Arangkada for October 1, 2005

 

        WAY MAPILI

 

        Ang katawhan nagduhiraw.  Naglibog.   Unsay ilang toohan sa nagbaha nga mga pasangil ug sumbalik pasangil?  Kinsay ilang saligan sa mga lider nga way kinutoban nga naglinabayay og lapok?   Kinsay ilang kasandigan nga mogiya nila paglingkawas gikan lawom nga gahong sa kahigwaos nga nihulga sa paglumos nila?

        Di hinuon kong kapasalig nga tinuod nga nagpakabana ang kinabag-an sa katawhan sa mga panghitabo sa nasud karon.   May sukaranan ang kahadlok nga ang tungod sa lapad nga katimawa nga nigapos nila wa silang kahigayon sa paguhiraw ug pagkalibog.  Kasubo nga palandungon kon tungod sa mas dinaliang panginahanglan pagpangita og pagkaon ug panginabuhi, wa silang kayahat unsa nay gihimo sa mga lider nga gisaligan nga moduma sa nasud para nila.

-o0o-

        Dako ang tentasyon sa pagtan-aw sa nasudnong krisis gikan sa panglantaw sa atong mga lider.   Sayon rang pagtoo ug pagpasidungog sa lehitimong mga sukaranan sa mga lider sa oposisyon sa ilang kampanya pagpalagpot ni Pres. Arroyo.  Pero may mga nakumbinser sab nga samtang wa pa kapamatud-i ang mga pasangil sa pagpanikas, pagpamakak ug pagpangawat, angayng suportahan ang awhag sa administrasyon para sa panaghiusa ug pagtinabangay.

        Pero mahimo bang mobalising tag kadiyot?  Ug atong tan-awon ang krisis gikan sa mga mata sa labing gagmayng mga molupyo sa nasud?  Unsa man tinuod ang kahulogan sa nasudnong krisis ngadto sa ilang inadlaw-adlaw nga pagpakabuhi ug pagbugtaw sa mas sanag nga kaugmaon?

-o0o-

        Magdugo ang akong kasingkasing nga motaho ninyo nga ang kalidad sa nagkabangga nga mga liderato sa administrasyon ug oposisyon nidason sa kahadlok nga way mapili nila.   Ang mga namasangil nga tikasan, kawaton ug bakakon si Pres. Arroyo otro sang may bug-at nga mga bagahe nga gipas-an:

§       Si kanhi presidente Corazon Aquino napakyas pag-apod-apod sa Hacienda Luisita nga gipanag-iya sa iyang pamilya ngadto sa ilang mga mag-uuma; ug

§       Ang ubang mga lider sa nagpaluyo niya otro sang kuwestiyonable, gawas sa ilang pagpahimus sa kurakot nga mga administrasyon nilang Joseph Estrada ug Ferdinand Marcos, pipila nila gilambigit sab sa uban pang mga eskandalo.

-o0o-

        Unsay sunod nga mahitabo?  Unsay makalugtab ning pag-ungot sa panagbangga sa puwersang di moirog ug sa puwersang di mapugngan?   Wa ko mahibawo.

        Nagkinahanglan ba tag dugang mga saksi nga samag kalibre sa mga namasangil ni Erap sa iyang impeachment?   O nagkinahanglan ba tag laing Ninoy Aquino nga kinahanglang mobuhis sa iyang dugo una ta mapugwat gikan sa atong paghinanok?

        Makahasol hinuon ang pangagpas sa usa ka dakong opisyal atol sa Kapamilya Media Forum sa DYAB Abante Bisaya, ABS-CBN Cebu ug SkyCable gahapon:  Ang atong nasaksihan mao ang proxy war tali sa mga grupong gigamit ug gisabong sa langyawng mga prinsipal kansang mga interes wa motakdo sa atong nasudnong kaayuhan.   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Arangkada for September 30, 2005

 

     HUBOG SA GAHOM?

 

Bisan unsaon pag lalis sa oposisyon, ug bisan unsa pa ka-temporaryo, naklaro na untang kadaogan ni Pres. Arroyo:

• Malampusong giluba sa iyang alyadong mga kongresista ang impeachment complaints batok niya;
• Gibasura sa Korte Suprema ang pasiunang mga kaso nga nagkuwestiyon sa legalidad sa laktod nga pagluok sa impeachment process bisan wa pa kapresentar og mga saksi ug mga ebidensiya ang oposisyon;
• Napakyas ang iyang mga kaatbang, bisag naghiusa na silang kanhi presidente Corazon Aquino, Susan Roces, Sen. Panfilo Lacson ug militanteng mga grupo, pagkumbinser sa kinabag-an pagmartsa sa kadalanan;
• Pabiling nagsuporta niya ang kinabag-an sa kasundalohan bisan sa pangangkon nga andam nang moalsa ang batan-ong mga opisyal;
• Bisan sa bantang nga pagpamostura uban sa oposisyon, ang Estados Unidos padayong nagsuporta niya; ug
• Mora siyang gikoronahan sa United Nations sa iyang makasaysayanong pagduma sa wa-hinuoy-kapuslanang tigom sa UN Security Council.

-o0o-

Pero inay tagamtamon ang iyang kadaogan, nga nahimong mas tam-is tungod sa kaseryuso sa mga pasangil batok niya ug sa kagamhanan sa mga grupo ug mga personalidad nga nangampanya pagpalagpot niya sa Malakanyang, ug inay tinud-on ang panumpa nga bisan sa krisis dugangan pang iyang mga paningkamot pagpalambo sa nasud ug paghiusa sa katawhan, si Pres. Arroyo ra say nilukso pagbalik sa gahong nga bag-o lang niyang gikawasan.

Ambot tungod ba sa kahadlok nga padayon siyang apikihon sa iyang mga kaatbang, o tungod ba kay gikusi na sa iyang konsiyensiya, o tungod ba sa kabalaka nga di niya mahimong tabonan ang kamatuoran hangtod sa kahangtoran, si Pres. Arroyo ang nangunay paghatag og bag-ong kinabuhi sa kampanya pagpalayas niya gikan sa palasyo.

Maong wa pa gani mahuman ang eskandalusong pagpamayad sa higanteng mga utang sa iyang mga lider nga kakonsabo paglugos sa kaligdong sa nagkalainlaing institusyon, si Pres. Arroyo nag-umbaw ug nameligrong mahagbong sa mas lawom nga pangpang nga wa nay kahaw-asan.

-o0o-

Ambot tungod ba sa kahubog sa iyang kadaogan, o nakumbinser nga makuha ang bisan unsa niyang tinguhaon, o nahigam nga kay nagawongan man niyang House of Representatives, lokal nga mga opisyal, militar, kapolisan ug media, seguro sang mapahilom niya ang ubang sektor nga padayong nagsaba-saba ug pagsangyaw sa mga anomaliya nga gipasangil batok niya, way pupanaganang gisumpayan ni Pres. Arroyo ang taas na kaayong listahan sa iyang mga atraso:

• Gidid-an ang lehitimong mga protesta sa kadalanan;
• Nisud og kontratang gikahadlokang nibaligya sa nasudnong interes ngadto sa mga langyaw;
• Gidid-an ang mga opisyal sa militar, kapolisan ug sibilyan nga mga ahensiya sa pag-atubang sa mga imbestigasyon sa Kongreso nga way pagtugot gikan niya; ug
• Paghasi sa mga opisyal nga niatubang sa imbestigasyon sa mga senador nga wa mananghid niya. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

UP Experts Defy Palace Ban

Posted by Alecks Pabico 
PCIJ

ON account of Executive Order No. 464 issued by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this afternoon, newly appointed U.P. College of Law Dean Salvador Carlota has instructed members of the U.P. Law Center not to attend tomorrow's Senate hearing of the Committee of the Whole investigating the NorthRail project.

The Center's legal experts are set to testify at the Senate hearing on the legality of the contract between the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NLRC) and the China National Machinery and Equipment Corporation (CNMEC) and the buyer credit loan agreement between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Philippine government. The contracts will cover Phase I of the NorthRail project that will construct an 80-kilometer double-track, narrow-gauge rail line between Caloocan City to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. 

But the research team led by U.P. Law Center outgoing director Prof. Danilo Concepcion are defying Carlota's order and vow to be all present in the hearing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The legal experts include:

• Prof. Bartolome Fernandez Jr.
• Prof. Florin Hilbay
• Prof. Solomon Lumba
• Prof. Merlin Magallona
• Former law dean Raul Pangalangan
• Prof. Carmelo Sison
• Prof. H. Harry Roque Jr.

The technical experts include:

• Dr. Hussein Lidasan, transport economist of the U.P. National Center for Transportation Studies
• Engr. Rene Santiago, former NLRC chief operating officer and transport consultant
• Dr. Primitivo Cal, dean of the U.P. School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP)
• Dr. Crispin Emmanuel Diaz, SURP Director of Graduate Studies

The Center was commissioned by the Office of the Senate President to conduct a study on the legal, economic, financial and technical aspects of the Northrail contracts. The project costs US$503 million, to be funded by a US$421-concessional loan from China to be paid in 20 years with a five-year grace period at an interest rate of  three percent.

Malacañang is reportedly requesting for a cancellation of the hearing.

Meanwhile, Carlota is set to appoint a new Law Center director in the person of lawyer Susan Villanueva, a lecturer at the College of Law. A partner at the Villarasa and Angcangco Law Offices (The Firm), Villanueva was the one who endorsed Carlota to the deanship race that pitted him against Pangalangan (who was bidding for an unprecedented third term), Concepcion and Prof. Marvic Leonen, the University's vice president for legal affairs.

AFP Cheated For Glo

Posted by Luz Rimban 
PCIJ

TWO military officers today told the Senate defense committee that the Commission on Elections, aided by other top military officials, maneuvered to "slacken" security in Lanao del Sur, leaving the door open to massive cheating in the province in the May 10, 2004 elections.

Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani said he was relieved of his post as Marine brigade commander of Task Force Ranao without justification on May 12, 2004, two days after the elections, and just as the counting of ballots and canvassing of election returns was getting underway. His name was mentioned in a portion of the Hello,Garci tape.

The Senate hearing comes at a time when it seemed the Hello, Garci issue had died down and President Arroyo is going on the offensive, suppressing rallies and taking punitive action against government officials perceived to have turned against her.

Gudani and his subordinate, Lt. Col. Alex Balutan, defied an order from Malacañang preventing military officers from appearing at today's hearing. 

At 1 a.m. today, Gudani said he got word  from the AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Generoso Senga, coursed through the superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy, not to appear at the Senate. Gudani is currently the assistant superintendent of the PMA.

Part of the order from the AFP hierarchy said: "Per instruction of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, no officer of the AFP shall appear before the Senate hearing without her approval."

Balutan told the Senate that Gudani's relief could not be explained to the soldiers in the field, especially since the officer sent to replace him was someone not from the same service and rank.

Gudani's replacement was a certain Col. Pirino of the Philippine Army  (believed to Col. Gominto Pirino of the 5th Infantry Brigade) who, according to Balutan, told the brigade "to support the administration" and " luwagan namin ang security sa canvassing area (loosen security in the canvassing area)."

Balutan said his commander was relieved "for no apparent reason, for being apolitical, for being impartial."

In his opening statement at the Senate, Gudani said "for the past few months, my conscience has bothered me" and that he had decided to tell the truth, because it was what the PMA honor code compelled him to do.

"I am here as assistant superintendent of the PMA where we teach the cadets the honor code which says that a cadet does not cheat, does not steal, and does not lie, nor does he tolerate tolerate these…I would not have the honor to  face the cadets if I didn't' tell the truth," Gudani said.

Gudani also said he was appearing before the Senate in behalf of the Military Christian Fellowship, an organization of born-again Christian soldiers, of which Gudani is president.

In his testimony, Gudani also said that on May 12, he was summoned to Manila by his superior, Marine Commandant Gen. Teodocio, and Navy Flag Officer In Command (FOIC) Admiral Ernesto de Leon. Gudani said he was told to take a break — play golf, go to Boracay — which to him was an "incomprehensible and illogical order" since his presence in the field was needed at that crucial period in the election process.

Gudani returned to Lanao on May 20, much to the chagrin of Garcillano and a certain Gene, believed to be a political operator, as shown by this portion of the Hello, Garci conversation:

Conversation between Gary (V. Garcillano) and Gene on 08 13:25 hotel June '04

Gene: Boss, nakatanggap ako ng certification ngayon dito galing sa mga bata natin sa Lanao, nag failure na naman pala dahil kay Gudani.

Garcillano: Oo nga eh.

Gene: Putang-ina, sino ba yang Gudani, bakit ganun yun?

Garcillano: Yun ang pinaalis ko.

Gene: Oo nga, ba't andudoon na naman, papaano 'to?

Garcillano: Oo nga, bumalik na naman. Kaya nga ayaw makialam si First Gentleman dyan. Sabi ko nga, pinasabihan ko nga kay Ruben Reyes na paalisin na nyo yan.

Gene: Putang-ina, tarantado talaga to.

Garcillano: Oo, pinaalis ko yan eh. Pero after three days after elections, bumalik man dyan. And nag (garbled) dyan si Col. Quirino thru Gen. Esperon at tsaka si Gen. Kyamko.

Gene: Eh ano ba gagawin ko, gagawan ko pa ba ng memo 'to o ipapareschedule, papaano, gagawa ako ng memo sa en banc?

Garcillano: Ipa-reschedule natin.

Gene: Gagawa ako ng ano ha.

Garcillano: Oo para sa commission en banc.

Gudani's name was mentioned by Garcillano in a conversation he had with President Arroyo on May 28. In that call, Garcillano told the President Gudani was siding with the opposition:

Conversation between a male (believed to be V. Garcillano) and a female (believed to be Pres.Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) on 28 22:13 May 2004

Garcillano: Hello, good evening ma'am.

GMA: Hello, the FPJ camp raw will file a case against the Board of Canvassers of ano, dun sa Marawi, and the military?

Garcillano: Ano ma'am?

GMA: The FPJ camp raw will file a case raw against the Board of Canvassers and the military in Marawi?

Garcillano: Hindi naman ho siguro nila maa-ano yung ating Board of Canvassers, pero ang military,kasi si Gudani, sa kanila si Gudani. I do not know why they will file.

GMA: Oo, oo.

Garcillano: Sa kanila si Gudani ma'am. In fact that's why we have, I have to work with Gen. Esperon and Gen. Kyamko na at that time, pinalitan namin si Gudani for a while. Kaya kwan, pero bakit nila file-filan yang mga military na sa kanila lahat. Halos ayaw na nga mag-give way sa aming mga tao.

GMA: Oo, meron silang pina … (line cut)

Gudani said the suspicions were unfounded. He surmised that they were associating him with the camp of former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. because he happened to sit beside Poe, opposition leader Ernesto Maceda and Poe's running mate Loren Legarda during a plane ride from Mindanao to Manila.

Gudani also testified:

• That it was Garcillano who was giving orders to Provincial Elections Supervisor Rey Sumalipao, although Garcillano was officially the commissioner in charge of Southern Tagalog and Bicol.

• That one or two weeks before the elections, Sumalipao revised plans made well in advance of the elections, changing policies, replacing board of election inspectors, and causing much confusion. Gudani said the moves were made on orders of Garcillano who signed the memos implementing the changes.

• That he had information that First Gentleman Mike Arroyo made two trips to Mindanao via a private helicopter to deliver cartons of cash. Gudani said an informant told him Arroyo carried around P250 million in each of those two trips. The helicopter landed "somewhere in Iligan." Gudani said he and his informant knew the person who supposedly helped divide the cash and tie them up in bundles.

Asked whether they got orders, received bribes or were persuaded or influenced by any one to manipulate the elections, the two officers admitted receiving bribe offers from local candidates.

Gudani said he was offered P1.2 million by a mayoralty candidate "to protect his votes." Gudani said, "I politely declined because the Marines don't do that."

Balutan was also offered P300,000 also by a mayoralty candidate. He said he reported the offer to his commandant, and said he did not need to protect anyone's votes because he was already doing that as part of his job.  

At the start of the hearing, committee chairman Rodolfo Biazon agreed to the suggestion of Sen. Panfilo Lacson to place both officers "under the legal custody" of the Senate, given the sensitive nature of their testimony, and to prevent reprisal from their superiors who might charge them for going on AWOL.

Arangkada for September 29, 2005

 

        PAGPANLUGPIT

 

        Usa niana ka higayon, kapid-an na ka tuig ang nilabay, dihay usa ka pangu sa usa ka gingharian nga gipasanginlang nanikas, nangawat ug namakak:   Una siyang gipasanginlan nga nigamit sa kuwarta sa ilegal nga sugal pagtikas sa eleksiyon; dayon nitumaw ang misteryusong tape recording sa iyang pakig-istorya sa tagduma sa eleksiyon nga nag-detalye sa pagpaburot sa iyang boto ug pagkawat sa mandato sa katawhan.

        Usa sa iyang mga torotot niangkon nga iya sa pangu ang tingog sa recording pero di tagduma sa eleksiyon ang iyang ka-istorya kon dili usa lang ka lider sa politika.  Gipakita pa gani ang lider sa katawhan ug gipapirma og affidavit nga kasarangan rang tsika sa politika ang ilang gihimo sa pangu.

-o0o-

        Pero ang pangu nipakita sa nasudnong telebisyon aron pag-angkon nga nakig-istorya siya sa usa sa mga tagduma sa eleksiyon.  Niinsistir hinuon nga wa siya manikas kay igo lang gipanalipdan ang iyang mga boto.   Dayon nangayo siyag pasaylo.  Naglibog ang katawhan kay wa man siyay sayop nga giangkon.

        Gidudahan sang kaligdong sa pangu.  Ang iyang torotot nga nabistong namakak gipabilin sa puwesto.  Samtang ang iyang lider sa politika wa na hisguti, morang nuog nga gisalibay sa suok kay di na man kapuslan.

        Ang iyang sinaligang mga sakop sa gabinete nanganaog sa ilang puwesto ug giawhag ang pangu sa pagkanaog sab sa Palasyo.   Ang dagkong lider sa politika, nga gipangulohan sa kanhi pangu nga nakapabanhaw sa demokrasya sa gingharian, ug negosyo, nga naglakip sa labing dagkog amot sa iyang kampanya, niawhag sab niya pagpahawa.

-o0o-

        Human gitoohang nameligro nang mapalagpot sama sa iyang gisundang kurakot nga pangu, ang naapiking pangu nakaangkon og lig-ong mga alyado sa laing kanhi pangu, sa mga obispo sa simbahan, sa kinabag-an sa mga politiko ug kasundalohan sa gingharian.

        Ang pangu nagdumili na pagtubag sa mga pasangil batok niya.   Giawhag ang iyang mga kaatbang sa pagsang-at sa ilang mga reklamo sa bay balaoranan.  Dihang nituman ang mga lider sa oposisyon, gigamit ang iyang alyadong mga magbabalaod pagluok sa kaso, bisan wa pay napresentar nga bisan usa ka saksi ug ebidensiya.

-o0o-

        Aron pagsegurong di moulbo ang kasuko sa giilad niyang katawhan, gidid-an niyang mga protesta sa kadalanan, giawhag ang mga magbabalaod sa paghunong na sa tanang imbestigasyon sa mga pasangil batok niya ug gidid-an ang mga opisyal sa iyang pamunoan pagdawat sa mga imbitasyon ug pagpanubag sa mga pangutana sa bay balaoranan.

        Kon nahibung mo ning akong sinuwatan, nag-praktis na kong daan unsaon paglusot ang umaabot nga mga pagpanlugpit sa katungod sa katawhan pagpakisusi ug pagsangyaw sa kamatuoran.   Kon nakamay-ong mo ning mga panghitabo nga akong gihulagway, salamat.  Wa pa diay hingpit mapitlok ang kaligdong, katarung ug maisugon nga pagpakabana.   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Refuse To Be Ruled

There's The Rub : Logic 101

Conrado de Quiros dequiros@info.com.ph
Inquirer News Service

DEAR groups opposing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo:

Is another Edsa People Power uprising still possible? Is driving people out into the streets to storm the gates of heaven, or hell, still possible?

Archbishop Fernando Capalla says no. But just to be sure, he enjoins the faithful to be faithful to him and desist from heeding your calls to do so. Archbishop Orlando Quevedo says the same thing, noting that the people are indifferent and attributing it to public skepticism about the truth you bear.

It is true: The people are indifferent, but for a reason that has nothing to do with the one Quevedo adduces. The truth you bear is near-universally believed. We know that, from the surveys that say the overwhelming majority of Filipinos believe Ms Arroyo cheated in the elections. That makes her a usurper in their eyes, one ruling without a mandate from them. Indeed, we know that from Pepe Miranda's survey that shows the overwhelming majority of Filipinos now distrust their authority figures universally, from Malacañang to the media, from Congress to the Catholic Church. The public regards the bishops themselves to be corrupt. Well, Capalla makes a strong case for it.

What we have in fact is a paradox. The people know they are being ruled by someone who has no right to, but do not seem to want to do anything about it.

The reason for this, as I've proposed in several columns, is this: In the past two Edsa uprisings, the alternative was clear, it was implicit in the struggle to oust the tyrant itself. The affirmation was contained in the negation. Oust Marcos, install Cory: that was the universal, if tacit, cry of the first Edsa. As Juan Ponce Enrile found out the hard way when he tried to install himself in power, presuming himself to be the country's savior with a military mutiny. He was rejected. Oust Joseph Estrada, follow the constitutional line of succession: that was the universally understood, if equally silent, cry of the second Edsa. Ms Arroyo might not have earned the moral right to replace Estrada -- she was no Cory -- but she had the legal right to. As the people who called for "Resign All" also learned the hard way. They were rejected.

There is nothing like that today. Right now, the unarticulated and anguished, cry of the nation is: Oust Gloria, then what? The line of succession cannot be followed because Noli de Castro is a beneficiary of Ms Arroyo's cheating and because the position of president was never vacated, it was never occupied. There is no affirmation contained in the negation. That's what has caught the nation in its vise, causing paralysis.

That cannot be broken by all this talk of a transitional government or council of elders, revolutionary or not, eclectic or not, representative or not. And I am truly begging you to put all that aside. The idea of a transitional whatever is the same thing as the reality of a fake president: It has no legitimacy. It will rule without a mandate from the people, like Ms Arroyo. Why should that inspire anybody to want to take to the streets? It is not inspiring hope, it is stoking fear. And you wonder why the people are apathetic.

You want to rekindle the fires of rage and dreams, there is only one call, and that is (credible) elections. I agree you have to prepare for that -- which means lining up the current election commissioners against the wall, metaphorically or literally -- and some group has to do it. But only for that: the faster elections are held, the better. I myself cannot abide a preparatory group that lasts beyond a couple of months or so. You cannot agree on something so basic, you can dream all you want about the miraculous changes you will work upon the country once you are in power, but it will take a miracle for you to un-stick Ate Glue from her seat.

I disagree that elections, however credible, won't go very far in solving the problems of the country. At the very least it will un-stick Ate Glue faster, and that is far enough by itself. You will notice-if you have not buried your noses under piles of agenda-that Ate Glue is veering the country toward martial law, if she has not done so already. If the Firm can forcibly un-stick my colleague in this space, Raul Pangalangan, from his position as dean of the University of the Philippines' College of Law, then it can un-stick anything, including every vestige of democracy from this country.

More than that, elections answer completely the question of legitimacy. Which is, to repeat, the real issue: It is not about Ms Arroyo's performance, it is about her legitimacy. It is not whether she is messing up the country or not, it is whether she has a right to. Logic 101: The problem is that Ms Arroyo cheated in the elections and we have no rightful president. The answer is to have new elections and have a rightful president. The problem is that Ms Arroyo stole the vote from the voters. The answer is to give the voters back their vote. The problem is that the people have been silenced. The answer is to let the people speak.

I go back to my earlier question: Is People Power still possible?

I have little doubt that given the spark of outrage and the flame of inspiration, Filipinos will always take to the streets to right a humongous wrong done them. Today's apathy is not natural, it is induced, not least by you yourselves. But quite apart from that, why should People Power express itself only by people taking to the streets? I do not know why at this late date, you have not called on the citizens to fight tyranny with civil disobedience. The people can express their power in many ways, not least by refusing to be real citizens to a fake president. We are not powerless before someone who insists on ruling us without our consent. We can always refuse to be ruled. We can always be adamant before the arrogant. We can always do what we tell our kids to do when they are offered drugs:

Just say no.

Arangkada for September 28, 2005

 

      DUGANG REKLAMO

 

Nagpakabanang mga kawani ug mga tinun-an sa Cebu State College of Science and Technology (CSCST) nipahibawo nako nga dunay usa ka detalye nga wa isulti ni Dr. Victor Villaganas, bise presidente sa CSCST, sa iyang pagtawag nako sa telepono sa niaging semana: Ang iyang pag-eskuyla para sa iyang doctorate sa philosophy sa CSCST dungan sa iyang pagkuha og abogasiya sa Southwestern University (SWU).

Matod nila lisod kaayong toohan nga si Villaganas makatarung pagtuon sa duha ka lisod nga kurso sa duha ka buwag nga eskuylahan sa usa lang ka higayon, kanus-a nagtudlo sab siya sa graduate program ug sa 28 ka subjects sa evening program sa CSCST, sa way paghisgot sa iyang mga gimbuhaton isip ikaduhang labing taas nga opisyal sa eskuylahan. Nisubli sila pagpadayag og pagduda nga gihatagan si Villaganas og Ph.D. sa CSCST bisan kon wa katungha bisan kausa sa iyang mga klase.

-o0o-

Gikuwestiyon sab sa mga kawani ug mga tinun-an ang masulub-ong rekord ni Villaganas isip resident Ombudsman sa tibuok sistema sa CSCST. Matod nila giyak-an lang ni Villaganas ang reklamo sa mga magtutudlo sa Camotes campus. Maong naabtan og duha ka tuig una nasang-at ngadto sa atensiyon sa Visayas Ombudsman ang kontrobersiya sa Camotes.

Gipasanginlan nila si Villaganas nga nigamit na sa mga palusot nga iyang nakat-onan sa abogasiya aron paglawgaw sa mga pasangil nga ilegal nilang gidawat ang makabungog nga honorarium sa evening classes nga wa nila serbisyohi ug pagpatuyang pagkuha og mga kurso nga wa nila eskuylahi.

Gipasanginlan sab nila si Villaganas nga maoy nitapok sa mga magtutudlo ug mga kawani sa CSCST aron pagpirma og manifesto pagpanghimakak sa mga pasangil batok nila. Salamat na lang nga way nikubit sa iyang maniobra.

-o0o-

Gipasanginlan sab nila si Dr. Jose Sal Tan, presidente sa CSCST, nga napakyas pagtukod og academic council ang main campus nga langkoban sa mga magtutudlo nga assistant professors pataas, nga gimando sa R.A. 8292. Ang gitukod ni Tan mao rang management committee (ManCom) kansang mga sakop iya rang pinili ug sila-sila ra say nag-umol ug nagpatuman sa mga programa ug curriculum nga wa masubli sa lehitimong academic council.

Ang academic council mao untay mo-umol og "Colllege Code" nga magsilbing giya sa tanang kalihokan sa CSCST. Mao ni gitumbok nga usa sa hinungdan nganong nagyagaw ang CSCST tungod sa giingong pag-abuso nilang Tan, Villaganas ug kaubanan.

Gipasanginlan sab si Tan nga nakalapas sa Civil Service Law sa iyang pagtudlo sa retiradong kawani sa Palompon Institute of Technology (PIT), Maximo Limpiado, isip supply officer ug budget officer sa CSCST. Gikuwestiyon sang pagtudlo ni Tan sa iyang pag-umangkon, Cerbert Himang, nga superintendente sa Mandaue campus. Pero kay daghan mang nagbagulbol nga di qualified si Himang, gi-demote dayon pagka asst. superintendent. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Arangkada for September 27, 2005

 

        TAN SUSPENSUHON

 

        Bisan gihunong na sa kadagkoan sa Cebu State College of Science and Technology (CSCST) ang pagkolekta sa makabungog nilang honorarium sa evening program, nga gideklarar na sa Commission on Audit (COA) ug sa Department of Budget and Management (DBM) nga nakalapas sa DBM Circular 2003-5, di angayng hunungon sa Visayas Ombudsman ug ubang ahensiya ang imbestigasyon sa gipasangil nga dagkong anomaliya sa main campus ug ubang satellite schools sa CSCST.

        May sukaranan gani ang awhag sa nagpakabana nga mga magtutudlo ug mga tinun-an sa CSCST nga aron makabuylo gyong imbestigasyon, angayng ipaubos sa prevention suspension silang Dr. Jose Sal Tan, presidente sa CSCST, ug ubang opisyal nga gipasanginlang maoy mga utok sa makauuwaw nga palusot nga giingong nakapaburot sa pribado nilang mga bolsa pero nakahikaw sa batakang mga panginahanglan sa mga tinun-an.

-o0o-

        Ang preventive suspension maoy kasagarang dangpan sa mga imbestigador sa sensitibong mga kaso, labi na kon ang mga opisyal nga gipaubos sa imbestigasyon naa sa posisyon sa pagsabotahe sa pakisusi pinaagi sa paguba sa mga ebidensiya ug paghulga sa mga saksi.   Di malalis nga silang Tan ug kaubanan, kon magpabilin sa puwesto, makahimo paglisudlisod sa mga imbestigador pinaagi sa pagtago o paguba sa mga dokumento o paghaylo, paghudlat ug pagpahilom sa mga saksi sa gisusi nga transaksiyon.

        Hinaot nga si Ombudsman Director Virginia Palanca-Santiago ug ubang mga imbestigador motuon sa kamakiangayon sa awhag.   Kay di pa igo nga nahunong nang binuang, angay sang pugson silang Tan ug kaubanan pag-uli sa kinatibuk-ang makabungog nga honorarium nga ilegal nilang nadawat.

Gawas nga susihon sab may sukaranan bang pagpasaka og pormal nga mga kasong kriminal ug administratiba, nga mahimong moresulta sa pagkapriso o pagkataktak sa puwesto nilang Tan ug kaubanan.

-o0o-

        Samtang nakaagas nag balik ang mga gripo sa CSCST, human sa pipila ka buwan nga gipasagdan ni Tan pabor sa makabungog nilang honorarium, nangreklamo gihapong mga tinun-an nga ang tubig sa mga pansayan kutob ra sa alas-dos sa hapon.   Ug tungod sa tinguwan, nabisto nga busluton diayng mga atop, maong nagbanaw ang pila ka bahin sa engineering building.

        Nagkuwang sang mga lingkoranan sa classrooms.   Kini ug uban pang problema mahimong wa makit-i nilang Tan ug kaubanan tungod sa kadaghan sa ilang raket o, hinaot nga di tinuod, nahigot pag-ihap sa makabungog nilang honorarium sa subjects nga wa nila maserbisyohi.

-o0o-

        Mas modako pa gyong eskandalo kon itandi ang kakabos sa batakang serbisyo sa CSCST sa kahamaguway ug kaabunda sa kahimanan nga gipangompra sa kadagkoan para sa ilang kaugalingon.    

        Si Dr. Victor Villaganas, bise presidente sa CSCST, gipasanginlan nga nihimo sa usa sa dakong academic rooms isip iyang upisina nga gihingpitan sa desktop ug laptop computers, dakong TV set, digital cameras, pansayan ug kaligoanan ug upat ka sekretarya.   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com 

 

Arangkada for September 26, 2005

 

        UWAHI NANG TANAN

 

        Si Dr. Victor D. Villaganas, bise presidente sa Cebu State College of Science and Technology (CSCST), gihulagway nga, sama ni CSCST President Jose Sal Tan, otro sang may anting-anting.   Gipasanginlan si Villaganas nga nag-eskuyla og abogasiya sa samang higayon nga nagkuha sa iyang doctorate sa philosophy ug nagtudlo og subjects sa graduate programs.

        Nagpakabanang mga kawani sa CSCST nangutana kon naserbisyohan pa ba ni Villaganas ang iyang mga gimbuhaton isip bise presidente tungod sa daghan niyang mga raket.   Nagduda sila nga, sama ni Tan, si Villaganas nagpahimus lang sa mga buslot sa sistema sa CSCST aron pagpalambo sa iyang pribadong mga interes, bahala nang eskuylahan ug mga tinun-an.

-o0o-

        Si Villaganas nitawag nako sa telepono aron pagpanghimakak sa mga pasangil batok niya:

§       Nakuha niyang iyang doctorate of education (educational management) sa Southwestern University (SWU) niadtong 1987; ug

§       Ni-eskuyla siya og abogasiya sa SWU gihapon sugod niadtong 1991, o upat ka tuig human nakuha ang iyang Ed. D., ug natapos siya niadtong 2003 (wa pa siya kakuha sa bar examination nga maoy makapahimo niyang hingpit nga abogado).

Niinsistir sab siya nga ang iyang pagtudlo sa subjects sa graduate programs wa mosukwahi sa iyang pag-eskuyla sa SWU.   Wa hinuon siya katarung pagpasabot kon nakatuman pa ba sa iyang dagkong mga gimbuhaton ug responsibilidad isip ikaduhang labing taas nga opisyal sa CSCST sa mga oras nga nagtudlo siya sa graduate programs ug sa mga oras nga nag-eskuyla siya sa SWU.

-o0o-

        Sa samang higayon, niinsistir si Villaganas nga lehitimo ang pagradwar nilang labing dagkong mga opisyal sa CSCST sa  Associate in Industrial Engineering sa Carmen Campus niadtong Marso 3, 2003.  Matod niya si Dr. Rolando H. Arpilleda nga maoy nagduma sa ilang klase nipatuman og sistema sa pagtudlo nga di sila kinahanglang motunga sa ilang klase kada adlaw.   (Si Arpilleda gipasanginlan nga ni-gradwar sab uban nilang Tan, Villaganas ug sa uban niyang mga tinun-an sa kataposan sa semestre.)

        Gihatagan sab kong Villaganas og kopya pinaagi sa fax sa memorandum ni Tan nga nagsugo sa paghunong pagbayad sa makabungog nga honorarium para sa labing dagkong mga opisyal sa CSCST.   Giluwatan ni Tan ang memorandum human niya nadawat ang suwat ni Director Carmela Fernan sa Dept. of Budget and Management (DBM 7) nga nagpahinumdom nga ilegal ang padayon nilang pagkobra sa honorarium.

        Nganong karon na man lang motahud silang Tan, Villaganas ug kaubanan sa DBM Circular 2003-5?   Nga dugay na man ning gikutlo sa Commission on Audit (COA) sa pag-disallow sa makabungog nilang honorarium?  Tungod ba kay bisan sa tanan nilang pagsuway paglusot, nagpabiling determinado ang nagpakabanang mga magtutudlo ug mga tinun-an sa CSCST nga gawas nga mahunong ang anomaliya kinahanglang kasilotan gyong mga mapahimuslanon?   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Arangkada for September 25, 2005

 

        SI TAN SUPERMAN?

 

        Kusganong gidudahan nga dunay anting-anting si Dr. Jose Sal Tan, ang presidente sa Cebu State College of Science and Technology (CSCST).  Kay duna siyay katakos pagtuman og daghang gimbuhaton ug pag-adto og daghang lugar sa usa lang ka higayon.

Gawas nga nagdawat si Tan og makabungog nga P125,000 nga binuwan nga honorarium sa isip resource lecturer sa 28 ka subjects, nga klarong wa maserbisyohi kon nagtuman pa sa iyang trabaho pagka presidente sa tibuok sistema sa CSCST, gipasanginlan pa gyod siya nga nagdawat sab og honorarium sa pagpresentar ug lain na sang honorarium sa pagpanalipod sa gatosan ka thesis proposals sa mga tinun-an kada tuig tingtungha, gawas nga nakakuha pa gyod siyag makalilisang nga gidaghanon sa doctorates ug ubang mga kurso, kansang mga klase gitoohang wa sab niya matambongi.

-o0o-

        Nahimo ni Tan kining tanang gimbuhaton bisan kon magkinahanglan na siyag lente aron makabasa.   Giingong hanap na kaayong iyang panan-aw nga kinahanglan na siyang agakon aron makatikang sa stage sa iyang pagtambong sa mga programa sa nagkalainlaing mga eskuylahan sa CSCST.   Gikataho pa gani nga giyahan nang iyang kamot aron makatultol sa mga blangko sa mga dokumento nga kinahanglan niyang pirmahan.

        Pero ang labing ngilngig nga abilidad ni Tan mao ang paglusot sa daghang higanteng mga anomaliya nga gipasangil batok niya.   Ambot tungod ba kay gibahinan sa gikuwestiyon nga mga honorarium ug ubang mga benepisyo ang labing suod nga mga opisyal ug mga kawani nga naglibot niya; o tinuod bang gipiskan sang mga sakop sa Board of Trustees sa CSCST nga maoy niaprobar sa iyang gipatuman nga buslutong mga sistema nga giingong giumol aron lang pagpaburot sa ilang pribadong bolsa, bahala nang interes sa eskuylahan ug mga tinun-an.

-o0o-

        Nagpakabanang mga kawani sa CSCST Carmen Campus sa amihanang Sugbo nipada nako og kopya sa programa sa 39 ^th Commencement Exercises sa ilang eskuylahan nga nagpakita nga nagdungan pagpaso silang Tan ug ang labing dagkong mga opisyal sa CSCST isip mga gradwado sa Associate in Industrial Engineering niadtong Marso 3, 2003.

        Gawas ni Tan, nigradwar sab silang Dr. Victor D. Villaganas, vice pres., Dr. Venerando D. Cuñado, superintendente sa Carmen campus; ug ang ubang college superintendents nga silang Dr. Ponciano C. Buntia, Dr. Florencio L. Ramos, Dr. Pedrito C. Pontillas, Dr. Reynaldo T. Gabales, Dr. Severino R. Romano, Dr. Wilma R. Reyes, Dr. Hospicio S. Saniel, Prof. Rodulfo B. Burgos ug Engr. Edgardo Emphasis.

        Apil sab silang Dr. Panfilo E. Ciriaco, dean sa College of Industrial Technology and Engineering; Dr. Rolando H. Arpilleda, ang instructor nga giingong nidungan pagradwar sa iyang mga tinun-an; Dr. Celbert M. Himang, pag-umangkon ni Tan; Dr. Cynthia Sy, direktor sa CSCST; ug Engr. Samuel Dy, sakop sa Board of Trustees.   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Arangkada for September 24, 2005

 

       IKADUHANG LALIS

 

Ang init nga lalis sa gahom sa Cebu Provincial Board pagsubli ug pag-aprobar sa tanang kontrata nga sudlan ni Gobernador Gwendolyn Garcia di maoy unang engkuwentro tali sa Kapitolyo ug sa lokal nga mga opisyal sa Commission on Audit (COA). Nagkabangga na sab niadto silang kanhi gobernador Pablo Garcia, amahan ni Gwen, ug si Atty. Roy Ursal, ang regional legal and adjudication director sa COA 7, nga mao gihapoy nibaraw sa bag-ong liderato sa probinsiya.

Ang sentro sa karaang lalis, nga niabot gyod sa Korte Suprema, mao ang pagamit sa Kapitolyo sa Special Education Fund (SEF) para sa suholan sa mga magtutudlo ug ubang galastohan nga wa maapil sa orihinal nga mga lagda. Ang desisyon sa labawng hukmanan, nga kabahin na sa mga balaod sa nasud, nipatigbabaw sa legalidad pagamit sa SEF pag-suweldo sa mga magtutudlo pero nipatigbabaw sab sa baruganan ni Ursal nga di discretionary para sa local school boards ang pagasto sa SEF.

-o0o-

Nagtoo si Ursal nga ang kontrobersiya sa pag-insistir sa bag-ong gobernador nga di siya mananghid sa provincial board kada pirma niyag kontrata, nga niresulta sa pagkuwestiyon sa COA sa labing menos 15 ka kontrata nga balor og P102 milyones nga gisudlan sa duha ka nagsunod nga administrasyon sa Kapitolyo sa tibuok 2004, sama sa lalis sa SEF, moabot sab sa labawng hukmanan. Masaligon sab si Ursal nga, sama sa unang kaso, makahukom dayong Korte Suprema sud lang sa unom ka buwan.

Si Ursal gisuportahan sa mayoriya sa board members nga gipangulohan ni Board Member Luigi Quisumbing nga nipasaka og kaso sa Visayas Ombudsman pagkuwestiyon sa mga kontrata sa security ug janitorial services nga wa iagi sa provincial board. Masaligon silang Ursal ug Quisumbing nga ipatigbabaw sa korte ang gahom sa board pagsubli sa mga transaksiyon sa gobernador.

Kumbinsido si Quisumbing nga may gitagoan ang gobernador kay gihikaw gikan sa board ang mga kontrata, nga ila na lang nahibaw-an tungod sa report sa COA.

-o0o-

Sukwahi sa gitoohan ni Ursal nga si kanhi gobernador Garcia ang utok sa declaratory relief nga gipangayo sa Kapitolyo gikan sa korte, si Atty. Pablo John Garcia, Capitol Legal Consultant, niingon nga ang iyang maguwang nga si Gwen ang nisugyot ngadto sa ilang amahan nga di na sila magbalikbalik sa provincial board kada sud nilag transaksiyon. Gigamit ni Gwen ang iyang kasinatian isip consultant sa mayor sa Ormoc City sa Leyte sa wa pa siya mahimong consultant sa iyang amahan sa Kapitolyo.

Matod ni Pablo John gawas sa Ormoc, ang mga mayor sa ubang local government units, sama sa Mandaue City, namirma nag mga kontrata nga way pagtugot sa ilang lokal nga mga bay balaoranan kay pinasikad lang sa napasar nga tinuig nga mga budget ordinance. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Inquirer Editorial

Editorial : Divided loyalties

CONSULAR reports, as our history shows, are one of the mainstays of the diplomatic profession. More often than not, they are cobbled together from news reports, opinion columns and editorials, and coffee-shop talk and the occasional one-on-one meeting, whether at cocktail parties or behind closed doors. The views they represent are the pooled opinions (fancifully called "analysis") of diplomats seeking to prove to the home office that they're doing more work than merely processing visas and attending each other's national day receptions.

What a diplomat in Manila writes to higher-ups in Washington reflects what his boss cares about, and unless the information was obtained by bribery, intimidation or some other form of skullduggery, it is intelligence and not espionage. When those documents, in turn, find their way back into Filipino hands, through the activities of a Filipino working for the Americans, then that is espionage, since acquiring those documents involves breaking American laws and national security regulations. When a Filipino citizen is implicated in the process, then the Philippine government is obligated to come to the assistance of the Filipino in distress.

But what concerns us here is a curious process that has been going on. What are the repercussions when reports filed by US officials from Manila end up being read by Filipinos who happen to figure prominently in those reports? If the American consular and other diplomatic reports intercepted by Filipinos demonstrate just what exactly the United States is interested in, and more so, what or who the United States thinks are in a position to further American strategic and economic interests, then the behavior of the Filipinos reading such reports is instructive.

Instructive of what? Instructive, first of all, of just how essential American official opinions and policies are to our politicians. Instructive, too, as to how politicians end up calculating their moves not only according to domestic political considerations, but also according to their interpretation of the US government's interpretation of the political scene.

A good case in point is former President Joseph Estrada, who hasn't been shy about admitting that he was the recipient of e-mail from Michael Ray Aquino. As the FBI reports themselves (as reported in this newspaper) indicate, around the time President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's troubles began, US Embassy officials were telling the home office that Estrada remained popular among the masa and retained an aura of legitimacy among the people.

Here we have US officials saying Estrada is popular. Estrada reads what they are saying about him and very soon announces that he is prepared to resume leadership of the country, and proceeds to dramatize his preparedness by shuffling papers on his desk, saying he's being briefed by experts. Our readers recall that time, but it is only now, after we are made aware of official US diplomatic reports ending up on Estrada's desk, that the timing of his actions makes some sense. Estrada the actor was playing not to the "masa" [masses] gallery as was generally presumed. He was trying to attract Washington's attention -- a political "Yoohoo, I'm here!" of the first order.

As more and more of past American political analyses get revealed, a greater scrutiny of those documents has become very important. The exercise is useful not only to decipher where America's interests lie (those interests have always been clear enough: security, investments and using our defense alliance as a foil to rival powers such as China), but also to learn how shallow the loyalties of some our politicians tend to be.

Yesterday we observed that Vice President Noli de Castro would have done better had he showed the Americans the door rather than allowing himself to be subjected to what sounded very much like a job interview. Now we go one step further and ask the beneficiaries of stolen American intelligence reports: If the real objective of stealing them wasn't to help our country but only to find ways for America to help you, how can the country trust you? How can you serve the country when you are already serving two masters -- your ambition and Uncle Sam?

Arangkada for September 23, 2005

 

       GLO ANG UTOK

 

Si National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales maoy nagkawot sa gahong nga iya karong nahimutangan. Siyay niangkon nga maoy nipirma sa gikuwestiyon nga kontrata tali sa Republika sa Pilipinas ug sa Venable LLP, ang law firm nga nagbase sa Washington nga gitahasan pagpangayo og kuwarta sa US Congress para sa charter change (cha-cha). Hambogero pa kaayong nipasalig nga way bisan usa ka dako sa kuwarta sa gobyerno nga nagasto kay pribadong mga donasyon ang gigamit sa transaksiyon.

Ambot wa pa ba kaha huwasi sa kalipay sa laktod nga pagbasura sa ilang alyadong mga kongresista sa impeachment complaint batok ni Pres. Arroyo, o nahubog ba lang sa paglampos sa administrasyon paglipat-lipat sa sibaw nga awhag pagpalagpot sa presidente, masaligon si Gonzales nga ang iyang mga pamahayag makabaraw sa mao pay pagsulbong nga eskandalo sa kontrata sa Venable LLP. Pero sipyat siya. Ang iyang kahambogero maoy nakapahagiyos sa labing lab-as nga bagyo batok sa naapiking administrasyon.

-o0o-

Dihang gisukitsukit na sa mga senador si Gonzales, diha pa siyang kaamgo (ug mao ni hinungdan nganong wa kalihok ang gamhanang makinarya sa propaganda sa Malakanyang pagsalbar sa lunod-patay nga batabata sa presidente) nga duna diay siyay kaliboan ug usa ka kasayuran nga di matug-an bisan ngadto sa suod nilang mga alyado sa Senado nga gikahadlokan sa presidente nga mopalagpot niya sa puwesto kon gitugotan pang maka-abante ang articles of impeachment gikan sa House of Representatives:

• Di siya mahimong mopiyait nga si Pres. Arroyo ang nagsugo niya pagsud sa transaksiyon (mahimong tungod kay naluoy siya sa iyang amo nga bag-o lang nakalingkawas sa labing seryusong krisis nga nihasmag sa administrasyon o gisugo gyod siya sa Malakanyang sa pagpamakak); ug
• Di sab mahimong iyang isuka kinsa ang pribadong mga grupo o mga indibiduwal nga tinubdan sa kuwartang ibayad sa Venable LLP (mahimong tungod kay maikog siya sa manggihatagon nilang mga alalay sa pribadong sektor, o di gyod tinuod nga pribadong pondo ang gigasto sa transaksiyon).

-o0o-

Bar topnotcher si Gonzales. Pero hingpit nga nilikoy atubangan sa mga senador. Nagusbat ang pangugat nga pagpalambo sa depensa ug pagpahiyos sa alkanse sa budget ang labing dagkong katuyoan sa kontrata sa Venable. Pero ang aktuwal nga kontrata nagpakita nga ang cha-cha maoy naa sa unang linya ug ikatulo rang depensa ug debt relief.

Nakawang sab ang pag-insistir ni Gonzales nga way labot sa kontrata si Pres. Arroyo. Ang pagpakanselar sa presidente sa kontrata maoy di malalis nga pruyba nga siyay utok sa transaksiyon. Kay wa man siyay gahom ni katungod pagpakanselar sa kontrata nga wa siyay labot.

Nakalingkawas si Gonzales sa priso sa Senado tungod sa sayon kaayong lusot sa alta presyon. Pero gidugangan niyang mga lansang sa lungon sa administrasyong way mandato. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Cha-Cha 33

Posted by Vinia Datinguinoo 
PCIJ

THIRTY-three individuals have been named by Malacañang to the Consultative Commission that will submit to Congress its recommendations for amendments to the 1987 Constitution, principally the shift from the presidential-unitary system to a parliamentary-federal system of government.

The Commission was created by EO 453, issued on August 19.

"It's a study group," Sec. Rigoberto Tiglao said as he announced the names of the 33 members. "Congress would appreciate that a group of the best and the brightest has been pulled together to provide them staff support," said Tiglao, whose office will serve as the body's secretariat.

According to its mandate spelled out in EO 453, the Commission will consult with people and submit a report to the President by the end of the year. The recommendations from the Executive will then be given to Congress.

The House of Representatives leadership has announced that charter-change discussions will occupy the chamber for the rest of the year. The Senate, however, is not as keen. The Constitution requires that any amendments introduced by Congress must have the vote of three-fourths of its members.

The group of 33 chosen by the President is led by former University of the Philippines president Jose V. Abueva, who has long advocated for a shift to federalism.

The following is a list of the 33 members:

1. Jose V. Abueva, former UP president and currently president of Kalayaan College
2. Nelia T. Gonazales, member of the UP Board of Regents
3. Emmanuel Angeles, chancellor, Angeles University Foundation
4. Rene Azurin, professorial lecturer, UP College of Business Administration
5. Gonzalo Jurado, vice president for finance and development, Kalayaan College
6. David Naval, College of Law Dean of the University of Nueva Caceres  
7. Antonio Villar, president of the Eastern Quezon College
8. Lito Monico Lorenzana, member of the Citizens' Movement for a Federal Philippines
9. Ray Teves, chairman and national convenor of the Citizens' Movement for a Federal Philippines
10. Donald Dee, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
11. Sergio Ortiz-Luis, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry
12. Francis Chua, treasurer and member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine Stock Exchange
13. Joji Ilagan-Bian, former chairperson of the Mindanao Business Council
14. Jose P. Leviste, Jr., chairman of the Economic Intelligence Unit of the Philippine Business Leaders Forum
15. Alfonso T. Yuchengco, former ambassador and currently presidential adviser on foreign affairs, and head of the Yunchengco Group of Companies
16. Vicente T. Paterno, former Senator and founding director and chairman of the BIMP-East Asean Business Council
17. Gilbert M. Duavit, former Rizal representative
18. Pablo P. Garcia, former Cebu governor  
19. Pedro Romualdo, Camiguin governor
20. Gerardo Espina Sr., former Biliran representative and currently Naval municipal mayor 
21. Victor Ortega, La Union governor
22. Oscar Rodriguez, San Fernando, Pampanga mayor
23. James Marty Lim, national president of the Liga ng mga Barangay
24. Anthony Acevedo, lawyer
25. Ronald Adamat, chairman of the Philippine Council for Advocates of Peace and secretary general of the Tribal Communities Association of the Philippines
26. Jose Bello, chairman and president of the Association of Generals and Flag Officers
27. Ma. Romela Bengzon , managing partner of the Bengzon Law Office
28. Jose Matula, chief legal counsel of the Federation of Free Workers
29. Democrito Mendoza, president of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines
30. Alexander Magno, columnist for the Philippine Star
31. Carmen Pedrosa, columnist for the Philippine Star
32. Jarius Bondoc, columnist for the Philippine Star
33. Bishop Efraim Tendero, of the Philippine Evangelical Group

Inquirer Editorial

Editorial : Impertinence

VICE PRESIDENT Noli de Castro says he has no recollection of any meeting with former US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Joseph Mussomeli where they discussed at some length politics or any other subject matter. As far as he can recall, De Castro says, he only had three "casual meetings" with the American diplomat, all of them during official functions where they got to exchange little more than pleasantries. Thus, the Vice President adds, he could not have confided to Mussomeli that there was "circumstantial evidence" of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's involvement in election fraud, as the US official reported in a document that is on file with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. "I don't even remember his face."

Of course, De Castro has every reason to plead amnesia not only with regard to how Mussomeli looked but more so about that embarrassing, if not damaging, piece of information about election cheating. Having declared himself firmly on the side of the President, he is not supposed to provide more ammunition to the opposition that has been trying to force Ms Arroyo out of Malacañang.

But if that meeting with US officials did indeed take place, then the Vice President has even more reason to remember it well. In the report, one of several documents believed to have been downloaded from FBI files and sent to some Filipino opposition leaders, Mussomeli and other US government agents barely try to hide their contempt for De Castro. When the US officials asked him about US-RP military cooperation, according to the report, De Castro replied that he "supported the global war on terrorism.... On Iraq, however, he said he didn't understand 'what was behind it."' When he was asked about his legislative priorities, the report said, "he searched for words" and his chief of staff had to come to his rescue by pointing out that the Vice President's "policy interest [is] anything that would benefit the masses," adding parenthetically "especially the TV-watching, vote-rich masses." The report went on to point out that when the US officials inquired about the biography of Rudy Giuliani on his desk, De Castro said it had been given to him as a gift and "he hadn't read it."

But what other US officials apparently found most odd and revealing was the Vice President's complaint about the imbalance in RP-US trade relations. The report quoted him as saying that the Philippines was "your Number One ally and our President your Number One fan," but other countries seemed to be "getting more."

Their verdict: "There is no indication De Castro has much knowledge or interest in foreign policy issues." An unidentified State Department official concluded: "If this is what De Castro can offer on domestic and foreign policy issues, then the opposition should rethink [its] position as protracted uncertainties will deepen and increasingly harm the current political and economic situation if De Castro succeeds [Ms Arroyo]." Simply put, De Castro was weighed and found wanting by officials of the US Embassy, the State Department and who knows what other US government agency.

But if De Castro is the bumbling ignoramus US officials painted him to be, he was a greater fool for giving them the opportunity to interrogate him like he were applying for a job. That's very clear from the questions these officials peppered him with. If he were conscious of his dignity as a leader of an independent country, he would have shown them the door the moment they started probing his mind. What was he doing, accommodating their impertinence and arrogance? Did he think he needed US approval to succeed to the presidency in the event that Ms Arroyo was booted out of office?

The Vice President owes his office to the Filipino voters who elected him. According to the Constitution, he assumes the highest office the moment the President can no longer discharge her functions. And he needs no clearance from anyone, least of all a foreign power, to do so. He should have reminded his American interrogators about this instead of submitting meekly to their questioning. Then he would have spared himself the humiliation of being ridiculed and treated with extreme condescension. If De Castro's election was a mistake, Filipinos will have to live with that mistake. No American official should presume to undo it.

Arangkada for September 22, 2005

 

        CSCST NIKAKAK

 

        Ang mga opisyal sa Cebu State College of Science and Technology (CSCST), nga maoy sentro sa nabistong eskandalo sa pagdawat nila og makabungog nga mga honorarium sa hinimu-himo nga mga posisyon nga wa nila serbisyohi, nipada og mga representante pagpahibawo nako nga gusto silang makigtagbo nako sa gawas sa sibyaanan.   Gipasabot nako sila nga di ko ganahang makigtagbo sa mga opisyal sa gobyerno nga nahisgutan sa akong programa gawas sa announcer's booth sa DYAB Abante Bisaya.

        Gidapit nako sila pagtambong sa programang "Arangkada" kay akong igahin ang tanan nakong oras pagpaminaw sa ilang mga tubag sa seryusong mga pasangil batok nila.   Nisugot ang mga opisyal pagduaw nako sa Miyerkules sa buntag.  Pero pila ka oras sa wa pa magsugod ang programa, gipahibawo ko sa ilang mga representante nga nausab ang ilang hunahuna.

-o0o-

        Nagpada gyod og fax message si Dr. Jose Sal Tan, presidente sa CSCST, aron pagpasabot nga duna silay tambongan nga importanteng kalihokan sa eskuylahan nga di nila kalikayan.   Pipila ka tigpaminaw nipahibawo nako nga posibleng naapikhan silang Tan ug kaubanan kay naatol mang among sabot sa pagsugod sa intramural sa main campus.   Pero ang mga tinun-an nipahibawo nako nga wa pakita si Tan atol sa pagbukas sa kalihokan.  Gawas pa, nahibawo na silang daan sa intrams, nganong gipili man nilang Miyerkules nga maoy ilang iduaw sa Arangkada?

        Kasaligang mga tinubdan nibutyag nako nga silang Tan ug kaubanan gitambagan sa ilang mga abogado nga ang ilang pagtambong sa akong programa ug pagpanubag sa akong mga pangutana di makatabang sa ilang kawsa.   Maong nakahukom sila nga adto na lang manubag sa "proper forum," sa ato pa, sa Visayas Ombudsman ug sa ubang ahensiya nga nagsusi sa gipasangil nga anomaliya.

-o0o-

        Laing kasaligang tinubdan nipahibawo nako nga sukad niulbo ang kontrobersiya sa media, gihunong nang paghatag og honorarium sa mga nagtrabaho para sa evening program sa CSCST.   Wa hinuon siyay kasayuran kon nihunong na ba sab silang Tan ug ubang mga opisyal sa pagkolekta sa makabungog nilang mga honorarium.

        Hinaot nga nakumbinser na silang Tan ug kaubanan pagtuman sa Circular 2003-5 sa Department of Budget and Management.   Kay nagpapating ra ba sila sa pagpadayon pagpahimus sa makabuhong nga mga benepisyo bisan gi-disallow na sa Commission on Audit (COA) ang mga honorarium sa niaging katuigan.

-o0o-

        Laing makalipayng balita mao nga gipaagasan nag tubig sa administrasyon ang mga pansayan ug ubang batakang panginahanglan sa mga tinun-an.   Hinaot nga di ni ulog-ulog lang.

        Pero padayong nangugat silang Tan ug kaubanan nga legal ang mga honorarium ug ang DBM circular maoy kuwestiyonable.   Ilang katungod ang paghupot og sukwahing baruganan.  Pero mahimo bang samtang wa pa bakwia ang mga lagda mohunong una sila paghimo sa mga tinun-an sa CSCST nga ilang gatasan?   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Inquirer Editorial

Editorial : Poorer and poorer

DURING a protest rally in the Makati business district last July 8, Rep. Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte province asked the crowd if they would tolerate liars, cheats and thieves. The crowd bellowed, "No!"

She could ask such a question with a straight face, not only because she is a politician, but also because she knows we are a forgetful people incapable of appreciating irony -- not to mention the fact that aside from exile and the confiscation of some of their worldly goods, the Marcoses have never really been held accountable to the people.

The ousting of discredited regimes, if it doesn't immediately result in the execution of the leading personalities of the fallen government, often results in some sort of permanent ban on an expelled dynasty. For this reason, Austria expelled their former imperial family, the Hapsburgs; the Italians to this day do not permit the return of the discredited royal house of Savoy; Egypt forbids the return of the descendants of King Farouk; and the Iranians bar the return of the family of the disgraced Shah. The world is populated with roving former dictators, stripped of power but usually not all their wealth, maintaining a shadowy existence far from their former domains. Look at the Duvaliers, the dictatorial dynasty of Haiti, and contemporary of the Marcoses in terms of being vomited out by their people.

The loss of absolute power usually results in absolute disgrace, including a ban on political participation in the nations that rejected them. In the case of the first family that benefited from martial law, hoping to turn itself into a homegrown royal family, the kindest thing that can be said is that their countrymen are so kind they have allowed them to reassert a social and political status other nations would consider not only improper but unjust.

It is said that the sins of the father shouldn't be visited upon the son, and Representative Marcos has been circumspect, most of the time, in commenting on her father's regime. But what of the sins of both the father and the mother? And of their friends? The dockets of courts are clogged with cases concerning Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, including cases in which their children acted as the direct beneficiaries of their looting, or administrators of the many, layered accounts meant to keep the loot firmly in their family's hands. Many other cases concerning the Marcos cronies continue to gather dust in the courts. Very few have been resolved -- and then all too often not in the people's favor. Government agencies tasked not just with recovering the Marcos wealth, but by so doing with firmly establishing the verdict of history have made too little progress in the 19 years since the Marcoses fled for their lives.

Once again, Sept. 21, a date chosen by Ferdinand Marcos because of his obsession with numerology, and not because it bears any relevance to factual truth, has rolled around. In the days of the dictatorship, this date was proclaimed a "Day of Thanksgiving," a time for praising the "New Society." It was a national festival to praise a lie, for Proclamation 1081 was signed on Sept. 22, supposedly in reaction to another lie, the faked assassination attempt against Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile. The arrests that truly heralded martial law took place on Sept. 23: the real date of martial law.

Here again, we are shown up as a nation incapable of appreciating irony. Perpetuating the date Marcos chose, instead of the date when the country felt the full, brutal force of his ambitions, only fosters his delusions of grandeur and not the sinister reality of his actions.

Our country remains deprived of closure, when it comes to martial law. To add irony upon irony, the truest believers and admirers of Marcos, Joseph Estrada and Fernando Poe Jr., have caused divisions and have traumatized the nation to the extent that our society needs closure in terms of their controversial political fates, as well.

In every major political controversy since 1986, there has been no definitive legal resolution to exalt right over wrong. Everything remains clouded by accommodation, delay and inconclusive efforts resulting in unsatisfactory compromises. The result is a country that gets poorer by the day, progressively impoverished by its inability to get justice. Without justice, there is no hope. Without hope, there is no possibility of salvation for the poor.

Arangkada for September 21, 2005

 

       P1.2B NGA ABUSO

 

Dihang among gipangutana ang mga tigpaminaw sa DYAB Abante Bisaya angay bang ilubong ang patayng lawas ni Ferdinand Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, nisupak sila ug nipasabot nga di bayani ang diktador nga nipahamtang og martial law ug nanamastamas sa demokratikanhong mga institusyon sa nasud. Pero pipila nila niingon nga bisan unsa pay mga abuso nga nahimo ni Marcos angay gihapon siyang pasidunggan tungod sa daghang mga proyekto nga napasiugdahan sa 21 ka tuig niyang pamunoan.

Ang mga nisuporta ni Marcos niingon nga kon itandi sa mga presidente nga nibanos pagduma sa Malakanyang—silang Corazon Aquino, Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada ug Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo—mas daghan gihapon og nahimo ang iyang diktadura. Kon wa pa mong kabantay, way kalainan ang sinultihan sa mga niawhag nga pasayluon na si Marcos tungod sa iyang ka-maayong laki sa mga nangugat nga kalimtan na lang ang pasangil nga nanikas si Pres. Arroyo sa niaging eleksiyon ginamit ang minilyon ka pesos nga payola sa jueteng kay way laing takos nga makapuli niya.

-o0o-

Niay makapakugang nga kasayuran sa laing posibleng abuso sa administrasyong Arroyo: Nasobrahan og P1.2 bilyones ang gasto sa gobyerno para sa intelligence sa niaging duha ka tuig. Matod ni Sen. Ralph Recto ang pinatuyangang pagasto sa intelligence fund mas dako pa kay sa anomalusong kontrata uban sa Venable LLP, ang lobby group sa Washington nga gitahasan pagpangayo og kuwarta sa Estados Unidos para sa charter change (cha-cha).

Nakapait kay confidential ang intelligence fund. Ug kay sekreto man, labihan kalisod nga subayon. Nipasangil si Recto nga gipahimuslan ning Pres. Arroyo di lang sa pagpaburot sa pondo kon dili sa pagamit sab ini para sa laing katuyoan. Gikahadlokang may sukaranan ang pagduda nga ang intelligence funds apil sa abundang mga tinubdan sa kuwarta sa mga magbubuhis nga gigamit pagsuburno sa mga kongresista ug mga sakop sa media aron paglawgaw sa impeachment sa presidente.

-o0o-

Nabisto ang higanteng anomaliya tungod sa dakong kang-a nga nakit-an sa Commission on Audit (COA) tali sa confidential ug intelligence funds nga gigahin sa Kongreso pinaagi sa general appropriations act (GAA) ug sa kantidad nga aktuwal nga gigasto sa administrasyon:

• Sa 2003, ang gahin P1.225 bilyones pero ang gigasto niabot og P1.555 bilyones, sa ato pa, nasobrahan og P330 milyones o 27%; ug
• Sa 2004, ang gahin P1.225 bilyones pero ang gasto niabot og P2.062 bilyones o 69%, nasobrahan og P837 milyones.

Matod ni Recto nga tungod sa COA report

klarong giilad sa Malakanyang ang mga kongresista ug mga senador sa ilang pangangkon sa gisugyot nga nasudnong budget para sa sunod tuig 2006 nga ang confidential ug intelligence expenses niabot lag P1.885 bilyones sa 2004. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Impeachment: Double Dead?

Posted by Alecks Pabico 
PCIJ

ALL hopes for a "Lazarus act" harbored by congressmen seeking to resurrect the impeachment complaint against Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo were completely dashed when the House of Representatives, which resumed its regular session today, adjourned shortly after it convened for a lack of quorum.

With only 104 out of 236 House members responding to the roll call sought by majority leader Rep. Prospero Nograles, the presiding Speaker, Rep. Emilio Espinosa Jr., ordered the adjournment, denying any recourse by the pro-impeachment lawmakers of filing a motion for reconsideration of the plenary decision that, with a vote of 158-51, junked all the impeachment complaints against Arroyo.

The pro-impeachment congressmen had hoped to exhaust one final legal option available to them only today at the Lower House — which the Supreme Court even pointed to when it dismissed late last week two petitions filed in connection with the Arroyo impeachment case. The petition filed by lawyer Ernesto Francisco was deemed premature as the pro-impeachment congressment could still file a maotion for reconsdieration. The other petition filed by lawyer Oliver Lozano was dismissed for violating the rules of civil procedure as he already filed a motion for extension when he has yet to file a petiton.

Raising the validity of the declaration of a lack of quorum, the opposition's pleas, reminiscent of the justice committee hearings, were again conveniently ignored by the presiding Speaker.

Rep. Rolex Suplico asked how the quorum was computed, citing that many congressmen who were reported to be Arroyo's travelling companions in her recent trip to New York to preside over the United Nations summit and general assembly, should not be counted as they cannot be compelled to attend since they are not within the coercive power of the House, citing the Supreme Court ruling on Avelino v. Cuenco.

In that 1949 case, the deposed and replaced Senate President Jose Avelino questioned his successor's title claiming that the latter had been elected without a quorum. Though it initially dismissed the petition,  the Court assumed jurisdiction and ruled on the existence of a quorum, declaring respondent Cuenco as the legally elected Senate President.

Suplico said the Supreme Court decision on the Avelino v. Cuenco case affirmed that the issue of a quorum can be applied only for House members who are within the country. 

It has also been the practice of the House, he said, not to declare those who are on official mission abroad as absent. House journals, in fact, list them among members who were present during sessions, their status — whether on official foreign or local trip — noted by the use of asterisks.

Akbayan Rep. Loretta Ann Rosales, who was able to obtain a list of the 31 congressmen who are on "official mission abroad", also insisted that the correct way of computing the quorum is to exclude those on the list from the roll.

On the said list were the following representatives:

• Matias Defensor (LP)
• Junie Cua (LP)
• Aurelio Umali (Lakas)
• Jose Ignacio Arroyo (Kampi)
• Augusto Baculio (Kampi)
• Claude Bautista (NPC)
• Federico Sandoval II (LP)
• Rene Velarde (Butil)
• Antonio Cuenco (Lakas)
• Roque Ablan Jr. (Lakas)
• Eduardo Zialcita (Lakas)
• Vicente Garcia Jr. (NPC)
• Eulogio Magsaysay (AVE)
• Generoso Tulagan (Kampi)
• Prospero Pichay Jr. (Lakas)
• Amado Espino Jr. (Kampi)
• Rodolfo Antonino (Kampi)
• Raul del Mar (Lakas)
• Jose Solis (Lakas)
• Uliran Joaquin (NPC)
• Eladio Jala (Lakas)
• Roberto Cajes (Lakas)
• Cesar Jalosjos (PDSP)
• Catalino Figueroa (KNP)
• Edgar Chatto (Lakas)
• Abdullah Dimaporo (Lakas)
• Ma. Milagros Magsaysay (Lakas)
• Josefina Joson (NPC)
• Arthur Pingoy Jr. (NPC)
• Herminia Ramiro (Lakas)
• Antonino Roman (LP)

Of these, eight have already returned — Baculio, Velarde, Magsaysay (Eulogio), del Mar, Jalosjos, Tulagan, Pichay and Espino. Pingoy is on a local mission while South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio was erroneously listed as abroad.

Even with only 22 "on official mission", Rosales said that adding this to the number of House members present would add up to 126, well within the needed quorum to conduct House business.   

"By hastily calling the roll and declaring a lack of quorum, this only added to the malice and the cloud of doubt that attended the impeachment process," Rosales said, lamenting the majority's continuing "obstruction of justice."

On the motion of Nograles, the roll was called at 4:30 p.m., earlier than the standard practice slated at 5 p.m. on session days scheduled on Mondays to allow time for members, especially those coming in from the provinces.

In the abovementioned list, only Reps. Umali (Nueva Ecija) and Cuenco (Cebu) were reported to have joined Arroyo in the U.N. trip. Others mentioned include:

• Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio (Lakas), chairperson of the Committee on Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy
• Cebu Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz (Kampi) and Bulacan Rep. Reylina Nicolas (Lakas), who were invited by Speaker Jose de Venecia;
• Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa (Kampi), Pampanga Reps. Francis Nepomuceno (NPC), Anna York Bondoc (NP), Isabela Reps. Rodolfo Albano III (Kampi) and Anthony Miranda (Kampi), Bataan Rep. Albert Garcia (Lakas-Kampi), and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez (LP), all reportedly invited by Arroyo. 

De Quiros' Column

There's The Rub : Legacies

Conrado de Quiros dequiros@info.com.ph
Inquirer News Service

(Conclusion)

EVEN in my youth, despite yielding for the most part to small-town blues, I've tried to do things differently, even if it risked derision. To this day, it is a source of ironic pleasure for my high school classmates to recall that I have the dubious distinction of being the only one from Ateneo de Naga to have lost the intra-Bicol essay contest. Indeed, not just to have lost it but to have lost it big-time. I decided to write creatively about an uncreative topic (I do not even recall now what it was) remembering that the humorist Robert Benchley wrote his college thesis in Economics on fisheries from the point of view of the fish. I suffered the same fate. Benchley flunked; I finished last in the contest.

But it's that drive to experiment -- call it daring or call it recklessness -- that drew me to activism in the first place, like moth to a flame. Not everybody rushed into its embrace at that time, which suggests that luck is often made, accidents are inevitabilities waiting to happen. You thrust yourself into the world as much as get thrust into it. It's a matter of discovering the familiar, or recognizing the strange. I don't know how else to put it.

So you ask me: Would I have supported my wife and daughter if they were fighting for the women's vote?

Well, I suppose if they were fighting for the women's vote, they would scarcely need my support, or ask for it. They would probably be women of strong character whose support I would be glad to have in my times of adversity. Quite incidentally, less than hypothetically, my wife and two kids, a girl and a boy, were all born under the sign of the Dragon while I was born under the sign of the Rabbit. I can assure you I've known dragon's breath to singe the fur on my back.

I don't know that any hypothetical answer to your hypothetical question would really go beyond platitude. I think I'll do better answering a very real question in the here and now, which is: What are you doing to help your kids at least, girl or boy, if not your lover, woman or man, get a crack at a better future?

My answer follows from what I've narrated above.

First off, I am trying, these days almost desperately, to leave them a better world.

We are the product of our time and place. We are weighed down, or buoyed up, by the values, attitudes, and convictions or biases of our time and place. I figure I'd try to leave them one with fewer biases than I got. I may not be able to change the world for them, but I'd like to think, or hope, I may be able, along with kindred spirits of my time and place, to create the space, or refuge, or sanctuary for them to let their dreams run wild, the way activism did for me. Who knows? Maybe not just run wild but come true. Winners in competitions often say they would not have been able to look at the world from their dizzying heights if they had not stood on the shoulders of giants.

That is what I want to do for my kids: help them stand on the shoulders of giants.

There is a complement to this, or indeed a more important undertaking. It is that I am trying, these days much more hopefully, to help the next generation think for itself. I want to develop in them the capacity to question their world and themselves, to rebel against fixation and tyranny -- even if they are my own.

Not the least of the reasons for this is that there are limits to the kind of world we can leave the kids. Ultimately, the best treasure we can give them is not the abundance of worldly goods, it is the hunger for knowledge. The best security we can give them is not an answering machine, it is a questioning mind. We affirm this implicitly when we strive to give our kids the best education they can get. That is far better than all the money we can put in their bank deposits, particularly if that money comes from the "jueteng" illegal lottery, or all the insurance we can buy, particularly if that insurance comes from the pre-need firm College Assurance Plan. Leaving the kids with a good mind, apart from a good name, is the most precious legacy we can bequeath.

But there is an even bigger reason why I want my kids to develop a capacity to think for themselves. It is not just to equip them to defend themselves from the world, it is also to equip them to defend themselves from me. Or at least from my generation. I go back to the proposition I made at the beginning, which is that the hardest enemy to fight is oneself. The hardest enemy to see is oneself. It's a truism, but it's true: The rebels of yesterday are the tyrants of today.

Some very literally so. Nothing for me constitutes a bigger irony than that the same activism that taught us to question everything under the sun also demanded that we never question the cause we were espousing. Or indeed the methods it employed. To do so was to be called a revisionist, not unlike being called heretic by the Church, and suffer the same fate. That is being burned at the stake. The "killing fields" are a testament to how backward those who demand that the world move forward can become, advancing only the cause of the Holy Inquisition.

I want my kids to be able to think for themselves, to say no to what is wrong -- even from me. That is not as easy as it sounds. To prove that, and as a parting shot, let me throw back your question at you. I won't ask you if you would rally behind your wife and daughter if they were fighting for the women's vote. That is easy. I will ask you instead: "If your kids were fighting for priests to have the right to marry, would you rally behind them?" "If your kids were fighting for gays, women and men, to have the right to marry, would you rally behind them?" "If your kids were fighting to have marijuana declared legal, would you rally behind them?"

Who knows? Maybe if I'm doing the right thing today, one of my grandchildren will be standing here 68 years from now to answer those questions.