Arangkada for July 28, 2005

 

                 MEDIA GILUOK

 

Bisan sa pasalig nga di na siya mahadlok nga moatubang ug manubag sa mga pangutana sa mga sakop sa media, aron pagpapas sa mga pagsaway sa iyang pagtago gikan sa mga sakop sa media human sa pag-ulbo sa kontrobersiya sa Garci tapes, naklaro na hinuon nga way gipili ang lapad nga maniobra sa Malakanyang—wa pasayloa bisan ang yano ra untang press conference uban sa mga sakop sa media.

• Una, ilang giabog ang foreign correspondents gikan sa kalihokan kay di pasagolan ang Malacanang Press Corps;
• Ikaduha, gipasumiter nila ang mga sakop sa press corps og mga pangutana aron nga mabasang daan ug kapangandaman ni Presidente Arroyo;
• Ikatulo, gipahibawo ang press corps nga tungod sa kadaghan sa mga pangutana, limitahan press conference sa walo lang ka topics; ug
• Ikaupat, sa 60 ka sakop sa press corps, 10 ray gitugotan nga mangutana.

-o0o-

Ambot unsay ikatampo sa pagpalambo sa demokrasya sa Pilipinas sa pag-insistir sa Malakanyang nga isumiter sa mga sakop sa media ang ilang mga pangutana sa di pa moatubang nila ang presidente. Pero di na ni bag-o. Kay mao ni panginahanglan nga naandang gipahamtang sa Malakanyang ug sa Philippine Information Agency (PIA) sa tanang interviews ni Presidente Arroyo uban sa mga sakop sa media sa nagkalainlaing mga probinsiya.

Sa di pang presidential press briefings sa White House, ang lingkoranan sa politikanhong gahom sa labing gamhanang nasud sa kalibotan, si US President George Bush ug iyang gisundang mga presidente giandam sa ilang advisers para sa tanang posibleng mga pangutana gikan sa media. Pero ambot kon mas tapolan ba lang, mas talawan, o nagtoong mas gamhanan kay sa iyang katugbang sa US ug ubang kanasuran, si Presidente Arroyo ug ang iyang mga torotot sa Palasyo, pinaagi sa ilang makauuwawang paugat, maoy magbuot unsay mga pangutana nga mapasupot sa media ngadto niya.

-o0o-

Pinaagi sa pagkolektang daan sa mga pangutana sa Malacanang Press Corps, nahibawo nang daan ang Malakanyang unsay mga pangutanang giluom sa media human sila isnaba ni Presidente Arroyo sud sa kapin sa usa ka buwan. Pero di na paigo aron hingpit nga makontrolar ang presscon. Kay dako pa gihapon ang risgo nga ang mga sakop sa media nga matawag di mosubay sa script ug mangutana sa mga pangutana nga wa maapil sa lista nga gisumiter ngadto sa Malakanyang.

Maong gipili pag-ayong Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye kinsa ray makapangutana. Ang unang gitawag mao ang representante sa Radyo ng Bayan, nga nahibawo di niya mahimong lisudlisuron ang presidente nga di mameligro ang iyang panginabuhi. Ug inay tawgon ang ubang lehitimong news organizations, giseguro ni Bunye ang reporter sa Remate, ang tabloid sa itoy sa presidente nga si Kongresista Prospero Pichay. [30]   leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

SONA Executive Summary

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Arangkada for July 25, 2005

 

                SUD SA LIT-AG?

 

        Natinuod gyod ang kahadlok sa politikanhong oposisyon, nga maoy hinungdan nganong nanagana sila pagsubay sa ruta sa impeachment sa ilang paningkamot pagpalagpot ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa Malakanyang.   Gisalikway ni Presidente Arroyo ang impeachment complaint nga gipasaka sa House of Representatives pinaagi sa duha ka technicality:

v     Una, ang pasangil nga nanikas siya sa niaging eleksiyon tungod sa iyang pagsugo ni kanhi Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano pinaagi sa telepono pagmaniobra sa eleksiyon sa Mindanao nahitabo sa wa pa magsugod ang iyang termino niadtong udtok tutok sa Hunyo 30, 2004; ug

v     Ikaduha, Di mahimong gamiton ang kontrobersiyal nga "Hello Garci tapes" nga ebidensiya sa impeachment proceedings sa Kongreso batok niya sa way paglapas sa konstitusyon ug sa Anti-Wiretapping Act ( R.A. 4200).

-o0o-

        Na-syut bang maru nga mga politikanhong kaatbang ni Presidente Arroyo sa iyang laang?   Human napakyas pagkumbinser sa kinabag-an sa katawhan pagmartsa sa kadalanan aron modason sa awhag para sa resignasyon sa presidente, magapos na ba sila karon sa proseso nga segurong mo-absuwelto sa sinumbong?

v     Segurong moinsistir ang Malakanyang nga di na makahimo ang oposisyon pag-usab sa orihinal (ug gihulagway nga huyang) nga impeachment complaint batok sa presidente;

v     Kon di kakolekta ang oposisyon og 79 botos, mahimong tungod kay wa matarung pag-andam ang kaso o tungod sa agresibong kampanya pagsuburno sa Palasyo sa mga kongresista, segurong idiretso pagbasura sa House Committee on Justice, nga gidominahan sa mga alyado ni Presidente Arroyo, tungod sa mga technicality nga nahisgutan sa ibabaw.

-o0o-

        Sa pikas nga bahin, kumbinsido ba gyod si Presidente Arroyo nga mohilom ug mangiyugpos na lang ang kinabag-an sa katawhan kon di tumanon ang iyang saad pag-atubang sa impeachment complaint sa Kongreso?

Kinahanglan pa ba siyang pasabton nga wa pa manggawas sa kadalanan ang katawhan di tungod sa multi-milyones pesos nga kampanya sa sipsip nga mga politiko ug binayrang mga sakop sa media kon dili tungod kay nagpaabot sila nga mahibawo unsa gyoy tinuod nga nahitabo sa niaging eleksiyon, nga mahimo lang kon iyang tugotan nga makabuylo ang impeachment trial sa Senado?

-o0o-

        Duna koy balita sa presidente:  Kon maklaro sa kadaghanan nga iyang luokon ang impeachment, sama nga nagsugod nag panggawas ang iyang pagkamang sa mga kongresista ug pagtanyag nila og P5 milyones nga balor sa kuwarta ug mga proyekto bugti sa di nila pagpirma sa impeachment complaint, di siya pasayloon sa katawhan nga hangtod karon nagpakahilom kay nihatag niya sa tanang kahigayonan pagpanalipod sa iyang kaugalingon.

        Kon maklaro nga di kaugpo ang impeachment, ang katawhan di mobalik sa ilang naandang mga gimbuhaton nga mora lag way nahitabo.   Hinunoa, di sila makapasaylo niya.

Mohukom sila base sa mga pasangil sa way pagpaabot sa detalyadong pagpanalipod sa presidente sa iyang kaugalingon.   [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Resignation is the Solution

Separate Opinion : A peaceful solution

Isagani Cruz
Inquirer News Service

THE CURRENT conflict between the friends and foes of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is going to get worse before it gets any better. In either case, it is the nation that will be caught between Scylla and Charybdis.

So far, the dispute has been limited to a propaganda war, with both sides claiming victory in the strength of their arguments and the size of their rallies. The pros are denounced for their tenacious hold on power, the antis for their scheme to regain it.

The trouble is that both of the contending parties are weakened by some of their leaders. The proponents' major liability is President Arroyo herself, whose approval rating has been dropping without let-up. The opponents are blemished by such disreputable characters as Francisco Tatad and Tito Sotto.

Susan Roces has a legitimate grievance but she should dissociate herself from the politicians who are simply using her for their own designs. She does not need them because there are many non-partisan citizens willing to support her.

But they will not do so if she remains in the company of political opportunists. The masses of our country are better off without Fidel Ramos and Jose de Venecia from the administration and Panfilo Lacson and Aquilino Pimentel from the opposition.

Both the administration and the opposition agree on the plan to convert our government from the presidential to the parliamentary. It is worth considering but for one failing. It is not sincere but dictated by personal greed. It is proposed by politicians for their own ends, not the nation's welfare.

Ms Arroyo is in favor because it will give her a gracious exit from the presidency that she is now in peril of losing. Under the amended Constitution, she could be president once more, with former President Ramos or Speaker De Venecia as prime minister. Like President Diosdado Macapagal, they could all be singing "Happy Days Are Here Again!"

But Lacson and Pimentel may yet foil their plans. With Edgardo Angara and Franklin Drilon, they can all aspire to the new leadership with the beautiful Loren Legarda as their Reyna Elena and Jinggoy Estrada as the cute Constantino. Candle bearers will be the likes of Bong Revilla and Lito Lapid and probably the resurrected Gringo Honasan.

But what about the current issues now gripping the nation? Shall we sweep the Garci tapes under the rug and discontinue the probe into the "jueteng" illegal lottery payoffs as divisive of the country that has been stagnating in the meantime?

The investigations of these matters both in the House of Representatives and the Senate are getting nowhere, but that does not mean we should forget them altogether. The serious questions against the integrity of the President of the Philippines should not be simply dismissed on the ground of political expediency.

The evidence so far submitted against her militates against their abrupt termination that will in effect absolve her of the serious charges. Many share the view that she should be acquitted or convicted after their examination on the merits in an impeachment trial that she herself proposes and welcomes.

President Arroyo is so sure that there will not be enough members to constitute the one-third needed to impeach her in the House of Representatives or the two-thirds needed to convict her in the Senate. But she may not be considering the effect of public opinion on impeachment proceedings, as demonstrated in the Estrada case. The respondent had the numbers in his pocket until Tessie Oreta wiggled on the Senate floor.

But that alternative, besides being a political weapon rather than a legal inquiry, may take too long to decide the burning questions of the day. Did President Arroyo order Virgilio Garcillano to falsify the presidential election to make her win by a margin of a million votes? Did she and her family receive payola in the millions of pesos from the jueteng lords?

Ms Arroyo vehemently says no and has the Armed Forces to back her up. A considerable number of people, not necessarily allied with the political opposition, say yes and are demanding her resignation now. Ms Arroyo's supporters say follow the process and impeach her if you will. Those who oppose her argue that impeachment will be a charade with the results to be pronounced by her loyal lackeys.

If President Arroyo will truly read the will of the people, she should recognize that they no longer have confidence in her and want her to step down. Those who are urging her to stay put are protecting only their own interests and not the future of the nation. The turmoil now swirling around us may get graver and lead to, God forbid, even bloody confrontation. She could spare us from that evitable fate and give our country peace with her voluntary resignation.

Arangkada for July 24, 2005

              TV NI GLO

 

       Human sa nabulilyaso niyang pagpangayo og pasaylo sa nasudnong telebisyon, nga maoy labing taas og rating sa tanang programa sa telebisyon sa tibuok nasud, wa moatubang sa kamera si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa pagpadangat sa nisunod niyang mga mensahe.  Gawas sa kahanap sa iyang mensahe, gisaway ang presidente tungod sa ahat nga pag-inartista pagpaubos sa iyang tingog (ang zoom-in sa camera pag-ingon niyag "I'm sorry" gihulagway nga bastos nga pagsuway sa Malakanyang pagpaburot sa drama).

Maong sa nisunod nga mga adlaw, ang mikropono na lang sa Radyo ng Bayan ang gigamit sa iyang pagdemanda sa resignasyon sa tanang sakop sa gabinete, paghangop sa pagdumili sa Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) pag-awhag sa iyang resignasyon ug pagdason sa charter change nga giduso sa politikanhong mga partido atol sa tigom nga giduma ni House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

-o0o-

       Ang sunod nga pagpakita sa presidente sa nasudnong telebisyon nakapakugang sa mga nagtoo nga nisurender na siya sa iyang ka-bakikaw atubangan sa kamera nga giisip nga mas gamhanan kay sa mikropono ug mga pamantalaan.  Atubangan sa Filipino-Americans nga niduaw niya sa Malakanyang, isog, klaro ug dasig ang iyang pasidaan sa iyang mga kaatbang nga ipahamtang niyang balaod kon modangop sila sa ilegal nga paagi pagpalagpot niya sa katungdanan.

       Ambot tsamba ba lang, o tungod ba kay nakumbinser ang mga negosyante nga kontrolado pa niyang sitwasyon, nilig-on ang peso ug nidasig ang stock market niadtong adlawa.  Bisan naapiki sa nagkalapad nga krisis, naka-iskor og kadaogan ang pagpakita og balik ni Presidente Arroyo sa telebisyon.

-o0o-

       Ang sunod niyang pagpakita sa nasudnong telebisyon wa paabota.  Nagtan-aw ko sa newscast sa ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) dihang kalit nga gipakita si Presidente Arroyo nga naglingkod atubangan sa usa ka babaye ug tulo ka lalaki sud sa Malakanyang.  Gipahibawo sa presidente nga nagkasabot nang nabulilyaso nga pre-need company ug ang nikha nga mga ginikanan ug nga gamiton niyang kuwarta sa GSIS pagtabang sa mga tinun-an nga wa nang ka-eskuyla.

       Mas nadapit ang akong pagtagad sa kaburot ug kalagom sa eyebags sa presidente nga wa hingpit kataboni sa iyang makeup.  Wa katabang ang luspad nga video sa NBN, ang TV Channel sa gobyerno nga maoy gi-hookup sa ANC.

-o0o-

       Human sa pipila ka gutlo nibarug ang presidente, nanamilit ug bakikaw nga nitangtang sa lapel microphone nga gipatapot sa liab sa iyang sinina.  Mao ra to?

       Human nitago sa kamera sa iyang paglahugay sa gabinete, pagpasalamat sa CBCP ug paghangop sa Cha-Cha, niatubang ang presidente sa kamera aron lang pagsulbad sa problema sa usa ka pre-need company?

       Sa di pa siya hingpit nga mapalagpot sa Malakanyang, maayo tingaling patiran sa presidente ang iyang mga torotot nga klarong nagduwaduwa sa iyang imahe.  [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

The Way Out Of Here

At Large : A map for the 'middle forces'

Rina Jimenez-David
Inquirer News Service

"C4T" is a gathering of civil-society organizations that began life weeks before the "dramatic" events of July 8. The groups had gathered to discuss civil-society options in the wake of the twin controversies over alleged links of government officials, including members of the President's family, to the "jueteng" illegal lottery racket, as well as the tapes of tapped telephone conversations between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and an official of the Commission on Elections, widely believed to be Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

At the time of its founding, the group was known as "Citizens for Truth," but given the swift and dramatic momentum generated by recent events, especially after a meeting held last week to consolidate civil society's stance, "C4T" has now come to mean "Citizens for TRIO," the last an acronym for a number of options for regime change, to wit: Truth Commission, Resign, Impeach and Oust, this last option preferably through "non-violent and democratic" means.

"TRIO" is not meant to describe a sequence of events, or to give the impression that these four modes of breaking the current impasse are mutually exclusive. Nor are all four means to be undertaken alone by the groups assembled at the meeting. At the moment, for instance, the Bishops-Businessmen's Conference is taking the lead in organizing the Truth Commission, while the impeachment of the President is proceeding apace, with the political opposition leading the charge in the House. The option for "resign," on the other hand, lies entirely in the President's hands, although civil-society groups could a play a role in facilitating this outcome through protest actions and other ways of influencing public opinion. In this so-called "middle" or "centrist" forces will have to do some catching up, as supporters of former President Estrada as well as the Left have already shown the way.

* * *

INTERESTINGLY enough, the option of Charter change, which politicians, especially House Speaker Jose de Venecia and former President Fidel Ramos, are pushing, was not adopted by the gathering.

Personally, I think the proposal to address the current crisis by modifying the Constitution is a non-starter. For one, it won't help the nation find out the answers to the questions on most everybody's minds: Did the President tell the entire truth when she "confessed" about her "lapse of judgment"? Did she indeed cheat during the 2004 elections? And if she cheated, does it mean she was not the rightful winner in the polls?

Changing our form of government now will not guarantee any improvement in governance. And changing our system of leadership from presidential to parliamentarian will be meaningless while the underpinnings of government remain rotten and corrupt. It will be like preparing to move into a decrepit house that's about to fall apart by re-painting the exterior and doing minor repairs, without shoring up the foundations.

The time for constitutional reform is not now, while a political crisis is brewing. Rather, we should wait for the crisis to be resolved, through any of the "TRIO" alternatives, and then perhaps wait for the situation to stabilize and for a new leadership to gain a firm footing before tinkering with the basic law of the land.

* * *

SEEKING to provide a guidepost to the civil-society folks gathered at the "C4T" meeting, a respected NGO leader, who remains anonymous only because I didn't have time to clear this with him, read a paper he called "Quo Vadis, Middle Forces?" This is how he described the situation we face today:

"I have been attending meetings asking the question: Where are we in this crisis? I have two kinds of answers. In terms of the narrowly defined crisis concerning the fate of PGMA [President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo], we are on the stage where we think we still have political, or even moral, choices to make that can drive events and outcomes ... In another two to three months, this window of apparent luxury in political or moral choices will narrow and real events -- economic distress, mass actions, military movements -- will dictate severely constricted and circumscribed options.

"There is also another answer from a larger perspective. If we look at the data concerning public opinion and popular will, however, we are in fact already in a stage of what I call a 'governance vacuum,' where people want their political system to provide leadership for change, but for a combination of reasons this leadership is not forthcoming. This is a stage of grave danger to our nation because once the imperatives of survival grows and become more insistent, it will not be the forces with the best and most correct solution that could determine the outcome but rather those who are most prepared and ready to offer a viable solution.

"In our country's history, those most ready with a viable solution to political crisis have often been the vested interests because their goals are clear and their methods decisive. Reform forces with diffused goals and indecisive methods are the first casualties of intensified crisis and their usual palliative resolutions."

* * *

"IN MY view, what the people want is a viable, sustainable and credible political solution to the present crisis that also allows us to build on this solution for future stability, growth and strength. They want a solution that can move us out of this current PGMA crisis but establishes a governing capability with some traction to deliver better results down the long haul. This is the current demand under conditions of apparent luxury of choices: a short-term solution with long-term viability. Once conditions worsen to make the imperative of choice more pressing and urgent, our people could settle for any short-term solution that gains ground whatever might be its long-term prospects."

Arangkada for July 23, 2005

 

SUNOD CHAVIT?

 

Ang mga lider sa oposisyon dinhi sa Sugbo nagplano sa pagtigom sa mga kasinatian sa nagkalainlaing mga kandidato nga modason sa mga pasangil sa lapad nga tikas sa eleksiyon sa Sugbo sa niaging tuig. Pipila sa pasiunang mga pasangil nga nabisto atol sa Kapamilya Media Forum sa DYAB Abante Bisaya, ABS-CBN Cebu ug SkyCable:

• Hapit moabot og 100% ang turnout sa mga botante sa Barangay Suba, Cebu City, segun pang kanhi barangay kapitan Nicasio Jaca;
• Gikandadohan ni Naga Mayor Ferdinand Chiong ang munisipyo ug wa pasudla ang mga representante sa oposisyon atol sa municipal canvass, segun pang kanhi kongresista Celestino Martinez Jr. ug kanhi assemblyman Adelino Sitoy; ug
• Kandidato pagka-mayor sa amihanang Sugbo niingon nga nasakpan sa NBI experts nga apil sa nagsuwat sa pekeng mga balota mao ang naproklamar nga kandidato pagka mayor sa ilang lungsod.

-o0o-

Inanay nang nitumaw ang mga ebidensiya sa lapad ug agresibo nga maniobra sa Malakanyang pagpatay sa impeachment complaint batok ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo pinaagi sa pagluok ining daan sa House of Representatives aron nga di na masumiter ngadto sa Senado. Sa kataposan, duna na gyoy nibarug human sa pipila ka adlaw nang pagkatap sa mga huhungihong nga gitanyagan og makalilisang nga mga suburno ang mga kongresista nga gitoohang mamirma sa impeachment complaint nga isumiter na unyang Lunes.

Siya si Kongresista Eulogio Magsaysay sa Alliance of Volunteer Educators (AVE) kinsa niangkon nga gitanyagan siya sa mga representante sa administrasyon og P500,000 nga cash ug P5 milyones nga balor sa mga proyekto. Gipasaligan pa gyod si Magsaysay nga iapil sa tiket sa administrasyon sa eleksiyon sa 2007. Nihulga siya paghingan sa mga niduol niya kon ilang ipanghimakak ang iyang mga pasangil.

-o0o-

Ambot kinsay naghulhog sa kampo ni Presidente Arroyo nga mokalma nang krisis kon di makabuylo ang impeachment process. Mahimo bang pahinumdoman ang presidente nga ang paglaom nga mas mapasabot ang kontrobersiya pinaagi sa impeachment ang usa sa hinungdan nganong wa pa manggawas ang minilyon ka katawhan sa kadalanan aron pagdemanda sa iyang ulo?

Nisaad si Presidente Arroyo, human siya nisalikway sa mga awhag sa resignasyon, nga iyang atubangon ang mga pasangil batok niya pinaagi sa impeachment. Kon hasta ni di niya tumanon, di na maglibog ang kinabag-an unsaon siya pagpalagpot sa Palasyo.

-o0o-

Niay laing atanganan: Ang sunod saksi ni Arsobispo Oscar Cruz gihulagway nga sunod nga "Chavit Singson" kay direktang molambigit ni Presidente Arroyo sa payola sa jueteng. Giingong nakakita sa pagtunol ni Presidente Arroyo sa dakong bantal sa kuwarta sa jueteng ngadto sa iyang mga lider sa iyang bay sa La Vista, Quezon City Mayo ug Hunyo sa niaging tuig.

Pero ang saksi nga giingong dakong lider sa administrasyon mopaila lang kon makumbinser nga apiki na si Presidente Arroyo. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Surveys: Gloria Must Go Now

Posted by Avigail Olarte 
PCIJ

MAJORITY of Filipinos say President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should resign, according to surveys done by IBON Foundation and CNN/Time.

Conducted on July 8-17, the IBON survey reveals 68.6 percent of 1,379 respondents says they want the president out of office. Of this, 46.41 percent thinks she should resign, 19.43 percent says she should be impeached, and 11.82 percent says she should be ousted by another "People Power" revolt.

More Filipinos also believe that the president was not sincere when she apologized for her "lapse in judgment" in calling Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano during the May 2004 elections. The survey also shows that most Filipinos are unhappy with the President's performance.

The CNN/Time poll, on the other hand, shows that 57 percent thinks Arroyo should quit. Of the 600 respondents, 38.5 percent, however, says she should complete her term. This survey was done at about the same time the Pulse Asia conducted its National Capital Region survey on July 2-8. Both surveys were done after the president's June 27 apology.

Pulse Asia states 41 percent of Metro Manilans think the president should either resign, be impeached, or snap elections should be held. In its nationwide survey conducted on June 20-23, majority of Filipinos say they want Arroyo out. This result, they say, counters the claim of Malacañang that the sentiments of those within Metro Manila differ from those of the rest of the country.

See results of the surveys here:

• IBON Foundation Inc.
• CNN/Time
• Pulse Asia Inc.

Arangkada for July 22, 2005

 

IYAHONG TANAN

 

Ambot tungod ba sa naghigwaos niyang determinasyon pagpabilin sa labing taas nga katungdanan sa nasud, o tungod ba sa ka-wa na niyay salig bisan sa labing suod niyang mga alyado sa Kongreso human siya biyai sa iyang labing sinaligang mga sakop sa gabinete, o di na lang gyod ganahang mokumpiyansa bisan gamay sa pagpanalipod sa iyang kaugalingon, si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, sinalikway ang bisan unsang lama sa kaikog ug kauwaw, nideklarar nga siyay mangunay pagtudlo sa mga imbestigador nga mo-imbestigar sa seryusong mga pasangil batok niya.

Nisibaw nang mga pagsaway nga si Presidente Arroyo nagpabaga ug nagpapating sa iyang pagpamugos pagpabilin sa puwesto bisan sa pagtibugsok sa pagsalig sa kinabag-an sa katawhan human nabisto ang lisod lalison nga ebidensiya sa iyang pagmaniobra sa resulta sa eleksiyon sa niaging tuig ug pagkawat sa mandato sa mga botante nga ang mayoriya lain untay gipili pagka-presidente. Pero way bisan usang nakaandam ning labing uwahi niyang paugat.

-o0o-

Bisan ang mga alyado ni Presidente Arroyo sa duha ka bay balaoranan sa Kongreso nikuwestiyon di lang sa legalidad kon dili hasta sa kamakiangayon sa iyang pagdalidali pagtukod og iyang kaugalingong Truth Commission. Klarong nainsulto ang iyang alyadong mga senador ug mga kongresista kinsa nag-andam na unta og mga balaodnon pagtukod og komisyon nga tinuorayng independente, o labing menos di direktang kapasanginlan nga ubos sa influencia gikan sa Malakanyang.

Pero ang pagbaraw sa Malakanyang sa plano sa Kongreso maoy klarong tilimad-on nga di na ganahang mosugal ang grupo ni Presidente Arroyo sa iyang kaugmaon ngadto sa mga politiko nga dunay personal nga mga ambisyon nga mahimong di motakdo sa plano sa Palasyo. Pasidaan sab ni Malakanyang nga di sila moduko sa Cha-Cha ug ubang giluto nga mga putahe nga molaslas sa lima pa ka tuig nga nahibilin sa termino ni Presidente Arroyo.

-o0o-

Dihang nagtakilid nang Administrasyong Arroyo, nga morang usa ka litik na lay kuwang ug matumba na, si kanhi presidente Fidel Ramos ang niluwas niya pinaagi sa pagsugyot nga usbon ang sistema sa gobyerno ug himoon na lang caretaker si Arroyo hangtod nga mapahigayon ang eleksiyon sa bag-ong mga sakop sa bay balaoranan sunod tuig. Tungod sa iyang kahinangop nga nalugwayan ang naapiki na niyang pamunoan, way laing kapilian ang presidente gawas sa pagdason sa bisan unsang gipanulti nilang Ramos ug ni House Speaker Jose de Venecia.

Pero temporaryo rang iyang kakugang. Dihang nakaamgo nga sila pay naghupot sa higanteng makinarya sa gobyerno, nideklarar dayon ang mga torotot sa presidente, nga gipangulohan ni Presidential Management Staff Chief Rigoberto Tiglao, nga di mouyon ang presidente sa bisan unsang laslas sa iyang termino.

Sa ato pa, mosugot sila sa Cha-Cha, impeachment ug Truth Commission. Pero silay magbuot unsaon. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Inquirer Editorial: Impeachment

THE OPPOSITION is preparing up to 10 criminal charges, including electoral fraud and graft and corruption, against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Opposition lawmakers, assisted by private lawyers, are scrambling to gather evidence, line up witnesses and prepare the charges to be included in the impeachment complaint they will file in the House of Representatives immediately after Ms Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation Address at the opening of the session on Monday. "Our charges against her would revolve around the crimes of cheating, lying and stealing," said House Minority Leader Francis Escudero.

Impressive? Maybe yes -- to an impressionable public. But though it may be useful to marshal a whole array of allegations and charges to win the battle for public opinion, such a shotgun approach is really unnecessary, counterproductive and dilatory if the objective is to impeach Ms Arroyo and strip her of the presidency quickly. In an impeachment case, it doesn't matter whether the accused is found guilty of one crime or a dozen ones. Either way, all the punishment she will suffer is the loss of her high office.

One well-prepared, well-supported and well-argued case is all it takes to achieve this objective, so it's a waste of time and effort to file so many other charges that may prove hard to substantiate in the end. If the opposition wants to have an early resolution of this crisis, it should dispense with pyrotechnics, like filing so many charges, and focus on a couple or at most, a handful that can be built into solid cases.

Ironically, the more promising ones may not even directly involve the allegation that triggered the crisis -- electoral fraud -- since the most damaging proof of that available now is an illegal wiretap which cannot be used in legal proceedings. But there are some constitutional experts, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., among them, who say that just talking to an election official (which the President has publicly admitted) at such a critical time, already constitutes betrayal of public trust.

What would be less debatable is direct testimony given by persons who may have known first-hand certain presidential actions and decisions tainted by graft and corruption. If even just one of the seven Cabinet members who resigned last July 8 were to start talking about some shady transactions he or she personally knew about, the President could be in deeper trouble than she already is.

The opposition knows this very well. San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, who is heading the opposition's legal team, said he was confident that some of them would testify against the President. Imelda Nicolas, former chair of the National Anti-Poverty Commission, said she and others among the so-called Hyatt 10 were willing to testify "if we know something relevant to the charges." Former Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman had earlier said she was ready to testify under oath. One former Cabinet member, who didn't want to be identified, said some of those in their group knew about some questionable transactions, particularly with regard to the disbursement of disaster relief funds allegedly for political purposes.

Unless the opposition has other more substantial proof of official wrongdoing, whether in connection with the elections or misuse of public funds, it cannot go wrong if it concentrated its effort on securing the cooperation of these officials, who were once in a position to participate in delicate discussions. They might even have been party to some questionable decisions and illegal transactions. And they seem convinced that the way to save the nation is to bring the Arroyo administration down. Having failed once when their demand for the President's resignation was ignored, will they go for broke and tell everything they know?

The answer could very well hinge on how much they can trust the opposition to follow the Constitution. One key proposal the resigned Cabinet members made was that power be handed over to the constitutional successor: Vice President Noli de Castro. Removing the President through impeachment should pave the way for such an orderly transition. But is the opposition ready to accept such an outcome?

Media Corruption

Excerpted from "News for Sale: The Corruption &

Commercialization of the Philippine Media" with the author's permission

By CHAY FLORENTINO-HOFILEÑA Director of the Journalism Graduate Program of Ateneo de Manila University

Payoffs to journalists have become so much a part of the journalistic culture that they have engendered a language all their own. These are some of the terms used in the journalistic community to refer to various forms of corruption the media.

AC-DC

For attack-collect-defend-collect. A kind of journalism where the reporter attacks a person in order to collect money from that person's rival or enemy. The same journalist then defends the person originally attacked, also for a fee.

ATM journalism

Refers to reporters who receive discreet and regular pay-offs through their automated teller machine (ATM) accounts. News sources simply deposit cash into these accounts instead of issuing checks or handing the money over to the journalists in envelopes. Often, the accounts are in the names of relatives, rather than of the reporters themselves. ATM journalism became popular in the 1990s, taking over from the more simple "envelopmental journalism" that took place in the 1970s and '80s.

Ayos

As in "fix," the act of bribing reporters either with money or other gifts like late-night entertainment.

 

Bicycle Gang

Refers to the contacts of politicians in television news desks who ensure that video

footage of candidates barnstorming in the provinces is circulated to the different TV networks by a messenger riding a bike.

Blood Money

 

A pay-off to ensure that a story or critical article is killed or else slanted in the briber's favor before publication. This is different from "smiling money".

Bukol

From the Tagalog word that means a bump, usually on the head. A reporter gets a "bukol" or is considered "nabukulan" if he or she fails to get a share of the largesse being distributed by politicians and other news sources whom they cover.

Didal

Refers to the practice of media handlers pocketing for themselves a part of the money intended for distribution to reporters. For example, if a party's media bureau sets aside a P2,000 allowance for each of the reporters covering an event, the media staff would distribute only P1,000 to P1,500 and keep the rest. The reporters in this case consider themselves "nadidal."

Envelopmental journalism

 

A take on "developmental journalism," which became popular in the 1970s.

Journalism is deemed "envelopmental" if it involves an envelope of cash paid to journalists to sway their reporting.

Hao siao

A derogatory term used to refer to pseudo-journalists, those not employed by a

reputable news organization but pass themselves off as journalists in order to cash in on payoffs and bribes made by news sources, particularly during elections.

Inteligensia

Cash given as bribe or protection money to the police, a part of which goes to journalists covering the police department. Some reporters have begun using the term to refer to the regular payments that they get from law enforcers.

Main Event

Refers to the act of distributing cash to journalists. A press conference or news coverage is not deemed over until the cash is dispensed -- this is considered the "main event."

Orbit

Like planets revolving around the sun, reporters also make the rounds of offices, particularly the police stations, to get their weekly payola. The term may also refer to any effort to visit offices for the purpose of soliciting money from news sources.

Placement

The position or department within the media bureau of a government agency or company that is in charge of ensuring that press releases are sent to news offices and published or aired when they should be. While there aer PR professionals who do the job, some journalists are hired to ensure "placement' as well. Some journalists also moonlight as writers for candidates, ensuring placement by making appeals to their friends in newspapers and broadcast agencies.

Point Man

A reporter or editor working in a news organization but who is also paid by a candidate or political party to ensure that press releases are published or aired and also to warn the candidate of negative stories emanating from rival camps.

Shepherds

 

Journalists who are either jobless or on leave from their news organizations and act as guides to reporters covering a a particular candidate or party. Shepherds take care of the reporters' needs including accommodations, food, plane fare and other transportation expenses, as well as "extras" like nights out.

Smiling Money

Cash that is given to reporters or editors for no particular reason except to create goodwill between a source and the journalists. It can also be used to refer to a payoff given after the publication of a positive story, supposedly as a gesture of the source's appreciation.

Sulig

A thousand pesos

Tigbas

Cebuano word for "cut", used to refer to a hatchet job

Warik-warik

A Cebuano term used to describe unscrupulous people; to journalists in the provinces, these are the counterpart of Manila's hao siao.

(Compiled by Manny Mogato and Vinia M. Datinguinoo)

hotmanila.ph

Arangkada for July 21, 2005

 

MGA KONTRABIDA

 

Si Luis "Chavit" Singson nabantog sa iyang kabagis ug ka-relasyon nga bold stars. Pero usa siya sa gipasidunggan sa pagpalagpot sa kurakot nga pamunoan ni kanhi presidente Joseph Estrada niadtong 2001.

Silang Juan Ponce Enrile ug Fidel Ramos gikaintapan nga mga berdugo sa martial law sa diktador nga si Ferdinand Marcos. Pero silay nahimong bayani sa Edsa 1 nga nipalingkod ni kanhi presidente Corazon Aquino sa Malakanyang niadtong 1986.

Si Atty. Allan Paguia maoy abogado ug torotot ni Erap. Pero siyay nahimong instrumento sa pagpagawas sa Garci tapes nga kon kapamatud-an mahimong maoy mopalagpot ni Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa katungdanan.

-o0o-

Naapil sila sa mas taas nga listahan sa kasaysayan sa mga kontrabida kansang mantsado nga kagahapon napapas sa mga pasidungog tungod sa ilang wa paabotang tampo sa pagbisto ug pagbadlong sa malupigon, abusado ug mapahimuslanong mga pamunoan.

Sa eskandalong nakatay-og karon sa administrasyong Arroyo, wa pay klaro kinsay sunod nga Chavit, o Johnny, o Eddie. Pero nag-unang kandidata mao si Sandra Cam, ang nikumpisal nga tigkolekta sa payola sa jueteng para sa bana, anak ug bayaw ni Presidente Arroyo ug ang wa pa nganli nga politiko nga gihulagway ni Arsobispo Oscar Cruz nga maoy labing suhiton sa giingong kalambigitan sa presidente sa jueteng.

Maglisod pag-qualify si kanhi senador John Osmena.

-o0o-

Klaro si Osmena nga igo lang nikabayo sa sitwasyon. Naghuwat siya nga motakilid nang administrasyon una nipahibawo sa iyang pagbalitok ngadto sa oposisyon. Ang kabasa na sa papel ni Osmena maoy hinungdan nga bisan topnotcher siya sa nangaging lokal ug nasudnong mga eleksiyon sa Sugbo, way nahibung nga sa labing unang higayon sa iyang pamolitika gipilde ug gibasura siya sa mga Sugbuanon.

Maong bisan pag moingon si Osmena nga mosawop ang adlaw karong hapon, daghang Sugbuanon ang magduda sa iyang kamatinud-anon. Mao nay ganti sa iyang kamapahitas-on nga naglakip sa iyang paghudlat sa mga Sugbuanon nga magpuasa sila tungod sa ilang pagsalikway ni Erap.

-o0o-

Pero nagtoo ko nga, sama nilang Singson, Ramos, Enrile ug Paguia, si Osmena dunay importanteng papel nga huptan sa pagbisto sa kinatibuk-ang langyab sa Gloriagate scandal. Sa tanang mga politiko, siyay labing unang nakahimog makuting pagtuon sa resulta sa niaging eleksiyon, nga wa magpaabot sa langayng proseso sa Comelec (ang iyang election protest batok ni Senador Rodolfo Biazon di kairog hangtod makahatag si Vice Presidential Candidate Loren Legarda sa kapin sa P80 milyones para sa recount sa mga balotang naapil sa iyang protesta batok ni Bise Presidente Noli de Castro).

Ang kahinog ni Osmena sa politika mahimong maoy makagiya niya paghipos sa mga dokumento nga mas mopalig-on pa sa kasayuran sa Garci tapes. Ang iyang ka-oportunista mahimong makaalagad sa mas dakong nasudnong interes. [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Gloria's Letter to CBCP

His Excellency Archbishop Fernando R. Capalla, D.D.
President, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

Dear Archbishop Capalla,

With a deep sense of appreciation of their profound concern for the
country and our people, I read the Bishops' RESTORING TRUST: A PLEA
FOR MORAL VALUES IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS. I read it both as President
and as a simple individual, one of the flock whom the Lord has called
upon the Bishops to shepherd and provide moral and religious guidance
to.

As a part of our political system, I am greatly saddened to realize
that our people now so mistrust that same political system. As
President, I am greatly humbled to realize that I now owe the Filipino
people a huge debt of service, a debt that to the best of the
abilities that God has given me, I must now try to repay.

In all humility, I took to heart the admonition that I should not
simply dismiss calls for my resignation from office, and that through
prayer, we can arrive at decisions for the common good that are based
on moral precepts.

On the matter of moral accountability and the need to restore trust, I
have initiated the creation of a commission or similar body to look
into the truth behind issues recently raised against me. While
accepting the principle of accountability, it may be noted that such
issues were raised at a time and in a manner that seems to give
credence to the observation that various groups may be manipulating
situations for their own agenda, perhaps with the aim of grabbing
power. I am hopeful that the process of searching for the truth will
shed light on these disturbing matters as well.

On the matter of effective governance, I took to heart the admonition
to discern deeply as to whether the erosion of trust is so severe as
to be irreversible. I believe that subsequent events and revelations
may have given a more balanced view to this question, and that my
decision to stay in my office is the correct one.

If we allow our country's President to be pressured to resign under
these circumstances, when the issues raised might have speculative or
controvertible basis, then we expose our already weakened political
system—a system that needs fundamental reform—to the possibility of
never ending political crises of a similar nature in the future.

With my decision comes the responsibility to sincerely strive to be,
like the men and women that the Bishops have committed to form, a
leaven of social transformation for our country. I pray that God will
give me the strength and wisdom to do so.

Having made my decision, I have tried to make my peace with God as
well. I trust in His infinite mercy and capacity to forgive all of us
who are sinners. I am hopeful that others, being human and so perhaps
less compassionate than the Lord, may still find their way to setting
aside a space in their hearts for me.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Bishops for their
guidance these trying times. I wish to let them know that trusting
completely in the Lord, I have surrendered myself to His will.

Pulse Asia: Glo Out

Arroyo ouster 'best scenario,' most Manilans say in poll

Joel Francis Guinto
INQ7.net

ALMOST half of Metro Manila residents believe that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's resignation or impeachment is the "best scenario" that will resolve the political crisis in the country, according to an independent survey released Tuesday.

The Pulse Asia Inc. survey from July 2-8 shows that of the 300 respondents in Metro Manila, only 16 percent think that it will be best for the country if Arroyo will finish her term until 2010, compared to 41 percent who want her to resign or be impeached to give way to snap elections.

This is in contrast to a Pulse Asia nationwide survey in June when only 28 percent of the respondents said Arroyo should either resign or be impeached to allow Vice President Noli de Castro to take over while 22 percent wanted the President to finish her term.

The July study also showed that only 15 percent of Metro Manila residents believed De Castro's assumption to power is best for the country while another 10 percent said Arroyo should be replaced with a "junta" or caretaker government before a new election would be held.

Meanwhile, 10 percent said Arroyo should be removed either by constitutional or extra-constitutional means.

Only six percent favor a shorter term for Arroyo and Charter change, which seeks a shift to a parliamentary form of government from the present presidential system, the same July survey in Metro Manila said.

When asked about the "most destructive" way out of the political standoff, 24 percent of the Metro Manila respondents said the intervention of a foreign government; 18 percent, a coup d'etat; 17 percent, Arroyo's stay in power until her term ends; 14 percent, after Arroyo's resignation or impeachment; 14 percent, a police and military takeover; and 11 percent, De Castro's assumption to the presidency.

Senator Panfilo Lacson is the "best person to lead the country now," according to 36 percent of Metro Manila residents in the July 2-8 survey.

De Castro is in second with 15 percent. Former president Joseph Estrada is third, with 8 percent; followed by actress Susan Roces and Arroyo, with 7 percent each; Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide and former president Fidel Ramos with 4 percent each; evangelist Brother Eddie Villanueva, with 3 percent; and Senator Rodolfo Biazon, 2 percent.

Meanwhile, 25 percent of the respondents ranked Arroyo first among those who were "not acceptable to lead the nation."

Behind Arroyo among the leaders whom the Metro Manila respondents do not find acceptable are former defense secretary Fortunato Abat, with 17 percent; De Castro, 12 percent; Davide, 11 percent; Estrada, 9 percent; Roces, 6 percent; Lacson, 5 percent; Biazon, 4 percent; Villanueva and Ramos, 2 percent each, the survey said.

Pulse Asia's July survey was conducted after Arroyo's public apology for her "lapse in judgement" when she called an elections officer during the 2004 canvassing. It had a margin of error of +/-6 percent and a confidence level of 95 percent.

In the Pulse Asia nationwide survey in June, De Castro topped the list of best alternatives to Arroyo, with 30 percent; followed by Estrada, 19 percent; and Lacson, 19 percent.

Arroyo also topped the list of unacceptable leaders in the nationwide June survey with 42 percent; followed by Ramos, 39 percent; and Villanueva, 31 percent.

But despite the worsening political crisis, Metro Manila residents remained in high spirits, according to the July survey.

Only 17 percent said they agreed with the statement "The country is hopeless," compared with 22 percent in March.

Those who said martial law was "necessary" to solve the political crisis slipped to 18 percent in July from 21 percent in March.

A similar Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released last week showed that 62 percent of Metro Manila residents believed Arroyo should resign or be impeached.

Gloria Lost By 700,000 Votes?

Ex-senator Osmeña bares poll fraud in 2004

Juliet Labog-Javellana
Inquirer News Service

FORMER senator John Osmeña declared on Tuesday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lost to the late Fernando Poe Jr. by 700,000 votes in the 2004 national election.

Osmeña, citing the reports made by his study group, also refuted claims by Arroyo's camp that she received 1.1 million votes more than Poe in Cebu.

Osmeña said in a press conference in Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel that Arroyo only led by 621,000 votes against Poe in Cebu.

©2005 www.inq7.net all rights reserved

Arangkada for July 20, 2005

 

GLORIA GINAPOS

 

Kon mangita mog klarong ebidensiya nga ginapos na si Presidente Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sa iyang padayong pagduma sa nasud bisan sa sibaw nga awhag sa iyang resignasyon, di na kinahanglang motan-aw sa layo: Ang pagpabilin sa katungdanan sa Sugbuanong si Winston Garcia isip presidente ug general manager sa Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) maoy di malalis nga pruyba.

Ubos sa pagduma ni Garcia, ang GSIS gideklarar sa respondents sa usa ka nasudnong survey nga gihimo sa Social Weather Station (SWS) nga maoy labing kurakot nga ahensiya sa gobyerno. Sa labing unang higayon sa kasaysayan, naapsan sa GSIS ang gikaintapang kurakot nga mga ahensiya sama sa Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Internal Revenue ug Department of Public Works and Highways.

-o0o-

Wa magkuwang ang nagkalainlaing sektor sa pagtawag sa atensiyon ni Presidente Arroyo sa ilang nakit-ang mga eskandalo ni Garcia, nga nagsugod sa pagtiyabaw sa pobreng mga sakop sa GSIS batok sa iyang pagwaldas sa minilyon ka pesos pagpalit sa painting ni Juan Luna nga way bisan gamayng labot sa iyang ahensiya. Ang labing sibaw mao ang awhag sa iyang kaugalingong mga kawani sa GSIS kinsa nangisog pagprotesta aron pagbisto sa ilang gitumbok nga mga pangabuso ni Garcia sa iyang gahom.

Pero giisnab silang tanan ni Presidente Arroyo. Kinsa niinsistir nga dako ug konkreto ang kita sa GSIS ubos sa liderato ni Garcia. Samtang ang mga kaatbang ni Garcia way laing gitanyag gawas sa pagarpar.

-o0o-

Wa magkuwang ang mga ebidensiya sa giingong mga anomaliya ni Garcia sa GSIS. Si kanhi budget secretary Emilia Boncodin nibisto nga gisupak ni Garcia ang sugo ni Presidente Arroyo sa paglaslas sa dagkong suholan ug mga benepisyo sa mga opisyal sa mga korporasyon sa gobyerno. Giibanan man tuod ang iyang suweldo pero gibutang ra sab sa iyang personal bank account.

Dihang nabisto nga gawas sa pagpatrabaho ni Garcia sa iyang kaugalingong igsoon sa GSIS gihatagan pa gyod niya og makalilisang nga suholan ug mga benepisyo, naabtan pa si Presidente Arroyo og pipila ka buwan una nakaako sa pagtaktak sa laing abusadong sakop sa Pamilyang Garcia.

-o0o-

Daghan nang mas dagkong opisyal nga nangahas pagbaraw ni Garcia. Pero si Garcia ang kanunayng gipalabi sa presidente. Si kanhi finance secretary Isidro Camacho napugos pagbiya sa gabinete human gibasura sa Malakanyang ang iyang mga rekomendasyon pagtul-id sa gikuwestiyong pagduma ni Garcia sa GSIS.

Ang labing uwahing biktima sa kahawod ni Garcia maong mga sakop sa gabinete nga gipangulohan nilang kanhi finance secretary Cesar Purisima ug Boncodin nga nidemanda sab sa pagpalagpot ni Garcia. Natangtang silang tanan pero si Garcia nagpabilin.

Kon di kahilabot si Presidente Arroyo kang Garcia, unsa man intawoy iyang mahimo batok sa mas dagkong peste sa iyang administrasyon? [30]  leo_lastimosa@abs-cbn.com

Inquirer Editorial

Editorial : Period of waiting

THE UNITED Opposition is urging President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign. Sixty-two percent of Metro Manila residents believe she should quit. Former President Corazon Aquino also wants her to resign. The "Hyatt 10" is urging her to quit. Many business, professional, religious and academic groups say she should step down. The President has said, however, that she is not resigning.

The opposition is now considering impeaching her. But even if it pushes through, the impeachment court will take a long time to reach a resolution, unless something like Edsa People Power II happens. So it seems that Ms Arroyo will be with us for some time yet. And while the question of whether she should stay in office remains unresolved, political and economic instability is likely to continue.

In an effort to make Ms Arroyo more acceptable to the people, her advisers are planning a makeover to project her as a friendlier, gentler president. This is a cosmetic move, and we doubt if it will earn her points. It would be better if she did something that would greatly benefit the country in the interim. The first priority should be the economy, which has taken a heavy beating the past five weeks. The President has taken the first step by appointing replacements for the members of her economic team who resigned recently. We hope that the new appointees would attend immediately to the serious economic problems of the country.

An early resolution of the constitutional challenge to the expanded value-added tax law by the Supreme Court could help promote stability on the economic front. Then new Internal Revenue Commissioner Jose Mario Buñag will have to ensure the strict enforcement of the expanded value-added tax and continue the aggressive collection of taxes begun by his predecessor, Guillermo Parayno. The government needs a lot of funds, and it needs them now.

Under the Constitution the President cannot fire the commissioners of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). But she could enlist the help of civil society and the political parties in exerting pressure on the election commissioners to tender their resignation. The commissioners should realize that the Comelec is one of the most discredited government agencies today. A reform of the electoral process has to begin with the cleansing of the Comelec.

If a mass resignation of the Comelec commissioners can be obtained, the President should avoid packing it with disreputable characters and "dependable" political allies. She should consider appointing to the Comelec people of the caliber of its former chairs, Christian Monsod and Haydee Yorac. The nation will be grateful if she can clean up the Augean stable that is the Comelec. The cleanup could be the start of wide-ranging reforms in the electoral system.

It is not just the electoral system that needs changing. The political system also needs to be changed to promote national stability. Since Edsa People Power I in 1986, the nation has gone through many periods of political instability. Now may be an auspicious time to change the system, from presidential to parliamentary. A parliamentary system makes it possible to quickly change an administration once its leader loses the confidence of his or her parliamentary peers and the people. Then there would be no need for future Edsa People Power uprisings.

Reports the day after Ms Arroyo survived the most serious challenge to her presidency said that because of his support, former President Fidel V. Ramos would now have his way in his efforts to move the nation from the presidential to the parliamentary system. Under Ramos' timetable, Congress would convene as a constituent assembly to propose changes in the Constitution. Civil society and the opposition are expected to oppose the idea of convening a constituent assembly because Congress is another discredited institution.

It would be better to call a constitutional convention. It may be more expensive, but the election of delegates to the convention may see the emergence of young, new leaders who could bring new perspectives and new ideas to the task of crafting the fundamental law. The body politic also needs a shot of fresh blood to invigorate and renew itself.

In this expectedly long period of waiting, the President could serve the national interest if she would put the economic house in order, help bring about electoral reforms, beginning with a change in the Comelec, and start the ball rolling for a change from the presidential to the parliamentary system.

De Quiros' Column

There's The Rub : President, pauper

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

I REMEMBER writing a column ages ago about the differences between rich and poor. I remember vaguely only parts of it, which went something like this:

If you're rich, you're eccentric; if you're poor, you're loony. If you're rich, you're a man of the world; if you're poor, you're a degenerate. If you're rich, you're an imbiber of spirits; if you're poor, you're a drunk. If you're rich, you're indulgent; if you're poor, you're a slob. If you're rich, you're shrewd; if you're poor, you're a crook. If you're rich, you profit; if you're poor, you steal. If you're rich, you love women; if you're poor, you're a lecher. If you're rich, you are incontinent; if you're poor, you're full of vices. If you're rich, you're full of pipe dreams; if you're poor, you're full of s--t. If you're rich, you stray from the narrow path; if you're poor, you commit a crime. If you're rich, you're pardoned; if you're poor, you're hanged.

There's a variation on that to be found in the spectacle of the last few years of this country. In lieu of rich and poor though, president and pauper more properly fit the bill.

But let's begin with vice president first and reverse the order of presentation:

If you're a pauper, you're craven; if you're a vice president, you're cautious. If you're a pauper, you hide under the bed; if you're a vice president, you adopt a wait-and-see attitude. If you're a pauper and you join a fight when it's safe, you're an opportunist. If you're a vice president and you join a fight when it's safe, you have perfect timing. If you're a pauper, you admit to being a coward. If you're a vice president, you point to a dead pope as your strength. If you're a pauper and you run away from a fight, you become a leper. If you're a vice president and you run away from a fight, you become president.

If you're a pauper and you promise on the grave of your mother not to beat up your wife again, you're a reformed ass. If you're a president and you promise on the grave of Jose Rizal not to beat up your country again, you're a reformed hero. If you're a pauper and you decide to beat up your wife anyway after seven months, you're an incorrigible thug. If you're a president and you decide to beat up your country anyway after seven months, you're a corrigible savior. If you're a pauper and you turn your back on your word, you're a goddamn liar. If you're a president and you turn your back on your word, you're enlightened by God. If you're a pauper and you beat up your wife again, her brothers beat you up in turn, or hack you to pieces. If you're a president and you beat up your country again, your supporters drumbeat your virtues and your PR hacks do a hack job on the public. If you're a pauper, you lie, you die. If you're a president, you lie, you live.

If you're a pauper, your wife hears you saying, "Hello, Grace," you will be angry and act innocent. If you're a president, your country hears you saying, "Hello, Garci," you will be angry and act innocent. If you're a pauper and your wife hears you plotting to cheat with Grace, you will say she is an eavesdropper and order her to mind the kitchen. If you're a president and your people hear you plotting to cheat with Garci, you will say they are eavesdroppers and order them to mind their business. If you're a pauper and your wife finds you in bed with Grace, you will demand to know what's wrong with it since you were just out to protect her breasts. If you're a president and your country finds you in cahoots with Garci, you will demand to know what's wrong with it since you were just out to protect your votes.

If you're a pauper and your wife catches you two-timing her, you will not sleep well at night for fear of what might happen to your crowning glory. If you're a president and your country catches you two-timing it, you will not sleep well at night for fear of what might happen to your crown.

If you're a pauper and you're caught cheating your wife, you send yourself into mournful exile. If you're a president and you're caught cheating your country, you send your husband into cheerful exile. If you're a pauper and your wife and her (male) kin order you to leave the house at once, you sigh, "I will not resist." If you're a president and your enemies and former friends order you to leave the palace at once, you swear, "I will not resign." If you're a pauper and your family doesn't like you, you "hakot" [haul] your belongings. If you're a president and your country doesn't like you, you "hakot" a crowd. If you're a pauper and have nobody left to turn to, you tell your troubles to the cigar-chomping occupant of a tree named Kapre. If you're a president and have nobody left to turn to, you tell your troubles to the cigar-chomping occupant of a doghouse named Tabako.

If you're a pauper and you keep coveting things, you are called greedy. If you're a president and you keep coveting things, you are called an economist. If you're a pauper and you keep stealing things, you are called a thief. If you're a president and you keep stealing things, you are called hardworking. If you're a pauper and you usurp somebody else's job, you are called a scab. If you're a president and you usurp somebody else's office, you are called a snob. If you're a pauper and you've committed a crime, you are turned over to the uniformed face-wreckers. If you're a president and you've committed a crime, you are made over by the coat-and-tied image-makers.

If you're a pauper and you show no pride, you are called "kapalmuks" [thick-faced]. If you're a president and show no shame, you are called resolute. If you're a pauper and cling like Epoxy to what isn't yours, you are called "kapit-tuko.". If you're a president and cling like Mighty Bond to what isn't yours, you are called ... (Fill in the blank).