THEIR 'PEOPLES' INITIATIVE' IS OUR 'PEOPLE INIS SA THIEVES'

Since the expose on gargantuan pork barrel outlays called Countrywide Development Funds (CDFs) and Congressional Initiative Alllocations (CIAs) wherein some legislators had been charged with receiving millions in commissions from contractors, the name of Congress with the public has become mud.

The public has become so incensed many will surely be calling for the abolition of Congress amid claims that anyway the country could operate without a legislative body. The country has enough laws to keep it going.

It has been said that the lawmakers were robbing the country blind with their mammoth pork barrel funds. Remember the time when no less than Senator Miriam Defensor - Santiago revealed that no sooner had she warned her seat at the Senate when contractors flocked to her, offering as much as 40 percent for projects under her CDF and CIA outlays? Perhaps we should really consider reducing the number of our representatives now lest they amass more beautiful homes in the U.S. From our present number of over 200 congressmen, we can do well with a lesser number of, say 78, which is the same number of governors in the country. If we can live with 78 governors, I see no reason why we can't live with 78 congressmen. And, the less congressmen we see breaking the law out in the streets each day of our lives, the better for us and for the whole nation as well. Less is best.

(Image from http://wwwpophangover.com/)

MARGINALIZED SABUNGEROS?

What will they think of next just to become a congressman? We have more than enough useless members in Congress. Now, they want a representative for "marginalized sabungeros." Say what? Methinks this is unecessary because many congressmen are already sabungeros. It's simply an abuse of the sectoral representation, which really is an easy way to land in the House. A useless bunch just took their respective oaths of office. We should be cutting down the number of congressmen instead of adding more of them in Congress. There are only a handful of excellent sectoral representatives today, like Akbayan's Etta Rosales, surpassing even the 'traditional congressman.' Enough.

Sectoral representation was first devised during the martial law years as a means to ensure the late President Ferdinand Marcos' control of the Batasan Pambansa and to send court favorites, who cannot win any elections, to Congress. Actually, this whole matter of sectoral representation was a brainchild of the late brilliant politician and tactician, Local Government Minister/Rep. Jose 'Peping' Rono. He hatched the plan to ensure his control of the local legislative body and his own political supremacy as well. He was one of Marcos' and the KBL's most brilliant political strategist. As political adviser to the power-packed ruling party, he presented his plan which worked so well for him in the local levels. President Marcos was totally sold on the idea, and he ordered it incorporated on a national level.

(Image from http://www.census.gov.ph/)

LESS IS BEST

Do we really need so many congressmen, not to mention the lavish spending-sprees each time they just "feel like it?" Our country has been doing quite fine with some 76 or so governors. Hence, there really is no logical point why we should not have only 76 congressmen and only 15 senators, who should be elected by region. Can you imagine the money we can save with a smaller congress and senate?

By way of comparison, the United States, which is 300 times bigger than the Philippines and about 7 times bigger in population has only about 435 congressmen and 100 senators.

It's time we take a closer look at the matter for the benefit of the Filipino people. That would also mean a smaller bill for us each time they dine in some classy restaurant overseas. Just a thought, wouldn't you agree?

(Image from http://www.vistapinas.com/)

HONEST JUDGE - AN OXYMORON?

A retired Supreme Court justice has been banned for life in the practice of law. This is one fella who was unfortunate to get caught. Many more like him are out there lurking in the dark - justices, judges, lawyers and pseudo-lawyers.

Concerned lawyers' groups have been agitating for action against these crooks in robes. Even some honest justices and judges (there still are?) have admitted that there are rotten eggs in their midst and have endorsed a clean-up drive (ho-hum) before the situation gets out of hand and the people completely lose their trust in the courts. The public perception is that gone are the days when justices and judges were much respected and revered because of their probity and integrity, and when they led exemplary lives and were never seen in social functions and official parties. Today, these members of the bench can be easily seen in karaoke establishments and casinos, restaurants and hotel lobbies, enjoying themselves at the expense of people who court their favorable decisions.

It's about time for Congress to enact a Judicial Reform Act in order to attempt to clean up the judiciary and ferret out its corrupt members. Congress leaders could dig up an old judicial reform bill submitted before martial law was declared but never reached enactment because it simply got caught by events.

Among the reforms sought in the proposal were:

- No judge may serve in his own province.

- No new judge may serve in Manila before he has served for some time in another province.

- No family members may be appointed by justices and judges in their courts.

- There should be no interference in the raffling of cases among the courts.

- Recommendations by politicians for judiciary posts must be rejected.

In addition, 'judicial fixers' must also be banned by the courts. These people act as liaison officers of justices and judges, looking for the right clients since decisions can be had if the price is right.

(Image from http://www.enn.com/)

ADOPTING THE FRENCH MODEL

Imagine this scenario: With Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile stepping closer to support former President Joseph Estrada, if and when he runs for president, Malacanang may orchestrate a Senate coup and unseat JPE, to be replaced by a new Senate President/Palace puppet. This possible coup against Enrile would ensure Senate approval of the proposal to shift to a parliamentary form of government. A change in the form of government will ensure that the Arroyo administration will remain in power beyond 2010. Under the plan, the present Congress will constitute itself as a Constituent Assembly to amend the Constitution. It will vote for a shift to a parliamentary system and submit the decision to the people for ratification.

Incumbent senators and congressmen would have to run in their respective districts for seats in the unicameral legislature. The Arroyo people, with their vast resources and political network already in place down to the precinct level, are confident they will enjoy a large majority in the new parliament, which follows the French model which calls for a strong President (the British model has the Prime Minister as the virtual ruler and the monarch as a ceremonial figure head).

Under the plan, President Arroyo, who will run in Pampanga, will be elected President and Speaker Prospero Nograles as Prime Minister. The scenario calls for unseating Enrile if he refuses to go along with the plan. But Enrile's supporters say the Arroyo people have another guess coming. Enrile has his own counter-moves ready.

On that note, that is why I strongly oppose incumbent senators and congressmen from running for Parliament if the proposed shift to a parliamentary system is approved by a Constituent Assembly composed of the incumbent legislators to amend the Constitution. Hence, the proposed shift is merely a political maneuver by the party in power to allow its members to remain in office and even allow President Arroyo to stay on as President, and a Prime Minister chosen from among the majority parliamentarians.

It would be Machiavellian to amend the Constitution just to suit the ambitions of some trapos.

(Image from http://wiki.erepublik.com/)

TURONS DON'T MAKE A RIGHT

One of the most bizarre accusations that ever hit the Batasan Pambansa in the past was its spending of some PhP45 million for turon snacks of congressmen during committee hearings. Yes, turon. A ranking congressman, chairman of a powerful committee, had this amazing defense for the gargantuan expense: "It's good we spent only for turons. Suppose we had ordered steak sandwiches and crepe suzettes?"

Speaker Prospero Nograles should really crack down on those huge expenses for food in the House, even though he himself was criticized for overspending on lavish toilets for the Batasan. During sessions and committee hearings, there are heavily-laden buffet tables with all forms of victuals and vinos. It's not only the solons who partake of this food, but also their employees, family members and guests. Some even have the food wrapped and taken home.

If you don't see your favorite solons on the session floor or in committee hearings, they could be in their chambers, sleeping soundly due to over-eating and over-drinking. The people happiest over the situation are the food concessionaires who overcharge the House and presumably give kickbacks to some House officials and finance officers.

One thing is certain: Not one of our legislators will ever die of starvation.

Being overpaid and overfed are among the perks of power. Years ago, Lily Tomlin remarked that "98 percent of the adults in any country are decent, hard-working honest citizens, and that the other 2 percent get all the privilege and publicity and only because we elected them."

By the same token, Auberon Waugh commented in the Spectator, "When we have finally stirred ourselves to hang them all, I hope our next step is to outlaw political parties on the grounds that like our amusement arcades, they attract all the least desirable members of our society."

Here, they are simply censured as trapos.

(Image from www.pinoyexchange.com/)

SONA - SCREWING OUR NATION AGAIN

Brace yourselves folks! The circus is coming to town. A double-whammy with Congress and the Senate resuming with a joint session, plus more prevarications, concoctions and bull with the President delivering her State Of The Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 before a people she and her administration has betrayed and continue to betray, not to mention the nerve of a sinister attempt to amend the Charter in the hopes of perpetuating her to power.

The people will be closely watching too how their legislators will be behaving. Body language is such a clear way of communicating. These solons spend millions and millions to get elected and re-elected, and the public is curious how on earth will they ever recover their political expenses on jobs paying only several thousands of pesos a month. We now eye legislators with much skepticism, and it's their fault. We also know that they left no stone unturned to be elected and be assured of money and power. Most of these solons who will bootlick the President on July 27 as she wags her forked-tongue before a politically-emaciated citizenry will be coming from the same political and business elite she comes from, the same class that has ruled Filipinos for many years and have refused to give up its life-and-death grip on the fate of their constituents.

The political and economic oligarchies remain so entrenched in their positions of power that no poor man can ever hope to get elected to public office. Look at the political landscape. The wives of the solons are governors or mayors and their children are councilors. And that is only the beginning. Other relatives occupy high appointive positions. And so, these political families enjoy almost complete control over their hapless constituents.

Much as we hate to admit it, Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew may have been correct when he accused the Philippines of having abused the theory of democracy and that this same abuse has caused many of the country's present ills.

"The trouble with your country is that you ape western democracies too much and you have had too much of democracy," Mr. Lee told Filipinos during a visit to the Philippines some years ago.

Methinks too that the trouble with our country is our culture of impunity where not one big crook really goes to jail - unless politically motivated. No one big fish here really goes to jail for his or her crimes, period. If that big fish goes to jail, it's only for a "vacation."

It's high time we send some to the can again or else we will never learn our lessons, and rest assured, there will be more out there ready and willing to screw our nation again and again.

And remember how the President made a public declaration once saying, "I'm married to the country."

No wonder she keeps screwing the Filipino people.

(Image from www.pinoyweekly.org/)

CONGRESSIONAL INQUISITIONS

Congressmen and senators who take too much time abusing the privilege hour to harass their political opponents and extort money from businessmen deserve not a bit of respect at all from the citizenry. No less that House Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile should quickly act and order a stop to sinister executive speech-making and the abuse of privilege speeches.

For many years, the public has complained about legislators who attack their enemies in privilege speeches, knowing that they may not be sued for libel or slander, because such speeches are covered by parliamentary immunity. So many lives and fortunes have been damaged by irresponsible privilege speeches, so much so that people want to do away with these altogether. If they're not destructive, they're downright boring, having been poorly researched and crafted by mediocre congressional staffers.

Even presidents in the past have been lambasted by legislators who wanted to pressure Malacanang into granting concessions. In a not-so-recent past, one senator became famous for his scathing speeches against Malacanang. He was reported to have collected PhP 500,000 for every speech he delivered on the floor (and another PhP 500,000 for every speech he did not deliver) against a former president. His assistant would deliver to Malacanang a copy of his smoking speech, and presidential aides would be on their feet looking for funds to pay the senator to keep his mouth shut.

Speaker Nograles should strongly advise members of congress from abusing the privilege hour to deliver speeches against their political foes, or force concessions from business firms in a manner condemned as blackmail and extortion. Again, the solons are covered by parliamentary immunity and cannot be brought to court on any issue they discuss during their speech.

I hope the Speaker has never abused the privilege hour and neither has he coerced anybody through the power of cogressional subpoenas. For many businessmen and corporations will surely agree with this because many too have been victimized in the past, and continue to be victimized by abusive privilege speeches. These individuals claim to have been harassed by certain congressional committees which wanted only to fleece them of big amounts under pain of congressional investigations or even through legislation. The privilege hour consumes too much time and can be utilized for deliberations on pending important measures. These measures are always put on hold when solons take to the floor.

On the other hand, committee hearings too have been abused by congressmen, when invited guests are known to be terrorized by brusque legislators. These committee hearings, more often than not, have been transformed into torture chambers and inquisition cells for political and business rivals of lawmakers. And while these hearings are justified as "in aid of legislation," the public knows better and scoffs at them as they usually hide some vile intentions. Clearly, "in aid of legislation" turns out simply as "in aid of extortion." It is said that most government officials (before E.O. 464) quake in their boots and are numbed with fear each time they are called for congressional hearings. This is true especially during budget hearings where executive department officials have to justify their funding requests. It is during these hearings that officials are coerced into agreeing to allocate plum posts for proteges of legislators, or to reserve mouth-watering contracts for their business partners. Several appointive officials report that in consideration and approval of discretionary and intelligence funds, a portion of the outlays have to be reserved for use by the congressmen. As such, the public wishes to inquire from the legislators the following:

- Is this hearing in aid of legislation, or is it in aid of extortion, larceny and re-election?

- How many of you have not made fat sums of money from private individuals and corporations hauled before congressional inquiries?

- How many of you have not earned humongous commissions from contractors you helped win awards from your Countryside Development Fund (CDF)?

- How many of you do not protect vice lords in your respective districts?

- How many of you do not maintain mistresses and have not fathered illegitimate children?

- How many of you have not coerced huge amounts from private corporations as contributions to your campaign funds?

- How many of you were elected in office through terrorism and electoral fraud?

- How many of you do not employ your children and relatives in your office?

- How many of you do not use government-issued vehicles to ferry your wives and children to the beauty salons, groceries and schools?

- How many of you do not employ goons and ex-convicts as your security detail?

- How many of you have not mis-used gargantuan allowances as committee chairmen?

- How many of you do not frequent expensive lewd cathouses and karaoke joints?

- How many of you do not abuse traffic laws and regulations (you and your arrogant security escorts) simply because your vehicle sports a number 7 or a number 8?

- How many of you do not cheat on your income taxes and your SALs?

- How many of you do not disappoint the motherland by having US Green Cards (just in case?)

So, is it still any wonder now why the President wishes to be a member of Congress and be Prime Minister thereafter?

(Image from http://cravensworld.wordpress.com/)

REMEMBERING BLAS OPLE, REVIVING R.A. 7743

One of the most voracious readers among the nation's leaders is the late great Blas Ople whose passion for books is matched only by his passion for writing. The remarkable thing about him is that he did not reach college and his erudition came mostly from reading and spending most of his money on books.

As a member of the Marcos cabinet, he was considered an outstanding secretary with a brilliant mind that even President Marcos, one of the most intelligent leaders of this country, had to ask him to tone down on his scholarly themes so the other cabinet members could understand him. His legendary passion for books reminds me of one French author, Michel de Montaigne, also the mayor of Bordeaux, who was once asked if he were to choose which he would burn first, his books or his children, and without batting an eyelash, answered his children. But of course, that's one decision I totally do not agree with.

Not all Filipino children can be as gifted as Ople because of his love for books. This is more so because our poor children have no ready access to books and other reading materials. Sad to say, the construction of public libraries occupy the lowest priority among our government officials, majority of whom do not realize the value of books. Librarians are among the poorest professionals due to lack of job opportunities. Senators and congressmen should set aside funds from their multi-million pork barrels for the construction of public libraries. Tell me, do you have one in your neighborhood? I thought so.

On that note, what ever happened to Republic Act 7743 signed by former President Fidel Ramos in 1994, providing for the establishment of congressional, city and municipal libraries and barangay reading centers throughout the Philippines? I had earlier called for the establishment of rural libraries to promote the development of intellectual facilities of the people since we had noted the utter lack of such libraries not only in the urban but also in the rural areas.

The little-heard of and apparently unimplemented law mandates that the National Library, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government shall undertake the establishment of public libraries to serve all congressional districts, cities and municipalities and reading centers in all barangay units. The National Library shall also coordinate and organize seminars, workshops and other trainings for the professional advancement of librarians. It provides for appropriations from both the national and local government units to fund such public libraries and reading centers. Sad to say, a visit to most rural areas would reveal that public libraries and reading centers are non-existent.

Some officials are clearly sleeping on the job or simply cannot put it in their thick skulls that such libraries are vital to the moral and intellectual development of a nation. It's a pity that R.A. 7743 I believe has not been implemented. I was particularly impressed with the provisions on the functions of the libraries as:

- To make available to members of the community a wide array of reading materials including those prescribed by the Department of Education, and national newspapers of general circulation.
- To be used as venue for audio-visual presentations in the community and other kinds of exhibitions and activities, aimed at increasing the literacy rate, by government agencies, NGOs or private entities in the dissemination of information of general interest.

Remember, a well-read and a well-informed citizenry make for a strong and progressive nation.

But then again, can you blame a top spouse if his idea of a library is a collection of coloring books? I thought so too.

(Image from http://ilsdole.gov.ph/)

APPLES, BANANAS AND BALIMBINGS

To this day, many people still think that the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was an Apple. Could this have been started by an American? The Apple is never mentioned in the Bible and is referrred to only as the forbidden fruit. However, the Koran is more specific in saying that the forbidden fruit was a Banana. Now, as to what type of Banana it was, a lacatan or a latundan? Well, we better just inquire from our Moslem brothers. The Apple is just one of many fruit varieties that have originated with the common blooming rose. Others include the Pear, Peach, Plum, Apricot and Cherry. Many fruits can be traced only to their discovery by explorers. The Lime, for example, wasn't identified until the 17th century, when sailors traveling to the New World drank its juice to prevent scurvy, a malady caused by Vitamin C deficiency. Since then - and to this day, citrus fruits have attracted a large cultish following as wellsprings of vitality and good health. Among them, Oranges, Grapefruits and Tangerines. However, gourmands in many places prefer Kiwis, Kumquats and Mangoes. Yes, Mangoes - and the Philippine type is king. The best Mangoes are said to come from Guimaras, an island in Southern Philippines. And then, we have the Coconut, an unbeatable source of several useful items. An edible pulp, a refreshing sweet milk that can quench even the toughest thirst, and a valuable oil ideal for making margarine, soap, and suntan lotion. The fibers from the Coconut husk itself are used in fashioning rope, and the tree's trunk is a valuable type of wood used for building huts and fences. Cocolumber is an essential by-product of the Coconut tree and is very popular in the furniture industry. And then we have the legendary Fig, which is also deeply rooted in the story of the Garden of Eden, where its leaves were believed to have clothed Adam and Eve after their fateful meal. Figs and Dates provided sustenance for the early Greeks, and the trees of both remain heavily cultivated today along the Eastern Mediterranean. But the most celebrated local fruit of all is of a political variety, and can be found in abundance inside the Batasan Complex. The English name for it escapes me for now, but the Balimbing is an "honorable" fruit, if you ask me. And, to add injury to insult, the more rotten, the more acceptable since it is always in good company. Just recently, these forbidden political fruits have been creating many jams, so to speak, and the latest is affixing their signatures to transform the House into a Constituent Assembly a.ka. Con-Ass. These fruits need to be processed to a pulp and then preserved forever as a reminder of how bad a bunch of fruits can be - in season or out of season.

(Image from http://www.globalpinoy.com/)

JAIL TO THE CHIEF!

Our Constitution was not written on sand only to be washed away by a roguery of self-serving politicians like Speaker Boy Nograles and Rep. Ed Zialcita, allied with Gloria Arroyo, blown in by the political wind, otherwise known as the Arroyo regime's corrupt, polluted air.

On that note, before GMA and her storm-troopers have it their way changing our Constitution, perhaps it would be a good reminder for all to see what kind of legacy they really will be leaving behind.

The following best describes it all:

- $500 million IMPSA/Napocor/Argentine deal c/o Sec. Nani Perez
- NAIA-3 project/Germany's Fraport AG
- Grossly overpriced P1.2 billion PEA-Diosdado Macapagal Highway (Dioscopo Napacamahal Highway)
- PCSO ads and the multi-million peso funds mis-use
- SBMA smuggling operations
- BCDA loss of AFP modernization funds
- Camp John Hay Baguio rentals
- Poro Point revenues
- PhilHealth cards
- Joc-Joc Bolante's P728 million fertilizer scam
- OWWA fund diversion
- PAGCOR secret deals with the clergy, media and government officials
- DPWH contracts including the Road-User's tax
- $329 million grossly overpriced ZTE-NBN mess c/0 Chairman Ben Abalos
- North Rail's 'railroaded' projects
- South Rail's 'railroaded' project
- DoTC contracts including RORO ports and local airports misu-use of funds
- Anomalous TRANSCO bidding
- NFA rice mess up
- SPRATLYS sell-out to China
- "Hello Garci" scandal, Lintang Bedol's magic, and Gloria's 'manufactured mandate'
- P1.3 billion missing irrigation funds
- Anomalous VENABLE contract c/o Sec. Bert Gonzales
- P5 billion Swine Scam c/o pigs in government
- Jose Pidal kickback accounts
- P2 billion National Food Fund loss in 2005
- Grossly overpriced lamp posts (from P16,000 to P300,000 each) in Gloria's Cebu c/o DPWH
- $1.3 billion crooked COMELEC Computerization deal
- $147 million DA/Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act (authored by Sen. Ed Angara)
(The DA has mis-used these funds)

And now, the LEGACY mess of Celso Delos Angeles. And the list goes on.

Shall we simply give them our Constitution on a silver platter for them to amend and contaminate with their filthy hands, and pave the way for Gloria Arroyo's perpetuation to power? Let us now examine their credibility and coming legacy, and then, let the sovereign Filipino nation decide.



(Image from http://indymedia.org/)

PHILIPPINE CROCODILE (CROCODYLUS MINDORENSIS CONGRESSMANUS)

I recently visited the Batasan Pambansa to meet a former staff member of mine who now works for one of the elected officials there. I was so surprised to see the latest imports bearing the #8 on them. The most beautiful and expensive vehicles can be found right at the Batasan. Well, what do you expect? They now have a Speaker who has evolved from a tweeter to a boom-box. He sure is living it up as well. They all are. I immediately thought that being a congressman was always equivalent to being filthy rich. Since there was no session that hour I was there, many of the congressmen were just casually dressed, but wore the latest Lacoste shirts with that little crocodile on them. Imagine that, a tiny crocodile on a big crocodile. Funny, but true. Methinks congressmen are from a diffrent species of crocs. They're both land and water creatures, which means they are amphibious. They can easily adapt to the environment and climate change, and will always be more accomodating during the campaign season. They are Pachyderms. Once elected, their body clocks automatically switch to "hibernate" mode, which means that you'll have to wait the whole summer season until you get a satisfactory attention from them. But we never learn. We elect their offsprings to the very same positions they once occupied. It's called "dynasty." I guess we're just simply too familiar and stuck with the system already, and that's why the 'Dynasty Bill' will never prosper in Congress. And the Cayman congressman will always put the 'nasty' in dynasty. Before leaving the Batasan, my friend whispered to me that this year just like last year, there won't be any 'Nativity Scene' again in Congress. I asked why and he said, "They probably won't be able to find again even just three wise men and a virgin right here. Only enough asses amongst themselves to fill the stable!"

(Image from http://iucncsg.org/)

BATASAN PAMBANSA VOTES TO OUTSOURCE THE PRESIDENCY

Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City --

Congress today announced that the Office of the President will be outsourced to India soon. The move is being made in order to save the President's yearly salary, and also a record billions in pesos in deficit expenditures and related overhead that the premier office has incurred during the last 8 years. It is anticipated that several billions of pesos will be saved to the end of GMA's term (if she really does step down). "We believe this is a wise financial move. The cost savings are huge," stated Speaker Prospero 'Boy' Nograles. "We cannot remain competitive on the world stage with the current level of cash outlay," Nograles noted.

President Arroyo was informed by e-mail this morning of her termination. A member of the Malacanang Press Corps was present to explain the congressional decision to Press Secretary Cerge Remonde in simpler terms.

Sanjay Singh, a tele-technician for Indee-Ya Teleservices, Mumbai, India will assume the Office of the President shortly. Mr. Singh was born in Paco, Manila, while his Indian parents were vacationing in the Philippines, thus making him eligible for the position. He will receive a salary of PhP 45,000 a month, but no health coverage or other benefits.

It is believed that Mr. Singh will be able to handle his job responsibilities without a support staff. He will instead be working at night, similar to a call-center job. "Working nights will allow me to keep my day job at the Dell Computer factory," stated Mr. Singh in an exclusive interview. "I am excited about this position. I always dreamed of being president of something someday."

A staff member of Speaker Nograles' office noted that while Mr. Singh may not be fully aware of all the issues involved in the Office of the President, this should not be a problem as President Arroyo has never had a clue either.

Mr. Singh will rely upon a script tree that will enable him to respond effectively to most topics of concern. Using these canned responses, he can address common concerns without having to understand the underlying issues at all. "We know these scripting tools work," stated the staff member. "President Arroyo has utilized them successfully for years, with the result that many Filipinos actually thought she knew what she was talking about. But then, even Vice-President Noli de Castro is still clueless to this day."

President Arroyo may have difficulty in securing a new position for lack of any moral credentials whatsoever.

Hobbit House Manila has expressed interest in hiring her as floor manager.

(Image from http://bbc.co.uk/)

IN GLO WE TRUST

A reminder to Malacanang apologists, spin-doctors and members of congress allied with President Gloria Arroyo:

"To announce that there must be no criticisms of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable." - Theodore Roosevelt

I hope DoJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez starts opening his mind to reality and truth, before he reaches second childhood and senility.

(Image from http://pcij.org/)

Thanks to Anna de Brux for the reminder as well. She blogs at http://manilabaywatch.blogspot.com/ Great site!

HOW TO START EACH DAY WITH A POSITIVE OUTLOOK

'Positive Thinking' teachers can be found at every street corner. Many of their 'pupils' hold office in Malacanang Palace and in the Batasan Pambansa, positvely thinking of other "acceptable" ways to change our constitution for GMA. For the new year, I give them my version of 'Positive Thinking.' ...

1. Open a new file in your computer.
2. Name it "Gloria Macapagal Arroyo"
3. Send it to the trash.
4. Empty the trash.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Do you really want to get rid of "Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?"
6. Firmly click "Yes"
7. Feel better?

(Image from http://www.cbsnews.com/)

GIVE THEM MERCURY (NOT THE DRUGSTORE)

Among the Romans, the deity who presided over commerce and banking was Mercury, who, by a strange association, was also the god of thieves and orators. The Romans, who looked upon merchants with contempt, fancied there was a resemblance between theft and merchandising and they easily found a figurative connection between theft and eloquence; hence, thieves, merchants and orators were placed under the superintendence of the same deity. On the seventeenth of May, in each year, the merchants held a public festival, and walked in procession to the temple of Mercury, for the purpose of begging pardon of that deity for all the lying and cheating they had found it to practice, in the way of business, during the preceding year. Lying, Cheating, Thievery and Eloquence? Hmm ... perfect. The very elements which best describes this administration. Experts in cheating and stealing. Eloquent in lying. Perhaps, Executive Secretary Ed Ermita and Speaker Boy Nograles would now care to start the new year with statues of the Roman god Mercury to be given as Christmas gifts to cabinet members and congressmen respectively. And then have GMA sign an Executive Order (E.O.) making Mercury the patron god of cabinet secretaries and congressmen. While at it, let it also be the official icon to be prominently displayed all over the Office of the President.

(Image from http://thealchemicalegg.com/)

PROMISE THE NATION, BUT PLEASE DON'T BREAK IT THIS TIME

Senator Ernesto Maceda couldn't have said it better in his recent column, pointing out "What GMA can do" to appease the nation. Manong Ernie wrote, "Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Presidential Adviser Gabriel Claudio and Presidential Spokesman Anthony Golez insist that GMA will step down in 2010. No one believes them because GMA has very little credibility left and her body language says otherwise."

Remember Press Secretary Jess Dureza's 'trial balloon prayer' and Gloria's fake reaction? If GMA steps down in 2010, and then presidential elections were to be held, she can still be elected as Prime Minister if and when the tularemic troika of Speaker Boy Nograles, Rep. Mikey Arroyo and Rep. Louie Villafuerte have it their sinister way to form a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass).

If President Gloria Arroyo wants to be believed, then let us all echo Senator Maceda's challenge to Gloria and her allies in her roguish regime. Let us all compel GMA to promise the nation (and not to break it this time) that she will not seek ANY public office be it the Presidency or the Prime Ministership - and let her now put this in writing, as such:

"I pledge to God and to the Filipino people and to my family that I will step down in 2010. If a Constituent Assembly is approved by Congress and an extension of my term is approved, I will not serve. If a change to a parliamentary form of government is approved, I will not accept the position of Prime Minister. In addition, I will not also run as member of a new Philippine Parliament. So help me God."

(Signed)
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

(Signed - Witnesses)
Jose Miguel 'FG' Arroyo
Evangeline 'Luli' Arroyo (Bernas)
Juan Miguel 'Mikey' Arroyo
Diosdado 'Dato' Arroyo
Chief Justice Reynato Puno
Speaker Prospero Nograles
Comelec Chairman Jose Melo
Archbishop Paciano Aniceto
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
AFP Chief General Alexander Yano
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney

After all signatures have been duly affixed, copies should then be sent out by mail to all registered voters. A joint effort may be forged by Chairman Jose Melo/Comelec and Postmaster-General Hector Villanueva/PhilPost. Let the money from this project be drawn from the Intelligence Fund of the Office of the President. What do you think?

(Image from http://bbc.co.uk/)

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH KILL BILL

"Listen to me little fetus, precious homo incompletus.
As you dream your dreams placental, don't grow nothing accidental."


Human life begins long before birth. Much of the debate surrounding reproductive health and abortion concerns the question of when the merger between an egg and a sperm becomes a person. The Bible does not tell us when we start to be humans, but it seems clear that the developing fetus is already human in God's eyes. When Jeremiah was called to serve the Lord God, he heard some strange words: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Apparently, God considered Jeremiah to be a person long before he was born. The same conclusion might be reached about John the Baptist. When his mother Elizabeth was greeted by Mary, the baby "leaped in the womb." It could be argued of course that the child was responding only physically to an adrenaline upsurge in the mother, but Elizabeth assumed that "the baby in my womb leaped for joy!" This seems like a real life that was able to experience joy even before his birthday. Another Bible passage would support this conclusion. The Psalmist David wrote that he was "sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." - Psalm 139:13-16. David praises God who "knit me together in my mother's womb" and "saw my unformed body." The fetus was not considered to be merely some impersonal biological organism. Human life was assumed to start before birth. It must start at some time during the gestation or prenatal development, and most likely it starts at conception.

(Image from http://www.christiananswers.net/)

TODAY'S MERIENDA AT THE BATASAN CAFETERIA: LUGAW HEAVEN; GOTO HELL

I just received this news today. President Arroyo's puppies in the Batasan Pambansa will see to it that right after they amend our Constitution, they will immediately start working on amending the Bible. For a moment there, I was at a loss as to why a gang of dishonorable congressmen be interested in amending the Bible? Then I found out that they were only interested in amending the concept and reality of Hell as mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. They intend to abolish Hell before their respective terms expire here on Earth.

(Image from http://bbc.co.uk/)

WE DESERVE WHO WE VOTE FOR

The picture above is our country's first ever senate assembly with real honorable senators in attendance. Today, with a number of senators gearing up to evolve into presidential timber status but making a mockery of the elected positions they now occupy, mud-slinging, silly antics and all just to gain media mileage in preparation for the 2010 presidential race, one senator will probably still get my vote if and when he runs for president, except for the unfortunate and inescapable reality that his present girlfriend of old could be first lady if and when he wins - for a spouse must be gracious, likeable, well-mannered and humble in all her achievements in life. She definitely has "K," for 'kapal.' I am pertaining to Mr. Palengke himself, Senator Mar Roxas whose organization recruited me in 2004 to head his media bureau when he first ran for the Senate, up until some baduy and bad advertising advertising agency got in the picture and grabbed all the credit. Mar won hands down and even topped that contest. I must admit that I was quite impressed with Mar's data infobank, a rich compilation of anything and everything one needs to know about the Philippines top to bottom. A tolerable Atenista, as I always used to joke about him, Mar has the lineage and the pedigree needed to add honor to such a high position he could someday occupy. Mar has in his genes the intellectual prowess of his father, the late Senator Gerry Roxas, and of course his equally brilliant and compleat grandfather President Manuel Acuna Roxas. On his maternal side, he certainly has the charm and class of his mother, Judy Araneta Roxas. And how can I forget the spunk and boldness of his late brother Dinggoy? I heard he is also doing a good job these days as a single parent. As I do get to observe his performance in the Senate, I can't help but compare him with the others, but how do you compare him with Senator Lito Lapid who I suspect always has a brain-freeze seizure each time he's on the Senate floor or simply in attendance? One other lady senator I do admire, contrary to what many of her critics say is Jamby Madrigal. She has cojones! Balls which other senators do not have. Other than the fact that I adore her for raising wonderful Whippets of which I happen to be an indirect recipient of a darling one (used to be two), is the fact that she really does her homework and goes straight down to serious business during the senate deliberations. Whatever her critics say of her, she would make a great graft-buster and guardian of the people's rights. It's really not her fault if she was born wealthy. I'd pick her anytime of the day compared with other senators who simply want to finish their respective terms rich. Mar and Jamby's family have a long-standing friendship with my family which started from our grandfathers. When Mar speaks, everyone listens. When Jamby speaks, everyone is all ears. But when Lito Lapid speaks, everyone is in disbelief and are instantly reminded that he still breathes. If Mar plays his cards right, he could be our president someday. Other blabber-mouths like Dick Gordon are better off just being head of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), and are better off selling dinuguan on the side at the the perimeter fences of the SBMA (Subic). Chiz Escudero should team up with Manny Pacquiao in 2010 for a president/vice-president tandem and their slogan should be, "Vote Champ with Chiz!" Jinggoy is terrible as committee chair. He should do his homework and lose some weight lest he be our local version of Bibendum, the love-handled or 'bil-bil' mascot of Michelin Tires. Biazon is still his usual tackless and ill-mannered soldier self. I remember one senate hearing where he was grilling a witness invited to appear before the committee whose surname was Pone (pronounced Pon-ye). As Biazon was asking straight questions to the gentleman, he shifted to ask, "are you sure walang 'TA' ang apelyido mo sa huli?" It only shows the kind of ill-bred and stinky-mannered senator we voted in office. Never again, given the chance. He should go back to the barracks. Bong Revilla is probably tired-bored these days counting lizards on the senate ceilings, and sweating it out trying to finish his 'four-letter word only' crossword puzzle. This is one guy who to this day still doesn't know if he's a mediocre senator or a joker actor. And speaking of Joker, how can one ignore Joker Arroyo and his campaign slogan, "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" I think because of his senile stage, he has now confused the word "bad" with "good." And tell me honestly, how serious can you take a senator whose first name is Joker? What were his parents thinking when he was christened? Were they playing cards? But okay, I confess, I'd probably pick his first name any time of the day instead of his last, being a namesake of the illegal occupant in Malacanang, now linked to corruption and illegitimacy since day one of her term. Of course with Manny Villar, whose campaign slogan "sipag at tiyaga," has now been changed without his approval to "C-5 at taga!" due to alleged illegal insertions that benefited his real estate companies. He should also change his surname from Villar to Bilyar. After all, he is now the top patron of pocket billiards in the Philippines having recently sponsored a successful billiards tournament aptly called the 'Villar Cup.' Ping Lacson is his own attack-dog except for his pretty looks on billboards on our main thoroughfares. His PR consultant should advice him to stop endorsing beauty and health products. It makes one wonder if he belongs to the third sex, and people might start calling him Pingky Lacson. Miriam Defensor-Santiago will definitely not be given any chance to endorse any beauty product on billboards, unless of course MGM Pictures puts her face along EDSA to promote their forthcoming blockbuster film entitled, "Godzilla in Manila." Kiko Pangilinan is our perpetual senator who still hides behind Sharon Cuneta's Super Ferry-sized skirts, thumbsucking and all, wearing a UP Centennial boxer shorts. The pseudonym Kiko Cuneta has a nice ring to it though. Migs Zubiri and his Jathropa are gaining momentum but as usual, he's all biogas! Loren Legarda has the reputation of having planted more billboards than trees, and the hostess with the mostest husbands, having shifted to Islam, so I heard. And how can one forget Johnny Enrile who at 85 still looks very good. Of course, one can never forget his admission to a fake ambush done on him once upon a time, and the padding of votes for Marcos in his Cagayan Province. And how about Nene Pimentel? Some pharmaceutical company should get him as their honorable guinea pig to experiment on the causes of eye bags in adolescents up to old age, for pretty soon he may have to check in his eyebags at the airport next time he travels. Pia Cayetano is Alan Peter with long hair as Alan Peter is Pia with short hair. They both magnify the second and third syllables of the word 'dynasty.' As for Sonny Trillanes, well, he still has to set foot in the senate not armed but charmed. He should remind General Esperon that next time he takes his tank for a drive in the Manila Peninsula - literally, that the hotel has a basement parking and valet service as well. Duh! But seriously, I think that a popular individual with a celebrity status should be more careful not to be easily lured into seeking public office, especially if the same knows he will not be of good use at all. They should emulate the great Dolphy, when asked if he was running for national public office to which he simply replied, "e paano kung manalo?" Look at the wasted and inutile positions of the onerous Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid and the elected office they occupy, including their PhP200 million plus each year budget. A senator's office is an ultra-serious responsibility and undertaking. For unlike the congressman who has a direct constituency, a senator virtually has none, meaning that the entire citizenry is his constituency and must at all times exercise sound statesmanship. The senate floor is sacred ground and on it are the invisible footprints and imprints of our senators of old who have protected its sanctity and pureness in the noble duty of legislating sound laws for our land. It is not and should never be an extension of a vaudeville stage or of some extended TV studio of a major network showing idiotic noontime shows like 'Wowowee' with its equally idiotic host. Now I know why I can never complete the senatorial list on my ballot every election day.

(Image from http://www.pcij.org/)