 +0000

Fellow blogging friend (in real life) cvj (shown), of Placeholder wrote about his choices for Philippine Elections, 2010.

Have decided to follow suit as I've got to drop mine too illico. Have got to get it out of the way because I need the time to concentrate on kiddies who are voting for the first time and who need help in making informed decisions on how to vote in the upcoming 2010 UK general election which will be held on 6 May. They are torn between voting Conservative and Liberal Democrat.

I "took" cvj's vote template and composed my list from there. Here is how I will vote...

President: Noynoy Aquino (but this could be subject to last minute change, i.e., blank, however, I'm inclined to vote for him for want of a better choice -- hoping he'll remain decent when he's finally elected)
Vice-President: Mar Roxas

Senators: (not necessarily in this order)

1. Martin Bautista (Liberal Party) don't know much about him but from what I've read, he seems to care
2. Rufino Biazon (Liberal Party)
3. Susan Ople
4.
5. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel (Liberal Party)
6. Alexander Lacson (Liberal Party)
7. Brig. General Danilo Lim (Independent) (I hope he won't become a tradpol)
8. Liza Maza (Independent)
9.
10. Ferdinand Marcos, Jr
11. Ariel O. Querubin (Nacionalista Party)
12. Adel Tamano (Nacionalista Party) (because I believe that there should be one Senator of high calibre from the South)

UPDATE: 2 May 2010

Up to the last minute, I hesitated -- I felt that none of the presidentiables was qualified for the job. What tilted the voting balance (mine) in favour of Aquino: His implicit declaration that he will pursue the corruption cases against Mrs Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Sen. Benigno Aquino III said Mrs. Arroyo must be prosecuted and all the cases against her must have closure.

“We are lacking in transparency. The fertilizer fund scam took four years to be investigated. And there must be certainty of punishment (for corrupt officials). If we are not going to pay attention to this, we are continuing an erroneous system,” Aquino said. He said it would be up to the courts and other concerned agencies to undertake the task of prosecuting Mrs. Arroyo, even as he gave assurance that her rights as accused would be protected. Aquino said Mrs. Arroyo should face prosecution because she “destroyed a lot of institutions that we depend upon to have a vibrant and really functional democracy.”

I made a summary of how I arrived at the decision in Ellen's blog

AnnaDeBrux - May 1, 2010 11:50 pm & AnnaDeBrux - May 2, 2010 12:20 am

This blog will hold Mr Aquino to his promises: Noynoy vows to void all unlawful appointments

Aquino is browbeating people, will turn nation upside down if not installed as president

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:42:00 +0000

Ellen Tordesillas asks Is Aquino preparing for repeat of EDSA One?

And my unequivocal answer is "Yes!" Why else would he declare in an interview with Bloomberg journalists, i.e.,

If “the people’s will is frustrated,” demonstrations could make this month’s protests in Thailand seem “mild” by comparison"?

There was no question that by "people's will", Aquino meant his bagging the presidency. What arrogance! And guess what the basis of this premature victory pronouncement is? Well, according to Aquino, and mouthed no less with gusto than by a stalwart supporter and member of the Aquino campaign group sometime a week ago: "Surveys!"

Aquino's pronouncement was not in any way clothed with finesse. It sounded like a formal declaration of war!

Even some of those FB "friends"-members of the press who I believe are inclined to be pro-Aquino reacted strongly against Aquino's hubris.

Ding Gagelonia I want him to sober up. For our sake.
Inday Espina-Varona Noynoy Aquino, speaking out of turn, with an oversized sense of entitlement, has just cheapened his mother's legacy. People Power is now used to bludgeon the whole country... you threaten us with something worse than Thailand? Do you even know why those red shirts are that angry, you bird-brained adventurist?

At the very least and in order to be credible that he is not rabble rousing, he should have addressed his warning direct to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her operators (who would do everything and anything to get one of her two dogs elected) but to threaten to lead a people's revolt if or when he is not declared the winner is downright irresponsible.

In effect, he has threatened the nation that if he is not installed as president shortly after May 10, there will be hell to pay. No matter how you turn Aquino's (and his alalays') declaration around, it was meant to browbeat people, i.e.,

"Look here fellas, I am the winnah; there's no question that I am the winnah... Surveys say it. Casting your ballots is mere formality; if at the end of the day, I'm not declared the winner, I shall turn this nation upside down until I'm installed president! Remember, I am the winnah!"

Has he forgotten that the political exercise in question is about a presidential election pitting no less than nine candidates and not at a simple national referendum on his person?

He probably is convinced that because surveys are in his favour, the May 10 political exercise has become a simple referendum matter -- about him and him only, whereby people will be asked to tick the a "Yes!" or "No!" box, i.e., "Do you accept Aquino as your president? Choose yes or no!" (Much like the French referendum that got Charles de Gaulle to remain in power.) But no longer a presidential contest...

Has Aquino taken leave of his senses? And to think, that I've been defending him against calomnious attacks on his mental condition, one in particular that was written by an estwhile friend from the press.

Good Lord!

Photo caption and credit: Philippine presidential candidate Senator Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III speaks during a campaign rally in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro in central Philippines April 29, 2010. (REUTERS/Erik de Castro)

Bobit Avila is wrong, Max Soliven would have bet on Ninoy Aquino's son

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:06:00 +0000

This is interesting.

The friends of Max Soliven have chosen Gibo!
SHOOTING STRAIGHT By Bobit S. Avila (The Philippine Star) Updated April 28, 2010 12:00 AM

However thank God that today we have the Internet or text messaging where reports that often cannot see print or reported on TV are being peddled to the general public. I submit that too often, we have to make sure that these reports are verifiable. This is why when stories about the mental health of Liberal Party (LP) bet Noynoy Aquino came out, we refrained from writing about it… as it was difficult to verify. But then, The STAR’s Carmen Pedrosa came up last Saturday with that article that after all, “It was Ninoy who sought psychiatric help for Noynoy.” How I wish that all this was a cruel joke!
.../...
Call it an uncanny coincidence or even divine providence that while I was staying at the fabulous Bellevue Hotel (courtesy of my good friend Hotelier Arthur Lopez), Sir Arthur called me to join the old core group of Sir Max Soliven for dinner at the Alabang residence of Sir Babes Romualdez which was a mere five minutes away from the Bellevue Hotel.
.../...
Of course, we talked a lot about politics over wine and Kobe beef and I asked each one of them whether they have decided which candidate they would choose and it was unanimous… they have declared their support for Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. Then I asked them that if Sir Max were alive today, would he agree with them on their choice? The answer was a resounding “Yes!” and they gave me the go-signal to spread this information.

They may have chosen Gibo or Teodoro but I'm not too sure that Max Soliven would have approved. My belief is that Max would have chosen Aquino.

Call it a "hunch" or call it something else but Max would have bet on Ninoy's son. He would have been critical of some of Aquino's campaign pronouncements, perhaps even of one of the latter's siblings but at the end of the day, he would have selected the devil he knew than the devil he "didn't know."

Besides, Gibo is "almost" a Rufino and that wouldn't' do at all! Alright, I say this tongue in cheek...

Aquino's threat of another people power: Hubris!

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 10:02:00 +0000

Meanwhile, have just read this in FB:

From Inday Espina-Varona's page:
April 27 (Bloomberg) — Philippine presidential frontrunner Benigno Aquino said only fraud can stop him winning next month… See more’s election and any such attempt would trigger unrest comparable with the protests that swept his mother to power 24 years ago.

The 50-year-old son of former president Corazon Aquino, who has led opinion surveys since entering the race last year, criticized how a switch to electronic voting machines is being implemented and said a declaration that he is the loser of the May 10 poll would bring supporters onto the streets.

“If we have a correct counting of the votes, I think we will be very victorious,” said Aquino, whose mother toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos amid protests that followed a rigged election in 1986. If “the people’s will is frustrated,” demonstrations could make this month’s protests in Thailand seem “mild” by comparison, he said in an interview in Manila yesterday.

What arrogance… More than a hint of hubris!

Joining the odious Philippine political mêlée on Villar and Aquino

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 01:07:00 +0000

The Philippine blogsphere and the world of Facebook have gone truly agog over two of the latest political stunts in election feverish Pinas:

(1) Presidential contender Villar's mother in a televised soap opera

I watched the video but tuned off when Villar's sisters started shrieking on camera. Must be honest: I wans't moved by the sight of Mrs Villar in tears but felt embarassed for her. I thought it was distasteful and despised Villar all the more. Requiring his old mother to go through this indignity speaks volume of the son. He cannot remotely pretend to be the leader this nation needs if he has to ask his old, ailing mother to perform a televised a soap opera to fight his fights for him.

(2) Continuing black propaganda against presidentiable Noynoy Aquino

I had already read the purported medical report in one of the FB entries but which later on proved to be a fake and then came another one that was presented to the press no less than by an official of the Villar camp. I thought the whole operation to discredit a rival was reminiscent of the Swiftboating operations that Dubya Bush and his camp carried against poor John Kerry.

As Ding Gagelonia of At Midfield remarked: "A feeling of déjà vu that makes you want to puke or inflict extreme prejudice upon the authors of this latest black like of the 2010 electoral campaign." (Photo montage credit: Ding Gagelonia)

Chit Pedrosa of Philstar joined the black proaganda mêlée with her two cents' worth. (Mind you, it didn't floor me but I was left gobsmacked for a second or two. My first reaction was that it's true, Chit is losing her marbles...)

Ninoy himself sought psychiatric help for Noynoy.

I did not want to write about Noynoy’s mental sickness. In a political campaign season, it looked like black propaganda from rival politicians.

That was before I received information I could trust that the allegations about Noynoy’s mental illness were true. My source is apolitical but she was moved by her responsibility to her country. She decided to do her part to stop the prevarication of others who also knew. The stories about Noynoy’s mental illness are not ‘concoctions’ she said. These should not be dismissed. It should be proved.

Imagine sipping venom from Catherine de Medicis' gilded poison vial.

OK, it would be very unfortunate for the Philippines if indeed the allegations were true and Aquino got elected, but Chit was so full of herself in that piece insisting that her word was biblical truth and that was truly distasteful. Every word and line in Chit's column smacked of innuendo and bad faith. She hurled caution to the wind and along with it, her toilet bowl.

What does Chit really want to prove? One could very well imagine a young boy whose family was displaced, whose larger than life father was in prison, etc. suffering from some bouts of depression but which young person wouldn't under similar circumstances? But to assert that the fellow in adulthood has become a pure mental case suggesting that the man deserves a straitjacket is pushing the envelop of malarkey a bit too far. Besides, even if candidate Aquino's parents had taken him to an analyst, aka a shrink, as a young boy or man, what's wrong with that?

Perhaps, in RP, seeking professional or expert help bears the stamp of eternal stigma... but really, unless Aquino the adult displays publicly (or privately) all the symptoms of an Anthony Perkins (can't remember the film he starred in), Chit shouldn't be categorical.

Just so we are all clear. I'm not a confirmed Aquino voter. But I would react in the same way if Pedrosa wrote in similar obnoxious fashion about all the other candidates as being psychiatric or mental just because anonymous letters had come her way.

N.B. Kasi naman si Aquino mukhang tanga sometimes ang dating sa mga pictures niya... That said, his sometimes farcical poses in photos are not sufficient to brand him a psychiatric case fit to be thrown in a loony bin.

We should not shrug our shoulders, we should help JJ Domingo see this through...

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:30:00 +0000

Fellow blogger friend, JJ Domingo of The Nutbox, has just published a harrowing story on FB and on his blog:

When my mother went to the Philippines to attend the graduation ceremony of my sister and to seek the opinion of Filipino doctors on her mild cancer two weeks ago, she had no idea she was in for the shock of her life.

Last April 14, my mother went to visit a friend named Janet who lives in a slum area in Tandang Sora, Quezon City. That friend owes my mother some thousands, which my mother decided to collect because she needs money for her medication. My mother was accompanied by an old friend, Maximo Gabriel.

At around twelve noon, just when my mother and Gabriel were about to leave Janet’s place, two plain-clothed policemen- one called Allan and another named Mar Palic- approached them, accusing them of drug possession. My mother and her friends aghastly denied this, and before the two cops could search them they showed their bags to the police officers and emptied their pockets to show that there was nothing incriminating inside. Still, the cops “invited” them for questioning.

“Sumama kayo sa amin (Come with us),” said the cops.

“Bakit po kami sasama sa inyo, wala naman po kaming ginagawa (Why should we? We’re not doing anything wrong),” answered my mom.

“Kung wala kayong ginagawang masama eh bakit kayo matatakot na sumama sa amin (If you’re not doing anything wrong, why don’t you come with us?)”

And so they decided to go with the cops, thinking that they would only be invited for random questioning and be released immediately. But to their surprise, the officers took their cellphones and did not allow them to make calls. And instead of being taken straight to the police station, they were driven around for at least three hours while the policemen intimidated them and forced them to make a confession!

At around three in the afternoon, they were finally taken to the cafeteria in the third floor of Police Station Number 3 along Quirino Highway in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City. There my mother was subjected to the worst kinds of insults.

“Bakit naman dadayo pa kayo dito eh andaming mabibiling shabu sa Fairview (Why come here when you can buy drugs in your place?)”

“Siguro labas-pasok ka na sa kulungan no? Tignan mo nga itsura mo, parang isang buwan ka ng hindi nakapagpapahinga eh (You’ve been in and out of jail, haven’t you? You look as if you haven’t got any rest in a month!)”

“Ilang linggo ka na bang nagda-darna? (How many weeks have you been doing a Darna?)”

For about an hour, the cops forced them to make a confession but they stubbornly refused. Finally, the cops said they would be subjected to drug tests if they don’t confess. Although my mother is aware that random drug testing is against the law, she and her friends immediately agreed, thinking that this would be the best way out.

“Pag po ba negative sa tests pwede na po ba kaming umuwi? (Can we go home if we get negative results in the drug tests?)” asked my mom.

“Oo. Pero sa itsura nyong yan malamang positive (Yes, but, looking at you now, I’m sure you’ll get positive results)”answered the cop as he laughed obnoxiously at my mother’s expense.

They were then told that they would be taken to the police laboratory for the tests. But instead they were driven back to the slum area in Tandang Sora because the cops claimed they needed to talk to their informer. There the two cops alighted and went inside the compound while my mother, her friends, and the errand boy of the police station remained in the car. At that point, the said errand boy told them that they needed only to pay twenty thousand pesos each and they will be released. This is a clear case of soliciting bribes, and my mom and her friends refused.

And so instead of being taken to the laboratory for the drug tests, they were taken back to the police station in Talipapa. At this point, my mom and her friends were understandably very mad. She demanded that they go and get the tests already so they can all go home. When the cops were pissed off with their legitimate complaints, they were detained behind bars!

What’s more, when they were asked to list down their belongings that they were supposed to surrender before being detained, police officer Mar Palic refused to list down my mother’s cellphone; he took it! If it’s any consolation, my mother was allowed to make one phone call which she used to ask my uncle to come to her rescue.

You can only imagine the trauma and emotions this brought to my mom. She demanded that she be informed of the reasons why she was being detained. Her friends, on the other hand, begged the cops to let her go, since she’d be in the Philippines only for two weeks and she wanted to spend as much time as possible with her kids. When the cops heard this, they only insulted her and laughed at her expense.

The desk officer then came to my mom and asked her to just make “areglo” (settle the matter) with the cops. But the cops were asking for twenty fucking thousand pesos! My mom asked if she can pay just three thousand since that’s all she had, but the cops refused.

When my uncle came, the police told him that they caught my mother in the act of using drugs– a big, fat lie!

At this point, my mom was determined to call the family lawyer, but my uncle told him that if the lawyer came, the cops who signed her arrest order would surely disappear and so she would still end up staying in jail for the whole night. Also, my mother’s friend Janet still has kids left in her home to attend to. So reluctantly, they decided to make “areglo.”

After some negotiations, the cost of the “areglo” was lowered from twenty thousand to fifteen thousand pesos and my mother’s cellphone.

When my mom got home, she cried like a baby. Here she was, a single mother and an OFW who have never broken any law, being treated like a criminal. Here she was, a simple citizen who cooperated with the police when they invited her for questioning completely trusting that these officers of the law would respect her most basic rights, being insulted and humiliated.

It doesn’t take a lawyer to see the violations and abuses made by these policemen. They certainly violated my mother’s Miranda rights when they refused to let her use her cellphone to immediately make calls. They committed arbitrary detention, and I believe that’s felony. They committed extortion, and that should put them behind bars for a few years.

It appears that this is a common modus operandi of Philippine policemen in many slum areas that are suspected of having drug activity. They intimidate people who they think they can milk with bribe money. The sad thing is, while innocent people like my mom are subjected to this kind of inhuamne treatment; the guilty ones easily get away with violating the law by bribing these policemen.

I’m proud that my mother and her friends took the effort to resist these cops’ extortion, but I’m a little bit disappointed that they had to cave in in the end. But what could they do? My mom was scheduled to be in the Philippines for only two weeks and she wanted to spend every day of those two weeks with her kids and not in jail.

My mom just got home from the Philippines a while ago, and she told me all about this just now. She was crying. She needed that money the cops took for her medication. And my blood is fucking boiling. I don’t intend to to take this sitting down. But to be honest, I don’t know what to do.

Right now, all I have in mind is to write the chief of the National Police Commission and to encourage my uncle in the Philippines to file a case for the dismissal of ”Allan” and Mar Palic and of the chief of Police Station Number 3 in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City first thing in the morning. I want all of these officers dismissed and I want my mother’s hard earned fifteen thousand pesos and her cellphone returned. I’m going to ask all my friends for all the help they could give me. If I need to go to Manila to get the heads of these cops on a silver platter, I’ll take the next flight.

I hope everyone who reads this will pass it on and spread the news.

The least authorities can do is to do an investigation thoroughly and it should be done illico. These are serious charges that must not be waylaid by the police at all.

I have heard of similar stories that includes "a personal experience" of someone I know (my driver) who was threatened with being detained, charged, imprisoned, etc., if he couldn't cough up money for an apparent traffic violation that my driver swore never happened (and I believe him).

The role of the police in any society is to ensure that the law is followed, to ensure that lawless elements of the country are apprehended. It is just so gobsmacking that the police in the Philippines have been known to be the first to break the law of which they are the enforcers. Something must be done quickly to jail these lawbreakers and hooligans in uniform.

We should not shrug our shoulders, we should help JJ see this through...

Orly28-Neonate, a fellow blogger and cyber friend has passed away

noreply@blogger.com (HILLBLOGGER) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:21:00 +0000

I've just learned from Pedestrian Observer, a fellow blogger, that Orly, who also signed his comments Neonate, has passed away.

I had the honour of "meeting" Orly for the first time at Ellen Tordesillas' blog more than four years ago. An erudite, Orly, impressed me with his commentaries. His writings were well researched, greatly thought out, logical and poetic at the same time. I shall greatly miss his blog posts and his comments in my blog as well as the regular private email he would send me that were full of humour.

I believe those who have had the privilege of knowing him even if only through the blogging medium will mourn his passing.

Orly, you will be sorely missed.

Adieu mon ami!

http://orly28.blogspot.com/2010/04/announcement.html#links

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales' rationale for last minute-defence equipment binge buying is moronic!

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:42:00 +0000

The Inquirer reported that Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales' rationale for what he himself described as his last 2 minutes' defence spending is "to present “something new” during the June 12 parade"

In another Inquirer report, Gonzales also was reported to have declared, “It is not only about building our defense capability. It is also about restoring our people’s pride in their Armed Forces and triggering their pride for our country.”

I can't believe it!

Is Gonzales so devoid of thinking neurons? Firstly, if this moron has only stopped to think for a second, he would have realised that mordenising the AFP is all about building the nation's defence capability -- nothing more and nothing less. Pride in the AFP is incidental to it all.

It is not this haphazard method of defence procurement that will make people proud of their country; it is the elimination, or at the very least, the curbing of corruption at DND and in the AFP. Binge-buying of defence equipment at the last minute "to present something new during the June 12 parade" will make RP the laughingstock of the global community of nations.

The man has gone bonker mad!

Secondly, did he really think he will be able to make a short list, obtain end users' certification (need to be validated by foreign govts), invite suppliers to bid, do the bidding exercises and negotiate for advantageous terms, pay sellers, get delivery of purchases, display items and show off in Luneta all in less than six weeks? What if the items don't work?

And more importantly, buying old, foreign military discarded equipment because they are cheap may end up being more costly, i.e., a total waste of precious meagre RP rations. Refurbishing, overhauling, putting up to decent working standards such old equipment may cost the nation more at the end of the day. Hence, with the little money RP has got, it is imperative to choose and buy wisely. And this can't be done in a couple of weeks' notice. Besides, think of the red tape: foreign governments will require a lot of guarantees from the Philippines to even begin to consider selling even their second or third-rate defence equipment to Gonzales.

The only reason I can think of for this idiot's laughable show off decision to spend the 5 billion pesos that's been alloted for this year's defence procurement is to make money out of it. i.e., bribes (reminds me of a former DND chief...) The temptation to make a quick buck up front (millions of bucks actually) that's probably being dangled under his very nose during these final days of the corrupt Arroyo administration is too much for him to resist. Either that or he believes these items are auctionned off on eBay!

The 5 billion pesos which will certainly be used as down payment for a list of defence equipment to eventually modernise the AFP is not a lot. Not even the entire AFP modernisation budget of more than 20 billion pesos will suffice to get the AFP what they need to be at par with say, Malaysia or Thailand, not to mention with Singapore or Taipei.

In a country that needs the most basic military assets to perfom the more urgent military missions, the DND chief cannot be so gung ho about buying everything and anything he sees on the shelf. The country hasn't got the resources to dwell on such stupid defence spending.

Snippets of Inquirer report:

Old planes on DND shop list, says bet

MANILA, Philippines—You can’t modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines by equipping it with 20-year-old planes and “surplus” hardware from other countries.

That was the message aired Sunday by Liberal Party (LP) senatorial candidate Ruffy Biazon after receiving what he said were reports from his “military sources” that Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales was pushing for the “midnight” purchase of helicopters worth at least P3.2 billion.
.../...

A defense department source confirmed that during a meeting in February, Gonzales said he wanted to present “something new” during the June 12 parade.

.../...

“We have to have a lethal external defense capability because in the diplomatic community, we are being insulted because they think that we can do nothing when we are challenged … that’s why I am asking the Air Force to please hurry up to define what kind of aircraft they need,” he said.

Gonzales said that four nations were negotiating with him and that “two more are coming and I’m very happy.”

In another report

“We are rushing what we can still do under the AFP modernization program in our very limited time left,” Gonzales said in a statement. “Aren’t we, Filipinos, known to be good in the last two minutes?”

To expedite the upgrading of the AFP, Gonzales on Friday said he had set up a new mode of procurement which would allow the Philippines to enter into deals with “reputable” governments, instead of dealing with private suppliers.

The AFP Modernization Act of 1995 was enacted to allow the military to modernize in 15 years with a total outlay of P331 billion. But only P28.9 billion out of the total fund has been allotted under the law, which expires this year, Gonzales said.

BGeneral Danny Lim exposes generals involved in 2004 presidential election fraud

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:04:00 +0000

Spotted this video posted by Counsellor Trixie Cruz-Angeles:

My comment:

I believe BGen Lim. I believe Senga too (Lim devulging Senga's admission and participation in the election fraud or possibly, election frauds). But in that meeting, Esperon, very likely, was playing to the gallery and was saying things that his fellow officers wanted to hear so as not to alarm them but in fact he knew once out of the meeting, he was going to tell Gloria about it.

On Senga's admission (per Lim) that he participated in the election fraud is not surprising: ALL CSAFPs, major service commanders and particularly, the SOCOM chief, almost always "do things" for a presidential candidate to gain that candidate votes, eg., provide logistics or do some not so very nice things. NO EXCEPTION. These generals are so heavily solicited and are promised the moon and literally, the stars...

Gen J Nazareno, while he was SOCOM chief, probably was the only one in recent elections that didn't have to go out of his way to steal votes for candidate Estrada. But his participation in the 1998 election (Erap v JdV) was to ensure that votes for Estrada were not stolen. And that was how SOCOM was used then, i.e., prevent presidential election fraud in Mindanao....

The Southern Philippine votes are so crucial in any presidential election and could make or break candidate. It is not difficult to say that there is no other place in the Philippines where "bloc" or "command" votes matter most (Translation: large-scale vote buying or selling, depending on how one looks at it.)

In exchange, General Nazareno, was promised and got the CSAFP job when Estrada was elected.

An invitation from Utrecht-based Joma Sison's DEFEND

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:23:00 +0000

Received this invitation from my good chums in Utrecht which, incidentally, arrived after I posted my post/question about the Luisita Hacienda massacre issue. Tee - hee!

I might go if I don't have anything better to do on that day.

From: ndf
Sent: Monday, April 19, 2010 9:05 PM
Subject: Invitation to a Book Launch

Dear Friends,

We are forwarding to you an invitation of the International Committee DEFEND to the launching of Professor Jose Maria Sison's latest books on 15 May at the ABC Treehouse from 15.00 - 18.00.

We hope you could attend the event.

In solidarity,
International Information Office
National Democratic Front of the Philippines

Incidentally, noticed had a visitor from Utrecht:
Utrecht arrived on "Manila Bay Watch: An invitation from Utrecht-based Joma Sison's DEFEND" 52 mins ago.

A question about the "Luisita Hacienda massacre issues"

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:25:00 +0000

Over at Facebook, a 'friend' and one of the bloggers I respect, Leslie Bocobo, who authors Undertow, published a video of incidents at the Luisita Hacienda that supposedly happened . The hacienda, I believe, is controlled by the Coujuangco family to which presidential contender Noynoy Aquino belongs.

This was the first time I've ever seen a video of the events at the Luisita Hacienda "massacre". To be perfectly honest, I've always been hands off with regard to commenting on the hacienda events -- because, except for what I've read the last few years in the newspapers, I know next to nothing about this business concern of the Cojuangcos. However, I decided to share a small anecdote which brought my little person as close as it could ever get to the issue.

Here's what I posted in Leslie's (profile pic shown below) FB page:

Leslie, I've never revealed this in a public forum but am now sharing this with you.

A few years ago (I was barely aware of the Luisista Hacienda issue except when I glossed over it in the news), the president of a small local Tarlac cooperative called me to ask me for a favour. He knew that I knew Joma Sison personally and so asked me if I could speak to Sison to give an order to his comrades who were apparently "running" the "protest" or the sit ins (or whatever one should call them) to allow for a moratorium so that farmers could deal with their harvest, sell them, earn a bit of money in order to pay for some of the basic medical/medicinal necessities of some of the families which he swore they badly needed as many children were very ill and some have died due to lack of medical care.

The said person was desperate and assured me that he would have never dared ask me to do something of the sort if he and his friends had other options. Needless to say, I was honestly astounded by the request and told him so. I also said:

(1) I wasn't fully cognizant with issues involving the Luisita events

(2) More importantly, I didn't believe I carried that sort of influence vis-a-vis the chairman of the Communist Party of the Philippines (I still believe he is the de facto CCP chairman under the name of Armando Liwanag) and former tactical chief of the National People's Army

(3) And If ever I did [carry influence], I wouldn't do it because I didn't want to be beholden to Sison at all.

In essence, what that conversation with the said person from Tarlac told me or confirmed to me was that the Luisita protests, or whatever you call them, were controlled by the Sison's CCP elements.

Not that I did/do not sympathise with the plight of the genuine farmers who were trying to improve their lot and had honest grievances and who, because of a series of events, got involved in the uprising more than they had wanted to and became pure collateral damage. So, there remains a big question mark? Were the Luisita protests, uprising, etc., in fact, being manipulated for the genuine farmers to do more than what they actually wanted to do?

Off for a good two-week break! Yoooooppeee!

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:19:00 +0000

Off for a good two-week break; will be taking the ferry to England to be with family and enjoy Easter garden parties, and then back to France to spend time in our country home; will return to the Capital of Europe to drop our luggage and drive the next day to Paris to attend oldest Baby Boy's graduation exercises.

Will be leaving the net in the cupboard at home so there will be no blogging nor email, no networking, etc... Yooooppppeee!!!

On major AFP major service command appointments: "To bypass a PMA class or not to bypass"

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:01:00 +0000

From the Inquirer: Verzosa didn’t even say hello to ‘mistah’ backers

[...]

A former AFP chief of staff, Biazon said that the controversy surrounding Bangit’s promotion was primarily triggered by the “question on the credibility of the appointing authority.”

Biazon admitted that PMA graduates had been discussing the “revolving door” policy of appointing military chiefs and the unresolved “Hello Garci” scandal alleging Ms Arroyo stole the 2004 vote, which involved several military officers. She has denied the charges.

“There is also a perception of a mass bypassing of one class over two classes (from the PMA),” he said.

PMA classes ’77 and ’76 were bypassed for “mistahs” belonging to Class ’78.

“I think this sentiment is already out in the public. Just listen to what (Lt. Gen. Raymundo) Ferrer is saying,” Biazon said.

[...]

ON MAJOR SERVICE COMMAND APPOINTMENTS: TO BYPASS A PMA CLASS OR NOT TO BYPASS

MY FOLLOW ON COMMENT to Sen Biazon's comment about "a perception of a mass bypassing of one class over two classes (from the PMA)."

To my mind there is nothing wrong about the bypassing of one class over one or two classes provided there is a credible reason to do so, and on top of the leader board of provisions should be that the candidate must possess undisputed sterling qualifications for the job. Evidently, for moral reasons or lack of them, Gloria Arroyo's appointment policy becomes questionable outright.

In the normal scheme of things, i.e., when appointing authority's legitimacy is not in quiestion, it is important to note that the commander-in-chief has the political and legal prerogative to appoint the CSAFP, which carries the sole 4-star rank in the AFP, i.e., full general or full admiral, from among officers with the rank of full colonel to 3-stars (lieutenant general).

Which reminds us of this: During the term of Cory Aquino, she exercised this prerogative for one of her appointments: she bypassed not only one PMA class but 3 classes, i.e., PMA Class 59, Class 60 and Class 61 when she appointed a member of Class 62 to be chief of staff, AFP Even General Biazon's own classmate (Class 59) wasn't spared from the "bypass" in the appointment of FOIC PN who came from PMA Class 60.

Just to be clear, the said classmate of Gen Biazon who was "bypassed" was technically less qualified in that the officer in question didn't possess a command at sea badge, i.e., not completed sea command duties.

In other words, one could surmise that Cory's act in bypassing a member of an older class was judicious. which Gloria's, in more than one instance, has not been. I do find that the "payback" policy that was and is still is Gloria's imprint for the military, has gone overboard. Her nonsensical approach has thoroughly de-professionalised the military and by extension the police.

I'm of the belief that the main issue today is not so much the "bypassing of one class" over another but the non-appointment of those who possess the right qualifications to do the job for those whose major qualifications are, first, proximity to Gloria's person and second, for personal services rendered to prolong her political life.

My reply to insane Charito Planas' military junta threat

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:47:00 +0000

Charito Planas, insane Malacanang Palace mouthpiece said:

“It is possible that the military might take over. That is possible… Military juntas have taken over in several countries, especially in Southeast Asia."

There is no way that Gloria’s close-in mouthpiece like this bitch of a spokesperson could make such politically loaded pronouncement without a go signal from Gloria. No way!

Where in the world of civilised nations have you ever heard a pronouncement coming from the seat of power that as distabilising as that bitch’s pronouncement?

In troubled times or in times of uncertainty, the role of an honest government is to reassure, to construct, even to pacify, but certainly not to inflame, let alone deliberately, purposely destabilise…

A government spokesperson voices the desiderata of the big boss (well, in this case, it’s actually the dwarfish boss) and so I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the idiotic, ass-licking Planas, received the OK to make that threat.

Could this be Gloria Arroyo's Option B? (In my mind, her Option A has always been and is as TonGuE-tWisTeD describes it in Ellen Tordesillas blog: Gloria’s end-game plan is to put in place people who are loyal to her and maintain their stronghold in those critical positions in order that she has a strong bargaining position with whoever sits in the Palace after her.)

And my answer to Gloria's threat...

Is Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo setting the stage to remain in power ad vitam eternam?

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:54:00 +0000

Not a squeak from the lil squatter in Malacanang about the brouhaha surrounding the Supreme Court decision that will allow her to make a midnight appointment.

I suspect the lil person in Malacanang is pleased with the meyhem that she's initiated. Her henchmen in the Supreme Court are serving her purpose, i.e., stay in power ad vitam eternam even if by proxy. She's setting the stage.

Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo himself raised the fact that the Supreme Court (note that majority of sitting judges have been appointed by Arroyo) convenes as a Presidential Electoral Tribunal that handles election protests pertaining to the presidential and vice presidential race. If Gloria appoints her man to be next SC Chief, there is a strong possibility that the actual loser in the presidential race may become the next president Either that or cause the elections to fail thus paving the way for her to stay indefinitely.

Gen Danilo Lim, who is running for a seat in the Senate warns of a possible military uprising because of Gloria's shenanigans.

And now this:

Palace sees junta if polls collapse

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang yesterday assured the public there would be no failure of elections this May but warned of a possible military takeover in the ensuing chaos arising from such an event.
...

Planas noted that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile issued a similar warning of a possible military junta taking over in the event of political turmoil arising from a failure to install a new president by June 30.

How very clever! RP's lil Joseph Goebbels (Gloria Arroyo) is preparing public mind for a junta that will have her as chief.

Gloria has begun to adopt Joseph Goebbels' doctrine:

“The most brilliant propagandist technique will yield no success unless one fundamental principle is borne in mind constantly - it must confine itself to a few points and repeat them over and over”

People of the Philippines beware! Do something now before she does you in! Burn the witch before she burns down the Philippines.

RP presidentiables: All "Blarney yarning"

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:31:00 +0000

I still have to hear a credible proposition from our presidentiables. So far, they've said nothing. Or if they have, it's synonimous to either what one of these blarney yarners is doing...

(With my sincere apologies to my dear Irish friends, particularly on St Patrick's Day!)

The advocacy of James Layug, former Philippine Navy seal (SWAG)

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:01:00 +0000

LT James Layug, former navy seal and commander in SWAG, the stealth fighting unit of the Philippine Navy is running for a seat in Congress.

James Layug's solid military — no nonsense, honest background, i.e., navy seals — a most honourable fighting unit (which I’m familiar with), has led me to believe that he would make a far better member of Congress than many civilians the Filipino public are keen to vote for come election time.

And it's worth noting that some of the greatest leaders the world knew in peace time were moulded by the military and many of the world’s political scoundrels, including in RP, were plucked from the civilian world.

This blog wholeheartedly supports LT Layug.

Video by bemboldiaz

Hat tip Ellen Tordesillas

Women sailors on US submarines soon: "ALL MANICURED HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!"

noreply@blogger.com (HILLBLOGGER) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:42:00 +0000

The last remaining all-male bastion of the navy world will soon be extinct. US submarines will be in for a great overhaul, particulary on the privy front. Women sailors are expected to join sub crews as early as next year.

Need to dive for now and digest this latest bit of sub news, will ping you guys later.

From The Navy Times

MCSN Joshua Martin / Navy Female Naval Academy and NROTC midshipmen have spent time aboard submarines, getting a taste of undersea life. Women commissioned after graduation in 2010 could be among the first assigned to subs.

Pentagon announces end of ban on women on subs

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 23, 2010 19:14:07 EST

The Pentagon on Monday notified Congress that women will be able to join submarine crews within 30 legislative working days, making good on the wishes of top Navy commanders announced last fall.

As required by law, Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a letter to legislative leaders announcing the Navy’s plan to lift its ban on female submariners, giving the House and Senate time to absorb the decision and, if members want, to take action. Congress can pass a law forbidding integration, requiring the Navy to wait or perform a study. If it does nothing, as expected, the ban will expire around the end of April.

Reminds me of the time -- 1996 -- when a friend of mine who was flag officer in command of a navy in the Far East had the task of modernising the country's navy that included deploying women sailors to serve and fight alongside their male colleagues. Until then, women working in the navy held staff position on land but the nation's laws called for reorganising and modernising the navy by including women sailors onboard, i.e., to do naval combat duties.

Should the "poor" vote for Villar?

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:01:00 +0000

One of the many anti-Villar campaign posters circulating in cyberspace...

I don't really care if he wears all the ostentatious trappings of a nouveau riche. His taste, his problem.

L'expression « nouveau riche », apparue en France pendant l'entre-deux-guerres, est utilisée pour qualifier péjorativement les personnes qui se sont enrichies rapidement, parfois de manière suspecte, et qui dépensent de manière ostentatoire leur argent.

My translation: The term nouveau riche appeared in France during the two wars; it is used as a perjorative qualifier for people who enriched themselves, sometimes in a suspicious manner and spend their money in an ostentatious manner.

What I do care about is the man's moral character. Villar's absence of integrity is a reason not to vote for him.

How do you fix a mess like the Philippines?

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:43:00 +0000

How do you fix a mess like the Philippine mess?

If it could only be as easy as fixing a mess of cables...

What's so unnerving about the country's state of affairs is that the good guys who can put away the big bad wolves are incarcerated while the bad guys roam around freely, honest politicians are unseated and gambling lords are put in their place, crooks are voted in office while those that could eventually make a difference are voted down. The good eggs are villified while the bad eggs are glorified!

What a mess!

Nine presidential candidates: How can winner expect to seriously govern a fractured nation if 61% of voters don't want winner for president?

noreply@blogger.com (AdB) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 23:54:00 +0000

The Inquirer reports:

Zoom Read Full Story

Expected to participate in the Inquirer-sponsored debate on Monday are Benigno Aquino III, JC de los Reyes, Joseph Estrada, Richard Gordon and Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal, Nicanor Perlas, Gilbert Teodoro, Eddie Villanueva and Manuel Villar.

Nine official candidates for president of the Philippines!

Yes, nine people will be vying for the position of chief executive of the country in a one round universal election in May this year. Good grief!

I honestly believe that in a one-round election pitting 9 people against each other, there is an extremely tiny chance that the winning candidate will be elected by majority vote, i.e., 51% of the votes cast.

In the 1998 presidential elections, even Joseph Estrada, king of the Philippine movies, whose supporters like to proclaim as the president that was overwhelmingly voted into office, received only a little over 39% of the votes cast or a total of 10,722,295 votes.

In other words, around 61% or 16,180,241 of the nation's voters didn't want Estrada to be their president.

Questions beg to be asked: What if this happens again? How can the winner of the election expect to seriously govern a fractured nation if 61% of the nation's voters don't want the winner for their president?

Answer to first question: You have a problem! Answer to second question: With great difficulty!

With nine candidates slugging it out for the top political job, the only way to ensure that the president-elect can come close to claiming that he (or she) possesses the political moral mandate to govern politically volatile Philippines is to have an election in two rounds, i.e., the nine candidates stand in the first round and the two top scorers should battle it out in a run off election; the winner who obtains the majority vote is declared president.

The system will provide the president-elect with a sound majority victory at the very least, and with a greatly required moral political mandate to govern. Such presidential mandate could help lessen the divide in a country that seriously needs unity.

Unfortunately, the Philippines is not yet politically mature to be able to recognise the wisdom of such a system. It will take time but hopefully, the nation gets there before it implodes...