Revolutionary Junta

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb. 27, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 28 issue

In my two previous columns, ‘She is Evil’ and An Endgame Scenario, I stressed the point that in the (so far) unlikely event that President Arroyo is forced to step down from power before her term expires, the constitutional successor would be the vice-president, Noli de Castro.

That he is genuinely popular in his own right, as the latest SWS survey shows, should make this scenario the least disruptive to our economy and to our badly frayed political culture.

But, of course, there are ambitious power grabbers waiting in the wings who will not hesitate to muscle their way into Malacanang once they see an opening.

These would include the generals and now ex-generals with whom then Vice-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conspired in the months before January 2001 to oust Joseph Estrada under a phony Edsa 2.”revolution.” These would also include the generals who were complicit in the electoral fraud, especially in Mindanao, in the 2004 elections.

No wonder, President Arroyo herself decreed that there would be no celebration of Edsa 2 when its anniversary approached last January. In her inner self, she knew that there was/is nothing to celebrate as her government teeters on the brink of disintegration..

If these generals were to grab power, with or without President Arroyo, their junta would not be able to govern. There would be no end to civil unrest, capital would flee, the economy would unravel, the Philippines would become an international pariah, no new investments would come in, official development aid would dry up, tourists would stay away, the strong peso would weaken, hyper-inflation would set in, businesses would close or retrench, the ranks of the unemployed and underemployed would swell, Communists and Muslim secessionists would take advantage of the chaos to redouble their rebellion, Mindanao would secede, idealistic elements in the military would stage a counter-coup. Welcome to the New Myanmar! Or Welcome to Africa in the Far East

The generals and admirals should keep this in mind the next time they do a unity walk.

On the other hand, if President Arroyo were to survive the present crisis and is not forced out of power soon – as the wishy-washy Roman Catholic bishops apparently hope so – she would be convinced more than ever before of her divine mandate. (“The Lord put me here,” didn’t she tell Pope Benedict XVI or somebody two years ago?) And she would believe her own propaganda that there is no viable alternative to her.

The confidence that she is irreplaceable and that she was put in her position by no less than the Lord himself feeds her growing megalomania, which would justify to herself her maneuvers since 2005 to amend the Constitution so that she can remain in power beyond June 2010, either as prime minister under a parliamentary system, or as a president without term limits under the presidential system.

Didn’t she promise about 15 months ago that, “if you stay with me, I will make the Philippines a First World country by the year 2020?” (See my article First World by 2020? of Nov. 01 2006):

http://www.geocities.com/dapat_tapatt/firstworld.html

If Gloria Arroyo were to survive 2008, she would be around for a very long time, after which she would be succeeded by Mikey, Iggy, Ronaldo Puno and the rest of that gang. Similarly, if Ferdinand Marcos had survived 1986, he would have been succeeded by Imelda, Danding, Imee, Bong Bong, etc.

Nepotism, cronyism and dynastic politics are now ingrained features of Philippine liberal democracy, to a degree unheard of in previous decades, and cannot be extirpated through the normal processes of constitutional liberalism. ..

I watched with trepidation an interview by Ricky Carandang of Corysta Ging Deles and my friend Ting Paterno as they expounded on how it was possible to build what Neri-Jun had referred to as a New Order through constitutional processes. ”If only the top officials were to resign, and snap elections were held as in 1986…..”

First of all, that is a monumental IF whose chances of happening are as high as the chances of an ice cube surviving in Hell. Second, snap elections are allowed by the Constitution, if I recall, only when the positions of president and vice-president become simultaneously vacant through death, incapacitation, impeachment or resignation.. And the Constitution mandates the snap elections within 60 days after this double vacancy, and does not disqualify incumbent officials from running for the same positions unless they are dead, incapacitated or impeached. .

Anyone who thinks the Comelec, as presently constituted, can manage snap presidential and vice-presidential elections on such short notice is being very naïve. And even if the Comelec were to gather enough nerve to hold such an exercise, is there any doubt that the incumbent trapos would prevail since they control the government machinery (including the Comelec), the resources, and the local government officials at all levels?

Advocates of snap elections seem to forget that in the only snap elections ever held in this country – in 1986 – the winners were the incumbent Ferdinand Marcos and his running mate Arturo Tolentino, as officially proclaimed by the Comelec then. Cory Aquino was elevated to the presidency by a revolutionary process, not by the snap elections. There is no reason to believe that the results would be any different in 2008

What about 2007 when the Genuine Opposition won seven or eight of the 12 senatorial seats being contested? Well, what about it? Has anyone seen in the realigned Senate the beginnings of that New Order that Neri-Jun was dreaming about? I haven’t.

And it should not surprise anyone, since both admin and opposition politicians are cut from the same mold and are indistinguishable from each other. That is why they change parties and positions with indecent haste and scandalous promiscuity, as their personal and familial advantages dictate.

Except for a handful, both admin and opposition politicians are hostage to the Politics of Big Money. Because of the enormous expense involved in running for public office, candidates – especially for national offices - need the patronage of well-heeled financiers (wealthy individuals, large corporations, rich Chinese, drug lords, gambling lords) for their campaign expenses.

And when they win, they have to recoup their expenses many times over and repay their financiers with fat government contracts (and/or immunity from investigations) so that they can recoup their political investments many times over as well. Thus are the seeds of corruption planted in the fertile soil of Philippine politics.

And nurtured through the growth of political dynasties. Papa is senator, Mama is governor, Kuya is congressman, Ate is mayor, and the family idiot is municipal councilor. Variations are endless. But the goal is the same: total control of the levers of power so as to make rent-seeking seamless and effortless.

Politics has become a family business in the Philippines, much more lucrative than practicing a profession or operating a business or setting up an industrial enterprise..It is the fastest way to fabulous wealth. And it is the foundation of what I call neo-feudalism: Whereas classical feudalism was based on the ownership of land, neo-feudalism is based on the control of public offices.

And just as feudal lords used all means, including mayhem and murder, to protect and expand their landholdings, neo-feudal lords use all means – including mayhem, murder and electoral fraud – to protect and expand their control of public offices.

I do not know if Romulo Neri and Jun Lozada have come to any conclusion about the New Order that they want to see established. I have. I have come to the conclusion that the Philippine political system, such as it is, is incapable of cleansing and regenerating itself as it spirals deeper and deeper in Scheisse.

Since 2002, I have written several pieces, all archived in www.tapatt.org, that the only way out seems to be a revolutionary government. I realize, however, there is the sticky problem of who will lead and comprise such a government (See my article Revolutionary Government: Why Not? of Jan 10, 2002, and subsequent articles):

http://www.geocities.com/dapat_tapatt/revolutionary.html

Those who are terrified of the R word should be reminded that Cory Aquino headed a revolutionary government from March 1986 to September 1987. I do not recall anyone from the middle and upper classes – except perhaps some Marcos cronies and relatives – trembling at the idea of being subject to her revolutionary government.

That nothing revolutionary transpired under Cory Aquino does not invalidate the historical need for such a government..

In the past five years, there have been overt proposals for such a government – sometimes innocuously called transition governing councils - coming from Gringo Honasan, Boy Morales, Dodong Nemenzo, Fortunato Abat, Antonio Trillanes and other, perhaps faceless, proponents.

If it is going to happen, it is going to happen. And if I have confidence in those who lead it, I for one will not oppose it just because it is revolutionary. *****

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An Endgame Scenario

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb. 25, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 26 issue

So how will all this end?

There are deliberate efforts to revive People Power: nuns and priests linking arms to protect star witness Jun Lozada, bishops issuing cryptic statements about “communal action,” middle-class types signing pro-forma manifestoes about corruption and immoderate greed, all kinds of gimmicks to underline the Gloria Resign! advocacy, endless prayer rallies in Catholic school campuses and churches. Will all this result in Edsa 3 (or 4) anytime soon?

I doubt it. Keep in mind that Edsa 1 did not happen overnight, or even over a few weeks. It started with the assassination of Ninoy Aquino on August 21, 1983. Public outrage among the middle-and working-classes over this dastardly act reached its apex at his funeral about a week later.

But the weekly rallies and demonstrations in Makati and elsewhere against the Marcos regime was a low and slow boil that took months and months to reach flashpoint on Feb. 25 1986, and it needed snap presidential elections on Feb. 7, plus a military revolt on Feb. 22 and an appeal from Cardinal Sin to the urban middle classes to save that revolt from being smothered by Marcos’ loyalist military..

Edsa 1 can be said to have taken two years and six months – Aug. 21, 1983 to Feb. 25, 1986 – to reach flashpoint of sufficient heat and energy to force Marcos and his family out of Malacanang.

If the putative Edsa 3 (or 4) were to be superimposed on this timeline, and the trigger were the revelations of Jun Lozada on Feb. 5, 2008, flashpoint would not be reached until about August 2010. And Jun Lozada would still be, thankfully, very much alive. Even if he were murdered, a la Dacer, after he was picked up by unidentified men at the NAIA tarmac - as posited by my fellow columnist Rudy Romero - his death would not have sparked public outrage since he was an unknown nobody then.

By August 2010, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would be on her first months as prime minister or as president on a third term, the Constitution having been amended in 2009 to enable her to remain in power legally and constitutionally beyond June 30, 2010, by the Kampi-Lakas dominated Congress, as is the ill-disguised aim of the ChaCha Road Show inaugurated last Feb. 12 by Albay Gov. Joey “Bitch” Salceda.

For President Arroyo to be forced to step down from power in the coming weeks or months, a) another major corruption scandal has to explode in her face, and b) the idealistic elements in the military – as distinguished from military mercenaries in the pay of trapos – must intervene. Will this happen? I honestly do not know.

What major scandal? My candidate is the P728 million fertilizer scandal which the Senate was investigating in 2006 when the principal bureaucrat involved – Agriculture Under-Secretary Joc Joc Bolante – avoided appearance by going abroad, a now familiar Malacanang tactic.

But while Joc Joc was in mid-flight between Seoul and Los Angeles, the US Embassy in Manila cancelled his US visa, so that when he landed in LA he was arrested for having (naturally) an expired visa. He is being held in a federal prison in Wisconsin, pending approval of his application for political asylum, which has given US authorities a bargaining chip with him: tell us what you know about the fertilizer scam and we might give you political asylum. He does not want to come back to the Philippines, which suggests that he knows that what he knows could shorten his life if he were to come back.

When the scam was being investigated by the Senate, it was suspected that the P728 million were diverted to the campaign kitty of President Arroyo in the 2004 elections. It is possible the funds were also diverted to another scam. The Americans are interested because these were US taxpayers’ money given as aid and misappropriating them makes recipient foreign officials involved subject to arrest and imprisonment in the US

There is also some derogatory dossiers about PGMA that were stolen from the desk of VP Dick Cheney in the White House by the US-designated spy (against Arroyo) Fil-Am Marine Sgt Leandro Aragoncillo, who turned double-agent when his Philippine contacts convinced him to also spy for them in Washington.

Aragoncillo is serving a ten-year sentence for illegally possessing classified information (plea-bargained from ‘espionage’) , while his accomplice, Michael Ray Aquino (one of the lieutenants of former police general, Panfilo Lacson) is serving six years., both in federal prisons. The details are too many to even only summarize here, but my articles on the case, between September and December 2005, can be accessed in www.tapatt.org ...

Will the Americans play the Bolante and Aragoncillo cards soon? That remains to be seen. But the neo-cons in power in Washington DC, led by Vice President Cheney, did scheme, unsuccessfully, to remove PGMA from power in 2004-2005, indirectly through the ‘Hello Garci’ tapes and the resulting brouhaha. Again, the details of this plot are in my articles of from September to December 2005. archived in www.tapatt.org.

If the Americans reveal, through Filipino surrogates, what they know from Bolante and Aragoncillo, the resulting scandal could accelerate the downfall of President Arroyo, but the question will arise again: how will all this end?

While the Americans favored Estrada in 2005 to replace President Arroyo, he has been scratched from their short list because of his apparent involvement with Aragoncillo’s pilferage of those derogatory dossiers on Arroyo from Cheney’s desk in the White House. The Americans are no doubt looking for a suitable alternative.

They may – I am not saying, “will” – look at the results of a Social Weather Stations public opinion survey conducted between November 30 and December 3 last year among 1,200 respondents equally distributed in Metro Manila, rest of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The survey asked: “Under the present Constitution, the term of President Arroyo is only up to the year 2010 and there will be an election for president in May 2010. Who in your opinion are the good leaders who should succeed President Arroyo as President?”

No list of names was provided, and respondents were allowed to give up to three names.

The results: 30 percent for Noli de Castro, 27 for Manny Villar, 23 for Loren Legarda, 20 for Mar Roxas, 17 gave no answer, 15 for Francis Escudero, 13 for Panfilo Lacson, 9 for Joseph Estrada, 4 for Miriam Defensor-Santiago, 3 for Antonio Trillanes, 3 for Peter Alan Cayetano, 2 for Francis Pangilinan, and 2 for Jinggoy Estrada.

In a similar survey conducted in September 2007, Legarda got 44 percent, de Castro 25, Villar 18, and Lacson 18.

If a similar survey were conducted in March 2008, I do not know what percentage Jun Lozada would get, but he will certainly be among the top five. Not that I am proposing a Jun Lozada-for-President movement. I am just inputting his indisputable popularity..

My point is that if President Arroyo were forced out of office in the next few weeks or months, the constitutional successor, Noli de Castro, would be a genuinely popular replacement and there would be no need for a chaotic snap election, as some people are naively pushing for, that will just derail our economic recovery and divide the already fragmented body politic.

(Those who are pushing for snap elections apparently do not know that this is not provided for in the Constitution, except under conditions that do not exist in 2008. They also apparently do not know – or have simply forgotten – that the winner of the February 1986 snap elections was Ferdinand Marcos, as officially proclaimed by the Comelec then. Cory Aquino was elevated to the presidency by a revolutionary process, not by election.)

The stumblebum Comelec should not be made to conduct another electoral exercise unless and until it has been thoroughly revamped and the rules of electoral engagement re-written, which could happen by 2010 if electoral reforms were started in 2008, all according to the Constitution.

I realize that the seven or eight presidential wannabes would not be happy with this scenario since their presidential ambitions in 2010 would be jeopardized if Noli de Castro were to turn out to be a reformist leader in the next two years. But the advantage to a mere handful should not outweigh the advantage to an entire nation. *****

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RX to "Neri was afraid..."

Reactions to ‘Neri was afraid…’

‘Lead, follow, or get out of the way’

(Forwarded to Tapatt by Paul Garcia)

This was supposedly written by Jun Lozada in October (before he became the Senate star witness and media flavor of the month.) I think what is possibly going on in the mind of Secretary Neri is what every battle-fatigued pre and post Edsa I and II marchers are struggling with right now.

Someone, somewhere, out there, please come up with a plan because there seems to be no viable alternative in sight.

Neri for president in 2010? Public flogging of GMA? Anything, please.

There must be some other action more productive than the current circus in the Senate.

Kay Mercado, (by email), Feb. 12, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya, This is a reaction to your article entitled Neri was afraid…’ I think in a way he is right to be afraid since it seems that the solution is not replacing one president after another but more of a larger need to resolve not only corruption but the larger problem of governance confronting the nation.

What is pressing for now is that we cannot see any alternative to that fear and no single president can resolve our current problems on corruption, poverty etc..But for urgent need I think this 10th fear of Neri in a way the reason why most Filipino's just want to go out from the country including the young who dream to work and stay away from our own society.

In the end, whether GMA remain or out of power before 2010, those will stay are those who cannot get out or those who want to remain in the country to join the rat race of plundering and continuously corrupting the nation.

Albert Banico, (by email), Manila, Feb 14, 2008

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Anybody with anti Arroyo symphaties and half a mind could have written these repetitive 'he's afraid' bull. only diehard chismoso's like you get heart palpitations over this regurgitated opposition talking points. stick to the facts. Neri has disowned this statement of presidantial wannabee lacson-lackey mr. corrupt-not-so-poor-intsik Lozada. Sure there's corruption, but do I believe this tale of $130m? NO. Neither does the public.

M. Gonzalez, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Hello, Mr. Abaya; Maybe Jun Lozada can explain what he did in Hong Kong, where he got the money for shopping spree, paid $600 suite a night!!!????

Thanks for including me in your email list. God Bless!

Gigi Bonquin, (by email), Feb. 16, 2008

(The money seems to have been sent by, and subsequently returned to, Manny Gaite. The hotel booking must have been done by the people who sent him there: Sec. Lito Atienza or his staff. ACA)

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Yes, we know that now, although the first thought that came to my mind was that it was the same Tony Abaya Jun_Neri was reffering to, lol.

I belive Neri's predicament is a combination of fear coupled with Greed & Corruption that is like a jar of Jalapeños. What you do today…………….. might burn your A$$ tomorrow

pedestrianobserver@yahoo.com, Feb. 16, 2008.

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My comments on the Jun Lozada write-up on why ex-NEDA Sec. Romulo Neri is hesitant to reveal all about the ZTE-NBN deal:

1. I think there is a dearth of alternative leaders to GMA willing to rise up at the moment. The military folks like Trillanes, Lim, etc. are too amateurish to lead the nation. The opposition is too discredited to be an alternative.

2. The issue still is powerlessness because of poverty. People, groups, NGOs, activists, etc. cannot mobilize against GMA because they are concerned with their economic problems. After two EDSAs, it's hard to mobilize politically. Plus, the economy, some say, is improving IN SPITE of GMA. GMA claims credit for the success. This may be partly true, but her administration should be ashamed that in spite of perceived widespread corruption, the Philippines is surviving/growing.

3. As I like to say, Filipinos are acting in ways that DISCOUNT government. They detest GMA, but they also detest the opposition. Their "walang pake" is actually an indictment of both. They are voting with their feet by migrating. They are focusing on making money. Once more Filipinos have more money, I think they will demand more of government and of politicians or even kick them out.

4. The other avenue of action is of course through NGOs and social movements like GK. There's a lot activity going on nationwide. People are doing their thing, helping one another, family, kamag-anak, community, probinsiya. In fact, there are new terms for these, which I think many are familiar with: corporate social responsibility (CSR), social entrepreneurship, social innovation, OFW philanthropy, conscious capitalism, LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability) initiatives, etc. lahat to will have some impact down the road...government and politicians are the outsiders here.

5. Of course the government/politicians or technically, the State, are still powerful because they hold the different levers of power. But many of them can be influenced to do good or change. That's what the Ateneo School of Government is doing. Their graduate programs are focused not on the yuppies, but the LGU officials, hoping to influence them. GK is working with mayors and in the process changing them. There is competition between cities; for example, Taguig vs. Makati. News has it that the stock exchange will be unified in Taguig because they offered more including more professionalism. Taguig also hopes to be squatter-free in 10-15 years with GK's help. So there will be "islands of prosperity" in the Philippines...

6. OFWs, teachers, journalists, environmentalists, artists, athletes, ethical business persons, etc.- these are nice, principled people who are doing things for the good of society. If there weren't good people around, don't you think the Philippines would have collapsed already? What we need are more good people doing good things and more people NOT MINDING the corrupt.

7. The powerful need to consider that the powerless have what James Scott calls "the weapons of the weak" or everyday resistance strategies. While the allegedly overpriced ZTE-NBN deal was supposed to modernize the information and communication technologies (ICT) capabilities of the country, the government's enemies have access to similar technologies. The internet is a tool increasingly used to undermine the government. The number of webpages on this controversy is already in the thousands and is increasing. With either a tinge of irony or poetic justice, check out at the following video uploaded to YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l56JX0weuQw) Regards.

Hecky Villanueva, (by email), Tucson, Arizona, Feb. 16, 2008

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I think the real issue here is the morality of the people, both in the government and the constituents. If we change the system of governance from its present form to other forms like federalism or others, the same problem will probably exist. PERA po ang punot dulo nito.

However, I believe that there should be a start, for any GOOD change that the Filipinos would want to have. We should never resign and just hand this country to the " ruthless intelligents" or people in power.

We begin with the election reforms. I seriously suggest that we should limit the voters to people with the following 2 requirements:
- should be college graduate
- should possess ITR and TIN
- business permits

Basta bungal or magbobote, wag na ipaboto. Softdrinks lang katapat nyan, boboto na yan ke kotongressman. I may sound strong with this, but it is the honest truth. Totoo naman eh.

With this quality of voters, we can surely get rid or minimize of actors , college dropouts, druglords, gambling lords, old politicians, neophytes from political clans and other second-class people from running and winning. Secondly, campaigning will improve, minus the dancing of bold actresses and novelty actors.

Naiingit ako sa mga Americano, candidates debate in their primaries. Here, we see clowns and roadshows of TV personalities during campaigns. What I am saying is, the middle/working class shall be empowered. Tutal, the middle class is the heavily taxed income segment eh, might as well be the ones that decide the fate of this country.

You have to understand Mr. Neri. He also has to protect the job that feeds him and his life as well. Bastusan na kasi ang nagyayari eh, wala ng inter branch courtesy ang legislative and executive, may mga EO 464 pa na pinapa-uso and the SC doesnt budge at this issues. Mr Lozada is no Mr. clean, but I say, i believe him, no matter what.

Mike Delgado, (by email), Feb. 16, 2008

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Dear Tony: The number 10th Afraid listed simply reflects the state and nature of how complicated the ball of yarn has woven itself that it is almost incredibly impossible to unwind it. The complexity of how graft and corruption have interwoven into a total mess makes me shudder. The arrogance of Arroyo committing these atrocities along the corridors of power is truly mind boggling. Why? because people around her are nothing but tutas giving her free range. Where are the checks and balances? She is toying with everyone for goodness sake. Doesn't anybody hear the bell go ding, ding, ding?.

Where is the conscience, the people and the country in her scheme of things? Where is the accountability?

Nere and Jun are nothing but gophers. They shake and tremble at the sound of power no matter how precarious their positions were. They knew it and stayed on. And now feel compelled to share these concerns to the Filipino people for what? Give me a break. No sympathy here. To me you are nothing but bearers of bad news. You guys have dirty hands expecting justice? No way..

Of course being close to power has a hallucinating effect to one's ego. The listed concerns do not amount to a hell of beans really. Let us assume they happened? At the end of the day they would remain unresolved .even after the expose'. What did the country gain from it?

The country's power has become experts in deception. One day someone will trip and will pay the price, assuming there is no revolt or uprising from the masses.

Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville, CA, Feb.16, 2008

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Yes, .I know ur tokayo, d husband of belle. regards

Enrico San Juan, (by email), Feb. 16, 2008

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Tony, I think there is 'something' very significant in Pedrosa's column today. Of course some would say she is identified with GMA as many tend to dismiss Alex Magno's writings which I find informative (and should be read by the CBCP and the nuns who are not really experts on "wordly" matters thus easily taken for a ride by some questionable 'advocates' and their fake advocacies). Anyway, just thought you might find some clues about the bigger picture behind "L'affaire Lozada".

One thing that intrigues me .... Jun Lozada mentioned not once about his fear of "baka ma-Dacer ako". Was he trying to telegraph us something? I hope a person close to him is not being held captive somewhere to make sure that Jun 'sings the right tune'. Btw, me thinks his security welcome party planners really made a big booboo by not assigning a lady operative to stay with his wife to keep her and family assured that Jun is just being whisked to a safe house "because of intelligence reports that another group is out to snatch him" which is not far fetched really. One thing for sure though, Jun holds some sensitive pieces of the ZTE jig-saw puzzle that shows a despicable picture of 'un-moderated' GREED.

Ed J. Tirona, (by email), Paranaque City, Feb. 16, 2008

PS. If it is any indication of GMA's chances of surviving this 'golpe', -Binay's crowd, if the rally was held in Luneta, was not large enough to fill the street across the length of the Quirino Independence Grandstand. Maybe not even large enough to fill the Cuneta stadium.

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Sir Walter Scott:

“Oh what a tangled web we weave,

When first we practice to deceive”

Pierre Tierra, (by email), Great Falls, Virginia, Feb. 16, 2008

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In context we are assuming that the Filipino can not find the resolve to support a leader willing to eradicate corruption. Magsaysay was able to do it or to contained it before he died in a plane accident. Others can do it too, if they had the same guts as The Guy. If we are to assume that not one of the 85 million living Filipinos has the character, the strength and integrity to change the social malaise of this nation, then we are in for a long wait. Unless of course, we will be overtaken by a more turbulent scenario for change.

People's reactions to recent events are a study in progress. There are those who talk. There are those who do write. And there are those who wait-- for something to happen. The scene is pregnant with "IFs". Let's look for someone to lead us--one who is unafraid to offer his life so others can live with self-respect instead of licking ass. . . of those "leaders" (kuno), whose primordial aspirations in life seem to be just to cheat, rob, lie and silence those who dare talk! Repression and even silencing of concerned citizens who talk against those in power appear to be the order of the day. Will there be no end to these atrocities? We read somewhere that what's happening is worst than the Marcos regime. You know better.

Jose Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City, Feb. 16, 2008

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Why is this ZTE case still dragging in senate? When will the courts start questioning the witnesses? All this news are just talk talk talk. The witnesses and evidence now need to be scrutinized in the courts so we will find out if the accused are guilty or not.

Antonio F., frosty781@hotmail.com, Feb. 17, 2008

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Mr. Tony Abaya of "Standard":
I am soooooo relieved to know directly from you that you are not that Mr. Abaya. I was afraid you have gone the way of the rabid Senators Arroyo and Santiago. Of course having known you just by reading all your articles, I know it would not have been possible for you to be that Tony Abaya.

On all the "fears" of the Jun-Neri lists (looks more like a bucket list for the Philippines), I believe that those fears are well founded on what they really know. But I don’t believe on the rally fatigue. I believe it is more like people learned from the GMA way of being installed by forcing Estrada out "illegally". I, for one, want the legal course. And I am praying (really hard) for the Senate to act decently and with deep love for the country.

My own fears from the very beginning when this issue first came out is that Gloria Arroyo will do anything to stay in power, even to the point of selling the country to the Chinese as long as she will be promised to remain as the head of state under communist China. Let’s pray that the few honorable members of the Congress will shall as the new heroes of the republic.

Pura Flor Isleta, (by email), Feb. 17, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya, You quote Romulo Neri through Jun Lozada as saying:

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that the public may not know the extent of corruption in this country and may wrongly believe that they can cure corruption by simply replacing Arroyo with another person. He is afraid that the public may overlook the systemic and institutionalized nature of the source of corruption in this country, that the people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country,…that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task…..”

Well said! In my point of view, it goes to the very grain of the paradox facing the nation: How do we fix the system without breaking it?

EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 have demonstrated that regime change does not correct the systemic corruption ingrained in our society. If we want to go beyond cosmetic changes, we have to dig deep into the roots. Otherwise, it will be the same exercise repeating itself over and over again . . . until some self-anointed savior (or saviors) comes along and takes the bull by the horns. This could be a two-edged sword hanging over us. We could end up with a madman or a messiah.

Now, if we were to go through peaceful and democratic means to uproot systemic corruption, how on earth do you think it can be done? There will always be vested interests, from all sides, interfering into the manner of going about those reforms. With so many discordant voices intensely trying to drown out each other, I honestly do not believe genuine reforms can be carried out under the present liberal democratic system.

We once attempted land reform and look what happened? Nothing but a big ugly farce that drained our government of time and resources.

So it may be just a matter of time. A waiting game. Heads or tails? Madman or Messiah?

Sincerely yours,

Juan Deiparine, (by email), Toril, Davao City, Feb. 17, 2008

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Dear Tony, Good thing you clarified the Tony Abaya person mentioned in this Lozada melodrama. I really thought it was you. Anyway back to the topic.

What makes Lozada different from other "whistle blowers" paraded by the opposition?

What is the diff between Hello Garci and this ZTE deal? The fist one happened and the last on did not. In both case, GMA has the hand but she remain in power.

Why?

This whole mess has become a media circus. And again, it sapping the energy of the

the entire nation. Lozada is being used by certain sectors to promote their own interest.

Senators like Lacson or Villar bask in the limelight of senate hearing to grandstand. Not to formulate laws to stop corruption or to prosecute Abalos et all.

Media outlets go gaga over Lozada because of ratings. It's sickening to here diff media groups especially the mainstream TV, say that the public has the right know. But did do any comprehensive investigative report on this matter? No. If ever they will, it will be shown very late in the evening after those mindless telenovela.

Maybe. Brother Eddie is right as mentioned in the headline of Inquirer this Sunday. Someone has to convene the senior leaders of this country and declare the presidency vacant. Then on 2010, elections can be help after the computerization and maybe the citizens can pass a law preventing the likes of Lacson Villar or JdV from running.

Mabuhay po kayo!

Marvin Valido, (by email), Feb. 17, 2009

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Mr. Abaya, Good that you are dissecting this preposterous document which the Black and White Movement purports to be a handiwork of the "proto-martyr" Losada. Less than halfway through the document I have already detected that it is a complete sham and as contrived as all these things happening now are. These people are
trying to spark a people power event. I lament that the bishops are included in this spectacle (for I am a Catholic) HOPING that in their midst there IS a Cardinal Sin who had a 100% score in successfully triggering people power. BUT Cardinal Sin is Holy
Spirt-led in these two occasions. The Bishops are obviously NOT kasi ang damai na nilang palpak na attempts. Can't they discern this up to now ? A chimpazee seems to be challenging the intelligence of humans like us ?

Ernie del Rosario, (by email), Cainta, Rizal, Feb. 17, 2008

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Just how much do these politicians need to amass materially in their lifetime? I am at a loss for words to describe their greed. They are not talking in millions anymore but billions in kickbacks!

In all these drama, I empathize with Neri's dilemma. he is a good and intelligent man (odd man in the bureaucracy) caught in a web of lies and deceit. In one of his interviews, he said that we should look into the deeper root of all the problems. He also talked about our government being a "transactional form of government". How do we extract ourselves from this quagmire?

It is so easy to remove GMA, just like what we did w/ Marcos and Erap, in less than a week, They're gone via Edsa l and ll. Now, did we solve the problem after erap was yanked out? Look what we've got now...An even monstrous conjugal conspiracy.

Do we have someone to lead us, someone who cannot be corrupted, someone whose greed cannot be moderated because greed is not in his vocabulary? Because, if ever we are successful in making GMA resign, it is imperative that the one who will replace her is morally fit. We should find a solution to the 10th Afraid of Neri.....soon.

Evelina de la Peña, (by email), Manila, Feb. 17, 2008

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Tony, Neri is either a coward or he wants to play the role of a god.

Jun Lozada has declared that he would not wish for another person to be in his present predicament. What kind of friendship does Neri have with Jun whom he has seen agonizing over national television while he continues giving interviews and using the mantle of ‘executive privilege’ to keep the people on edge. Is he or isn’t he a Palace stooge. Is he JDV’s secret weapon to be unleashed at the proper time? Or is he just plain ‘yellow’, unable to finish what he has started.

Tet Gambito, (by email), Cebu City, Feb. 18, 2008

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Anyone could have written this up and passed it off as truth. It is so easy to invent and dress up statements. I am very, very skeptical and cynical about these so-called revelations and statements. There are as many personal agendas (which do not have anything to do with the common good) as there are people who want want to out-shrill, out-ululate and out-shout everyone else in this controversy.

And why is everyone in an obscene rush to canonize Jun Lozada? Is there no one left in media who has the balls or at least the journalistic curiosity to dispassionately test the veracity of his testimony? There has always been grand larceny going on in government since the 20th century so why are we being made to feel like all of this has been happening only since 2001? Where have all these do-gooders and overly righteous people been all these years? The noise from both sides is already exhausting, at least to those of us in Manila who are bombarded with it day and day out. Good grief!

RR, pervagus@gmail.com, Feb. 18, 2008

(Well, at least these “do-gooders and overly righteous people” have the courage of their convictions and attach their full names to their opinions. Which is more than can be said about you. ACA)

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Neri will have all the opportunity to tell all he needs to tell, when the case is filed in court. I still believe the court is the proper forum. If one does not believe the case will prosper because one feels the administration presently controls the court, one can file the case after PGMA is no longer in power. After all, it is almost sure that the opposition will be in power after 2010, won't they?

Everyone should join the crusade against corruption. And I mean not limiting this to the government, but to the other politicians as well. And not only to the politicians but also to media, which is likewise very corrupt, and also the judiciary, and the military. The private sector too is likewise very corrupt.

But let us do this the proper way. The Senate hearing is not the proper forum to bring out the truth. It will only bring the out the version of the truth that the majority of the senators would like to bring out because it will benefit their party or their personal ambitions. And that is really expected because the Senate is a political forum.

And finally, I say, if we want to fight corruption, the best way is to do so is to start with ourselves. Let us all become law abiding citizens even in just following traffic regulations and not littering in the streets. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Bobby Tordesillas, (by email), Feb. 18, 2008

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NOTE: Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in acabaya.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org.

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Rodolfo Noel Lozada, Jr., the humble Chinese from the province, for all his own human weaknesses, faults and venial sins has now become a superstar by virtue of playing a role he did not dream of and tried all he can to avoid.

His confessions during a pre-dawn press conference and his testimonies at the Senate hearings showed us a man who struggled to free himself from the midst of a battlefield where contending forces would clash. A simple government functionary but possessed with the expertise and qualifications to dissect the bone of contention that is the ill-fated and scandal-filled national broadband network project, he was the prized trophy of the Senate which wanted him to shed the truth and testify in its investigation of the ZTE-NBN corruption against the wishes of very high government officials and their families who badly wanted to hide what the Senate seeks.

Lozada has become a superstar, a hero. All the while I thought that heroism has died with Ninoy Aquino at that airport tarmac. But upon reading about that poor schoolgirl who found and returned a bag filled with hundreds of thousands of pesos lost by a door-to-door money remittance messenger, about those airport security guards who also found bags full of money and gave them to his superiors to be returned to their rightful owners, I know that their are still honest persons among our Filipino countrymen, who, despite their poverty and meager income were not tempted by the lure of big money and kept their conscience clean.

These are the day-to-day heroes whose examples should be emulated by those highly educated and well-heeled persons in the government or those who deal with it. But no. They do not have the strength, not the will nor the desire to resist the temptation to enrich themselves even more, even if they can never spend the wealth they already have even if they live many times over. They cannot look at that poor schoolgirl direct in the eye out of shame because the conscientious girl's stare would pierce through their souls and see that they have no conscience in them.

Lozada has the courage admit that he has committed misdeeds in his life but that he is sorry for them now. "Mea culpa," said he. It may have been his little misdeeds which made his immediate superiors entrust upon him the monstrous act of grand larceny and greed so gross which he now exposed. Had he been so clean and straight as columnist Ma. Ceres P. Doyo wished he was in her Inquirer column, "Permissible zones, 'bukol,' guavas," he would not be able to know what he is telling us now and the dark secrets of this administration may not have been known.

He unconsciously played the role of a "mole" as in intelligence parlance. He was able to know the extent of the greed of those in power and which he was advised to moderate. In doing so, he told Benjamin Abalos in his face that the $130 million commisssion he was asking was too big it will bulge. "Bubukol po ito," he said at tumawad pa, "Baka po kalahati pwede pa."

Lozada, the "probinsiyanong Intsik," like presidential legal adviser Serigo Apostol called him in a manner which rivals Raul Gonzales' crudeness was accorded a VIP welcome when he was met at the airport last February 5 by his former superior Joselito Atienza and a cavalry of high ranking military and police officers who whisked him out and took him on a "joyride" south of Manila before he was brought to La Salle Greenhills. Only after the cries of his relatives reverberated in the media when he failed to arrive as expected saved him.

The media clamor saved his life and the truth he carried in his head. But his scary brush with the "president's men" (which reminds me of J. Edgar Hoover's G-Men) as the Inquirer in its February 15 editorial wrote, and the manner by which they took him smacks of abduction and attempts to withholding of evidence or obstruction of justice.

The rule of law has become a myth in this country as the Arroyo administration gets notorious in its attempts to undermine constitutional democracy. Gloria Arroyo has succeeded in uniting strange bedfellows like erstwhile opponents Sen. Joker Arroyo who fought hard against the abuses of the Marcos dictatorship and Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile who defended them. Their own selfish interests rise above whatever virtue they have despite the unavoidable fate that their time is slowly but surely being shortened by their advancing age.

It is not yet late to make a clean breast of one's self and make penance like Lozada did. Those people around Arroyo who still have some amount of self respect should realize that her ship is sinking with the weight of her guilt. The time has come for them to make the choice of going down with her or leaving to live the rest of their lives with a conscience less burdened by remorse and regret.

Ramon Mayuga, (by email), Essen, Germany, Feb. 18, 2008

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Dear Sir, Whether Mr.Neri will corroborate his friend's testimony or not is a question that clouds the thoughts of every interested Filipino following the tawdry affair in the Senate hearings and media blitz. While Mr. Lozada's credibility holds amid the onslaught of the demolition derby that the high and mighty are hell bent on unleashing, I still have doubts on his capacity to convince apathetic Filipinos that it was time to institute changes in every nook and cranny of Filipino society riddled with corrupt practices.

I could not help but feel pessimistic about all this because nothing will ever change as long as the halls of powers are peopled with individuals who are unable to "moderate their greed" for more power and wealth.

I feel sympathetic for Mr. Lozada for the terror he experienced in the hands of those who are mandated to protect the citizenry. Admittedly, I would also avoid asking for help from the police because I simply could not muster enough to place my trust in the institution. I am sorry to say that despite efforts to improve police image, I would rather call the 'ghostbusters' for help than endure the anxiety of having to deal with "corrupt cops." I hope someday, the police can change my mind with genuine change within their ranks.

I still have some hope left in me and I pray that many of disillusioned Filipinos have some left too. I dread the day when hope is gone and it is replaced with indifference.
God Bless!

Grace Santos, (by email), Feb. 18, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya: Lest my perspective of the Lozada expose got overtaken by the daily breathtaking events unfolding on this sorry episode, please allow me to articulate my humble theory:

Neri did not offer any firm denials on any of the statements Lozada enumerated except

a lame and weak defensive statement of "one should not put words into my mouth" (Neri's). Since the two are established old buddies and "drinking companions" (according to Neri), it was possible that in one or more of their spirited (please pardon the pun) sessions, both gentlemen with plenty of skeletons in their closets and burdened by guilt and shame (and perhaps by patriotism) planned to play "the chicken game".

Lozada, being the subordinate of the two agreed to be the fall guy and take all heat. Neri who have more reasons to be scared and plenty to lose must have told Lozada "Mauna ka, susunod na lang ako sayo" (You go first and I'm right behind you). Thus the whole revelations unfolded in the Senate with Lozada as our "reluctant hero". The almost tragi-comedy of Lozada's return from Hong Kong might have caused him his dear life if not for the incompetence and miscommunications of the PNP, Airport and Presidential Security agents.

The administration handlers no doubt got hold or at least became suspicious the Lozada impending Senate appearance. The poor fellow was sent to a junket, first to HK and hopefully to London with 5 million pesos budgeted for his expenses and/

or bribe(as reported by Lozada lately).

The handlers were hoping that Lozada will do a Joc Joc Bolante disapperance and self-exile. Lozada, haunted by his conscience and maybe bolstered by patriotism, instead decided to return from HK ( he probably remembered the "chicken game" too). His own resourcefulnes of sending out text messages and calls prior and during his flight,

his family's bold intervention in his behalf, and the media's relentless hounding of the authorities probably save his life.

It was indeed a very perilous journey. With incompetents at the helm and clueless subalterns handling his "abduction" a misinterpretation of the communications or lack of it would cost him is life. It was allege that if this bungled operation by the authorities were handled by Erap Estrada, Atong Ang and/or Ping Lacson, the outcome would have been similar to Bentain, the unfortunate casino employee and Dacer/Orbito. We are glad that Lozada made it, and the rest is history still unfolding. Sincerely,

Mark Enriquez, (by email), Pomona, CA, Feb.19, 2008

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How can you convey to these people who want to amass too much money – to remember that Marcos had all his millions/billions but couldn’t buy his health. Regards,

Ma. Purificacion Almeda, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008

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Mr. Abaya, Good day!

Out of the ten “what if’s” the most probable is the tenth which I think can fairly summarize what most people in our country feel. We can argue in a life time where and when corruption happened or started to happen in our country. Some might say that it started with the Spaniards or it started when the Americans replaced our Spanish conquerors or it started when Marcos came into power. Whether or not it was 300 years ago or 30 years ago, what happened in the past is something we cannot change any more.

What is important is what we can learn from that past. Most countries in our world today have done something to correct their past. No country on earth has never faced corruption or got a clean cut government. I also think even now, there is no country I can think of that has a transparent government – maybe the closest is Sweden or Switzerland not the US (I’m sure). But, does it really matter what these people (Lozada, etc.) say? When all they do is talk and not presenting anything concrete to help change it? Maybe Neri is hiding a lot of things but why does he still go to work and help make little changes in his own environment?

Changing the government may not be the best solution. We are experiencing a good economic uptrend and will do so for the coming years. But, to really fight corruption and change our country is changing our attitude first. Most of our countrymen are confused or depressed. They think that they can no longer have a future. Isn’t it that giving up is not a solution as well? If we could just stop focusing on the bad things or the reason why we are depressed and just move on, build strength, and succeed at what you are passionate about; isn’t it better to focus our energy with hope than despair? Isn’t it better that we “pay it forward”? Why not focus on nation building rather than tearing it apart?

It’s probably true that most of our countrymen is tired of listening to the drama that we call politics. But, our complaints or our regrets won’t solve anything. I believe that even the smallest acts can change the world/environment. Let’s follow our traffic rules, let’s stop feeding the crocodiles in our streets, let’s start buying Filipino products, let’s start caring for our environment thru recycling, let’s respect other people’s business, let’s stop unnecessary spending and start planning for tomorrow, let’s forgive our neighbours, and lastly, let us act on what we pray.

Don’t you think it’s better than contemplating on the “what ifs” or the rhetoric of people like Lozada and JDV’s son?

Jerahmeal Fandrall Chen, (by email), Feb. 20, 2008

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Dear Tony, Your analysis on the current "Jun Lozada" moment has given voice to that nagging hesitation that plagues me. I am afraid that mere ouster of the current regime is just going to be a hiccup in the life of the ever-growing monster of corruption that besets us. The next set of leaders might just belong to one of the three groups that I have very little sympathy for.

Though I wholeheartedly support the call for transparency and accountability in the face of apparent crude and brazen corruption, I hesitate to jump into the noisy "resign" bandwagon because I don’t trust the other set of misfits that are driving it. I need to see a clear picture of the next step we are to take as a nation, and not just be blindly led to another dead end.

The call of the Church to pray, the new people power, may seem anti-climactic for some who want the same "short and sweet" regime changes of Edsa I and II. However, it may give us time to discern the right way out of this national rut we are all in. I do pray that we may be able to find a real moral alternative to the salivating trio of a pseudo-masa godfather (or whatever persona a traditional polititian wants to assume), orphaned communists and rental military idealists. Maybe that will capture my imagination.

Fr. John Cordero, MMHC, (by email), Feb. 21, 2008

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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Rafael Alunan III)

To Take a Stand

Rafael M. Alunan III

February 19, 2008

BusinessWorld

Lead, follow or get out of the way

The oath of office of the President of the Philippines:

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.”

The title of today’s column is what FVR, during his time, often admonished. Having served under FVR as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government for four years, the title reflects my personal message to the present crop of elected and appointed leaders in government.

While we were not perfect, we took our oath of office and command responsibility seriously. As such, we let go of our own colleagues with integrity issues close as they may have been to FVR or to us. Alas, this is not the case today, and it dismays to see that the oath of public office is being violated with impunity, bringing us back to those dark days before EDSA 1.

In recent weeks, I have come across compelling statements from various organizations. This column will share edited excerpts from three declarations.

The first is from the joint statement of Kilosbayan-Bantay Katarungan-Bantayog ng mga Bayani, organizations founded by former Senate Jovito R. Salonga to promote virtue in public service, uphold justice and extol the ultimate sacrifice of heroic Filipinos.

Aristotle said, “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others.” It is the virtue that makes all other virtues possible. Lozada, who has had an epiphany, is showing us the way to break free.

Kilosbayan is advocating that courage and truth become the standard by which all Filipinos live. It is the passport to freedom – from apathy, backwardness, betrayal, corruption, greed, hopelessness, ignorance, inequality, injustice, insincerity, lies, plunder, poverty, repression and selfishness.

If we are to be a strong and upright nation, we should first be the change we want our country to be. We must live the truth and do whatever is right to justify our existence and honor the sacrifices of our heroes and martyrs.

The second is drawn from the statement of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP). MAP stands for good governance in all sectors of society, and has, for the past three years, adopted “Country Above Self” for its theme.

“If corruption cases happen under our watch in our corporations, what would we do? As business leaders and managers, we would immediately order an impartial and thorough investigation, fire all those involved, and offer to resign for having failed in our duty to protect our company’s assets and reputation.

Are we to tolerate a lesser standard for those who manage the affairs of government? If there are no differences at all in the yardsticks by which government and private managers are measured, should the leaders under whose watch all these shameless scandals occur offer to resign now?

If the President fails to act, does it mean she is tolerating anomalies or is not in control of her people? If so, under the principle of command responsibility, would it be time for all of us to join in asking the President to step down?

We call on the military and the police to support the people and the Constitution, and not allow themselves to be used by those who continually violate the oath of public office and betray the people’s trust for their personal aggrandizement.

The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men and women to do nothing.”

The third excerpt is taken from a statement issued by former government officials to their counterparts serving in the current administration.

“In the past, for too many times that we were confronted with threats to our democracy and to our moral values, our response was: ‘What can we do about it? What is our choice? Who will lead us?’

These questions persist but, today, we can no longer stay silent. We can no longer ignore the reality of a government gone wild, wreaking havoc on our rights and institutions in a climate of impunity.

The future of our country is at stake. Our democratic institutions are under attack. What we stand to lose is the moral fabric of our society.

We call on all those who can no longer endure this wrongful governance, with its structures of evil and unmoderated greed: IT IS TIME TO CUT CLEAN! IT IS TIME TO GO!

Truly, what does a battered nation do when a rogue State places itself above the law and does not hesitate to betray, threaten, terrorize and even kill its sovereign citizens who rightfully demand from their public servants the truth, justice, fairness and honest achievement?

I’d say that that victimized nation must exorcise its demons, perilous as it may be. Doing nothing means consent and consigns it to a life of constant darkness.

This brings to mind the anecdote about “The Two Wolves.” 



An old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.

The grandson asked, “Which wolf wins?”
 The old Cherokee replied, “The one you feed.”

Mr. Alunan was Secretary of the Interior and Local Government under Pres. Ramos.

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RX to "Reluctant Hero"

Reactions to “Reluctant Hero”

‘The Heart and Soul of Jun Lozada’

Dear Sir, Whether Mr. Lozada is telling the truth or not, God will be the judge of that. However, he has exposed the inner workings of government that everybody knows about but very few are brave enough to divulge for obvious reasons.

I am very much alarmed actually about the kind of future we have. As the years go by, the change the government is crowing about in governance is true: for the worse. I am afraid that my son will grow up experiencing the worst kind of avarice and greed for power and wealth.

To me, the "kupit" in government or in every aspect of transactions in the country is deeply entrenched and much too difficult to dislodge in the Filipino psyche. It’s just the way it is. If we want things to stay the way they are, then do nothing and be apathetic. However, if we want to put a stop to the 'garapalan', then, I guess we must also do our share.

I believe Mr. Lozada is but one of the many intelligent, creative and talented Filipinos who work for government and had to put up with the B.S. in order to eat and live. Doing the opposite would mean becoming a pariah, a non-entity, a trouble-maker (as some rabid supporter of human degeneracy would refer to Mr. Lozada's confession). It is so unfortunate that people at the top failed to recognize the value of Filipino talent and use it to improve the country's predicament. No wonder, many technical people and professionals would opt to live abroad and share their talents where it is appreciated (brain-drain experienced by the country).

I am actually Chinoy, born, bred and grew up in this country where my grandparents had chosen as a second home. I did not choose to be here. If I had a choice, I would have wanted to live elsewhere because of what is happening in our country. However, having been educated at UP made me change my mind and I chose to stay and hope for the better (Majority of my batch-mates went abroad to work and live and never came back).

I hope Mr. Lozada's decision did not go to waste. I still believe albeit foolishly (as many would think) that things would change for the better. At the same time, I am also afraid that nothing anyone could say or do will eliminate the 'buwayas' in our society.

I only hope and pray Mr.Lozada stays alive to continue what he started: A genuine path towards reform and reflection for every Filipino (despite ethnic origins, religion or social status). Sincerely

Grace Santos, (by email), Feb. 10, 2008

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Dear Kuya Tony, In time of peace and war, it is always worth it to take a risk

for one's country. It is never 'sometimes' only. To close the market of free ideas is to expect a collapse of a country. When there is a foul smell, there must be something rotten. This is but natural. So, we follow where the rotten smell is coming from (like a trained K-9). Since this is a 'Year of the Rat' (according to Chinese tradition) there must be a rotten-rat around decomposing. Time will tell when we find the rat and discard it. More power to you.

Leona Guera, (by email), Australia, Feb. 10, 2008

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To : Mr. Jun Lozada

Thru the kindness of Senator Benigno C. Aquino, Jr.

From: Mike M. Moreno, President-CEO-Canadian American Holdings &

Chair- Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada.

The revelations made by Jun Lozada on the scandalous N.B.N. project undertaken by the present government involving a huge amount of American money $329. million brokered by former Comelec Chairman, Benjamin Abalos, Sr."on leave" until his retirement, overpriced allegedly by as much as $130. million, to my mind is the biggest ever done by crooks in Malacanang Palace.

Lozada stressed, that this amount will be shared among thieves in the executive office, $70. million commission will allegedly go to Mike T. Arroyo and the rest will go to PGMA trusted men. "an uneven sharing of loot."

Greed pervades in the Office of the President today and the greediest of them all is right there, in the seat of power, who is considered a career thief, a liar, a cheater.

I am aware that a Philippine President is protected under a Constitutional shield "immunity from suit" until the term expired, in the case of President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo it is 2010. This shield can be pierced and broken-up though through assault against her Cabinet Members and it is happening now. PGMA is getting frantice and panicking and out of focus. The last thing she wants is to go to jail where her jailmates might think of skinning alive. That is a tickling events for so many Filipinos.

Filipinos are angry enough to PGMA, and her family and a possible big waves of enlightened Filipinos might be ready to go to the streets any time now all the way to Malacanang compound via Chino Roces bridge to force her to step down in her alleged stolen Presidency not only once but twice. Hopefully, in this historical uprising Mayor Fred Lim of Manila will allow them to wallk through this historical bridge as he said during his campaign for Mayor of Manila. I think this promise he made helped him won in his bid for the Mayorship of Manila.

The officers and members of Fil-Am Fil-Can Alliance based in Richmond, B.C., Canada, an apolitical group gives you Mr. Jun Lozada, a snappy salute in your endeavor-may your thrive flourish. With the help of Church leaders, students from Colleges and Universities not only in Metro Manila, including those patriotic men and women in uniform the "cry" of most Filipinos for Mrs. Gloria M. Arroyo to "step down" might be carried out peacefully but if she choose to fight it out to the finish and fresh blood flows on the streets of Manila, only God will know what to do with her as she told her political foes sometime back- don't judge me- only God can judge me when I die... so many people are now saying .. judge her now !!!

Mike Moreno, (by email), Richmond, BC, Canada, Feb. 11, 2008

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WHEN all seemed hopeless, a simple, nondescript man who describes himself as "probinsyanong intsik, arises to confront the evil around us. Moral courage, perhaps the most important legacy of Lozada. According to the Institute for Global Ethics (available online), it is "the quality of mind and spirit that enables one to face up to ethical dilemmas and moral wrongdoings firmly and confidently without flinching or retreating, and taking action to face out problems, not necessarily to resolve them, but to address them squarely, frontally, and with determination." It is "the courage to do and say what is right, or what you truly believe, even though you will catch several different kinds of hell for doing or saying it," according to Lawrence Velvel.

What made Lozada come out in the open is the question that many continue to ask. His expertise in information technology, biofuels, project financing, among others, is invaluable at our stage of development, and would have brought him greater financial gain and recognition.

Jerry Quibilan, (by email), Feb. 13, 2008

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Tony, I would like to express my two cents worth when a group like Makati Business Club makes declaration on corruption in government. Corruption is like a pair
of hands when you clap; you can't clap with one hand.

Bribery, under declaration of taxes and tariffs due, violations of city building codes, delivery of substandard goods and services - these are all done by businesses many of which are members of the Makati Business Club. These are the acts of corruptions
that are prevalent not only with government but even between businesses.

A CEO of a Makati domiciled PSE listed company once admitted having to have paid enormous bribes to the city government in order to expedite a building permit. I know of financial institutions who even connive with their clients to under-declare imports.
Another CEO personally admitted to me that he had a Php 65 million budget for "expenses of this sort."

What I am saying is that if the Makati Business Club wants to stamp out corruption, it must commence within its own ranks. If they seriously want to squeeze this cancer out of our society, they must not just bark at other people's trees, they must also learn to
"moderate their own greed." They cannot simply call the government pot black when their own kettle is smudged with the same grime. They must be prepared to suffer some inconvenience from withholding that bribe; after all, that's how they appear to view grease money- a necessary expense to make things happen more conveniently.

I can go on citing major pharmaceutical companies that supply the department of health and even private hospitals, government contractors on public works, transport providers, companies that seek tax holidays, many of whom are MBC members. If these guys just say with conviction that they will not participate in any form of corruption, then corruption can be stamped out. Other countries have done it.

The problem in this crab pond that we call our country, no one wants to be the first one to do what is right. They all want to point the finger on someone else. God bless you, Tony.

Gus Cosio, (by email), Feb. 13, 2008

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My sincere prayer, sir, is that all these sacrifices of Jun Lozada will not end up in vain. Otherwise, I really see no hope for this country if even reluctant people but nonetheless heroes are abandoned by us. God bless us all and our beloved country.

Jonnel Dula Espaldon, (by email), Feb 13, 2008

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Tony: AMEN.

Bert Peronilla, (by email), Feb. 13, 2008

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Dear Tony, Nothing surprises me as far as corruption by high Filipino public officials are concerned.

Long ago I had come to the painful conclusion that corruption in the Philippines permeated the whole fabric of society--in short, that it was already systemic.

From my vantage point, I see no easy way out of this terrible national predicament. Filipino politicians seem incapable of taming the greedy beast that is inside of them, so they continue to loot and to plunder. Tragically for the country, these malefactors are virtually beyond the reach of the law.

Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers, NY, Feb. 13, 2008

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Tony, I think Lozada's reference to himself as probinsyanong intsik came from the cursing allegedly hurled at him over the phone by Abalos. If i am not mistaken, part of Abalos' outbursts went this way: "PI ka, wag kang pupunta sa Wack Wack at kung hindi ipapapatay kita..." I don’t think Lozada explained in his testimony what PI meant, but I guess that is where probinsyanong intsik came from. Again you have a nice piece here, Tony. Regards and God bless,

Hermilando D. Aberia, (by email), Tacloban City, Feb. 13, 2008

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Hi Tony, We need more Jun Lozadas for our country to move
forward! Let’s keep up the good fight! Let’s finish the race! Long live our beloved country, the Philippines!

Gerry Garay, (by email), Clermont, Florida, Feb. 13, 2008

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Sir Abaya, I’m sorry to disagree in most part with your article this time. I have been following this brouhaha ever since the “Lozada” debut in the news and frankly, I almost tossed my complete trust to this guy and said to myself, “This is it”.

Well, not until he readily admits his own small scale corruption (compared to ZTE..) in his own government backyard, which of course he was a part of until he resigned. Reluctant, I agree. Hero? In scale of 10, not even 1. Why is this so? Stealing is not categorized by how much was stolen or being corrupt for that matter. He even concurred at the hearing, that $65 million is within his “permissible zone” of corruption for that project.

If corruption is now a quality of a hero, let’s call Erap, Marcos and all these politicians heroes of the 21^st century. Let’s allow Marcos’ frozen body finally rest at the “Libingan Ng Bayani” once and for all. Let’s stop criticizing corruption since everybody is just being heroic and patriotic.

Reluctant is the most appropriate description for this “newborn media star”. Proof of that comes from his own mouth over and over again, “Appear Or Not To Appear”, “Lie Or Not To Lie” at the Senate. Also consider the facts, it took one year for “his truth” to come out, talked (or tried to negotiate?) to both sides of the “Jedi force” all along, appeared (to me at least) determined to appear before the senate even before the Hong-Kong tour as evidenced by his close communication with the “Lacson force” (read Lito Banayo article), toyed with Joey and Abalos negotiating skills (hoping to get a cut? Unfortunately the other “hero Abalos” missed the cue.), talked to “personal friends and close associates” using from what now appeared, a very convincing demeanor, then later on bite them in the neck (one was against Defensor insinuating that he didn’t even look inside the envelope, “baka matukso pa ako”), crying, smiling, joking in one “shooting” with friendly senators as audience (that’s an Oscar caliber right there), even tried to drag Sen. Joker Arroyo’s wife as additional victim (I guess to portray himself more credible), not really a simple “probinsyanong intsik” as he is well connected (Corpuz, Neri, etc..), and a lot more.

Truly the Pinoy Nation has a penchant for “tele-drama” but it would be ironic for it to be the gauge of building a great country, there must be solid evidence. With all the facts in the open, I believe the Pinoy Nation doesn’t deserve this kind of “hero” who is actually, “just another crocodile trying to grow his tail longer in the backyard of government politics” . Mabuhay ka, Sir Abaya, and God (not the bishops, priests and nuns) bless our dear country! Respectfully,

Ador Ramoso, (by email), Atlanta, Georgia,. Feb. 13, 2008

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Hi Tony, We ordinary Filipinos who understand clearly what Jun Lozada had done, support him to the finish, whatever demolition battalion that this immorally corrupt government of GMA does to him.

If Jun Lozada is corrupt, as they should make us believe, remember that the untouchable crime bosses in the early centuries in America were convicted because of the testimonies or whistle blowing of their partners in crime.

But at least they had redeemed themselves, just like Mary Magdalene who at the end became a saint. Thanks and more power !

Bert Celera, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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We are very proud of Jun Lozada. He is really a hero.

We spent the whole night watching him on TFC from New York City.

We hope there will be more June Lozada in the future.

Carmelita Panganiban, (by email), New York City, Feb. 14, 2008

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Hello Tony, Tell the apologists to keep showing up on TV and giving radio interviews - we enjoy hearing Puno, Razon, Atienza, Mascarinas, Bunyi, the asst spokespersons of Palace and other admin officials - the more they talk, the angrier we get and this anger is spreading nationwide.

If Lozada were being protected, how come a non-organic contractual (Valeroso) was the one allowed by Mascarinas (whom he had just met) to go up the tube to pick up Lozada? Add to your observations - if those apologists were met by a Valeroso (looks like a hitman from Sicily) would they even do what they are saying Lozada should have done - run away, scream - what if he were shot right there?

And imagine, Valeroso, whose "territory" as a contractual of the Aviation Security Group should, if at all, be confined to the airport -went all the way on that five hour trip. So apologists, would you do what you pontificate Lozada should have done? Or better, let’s put it this way - what if one of your sons or daughters were treated that way - HOW WOULD YOU REACT and how do you think they would react - ASK FOR HELP TOTAL MARAMING TAO DOON? Warm regards,

Carlitos (Pedrosa), (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Good day, Tony! With due respect, it seems like you took as gospel truth everything that Mr. Lozada claimed. Like, "He did not want to face the Senate..."

Yet, Senator Lacson, coddler of Udong Mahusay and Vidal Doble, revealed meeting Lozada five times(!) in late 2007, contrary to the latter's earlier claim, based on his selective memory, that he only sent his close associate to meet with the former.

Also, his essay enumerating the reasons why Secretary Neri refuses to "reveal all" written the day after Neri's Senate appearance, which he circulated among his circle, then in the internet, is, I think, meant to unmask himself as a willing witness who is "aching" to provide the missing links in Neri's testimony.

He convinced administration officials he did not want to testify. Obviously, Lacson got the opposite impression, I'm sure. Otherwise, the senator would not waste time meeting with him five times. It's not farfetched that both sides formulated a "plan of action" for Lozada, both sides believing he is on their side

When he was asked by Senator Jinggoy how much money did Mike Defensor give him, he replied with a straight face, "Di ko na po tiningnan. Baka matukso pa ako." I took it to mean he refused the offer. Alas, Defensor later claimed that Lozada took the money pala. Did he want us to believe he never counted the bills from the time he took it to the time he returned it to Defensor? Baka matukso daw, eh ang tutoo pala eh natukso nga! Tinanggap eh! Sinoli nuong nabulgar.

Look, your "hero" is lying, Tony.
I don’t believe that he was "visibly shaken and traumatized" in that press conference. It looked to me more like he became more afraid of his safety after he revealed there which side he has decided to join. He feared the wrath of the side which he deceived. Remember, up until that night, namamangka siya sa dalawang ilog. That human chain made up of nuns to protect him kuno and those tears shed at the precise moment were copies from Lino Brocka's Oropronobis and Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim.

And it worked! Now he is a hero in your eyes, and to countless others'. Chavit Singson did much better as Erap;s whistleblower. He showed the money trail leading to the Estrada's bank account to back up his claim of jueteng payola. Lozada only had his tale to tell without anyone from that Senate hearing, if I recall correctly, asking him if he had any proof to back up his claim (or even just on how he came up with the $130M figure. No one cared to ask if it was a fact or was a mere estimate)

Still, I consider Lozada a "credible witness." Despite his admission to being party to some "moderately" anomalous government deals. But a Hero? A hero does not lie nor should he fear for his life.

And what about that Writ filed with the SC? .I thought the Black and White Movement is a nonpartisan group whose mission is to seek the truth? Why didn't they reveal that Lozada was with them when the whole country (including the lawyers who filed the writ?) was worried about his whereabouts? Worse, what were they doing in Gina de Venecia's company when JDV broke away from GMA? They were clearly anti-GMA, it's okay (and I think justified) to admit that! But those holier-than-thous would rather have us take them as our moral and spiritual guides who are above dirty politics. Hypocrites will burn in hell more than thieves and prostitutes, so their Holy Book says.

Sorry for the long letter. Thank you for hearing me out. I say this again - I may not agree with your views all the time but I still am, and will remain, a fan of yours. Good day!

Jojo Labayen, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Tony, It is just your bad luck that your namesake keeps popping out but in less respectful moments and events.

I am truly sad for Jun Lozada. I can already see those he had rightfully accused, moving on with their lives as if nothing that jolting ever happened. In fact, it will not be surprising if the Ombudsman find the allegations legally baseless. Meanwhile, the documented charges against Jun Lozade are filed and prosecuted. Jun Lozadea and his family might end up going to the US where he will be promised protection.

Amidst all the noise and cry for rallies and resignation, Malacanang does what it expertly knows best to wiggle out of the crisis. We now await for the next round of elections. What is your scenario?

Cesar (Sarino), (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Hi ACA, I thought that episode at the airport was hilarious. It was supposed to be a covert operation initiated by Lozada himself because he didn't want to appear before the Senate hearing. But nobody bothered to explain to Lozada how the game was to be played. Like the funny Keystone cops, his handlers turned the operation into a comedy of errors when they drove him for hours without anyone saying a word to him, monitored his every move, and told him to stop sending text messages which a terrified Lozada thought he was being kidnapped. It was no kidnapping, but every one of them can be charged with obstruction of justice.

Cesar M. de los Reyes, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Reluctant or not, I think he did something courageous.
Considering him being a " nobody, " he had the guts to say the greediness of public personalities, such as Abalos and FG.

However, like anybody and everybody in public offices, he is no angel also. Buying a Camry and an SUV for an office that we hardly know, nakaka asar talaga. One would imagine how a congressman or even a mayor of a small town would spend their government money. Wow.

Kahit na, I still think he is credible. It doesn’t mean that a robber cannot be an asset in fighting criminality because of his past d ba? Chavit said that Erap was corrupt. I believe so and so is Chavit. Hayup din sa kurakot yan ah. What progress does Ilocos have? Ganun din naman ah.

Jun Lozada is the Chavit of GMA. His testimony for the obvious cover up of his bosses were credible. Hinayang ako ke Atienza and Razon, I used to like them but now, they are pawns for the lying of GMA and his men.

Mike Delgado, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Dear Tony, Do me a favor please, do not refer to Mike Arroyo as the first gentleman. A crook does not a gentleman become. This is a misuse of a title to someone undeserving much less full of you know what.

There is a saying of course that everybody knows. What goes around comes around to bite your behind. Mike Arroyo and Gloria will get their fannies chewed up one of these days. They may find themselves banished to China and feel at home there.

I can't very well empathize with Mr. Lozada's predicament. He played the game and when things got tough and rough, don't say the powerfuls are not playing fair. If you could not stand the heat, by god get out of the kitchen. And you, sir, did not do that.

You see what is in play here, Mr. Lozada, is what we call multi truths. That means you and your enemies are claiming to be telling the truth. I can opt to believe you are telling the truth, but your enemies will go on telling their truth regardless.

This episode reflects how deeply corrupt the people running the country. They are willing to sell their souls down the Yellow River (China) for the almighty dollars. Such pathetic and opportunistic bunch of marauders.

The country needs a hero to step up the plate. Not someone who got caught doing a dirty job and knowing it. There can be no absolution to a bad deed much less a reward. One becomes jaded after reading so much junk about the country. However, we know you are clean, Mr. ACA. Take care.

Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville, CA, Feb. 14, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya, Jun Lozada is not a hero. A hero will die for truth. Jun Lozada does not want to die, that is why he is telling the truth. Can we not see the difference?
Please stop glorifying this person and don't be fooled like the others. I think that a more appropriate title for him is a reluctant witness. Thank you.

Raquel C. Vivar, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Well written article, Mr. Abaya. It's a no brainer as to why Jun Lozada decided to testify and come clean. When a man fears for his life, especially when abducted by several men and taken to a place where he is not supposed to be, it does something to one's conscience. He knows he's a dead man either way so he might as well spill the beans. He earned more of my respect when he did not deny the wrongdoings that Miriam Defensor-Santiago accused him of (and to think she is so quick to point the finger..perhaps she ought to point it at her husband and herself). I was also disappointed in Joker Arroyo. I never expected him to be on the wrong side of the fence. During the Senate hearing, all those issues about Lozada not signing the Writ of Amparo, etc..Hello! If you are the one "missing", does it make sense for you to sign that stupid paper? Of course not.

I pray that Jun Lozada gets through this ordeal. I wish him strength, courage, and enough conviction to see him through until the end of this case. It feels good to know that we still have people like him around, people who do personify Patriotism. Try as his detractors might to destroy his credibility, it will not work. We see his integrity and sincerity. Mabuhay si Jun Lozada.

Freda Veluz, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya, Hope this email finds you well..

Thank you so much for your above article. And thanks so much for someone like Jun Lozada, especially at a time when it is so difficult to find heroes. I have been trying to keep abreast of the news on Jun but I might have missed the circumstances on how come his wife and kids were all ready being safeguarded at La Salle prior to Jun's arrival from Hong Kong. Why? Were they all ready in danger prior to Jun's final decision to go to the Senate? I am not sure this has been explained very well, giving an opportunity for Jun's detractors to further their claim that Jun is not as forthright as he wants to project. I'd very much appreciate your enlightenment on this. Thank you again and happy heart's day! Best regards,

Norrie Towanna, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

(As far as I know, Jun’s family had made arrangements with La Salle Greenhills - where his children go to school – while he was still in Hong Kong, because they had been receiving threats. ACA)

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Let me borrow the intro of Mr. Manuel Buencamino's column in the Business Mirror - The True Story.

"The Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr. saga is unprecedented. Nothing in the history of man or beast comes close. It is the first and only recorded instance of a witness asking those he is about to testify against to protect him from those who want him alive and well."

People have now discovered the new Filipino Trait --Lying without blinking an eye. And all of them--the Arroyo gov't. officialdom-- who appeared before the Philippine Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, have found this new trait a good way to show their Bosses up there, how to virtually lick ass just to remain in power. We have reached down, really down there! What a pity. We know some of them can't sleep at night because their conscience won't let them. Someday, they will have to explain to their grand children or even great grandchildren what impelled them to do what they did during their tenures. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes!

Jose Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City, Feb. 14, 2008

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NOTE. Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in acabaya.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org.

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Dear Mr Abaya The reluctant but highly credible hero should be given immunity from suit. with all the devious and evil things being thrown at him. Tthe Senate could do no less. An independent and co-equal branch of government should not be unreluctant to expose the "executing" branch. Someday it may go after them. as they have now the senate majority and most important as co-equal with the executioner, they must now push more the pressure not letting the people die in the process.

Surely, they have the resources. It's a slow and painful process they say and they the elite always come out the winner. It's about time they eliminate some of their kind. The elite are a lucky lot. People are just plain helpless to go after them. Where are the sparrows? Waiting for upheaval? It won't come. Ordinary people have very low standard of satisfaction. Petty crimes and petty vices. And these things are the most dangerous. We need big heads to roll literally. The sparrows should up the ante. They should go after the biggest fish, not their lackeys. Keep on writing. Your avid reader,

Harvy David Maglalang, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Tony, Well said. I thank God there are still Filipinos like Jun Lozada.

What saddens me though are comments I hear even from people I know who attack the likes of Jun Lozada. I think people characterized by the following will attack any Jun Lozada:

1. People who are morally bankrupt themselves;
2. People who admire JL deep inside but cannot do what he did (They do not have the balls);
3. People who have been brainwashed and become incapable of independent thinking;
4. People who are not very well informed;
5. People reminded of the wrong they do and continue to do by JL;
6. People who are hypocrites;
7. People who are not practicing Christians or followers of God;
8. People who are unrepentant;
9. People who cannot accept the fact that the paths they have chosen to take and devoted their short earthly lives to are not the correct path and feel it is too late to change course; and
10. People who are ready (or think they are) to go to hell!

Hell, there could be more ...

What appalls me more is that even old men or women whose lives are almost over cannot seem to find the wisdom to change before it is too late. Again, "what does it profit a man if he were to win the whole world but loses his own soul?"

I notice that a very recurrent criticism thrown by JL's critics is the fact that JL himself (like JDV III or whoever really) is not "clean". Of course, JL is not perfect; otherwise, he'd be Jesus Christ! Hey guys, we mortals can only hope to argue in relative terms. But
all the more people should raise alarm bells when allegations involve a multimillion corruption scandal possibly involving the highest official of the land!

Let the man talk for Christ's sake so we all can know the truth. Why are all the President's men ganging up on the poor fellow who is obviously defenseless? Cowards and hypocrites! I think the real "crying ladies" are all of us who do not even come close to
ever doing what JL just did even if we know down deep it is the right thing to do!

But remember all that our lives here on this sometimes wretched earth is but temporary. Death is the great leveller who "smiles on us all". "If not in this life then in the next". Mind you, sooner than you think. Regards,

Dr Dennis Acop, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Tony- I know you are not the Tony Abaya Lozada mentioned.

Mike Delgado, (by email), Feb. 14, 2008

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Sir Tony, Salamat naman po at hindi pala kayo yaong Tony Abaya na yun. Muntik na po akong nadismaya. Mabuti na po lamang at iba pala yon. Salamat po and my deepest apologies for thinking it was you.... Salamat po ulit.

Mike C. de Grano, (by email), North Vancouver, BC, Canada, Feb. 15, 2008

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Alas! We are all sinners, so let he who is without sin cast the first stone! Honestly speaking, I am one of the millions of Filipinos who disdains and feels appalled, and yet have come to terms with the corruption in this country. The old adage, "what are we in power for," interestingly is the way the system works in this country. As they say, "the system may be flawed, but it works." So I say, what's all the fuss? Like Lozada, I'd say, as long as "hindi bubukol ok lang." Doesn't most Filipinos in this country think this way?

You'd say, how can you say that it works when the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer. I'd like to say that being poor is not a sin and should not hinder us from becoming rich, through hard work and perseverance. Whatever form of government there is, you see people who are not involved in government contracts getting rich everyday. Only through sheer passion about improving their lot do these people get out of the rot that they started out in. So we shouldn't blame the government for our inability to survive and improve our lot.

Lozada is no saint, as he so admits. But then again, just because he reveals the names of the bigger demons for us to exorcise doesn't make him a hero. He's just trying to save his neck, nothing else. Love for the country? I don't think so, I'd rather believe his love for his family. He is nothing but another Chavit Singson who is saving his life from an angry government mafia. Does aiding in the identification and hanging of a bigger scumbag absolve him of his own crimes? Truly, shouldn't he also be punished for his sins as well? Depends on the sin. If he stole for food for himself and his hungry family, maybe we could forgive him. But if he stole from millions of hungry people and fattened himself, maybe it's about time that he is hanged and the loot be distributed back to the people.

Our country has learned to tolerate modest kickbacks on government deals, but for those that are glaring and staring us at the face, it would be an insult to everyone to have such brazen activities go uncorrected. Reason for this Senate inquiry today. Crimes are supposedly done in the dark, for fear of getting caught. But when these are done in broad daylight, with such boldness and audacity, it's as if defying the rule of the people and acting as if they are above the law. These, the people can not and should not tolerate.

Lawrence C. See, (by email), Feb. 15, 2008

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Hi Tony! I received this via text message today: "D reason dat Tony Abaya brought Jun Lozada 2 Fely Aquino Arroyo wife of Sen Joker Arroyo was 2 convince Jun not 2 go 2 d senate 2 testify. Fely A. Arroyo kasi s d lawyer consultant of Ricky Razon! Now d plot thickens! Wat a fake dat Joker is! He & his wife r involvd pala in d ZTE mess also whch s why he got mad at Jun 4 mentioning his wife. One by one they r falling down! Pls pass."

Can you corroborate this message? Is Senator Joker Arroyo really a fraud? This is so sad. He was such a feisty Executive Secretary during Cory's time and I thought he was a reputable Senator. Warm regards,

Ito Sequera, (by email), Feb. 15, 2008

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Dear Tony, Just a minute ago, PNP Chief Avelino Razon was saying on nationwide television that on February 06, 2007 Jun lozada's sister Carmen asked for PSPO's protection for her brother Jun, but that it (the request for protection) had to be dated February 05, even pointing to Secretary Atienza as the guy who asked him to protect Lozada. What hogwash!

Carmen claims she never asked for such protection. Frankly, General Razon is a good man, has a great and outstanding record and the credibility that has never been tainted in all the years that I have read about him in the newspapers. General,Ii join your mistahs in
their call for you to resign now before your reputation is destroyed because of blind obedience to your boss. You are such a good man that I cannot imagine seeing your family suffering from all the flaks you are getting as a result of the Lozada snafu.
The position given to you isn't worth it. God bless you, General, and more power to you. May the Force be with you!

Jeremias Decena, (by email), Feb. 15, 2008

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Hi ACA, To be fair, in the absence of direct evidence, the government scandals that happen repeatedly may not be attributed to the President, but one thing is clear: scandals of such incredible magnitude are happening because she cannot stop them, which translates to a weak political leadership. GMA may be a good economic manager, but she is a lousy political leader because she is always caught making the wrong moves. Jun Lozada may be the reluctant hero to some but not in my book. Sure, he may be like Saul who became Paul and found the heart to do what is right, though not because his conscience bothered him, but because he had no choice. Just as he allowed people to use him be the fixer of sorts, like moderating the greed that he did in the ZTE deal, but quickly dropped it for fear of being blown because he knew it was unworkable and it became too hot to handle, he now basks in glory of being used again by people like the religious and do-gooders as well as the enemies of the administration. Watching him sing like a canary is a far cry from a fearful, tearful Lozada the first time he appeared in public to a happy, smiling, laughing, talkative celebrity status he now enjoys. Lozada talks of dysfunctional system in government but he did not think so when he was part of the system that made it so. He was/is a government fixer that moderates the greed in dealing with government contracts which as head of a government agency involved in forestry has nothing to do with NBN deals. He is no worse than Abalos and Joey III. If Lozada is lionized for revealing what he knows, will people also lionize and call Abalos or Joey hero if any one of them decides to pull a Lozada? Anyone who tells the truth just to save himself (who knows if it's really the truth?) is a phony hero. As phony as a 3 peso bill. And as phony as JDV who now calls for moral revolution. Thanks ACA. Cesar M. de los Reyes, (by email), Feb. 15, 2008

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Dear Tony, I don't think Lozada is a hero for telling the Senate what the senators and all the people knew all along - that government officials commit corruption left and right. Remove the TV coverage and I doubt that he would talk. I also doubt there would be Senate investigations without TV.

Lozada's testimony is a case of I say, he says. Unless he backs it all up with concrete evidence, I withhold my evaluation of his truthfulness. Remember, government people cannot be trusted. He was one, being the chief executive of a government corporation.

All this hulabaloo about Lozada is a waste of time of which the Senate is notorious.

victorts@comcast.net, Feb. 17, 2008

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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Perry Diaz)

A look into the heart and soul of Jun Lozada

AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR By William M. Esposo
Thursday, February 21, 2008

Philippine Star

Values acquired at home and nurtured in school form character. But it is only when these values are challenged under extremely trying conditions when we discover our new heroes.

Indeed, it is the test of fire that turns ore into fine steel.

Rodolfo Noel "Jun" Lozada looked every inch an average joe. I just had to know what made him venture where others dared not. What shaped his mindset and his emotions? What makes up the essential Jun Lozada?

His number one hero is his father, but he was also deeply inspired and influenced by the lives of Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Konosuke Matsushita, St. Thomas Aquinas and Pope John Paul II.

For a well-read and obviously brilliant man (he took on the Palace mob with ease and grace under pressure, albeit with moist eyes), Jun is amazingly a simple man. He showed none of the affected superficialities of the social climbers and showbiz senators who are forever competing to make the sound bites that no one believes anyway.

After all the time I've observed our politicians up close and personal, I've been trained by experience to discern the pretender from the real deal.

What immediately impressed me is that Jun Lozada lives by the core philosophy of each of his heroes, his mindset formed by their superhuman feats of courage and fortitude.

Jun knew his Rizal and not only that — he has passed on that reverence for the Bagumbayan martyr to his children. Rizal to him is the epitome of what a Filipino heart and soul should be.

He admired Mabini for his courage and his great mind which provided enlightenment during a trying time in our history. In Mabini's The True Decalogue (which was featured in my August 12, 2007 column), we can find many of the right prescriptions to our present problems.

Jun marveled at how the diminutive and frail Konosuke Matsushita, the Panasonic founder, managed to create a massive electronic empire built on human kindness. Matsushita's dedicated efforts for community outreach have been adopted by many firms.

Jun said: "Matsushita taught me that if you serve the community, the community will serve you."

It was from St. Thomas Aquinas that Jun learned that the worst form of corruption is the corruption of the best. Jun was inspired by Pope John Paul II's exhortation that when we uplift the social conditions of the poor, we also help them from committing sin, a lesson some of our Bishops have yet to learn.

Jun Lozada had a lucrative career. At age 22, he was already making US$4,800 a month while working in Saudi Arabia and he shared the sunshine with his other brothers and sisters.

Jun believes that he was significantly strengthened by three near-death experiences. These jolting experiences were the fires that temper ore into hard steel, an ordinary citizen into a country's man of the hour.

Right after college, Jun suffered from a disease that baffled doctors. He did not have stroke and was not even hypertensive — but he became paralyzed. Bedridden and fast losing weight and strength, he reached a point when he became drawn to reaching out to his Maker.

Jun fervently prayed to be allowed three wishes: To be able to say sorry to those he had wronged, to say "I love you" to those he failed to tell that to and to feel love in return.

Suddenly, Jun narrated, "It was like a switch on and switch off experience. One moment I was passing from this life and the next moment it was as if I had never been sick at all."

Years later, Jun was afflicted with Hepatitis B — at a time when having this ailment was almost like a death sentence. Unable to produce the needed antibodies to cure the disease, Jun had another one-on-one with his Maker, this time really vowing to dedicate another lease on life for the Almighty's greater glory. Again, he was saved. His body suddenly started producing antibodies.

Then, when his brother was mistakenly killed by government agents, Jun almost became another victim. For tenaciously pursuing the case of his brother's homicide, Jun was intercepted one night on the road by a big man with a gun and with a look of murder in his eyes. Jun sped away from his assailant and the man fired and hit the back of his car seat. Miraculously, the bullet did not penetrate the upholstery.

Surviving that airport arrival abduction is something that Jun considers his fourth lease on life.

Knowing these experiences of Jun Lozada, we can now better understand and believe how and why he can rise above his fears and do what he felt must be done.

Having rare encounters with one's Maker, a man can rise above his limitations. When a man has learned to surrender his fate to his Maker, he becomes an easy channel for grace and an instrument of the Almighty. *****

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'She is Evil'

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By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb. 20, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 21 issue

“That woman is evil.” Romulo Neri is said to have said that of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, according to his good friend Jun Lozada during the televised hearings on the ZTE scandal before the Senate committees last Feb. 18..

In a subsequent televised Malacanang press conference, Neri said, “I do not remember saying it.”

Is this Lozada’s word against Neri’s? It is actually much more than that..

That statement was said to have been uttered by Neri on Dec. 7, 2007 during a presentation Neri made in a restaurant at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. Neri’s audience consisted of only three: Lozada plus Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Sen. Jamby Madrigal.

According to Lozada, Neri was making a presentation to the two senators on what Jun calls the Ecosystem of Corruption, to show that corruption was endemic in the Philippines up to the highest level of government and that she (GMA) “was actually right in the middle of it.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, Feb. 19).

Of course, Senators Lacson and Madrigal are oppositionists and unabashedly anti-Arroyo. But is Neri ready and willing to face the two senators and Lozada in a public hearing – such as the on-going Senate hearings – and say under oath that he never said those words, while Lozada and the two senators also say under oath that he did?

When Lozada was asked by Sen. Lacson during the Feb. 18 hearing how many times Neri had uttered those damning words in his presence, Lozada – who may or may not have been coached by Lacson and/or Lacson’s people – paused for several seconds, fidgeted in his chair, looked at the ceiling, struggled with his inner demons, apparently torn by conflicting loyalties, and finally said, “About ten times.”

Play-acting? As Lozada’s detractors have dismissed his other, often weepy, revelations? Perhaps. But is Neri prepared to declare under oath that he never said, ”That woman is evil,” while Lozada and the two senators declare, also under oath, that he did?

This may be a minor point in the face of the hundreds of millions of dollars and the hundreds of millions of pesos being kicked around in these hearings. But on it rests the unquantifiable element of credibility. If it is determined with finality that one of her top Cabinet ministers had indeed referred to her - ”about ten times” - as evil, then all is lost.. Nothing President Arroyo says or does hence can turn the tide for her.

These hearings have added some high-decibel sound bytes to our political discourse:

“Back off!”

“May 200 ka dito, Sec.”

‘Moderate their greed.”

But all pale in comparison to “That woman is evil.”

(This must be “Be-Cruel-to-Gloria Week.” A few days after Lozada alleged that Romulo Neri had said of President Arroyo that “that woman is evil,” her other top economic adviser, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, speaking before a socio-economic forum at the Ateneo de Manila campus in Rockwell, said of his boss:

(“She may be a bitch, but she’s the luckiest bitch around.” [Inquirer, Feb. 21}. At least, unlike Neri, Joey did not develop selective amnesia, but in fact publicly apologized for his very public gaffe, which must have caused the assembled economists to raise the country’s GDP – Ginagatasan at Dinadaya ng Pangulo.)

These Senate hearings have been derided by the Arroyo apologists as nothing but telenovela. Perhaps, but telenovelas are popular with the masa. The fact that the hearings have been mostly in Pilipino has captured the attention of millions of TV viewers who would otherwise have been turned off – and would have literally turned off their sets - if the principals had rambled on mostly in incomprehensible English.

In my household, the maids and the drivers were glued to their TV set, as I was to mine.. In fact, it was one of my drivers who told my daughter – who lives in a part of town not reached by ANC – that my name had been mentioned by Jun Lozada. (But, of course, it was the other Tony Abaya.)

It helped that Jun Lozada, though an intellectual and a techno-geek, comes across as a simple person with an honest face, an Everyman caught in a political tsunami churned up by forces much bigger than he is. But instead of helplessly drowning in the swirl of events, he has managed to hold his head up high, buoyed up apparently by a genuine love of country and a lightness of being that comes from his self-realization that he would be hard put to tell a lie.

And what a spontaneous and disarming sense of humor. In ANC’s Harapan program ably hosted in Pilipino by Korina Sanchez and Ricky Carandang – and which ANC has played and replayed at least five times – where Lozada was electronically face-to-face (which is what Harapan means) with a rotating phalanx of accusers and tormentors, Lozada jokingly complained, “Ang daya naman. Mag-isa lang ako dito. Sila may substitution.” What viewer in this basketball-crazy country could have missed the import of that apropos one-liner?

Fittingly garbed in a humble camisa de chino, the probinsyanong Intsik – as Lozada had famously described himself – wryly noted that his tormentors were all dressed in barong Tagalog or amerikana. Which prompted the arrogant Formoso – assistant secretary of Something, who had earlier admitted that he could not speak Pilipino because he was an Ilokano – to lecture the lowly Bikolano who had no problem speaking Pilipino, that, ”my father taught me to dress properly when meeting with other people.”

Jesus Christ! Did this guy really think he could win hearts and minds with a put-down like that? No wonder that in the ANC’s feedback meter, which asked “Nagsasabi ba ng totoo si Jun Lozada?” (Is Jun Lozada telling the truth?), the Oo or Yes vote climbed from the mid-70s at the start to 92% by program’s end.

Jun Lozada has become the Man of the Hour and the Flavor of the Month, to use Korina’s marketing blurb for her program Korina Today. He has awakened the middle classes from their apathy and non-involvement. The “Spirit of EDSA” is being revived. They are singing Bayan Ko again, with the fervor that it awakened in 1986.

If we were to hold snap presidential elections in May 2008, as some unthinking trapos and commentators propose, this would not solve anything. We would again be made to choose between one set of predatory trapos versus another set of predatory trapos, perhaps enlivened by the threatened intervention, again, from military mercenaries and Communist rabble rousers who will side again with one or the other set of trapos.

And who will supervise these snap elections, less than two months from now? The same stumblebum Comelec that has not adequately accounted for the cheating in 2004, and which has not been able to locate and arrest, in six months, one lowly Comelec factotum who could not explain the disappearance of electoral documents in his custody during the 2007 elections? Are we masochists or what?

Ironically, during one of his by now numerous TV interviews, Lozada warned that in 1986 we did not follow the admonition of his hero Jose Rizal, that when we decide to correct the “grievous ills” in our society, and we succeed, we must make sure that no vestige of the old order should be allowed to remain in the new.

But this was exactly what was allowed to happen in 1986. We, or our leaders then, did not establish a new order; we and they merely restored the old one, without any substantive changes at all.. In Lozada’s brutally frank words, “We blew it.” Did President Cory Aquino and her official family then, who are now some of Lozada’s most ardent supporters, hear and understand this?

This is consistent with Neri-Jun’s 10^th “Afraid,” that the people may opt for regime change without realizing that ”it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that it is the difficult task….”

To defeat Evil, it is not enough that one is Good. One must build strong institutions, awaken social consciousness, and enforce laws strictly and equitably, to prevent Evil from resurrecting itself. We should have learned that from the failed “revolution” of 1986, but apparently we haven’t.. *****

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Neri-Jun is Right

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb. 18, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 19 issue

As promised, let me analyze the 10^th ‘Afraid’ in the document said to have been written

by Jun Lozada in October 2007, to explain why his friend Romulo Neri did not divulge the details of his (Neri’s) conversation with President Arroyo regarding the sordid ZTE broadband contract. (See my article ‘Neri was Afraid….’ [Feb 16, 2008] in which I wrote that it was really a Neri-Jun avatar that was speaking in that document.)

Wrote Jun in that document: (Neri-Jun) “is afraid that the public may not know the extent of corruption in this country and may wrongly believe that they can cure corruption by simply replacing Arroyo with another person. He is afraid that the public may overlook the systemic and institutionalized nature of the source of corruption in this country, that the people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country…that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task….”

I dwelt on this 10^th ‘Afraid’ last Friday in a workshop organized for mass-com and journalism students at the Lyceum University. Let me expand on it in this essay.

If one were to examine the complexion of the anti-Arroyo forces that have been clamoring for her resignation since 2003, one sees that they are made up of three main contingents: the trapos under deposed (later convicted of plunder, but hastily pardoned) Joseph Estrada, the Communist movement, and the military mercenaries.

During the rolling agitation in 2005-2006, the three groups combined their forces to oust President Arroyo. But without the participation of the middle classes, they could not generate sufficient public outrage against her, and their demos and rallies fizzled out.

The middle classes, who were the shock troops of EDSA I and EDSA 2, were largely out of the picture, preferring to stay on the sidelines, partly because of their distrust of the three groups above, and partly because the economy has been doing well in the past four years and they did not want to rock the boat. And also partly out of extreme disappointment that EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 did not result in any meaningful changes.

My own three children, who took part in EDSA 1 and EDSA 2, gave notice to me and my wife in 2003 that if there was going to be an EDSA 3, they would stay home and sleep or watch their DVDs or surf the Internet.. The same apathy must have infected hundreds of thousands of middle class homes in Metro Manila.

In 2007-2008, the situation was/is not any different. The strongest opposition bloc – victors in the 2007 senatorial elections - remains the unattractive trapos led by Joseph Estrada and Jejomar Binay, now augmented by the ousted Speaker Jose de Venecia, none of whom generate much sympathy from among the middle classes. The Communist movement, ever massaged by the complicit media, have not yet realized their irrelevance in the 21^st century.

And the military mercenaries – financed by Erap in 2003, 2005 and 2006 – dug their own graves by staging a foolish rebellion last November at the Peninsula Hotel, the fourth luxury hotel that they have inexplicably seized. (The others: Manila Hotel in 1986, the Intercontinental in 1989 and the Oakwood in 2003. Military madness seems to recur every three or four years).

And yet – Neri-Jun is right in their caution - these are the self-proclaimed messiahs who would have seized power if President Arroyo had been overthrown between 2003 and 2007. No wonder the middle classes have refused to get involved….until Jun Lozada came along.

Suddenly the middle classes are stirring. They have finally found a champion around whom they can rally, who is neither a trapo nor a Communist nor a military mercenary, who seems to be a reasonably honest person though admittedly not a candidate for sainthood, a technocrat-bureaucrat with a conscience, a self-effacing intellectual who has a genuine love for his country and an abiding admiration for Jose Rizal.

Is this the beginning of the end for Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo? Perhaps. But it would take more revelations and more public anger to bring that about. And it would need a major tipping point to push her over the edge, such as a decision on the part of Romulo Neri to finally tell all that he knows about his boss. But will he?

In the 10^th ‘Afraid’, Neri-Jun is “afraid that people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country….that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task….”

Neri-Jun is right. Except for the Communist movement, there is no political group in this country that has articulated a vision for a new order to replace the rotten old one. But the Communist vision – Joma’s Maoist new order – is totally unacceptable to the middle classes: judging from the shining example of Maoist China (1949 to 1979), no free elections, no freedom of expression, no freedom of assembly, no freedom of worship, no private property, no private enterprise, BUT monopoly of power for the Communist Party (CPP) under the Leninist concept of ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’(operational up to the present).

Variations on the Communist vision have been proposed by such luminaries as Boy Morales (agrarian reform secretary under Erap) and Dodong Nemenzo (UP president during Erap’s watch). But Morales was co-founder of the National Democratic Front, the political arm of the CPP, while Nemenzo was an associate member of the politburo of the pro-Soviet Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP). Even if they claim to have left the Party, their vision of a new order will always be colored by their Communist past.

Even the rejectionists under the late Popoy Lagman, who had rejected the Maoist revolution of Joma Sison during their schism in 1991-92 and had formed a rival faction, (led by Sanlakas), opted for another failed Communist model, the Sandinistas of Nicaragua.

Whether pro-Soviet or Maoist or Sandinista, the Communist vision of a new order is totally unacceptable to the middle classes. So also is the prospect of an endless game of musical chairs among the predatory and unprincipled trapos, whether Lakas or Kampi or Pwet ng Masa or NP or LP or LDP or KBL. The political class under all disguises has failed the people of this country and do not deserve to remain in, or aspire again for, power.

It is not surprising that not one of the seven or eight presidential wannabes has articulated a vision for establishing a new order, which, as Neri-Jun noted, is the more difficult task than overthrowing President Arroyo. If they now scramble to do so, it would not be convincing since they would just be responding to a newly perceived deficiency which they had overlooked all these decades.

As for the military mercenaries, the less said, the better. Having rented out their idealism to Erap, not once but several times, they really have nothing significant to say.

So, given the stark moral emptiness of the Philippine political landscape, is there any reason for Romulo Neri to break his silence and divulge all the sordid details that he knows at first hand about corruption in high places, and thereby cause the House of Arroyo to come crashing down?

We can only appeal to his patriotism. Neri can take some comfort from the fact that if President Arroyo were forced to step down, the constitutional successor would be Vice-President Noli de Castro, who is neither a trapo nor a Communist nor a military mercenary, and has no known - to me, anyway – connections to any of the above.

He may lack social pedigree and a dynastic fiefdom, as Jun Lozada himself describes himself, and he definitely has no vision of a new order. But we have to make do with what we have. And who knows, if given the right inputs from the right advisers, he may yet craft and articulate the parameters of that new order, between 2008 and 2010?

At any rate, he couldn’t possibly be any worse than the pedigreed Arroyo or the fake sovereign of the squealing masa - and convicted plunderer - Erap. If the middle classes, the business and professional communities, civil society, the non-Communist labor unions, the Churches and the idealistic elements of the military were to support this constitutional process, it would be a painless, bloodless solution to our dilemma.

Of course, the pedigreed and dynastic presidential wannabes will resist such a scenario since it would threaten their presidential ambitions in 2010 if De Castro were to turn out to be a reformist leader in the next two years. But what can these presidential wannabes complain about? They are either for or against the constitutional process. If they are against, then they have no business occupying, or running for, any public office.

One last point. There are media reports that Sen. Panfilo Lacson met with Jun Lozada six times before/after Lozada went to Hong Kong, and at least once with Romulo Neri in December 2007. If true, does this mean that the Neri-Jun avatar has found in Sen. Lacson that someone with the mystic vision of that elusive new order? Lozada’s millions of new fans are entitled to know. *****

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RX to "Why Only Now?"

Reactions to “Why Only Now?”

Reaction to “Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives”

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Reaction to Gemma Araneta’s “February 1899”

More Reaction to “GMA’s Successes”

Initial step of JdV’s Moral Revolution crusade? No, just the sour-graping of a loser. Best regards,

Javier Ailes, (by email), Republic of Kazakhstan, Feb. 07, 2008

P.S. Your “Weep like a Woman” article is a nice piece of literature.

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Indeed, if ex-Speaker Jose de Venecia knew about all those shenanigans going on with her tocayo, President Arroyo, what impelled him to remain silent all these years? Even assuming he is now telling the truth, then he must be charged with being an accessory to those acts of corruption. Adding to his problems is that whatever he will be saying in the future against the president, some of which may even have merit, he will always be haunted by the question of why he did nothing when it mattered most.

The ex-Speaker has lost his credibility, and any pretense that he will now be going on a war against the administration is too late. He just needs to bow out gracefully.

The lesson here is that loyalty in politics, at least in the Philippines, is never a virtue. Your friend today may be your worst enemy tomorrow.

Remigio G. Lacsamana, M.D, (by email), .Daytona Beach, Florida, Feb. 08, 2008

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You may mostly be right, but you may also be imagining too much when you say that PGMA is plotting her way to be President (or PM) beyond 2010.

Sef Dudeo, (by email), California, Feb. 08, 2008

(How do you explain the programmed growth of Kampi from the smallest party in 2005 to the largest in 2008? How do you explain the choreographed calls – since 2005 - for charter change, the most recent being the ChaCha road show by local government officials, which was inaugurated with much fanfare last February 12? ACA)

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Brilliant, Tony!!! - and witty, informative, incisive and hilarious to the end!!!

Jo (Hilado-Guevara), (by email, Pasig City, Feb. 08, 2008)

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Dear Tony: My take is that House Speaker Jose de Venecia was outmaneuvered, Machiavellian-style, by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

But that cannot be the end of Jose de Venecia as a power player in Philippine politics. Even now he and his supporters must be plotting what they need to do next.

On the other hand, GMA and her supporters could be assumed to be ready with any countermove Jose de Venecia may make. The political pot is boiling.

Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers, NY, Feb. 08, 2008

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Dear Tony, Why are we are not shocked anymore with the current quarrel among traditional politicians (JDV vs GMA) ? Can we now see how a godless character can impact on our country and our people. Where is leadership service and purpose ? Why are they just enlarging incomes and power? But what does God teach us about purpose driven politics? (2 Chronicles 22: 1 - 9 )

HUMAN POLITICS GODS POLITICS

Pursue power and fame Pursue love and service
Get richer and get to a higher status Improve the welfare of people
All others are enemies and competitors All are brothers who complement
Kill or remove enemies Pursue common good
The leader is glorified God is glorified

The Ang Kapatiran Party is more affirmed and determined in its pursuit of a Principled and Platform based Politics of Virtue.

As God has commanded us all to become leaders ( Gen 1:26-31 ) we should reflect how we, by choice or indifference, have been just watching on the sidelines and committing a sin of omission. When do we speak out and act? When it is too late?

We revisit what our Beloved CBCP bishops said in a paragraph in its pastoral letter dated Jan 27,2008 ... "Reform Yourselves and Believe in the Gospel! (Mark 1:15)"

..."And so we exhort you, our beloved people: As a special project for this year's Lenten observance and in the spirit of penance, let us come together in little groups of reflection and discernment. In these groups we look seriously at our part in the many evils of our day—as individuals, as families, as communities—and discern what action we can do together."... In these groups we look seriously at our part in the many evils of our day—as individuals, as families, as communities—and discern what action we can do together."...

Jesus teaches us that the first person you lead is yourself. (Luke 4:3-10 )

God bless our country with New and Renewed Leaders FEARFULL OF THE LORD God bless our country!!

Eric Manalang, (by email), Feb. 08, 2008

Ang Kapatiran Party

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Dear sir, Thank you for sending me a copy of your article. I would love to read more of your bright political analyses. but I wonder if you might have mis-sent that mail to me. I don't think you know who I am and what my email address really is.
Mabuhay kayo, sir!

Hermilando D. Aberia, (by email), Tacloban City, Feb. 08, 2008,

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Manong Tony, Why Only Now? This is more often than not the question raised in cases when the end game is near, when no amount of verbiage and action would turn the tide.

At the height of the presidency of Cory Aquino, when she was basking in the glory of people power, which I was happy to be part of because it brought down a dictator because of our unity as a people, only to fizzle out in the end due to greed and avarice, a somewhat similar thing happened when the supposedly 'kingmaker' was given the pink slip because he became irrelevant. The act though was made directly by Tita Cory, while what happened to JdV was the act of surrogates.

And I thought that JdV is a master. What happened to him and former COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos and the others before them should remind all of us that there is only one master. GOD is the Master of the universe, Therefore, let us be at Peace with God, whoever we conceive Him to be. When will we ever learn?

Jerry A. Quibilan, (by email), Feb. 08, 2008

Crusaders for Peace, Prosperity, Unity, and Love.

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Jesus forgave the sinner hanging on the cross beside him. HE didn't say "Why only now?"

Amadeo Cabaero, (by email), Feb. 08, 2008

(You may have gotten your analogy all mixed up. Crucifixion was the Roman punishment for political crimes. The Romans crucified thousands of Jewish men, both before and after Jesus, for perceived sedition/rebellion against the Roman Empire. The “thief” next to Jesus was likely executed for disturbing the Roman peace, as Jesus was. So neither the “thief” nor Jesus had reason to forgive each other since they were both being executed by the Romans, not by each other or by each other’s followers. ACA)

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Very true. JdV is a very ambitious trapo who wants no less than the No. 1 post in the land. Even before, I have always thought and said he realized he could not be a president because the voters would not entrust that position to him. The only way for him to rule the land is through a parliamentary system where he has minions (fellow kangkongressmen) who will willingly hand him that post... in a silver platter. That is the only true reason why he has always preached a change in the system of government to the tune of Cha-Cha.

Now that he has fallen from power, I wonder if he will still advocate Cha-Cha. He listed a litany of corruption by the Arroyo presidency. Perhaps he did not realize that the people know of his own role in that corruption, and that goes even before the present administration. FVR wanted to broker reconciliation between JdV and PGMA, also for his own interest. But after what's been said and done, I don't think that is ever
possible, nor even probable.

Yes, the Arroyos may have a ZTE-gate, but has he cleared himself already of the Northrail project? It has just been hidden under the rugs. It is funny that a couple of days after his ouster from Speakership and lambasting the administration, Erap, Binay, and other oppositionists went to pay him a visit, as if the people are ignorant of their own hatchets against each other. The opposition are willing to welcome him into their fold because he is still the leader of the biggest party, the Lakas-NUCD although only nominally.

Just a warning to them, JdV may even be their own downfall! All this rigodon only shows these trapos willingness to do anything to hold on to power. Yes there may only be pro- or anti-administration... but where does JdV stand? Has Erap et al forgot JdV's role in their grievances, from government corruption, to election manipulation, to the impeachment process, etc? They immediately forgot all about these but they cannot forget Sen. Pangilinan's "noted" episode which caused him to be dropped from their list in the last election? They are just a buch of CLOWNS. Don't make us laugh!!!

Even JdV III has his own ghosts to haunt him, maybe not now because the heat is on ZTE. Lozada came out with his own revelations, but why only now? If what he said was true, as Abalos noted, why is he still alive after one year of death threats? I am not a PGMA fan, but I don't think it was proper that Lozada was fed by Sen. Madrigal and slept in the office of Sen. P. Cayetano. Both senators are hot on the administration's trail, and we could only wonder if he had already been coached on what and what not to say.

When will this circus ever end?

Felipe Rommel Martinez, (by email), Feb. 08, 2008

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Dear Tony: That's an excellent presentation of the tragedy in the
political life of Jose de Venecia. Warm regards..

Noli Santos, (by email), Makati City, Feb. 11, 2008

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JDV’s almost theatrical 59-minute rhetoric, served public notice that he stood trial – and pleaded guilty as charged, matter-of-factly. Keen observers of trends know where the man is coming from – trying even a last-ditch effort – to free his head off the noose. Blackmail, call it that, for the first and final act, against the president of this damned republic. It was time for the man that left a legacy only best known to him – to go. Or ask anyone in the know what monstrous scenario he has created in an institution called the House of Representatives as its supposed-to-be mere agency head. JDV projected himself as bigger than the institution he represents when in truth and in fact, no part ought to be bigger than the whole. Thus, he probably overdid the state of affairs of what ought to be a sacred institution in so far as the officials and employees are concerned and more so in so far as the historic role of a Legislature is taken into account.

The vote configuration betrayed the man who thought he has all the Batasan for himself – as new set of congressmen and women mixed with the old set in what Pichay always referred to as the ‘Old Boys Club’. Now, there must be any given number of his colleagues – old or new – who rebelled against JDV’s own self-fulfilling prophecy not to mention antics that have already lost their spell or hypnotic effect. Ironically how many editors, political analysts, and even scholars ever thought of JDV as the consummate statesman – as such perception rests on a mistake. It is not just Malacanang that benefited more with his ouster – the Filipino people in general. The anomaly that is JDV is soon a thing of the past or how indeed can he seat as speaker for three consecutive terms when each time a new Congress opens, every member is deemed on equal footing – no such thing as primus inter pares. In other words, he is the author of a grand historical blunder and good thing this Gorgian knot is finally cut that no more tradition as bad as that JDV authored be repeated in history.

Public perception of JDV is limited to what we read in newspapers, hear over radio, watch on TV, view on the net. All these were created to be false by the man himself who writes his own press release, his own oratory, his own place in history. History should be objective but when he came, he made it purely subjective as though everything that happens in the country, every issue that burns in the day, every hope left for the entire people – gravitates around his well-designed image as a great political leader of the times. Not anymore as his long oratory or rhetoric gave the man away – JDV – in real than in reel, has become more of himself. Now that he has to subordinate himself to the new leadership he himself apparently anointed – good or bad – not much shall be heard of him. He shall resigned himself to oblivion – the sooner the better – that no more of him is heard, not his idea – if it ever was a bright one anyway. His chronic reference to all his accomplishments – spoken from the first point of view, that is – really is an insult to intelligence. Now he fall in his own snake pit.

JDV’s successor, albeit his protégé, does not have to test the waters any longer. Problem is, our fate and future might still be more of the same as they both came from the same breed of what Salonga conveniently calls ‘traditional politicians’ and its negative slant. Spin doctors, damage control experts, media handlers need not do a lot of dishing in or dishing out. The same menu will be served to the public at large with no perceptible change in flavor detected from any distance from the frying pan. As a people or as a country, Nograles doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Creeping patronage politics as that discussed by Brillantes of UP will be the norm than the exception. If we go by B.F. Skinner’s psychoanalysis, we shall find out in no time at all, that anybody driven by the same set of stimuli will respond in the same particular way as that demonstrated by the old occupant for three punishing terms or the man called JDV. Thus, it is not as if ‘payolas’ will be a thing of the past. It is not as if ‘lobby money’ will no longer circulate within the Big League. It is not as if, the Congress will cease to be a Malacanang rubber-stamp.

PGMA is probably the luckiest president we ever had. And she better has to finish all of her term in office till she really has to go herself – with all the music and trimmings of a well-served term, if we can call it that. Nothing has been proven of all the charges slapped against her to the satisfaction of the High Court. On whether or not the High Court is beholden to her is another story by itself. If the AFP and PNP and even the bureaucracy itself continue to patronize her leadership, so be it – nothing is the matter with that. If coup plotters, destabilizers, or other extremists group cannot inflict the political blow they want to deliver, then so be it. The president is the president under all the harsh conditions that have visited her – past, present, future.

It would seem that no promising group ever holds promise. No such group can keep up a good fight – not even the so-called ‘bully from the school yard’. Definitely, not Lacson, not Cayetano, not Escudero, not Magdalo. Nobody as no group can boot PGMA out of office except by the tinkerable processes of law. Malacanang knows what buttons to press, its survival kit complete, its lieutenants and sub-alterns trained in politics as it should be better done under existing culture and sub-cultures. PGMA’s core group of advisers are a force to reckon with and they understand their political calculus more than other presidents combined. Who said it was hard for PGMA to boot out JDV from his speakership? It is a walk in the park – so far as PGMA is concerned – no fuss, no fibs. The daughter of the former president knows how to run the affairs of state, albeit – one step forward, two steps backward, if you follow my drift. Fact is, the more she is ‘harassed’, the stronger her stay in power becomes.

What is in store for the Filipino people?

Primer C. Pagunuran, (by email), UP Diliman, Quezon City, Feb. 09, 2008

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"Better late than never.'" At least, Joe the Bee was able to realize his mistake, unlike Nograles et. al. who remain lapdogs of the discredited Arroyo administration. By the way, Sir Tony, do you have the names of the congressmen and women who went against the wishes of Kampi and voted to keep de Venecia as House Speaker?

(As far as I know, all the Kampi members voted to oust JdV. ACA)

Whatever their motives, I just admire their guts. I'm opposition at heart, although I detest Erap as much as Gloria.

David Tabaniag, (by email), Feb. 09, 2008

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I guess it has been established long ago that Gloria and Mike Arroyo are corrupt to the bone and are surrounded by many more who just sucks the blood of the nation.

So what are we going to do about it? Talk some more?
The table is now open for suggestions.

But please let us not go into more manifestoes and signup sheets. Let us have something more deliberate and fatally terminal to their evil.

Adolfo Paglinawan, (by email), Feb. 09, 2008

(What do you suggest? What are you prepared to do? ACA)

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The title says it all....why only now? When JdV could have redeemed himself a long time ago when the nation needed him most. But, JdV chose to reveal what he knew only when he was being yanked out from his seat as Speaker. Re his son, Joey de Venecia’s expose, one should ask the question, what if Joey won the NBN contract and not ZTE? Is that ok?

Iin the first place, as the Speaker's son, he has no business dealing with/ government., and the Speaker should have the delicadeza to know that,. like one columnist in another newspaper who wrote about this also, JdV acted too late, I was more interested in knowing who was winning in that Super Tuesday's primaries between Clinton and Obama, rather than stay up late to listen to JdV's diatribe. I do not like GMA, FG and their cohorts, but I am not about to be JdV's admirer, who has already wined and dined with Erap:-(

We all know too well that the word "trapo" was coined by the media (by me, actually, in September 1989. ACA) to aptly describe JdV. Thanks for the well-written article.

Evelina Galang de la Peña, (by email), Manila, Feb. 12, 2008

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OH MY GOODNESS.... SHAME ON YOU JDV?????

Michael de Grano, (by email), Feb. 13, 2008

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NOTE: Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in acabay.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org.

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More Reactions to “Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives”

Dear Tony, I wonder if you could publish this article in your column since I read
that you gave the privilege to Eng. Balacanao to guest in your column. I included Joe Luzadas' comment and I welcome other peoples' comment.

This article is in praise of our national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal in contrast to some not too flattering or derogatory articles in your column lately.(Actually, by reactors to my column, not by me. ACA) This essay applies to all places where there are Filipino organizations or associations, specially when there is a governance/unity problem. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Thanks

Ven Del Pilar Faundo



Sir Ven, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and commentaries to point out
convincingly what a gulf of difference that we, the present-day Filipinos in Canada do not observe a "cultured" attitude, treatment and friendly rivalry exercise and practiced by the men of the past, Rizal, del Pilar, the Lunas and Lopez Jaena when they were in Europe during the Propaganda Movement.

Rizal did not take advantage of the image the respect and perception as the "giant" among his exiled compatriots. He displayed a remarkable and admirable attitude in his conduct to confront your great great great Grand Lolo, Plaridel. The quote "I will not interfere, go ahead since you're the chief; use your authority to achieve success in your undertaking. My resignation does not mean war" showed .

Rizal was after UNITY or a show or semblance that the Filipinos are one solid bloc
asking for reforms. Rizal has a valid reason to confront or mad at the editor of La Solidaridad for allowing the article penned by Lete personally attacking Rizal get printed in the paper. It's pure psychological ground. How will their enemies, the Friars interpret when even their leader Rizal is perceived to be of bad character. But Rizal used civilized words, walang hamunan sa buntalan.

I appreciate your time making research on topics like this that can be useful to members of the Knights of Rizal. As I indicated in my last email, I won't mind returning to Toronto for special symposium sponsored by a concerned chapter with or without the prodding of the Canada Region Executive Council about the "malaise" of our Filipino culture so
severely damaged.

Jose Sison Luzadas Delray Beach, Florida


There is a hidden agenda why I wrote this Sanaysay in Filipino. Not
only because I have read "Rizal, "Bayani at Makabayan " in Pilipino and
I want excerpts from the translated version of the biography not to
lose any nuance or punch from the original., but also because I was a
little apprehensive of what foreigners will think of our "MALAISE". As
I've said before it might not being confined to Filipinos only, but as
observed personally, we have too much of it.

But what are we to do? As Filipinos in general and as
Rizalista in particular we can only do our own small part of the
solution. To benefit foreigners and the non- Tagalog readers, I am
translating this "Sanaysay" to English to the best of my ability.

Anyway, some of the foreigners have come to some understanding of the
Filipino psyche like Ferdinand Blumentritt of old. We Filipinos with their help and
understanding are trying to find ways to lessen if not eradicate our
malaise. We can not solve this problem unless we come to know it and
admit it to ourselves.

Remember, even Rizal as you will find in my article,
entertained thoughts of butting into an organization at the insistence
of others, but he followed his better judgment. Some people, who
understood the Pilipino version, commented that the sanaysay issuitable
for publication on Filipino journals for wider dissemination, so that we
can help eradicate or lessen our Filipino Malaise. Others suggested a
symposium.

Fraternally yours in Rizal.. Long Live Rizal and the Philippines...
Mabuhay ang ating Lahing Kayumangi

Sir Venancio del Pilar Faundo, KCR. Lifetime Member H350

If Dr. Jose Rizal were here in Canada

Orgaanizations and associations are adversely affected due
to ongoing problem- selfishness or individualism that is out of order, so
much so that a member of the group harbors ill-feelings as to why he
has not been elected president. Each one wants his/her ideas implemented.

The end result is the whole group is splintered up due to factions
scheming against each other. This unsavory trait of Filipinos is a
barrier to the accomplishment of unified action and force so that
loftier deeds are achieved.

At first glance, this unfortunate events will be

construed to be prevalent only today among Filipinos here in Canada,
Europe, Philippines. This is a big mistaken notion. All of these
events were witnessed and experienced by Rizal in Madrid in May of 1882. The
above paragraph was extracted from page 110 of the book "Rizal, Martyr
and Patriot" authored by Austin Coates, translated into Filipino by
Lino Ocampo

.
In his trials and tribulations in regards to his dealing
towards organizations. He showed extraordinarily remarkable
attitude. He wrote to my great grandfather Marcelo H. del Pilar, the editor of
one of the famous newspapers of that age, called "La Solidaridad" "I deem
it very necessary that there must be unity and since you are the head
although I have my own ideas, it is better for you to enforce the
rules and regulations according to your understanding. I will not interfere,
go ahead since you're the chief; use your authority to achieve success
in your undertaking. My resignation does not mean war"

Rizal did not force himself on the organization, instead he
whole heartedly helped the association in their work and plan. He
continued to attend meeting seated at the rear as long as possible.
For him, governance without unity and democratic consensus was
impractical. The attitude exhibited by Rizal showed his understanding personality
and deep insight.

He was not only a genius in literature, medicine, science
and language but also in people skill- a genius in acquiescence. He
related in a letter to Mariano Ponce, that was a great pleasure for him
if he overshadowed by a pleiade who was a compatriot. He mentioned in
December of 1888, it was too bad there were no one hundred other men
like Plaridel. He also intimated that he was not immune to temptation of
accepting his countrymen's invitation to lead the organization. He
personal belief was that self aggrandizement had no place in the service
for patriotic achievement. However, in spite of all there sentiments,
if it could be considered a fault, he was condescending, forgiving but
not too easy to forget a wrong. For him, the scratch from a friend was far
worse than a wound inflicted by an enemy.

His genius lasted until the end of his life. He composed " Mi Ultimo Adios " ( My Last Farewell), originally titled " Mi Ultimo Pensamiento " in the span of five hours or
less. He hid it under an alcohol stove which he gave to Narcisa. This is
a poem containing 14 stanzas with a total of 578 words with perfect
rhyme and metre, replete with scorching truths and far-reaching comparatives.
This essay is written for Canada, Europe, Philippines and
wherever there is a Filipino organization. We Filipinos should be
thankful because we have a great hero in Dr. Jose Rizal, whom we can be
proud of. He gave us lofty ideals and example on unity for various
association, organization or group. If there is someone proven worthy
and capable and willing to lead, let us give way for the benefit of all.

The second in command should bide his/her time and gather more
experience and learn from examples. The leaders should face the truth
that upholds the natural progression, right of succession and smooth
transition. Winners should be magnanimous and losers should be
gracious.

For your information, especially for true Rizalista, the two books
Rizal brought with inside the prison were the Bible and the Imitation
of Christ by Thomas a' Kempis. The first book he bequeathed to his
mother, Teodora Alonzo, and the second one to his sister Narcisa.

Rizal tried hard to imitate the life of Christ, at the end he
sacrificed his own life for the sake of his country by writing and
publishing "Noli Me Tangere" (Social Cancer) and "El Filibusterismo"
(The Remedy or Revolution). He followed Christ up to the end of his
when he uttered "Consummatum est" (It is accomplished) on the isolated
field of Luneta, also the exact words spoken by Christ on the cross.

We cannot truly imitate the life of Rizal. It is enough if we try to learn his
examples and ideas concerning unity inside an organization for the
eradication of the malaise of Filipinos. The first step for a Rizalista
is to read his biography so that we can render homage to him as a real
hero to be emulated without reservation, not only because Rizal was
foisted on us by Americans, according to Renato Constanino's essay
"Veneration without understanding". In the present, Dr. Jose Rizal is
recognized as a hero in Germany, Belgium, China, Japan and other parts
of the world.

Rizal visited Canada at Niagara Falls on May 12, 1888. A
plaque was erected in Niagara Falls commemorating his visits.
Unfortunately, the location was lost in time and forgotten by people.
However in the near future, an organization will install a larger
plaque to more recognition to our national hero.

If we could roll back time when Rizal was here in Canada and
he hears about our problem concerning governance and unity of
organizations, especially the Knights of Rizal, I am sure Dr. Jose
Rizal will not hesitate to come and visits us and offer his advice and
expertise.*****

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More Reactions to “Bonifacio Revisited” (Feb. 01, 2008)

One of your reactors, Jun Abaya, wrote: Athough we have the same last names, I happen to be a direct descendant of Gen. Aguinaldo. He is my great grandfather, my grandfather being Emilio Aguinaldo Jr, the son of the general. My dad is the genuine Ilocano. He is former Rep Plaridel Madarang Abaya of the 1st district of Cavite. He was born and grew up in Candon, Ilocos Sur. If you have Ilocano blood, then we are most likely relatives.

Manong Tony, I know that former Rep. Plaridel Abaya is from Candon. and like me, Jun Abaya thinks that if you have Ilocano blood, you are relatives. I asked you a year ago if you are from Candon and that Archbsihop Osmundo "Apo Munding" Abaya and Gen. Anotnio "Tony" Abaya (AFP. Ret.) and the President of Fortune Tobacco are your relatives. You informed me then that you are not and that you were born in Pagsanjan, Laguna.

When you mentioned Pagsanjan, I commented that Manong Ernesto "Ernie" M. Maceda is your townmate. Manong Ernie speaks Ilocano fluently. He learned the dialect from her mother, a Madarang from San Esteban, Ilocos Sur. I happen to be related to the Madarang's from Santa Maria. - Incidentally, several close friends and I were in Vigan last January 15. After an enlightening discussion over coffee at Cafe Leona with Vice Governor Jeremias "Jerry" Singson and Councilor Loreto "Loring" Quibilan, I wanted to visit Apo Munding but in deference to my friends I did not pursue it. Last February 7, I had a chance meeting with Gen. Tony at Christ the King Parish at Greenmeadows. I informed him of my trip to Vigan and asked him if you are his distant relative. His answer is affirmative. May I have your comments under this new information. Thank you and God bless.

Jerry Quibilan, (by email), Feb. 18, 2008

(Once more with feeling. My father and his family were/are from Pagsanjan, Laguna. We his children were born and grew up in Metro Manila. We do not know how to speak Ilocano. But we understand that all the Abayas originally came from Candon, Ilocos Sur. However, none of us have ever been there. ACA)

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Reaction to Gemma’s “February 1899”

Dear Tony, I would like to thank you for forwarding the article to this blog group. Indeed, Gemma Cruz-Araneta is correct in reminding us of this date. The main points
of the article strengthens my belief of Rizal's and Aguinaldo's importance in our history. It is their profound conviction about this nation that truly shaped the concept of who the Filipino was at the beginning of its modern history.

Gus Cosio, (by email), Feb. 18, 2008

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More Reaction to “Roosevelt or Hitler” (Feb. 06, 2008)

Tony -----You wrote: Former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno claims the actual GDP growth rate in 2007 was only between 6.0 and 6.5 percent but offers no counter-statistics to back his claim –

Maybe this paragraph in Ciel Habito's column today would explain Ben Diokno's point more clearly:

"It may be overstated by one or two percentage points—that is, it would be more like 5.3 to 6.3 percent rather than the reported 7.3 percent if measured in a way that would make recent data comparable to the pre-2004 data. (It is a fact that pre-2004 economic growth data are not comparable with post-2004 data, as the government had changed the methodology of measurement—and the National Statistical Coordination Board makes no secret of this.) Still, this does not change the fact that GDP growth has accelerated in recent years."

Boo Chanco, (by email), Feb. 18, 2008

Philippine Star

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(Forwarded to Tapatt by Louie Fernandez)

Fil-Am Banker critiques Peso Policy

A paper by a Filipino-American investment banker and equity capitalist concludes that "despite what government officials say, OFWs and those who depend on them are the big losers" in the movement of the Philippine peso rate in relation to the U.S. dollar. The paper further notes that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' (BSP's) "attempt to sugarcoat the peso's strength is not credible".

The author of the paper is Raymond F. Barrios, who is attending the Harvard Business School. Barrios is a Filipino-American dual-citizen and a Convenor of the Global Filipino Nation, an unincorporated association of leading organizations and leaders onshore and offshore, including those in academe, think tanks, peasant groups, labor, media, grassroots organizers, business, banking and investments, consulting, OFW/migrant rights advocacy, youth, indigenous peoples, foundations and law.

The paper expressed surprise that the BSP commissioned a study to invalidate the general impression that the rapid change in the exchange rate has hurt many Filipinos. The incongruity is that the BSP's role is to promote economic stability, not to condition the mind of the people.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Gunigundo is quoted to have asserted "that what comes out is perception. We need to educate people. Some of them feel they're not getting the positive impact of a firm peso." The paper retorts that such a statement from a government official is deeply troubling – the Philippine government appears to be ignoring its citizens' concerns (as well as common sense)," contrary to the results of a Social Weather Survey.

Referring to the Mexican experience in the early 1990s, while admittedly different in relevant circumstances, the paper notes that "the BSP's trumpeting of the positives of a 'firm' Philippine peso is reminiscent of the Mexican authorities' simple and ignorant view that a strong peso is a good thing." A separate HBS case study revealed that shortly before the Mexican peso crisis in 1994, the Mexican "peso's exchange rate against the dollar demonstrated remarkable stability, evidence in the authorities' eyes of the success of reform and foreign confidence".

The Barrios-authored paper points out inconsistencies in the data of BSP which asserts that the share of the U.S. in total overseas Filipino remittances is overstated since a large portion is coursed through U.S. remittance centers. The paper observes that the proportions of remittances from top country locations match the Filipino population distribution in those countries.

Furthermore, the paper states that "the BSP's claim that U.S.-sourced remittances are overstated is irrelevant. All the currencies… [analyzed] have moved in the same general direction…In other words, the values of these remittances increased in peso terms regardless of where they came from. This relationship still applies with today's strong peso." The paper notes that "the BSP's attempt to sugarcoat the peso' strength is not credible."

Who are the "winners" and who are the "losers" in the peso movement? The paper claims that "those who are short the U.S dollar and long the Philippine peso are the winners… The losers, on the other hand, are long the U.S dollar and short the Philippine peso." The paper cites the position taken by the Global Filipinos Coalition to the effect that "the big winners are a small number of beneficiaries: the government, the ruling elite, oil companies, utilities and importers (including smugglers). A strong peso also rewards jetsetters and those with insatiable taste for imported goods."

The paper concludes with the observation that "the strong peso has swayed more Filipinos to stay home instead of looking for higher payer jobs overseas. Remittances, correspondingly, will likely decrease as well. The Philippines must position itself to transition the economy." *****

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

RX to "Roosevelt or Hitler?"

Reactions to “Roosevelt or Hitler?”

More Reactions to “Bonifacio Revisited”

More Reactions to “GMA’s Successes”

Reaction to “Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives”

What You Should Know re February 1899

No Presidential Elections in 2010

On Post Office Thievery and Rudeness

Jun Lozada’s Expose

You wrote: (Former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno claims the actual GDP growth rate in 2007 was only between 6.0 and 6.5 percent but offers no counter-statistics to back his claim –

Manong Tony, this is what is very good about your style of writing. You expose the omissions of those that make contratrian views but who fails to show their counter-claims. I hope that what you are doing will help in the reduction of unsolicited opinions who really mean nothing and the improvement in the content of the messages that you received which will eventually be sent to us. More power and God bless.

You wrote: President Arroyo is to be congratulated for the 7.3 percent GDP growth. Can this be replicated in 2008 and 2009? Probably not.

Definitele YES if the moro-moro in both houses of Congress do their jobs as legislators and crafters of good and doable laws and the executive branch implements without fear or favor those laws that are in place and the judicial branch will see to it that violators will be justly punished. Definitely NO if we go on in our merry ways and compromises.

Jerry Quibilan, (by email), Feb. 06, 2008

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Dear Tony: The other caveat if the Philippines is to each First World status is for the country to rise over long-held religious taboos and do something to effectively curb its high rate of population growth.

Even if the country's GNP consistently grows by a linear average of over 7% a year, for many years—which is not certain because of bottlenecks and constraints which are bound to occur over time--if the average annual rate of population growth steadies at close to 2.% over time, GNP per capita will rise only minimally

.

Thus it will take the country longer to achieve an average annual GNP per capita in the order of, say, $10,000 which would be around P440,000 in today's exchange ratios. Let us note that, for comparison purposes, the average annual GNP per capita for Singapore is well over $25,000 now.

The United State is already in the throes of a severe recession. President Bush's proposed economic "stimulus" package of $150 billion is rather too little and too late in a $13 trillion economy. Thus, if the US economy does not get a stimulus package which is large enough to produce the financial and economic impact intended, the likelihood is that the present recession will morph into a dreaded depression.

Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers, NY, Feb. 07, 2008

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I think the economy really improved. Businesses are picking up because many people have money to spend due to an improved job generation. No doubt.

But, the taxpayers deserve more than this. The so many scandals that continue to hound us have sucked the coffers of government project have run dry. Just go to any public hospital in the provinces and maluluha ka sa conditions. The police station na until today, typewriter parin ang gamit. Brazen graft and corruption acts by officials. A new president is what this country needs.

Mike Delgado, (by email), Feb. 07, 2008

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More Reactions to “Bonifacio Revisited” (Feb. 01, 2008)

Dear Tony, The article and analysis of Engr. Dante G. Balacanao is very interesting indeed and provides a clue in understanding the Filipino psyche - his culture that some people even describe as "damaged". What we call "crab mentality", the negative attitude of the Filipino to pull down those who he feels have bested him or simply because of inggit, is shown in his citing of incidences during our Revolution which led to our 1898 Independence from Spain - the first successful (although short-lived due to the American KJs!) revolution in Asia against a foreign colonizer.

In particular, the tragic end of Andres Bonifacio in the Revolution remains a dark chapter in our history. That, including the way some of our Filipino historians and those "history-telling-a-lie" ones of the current era and the current state of affairs in our politics gives us a glimpse on how we are as a people. Can we Filipinos ever be able to get our acts together?

I am attaching articles that the history buffs in your audience might find interesting. These will support the conclusions of Engr. Balacanao. At least it will show some agreement amongst us. Maybe we can start from there. By realizing our weakness as a people, strengthening and building from there. That will need a value overhaul but we all have to start somewhere. Mabuhay!

Edgardo J. T.Tirona, (by email), BF Homes, Paranaque City , Feb. 09, 2008

(Unless you convert your attachments into URLs, we cannot load them here. ACA)

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Dear Sir: I just came across the feedback of pmcsi.phils@gmail.com to Antonio Abaya’s article, “Bonifacio Revisited”.

You wrote, “It simply reminds one of the gravest manipulations committed in Christendom in order to control the behavior of followers: Original Sin.” Great observation!

The Roman Catholic Church has used their theology of “original sin” to explain mankind’s sense of helplessness and from this, the Church natures Filipinos’ “Bahala na ang Diyos” mentality. The Church’s stand against contraception, for example, stem from this flawed theology and the consequences on Philippine society have been disastrous.

I’m sending you an article that discusses original sin. I hope you will find the attached article enlightening. It’s a comparative theology (I don’t mean to make this a religious topic), but it discusses the heart of the issue that continues to enslave Filipinos spiritually.

Sincerely,

Misael “Sonny” Balayan, (by email), Mililani, Hawaii, Feb. 12, 2008

P.S. I’m a former Roman Catholic (disenchanted by Papist doctrines and teachings) who converted into the eastern Orthodox Catholic Church. Please click the hyperlinked terms above for more explanation.

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Dear Tony, I read the letter of Rev. Bert Dellosa, a Filipino living in Melbourne. It is unfortunate that the Filipinos he approached in Melbourne would not acommodate two countrymen from the Phililpines for fear of communicable disease. Perhaps there was a need of a medical reassurance to the prospective hosts. I believe that there are also other Filipinos who would have hosted if only they were approached.

I find the humanitarian project of the Rotary Club where Bert Dellosa is the past president laudable. I have been involved in a similar Rotary Club Medical Mission in Mindoro and found it very rewarding seeing all the beneficiaries being able to avail of medical services that the Government cannot provide. It is almost one week of work that included operations by surgeons from Manila.

Indeed, we should always be proud to be Filipinos in spite of what the others are doing. By our own example of serving less fortunate Filipinos, we may be able to inspire other Filipinos to think of the others - the greater good of the greater number - than their own selves. Regards.

Rick B. Ramos, (by email), Santa Rosa, Laguna, Feb. 12, 2008

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Dear Mr Abaya, I have been reading your columns with great interest (through my Father's emails). I am a Filipino youth who have read and heard many negative things about Filipinos. I came to Australia at the age of 8 and still vaguely remember the great times growing up, although I did grow up in nicer surroundings than the many other Filipinos. I was fortunate to have an education and be able to migrate to Australia with my family.

My question is, with all the corruption, crab mentality, selfishness and other 'nasties' lurking behind many Filipinos everywhere in the world, what are we to be proud about? I have this constant discussion with my dad and am aware of all the corruption and the reasoning of why Philippines is still behind the likes of Vietnam and Thailand. So the question is, is there anything we should be proud about? Is the future generation also susceptible to all the past mistakes and how are we to improve? So many question and so little time to write responses to, but there are many thing I love and proud about being a Filipino and I know there are people out there too who still have pride in our culture and our people.

I may not know the history of our motherland but I am slowly learning and intrigued by the details. Thank you very much for further opening my eyes and seeing what was not there before. Keep up the good work and hope that many more young Filipinos read your column and start enquiring about our culture, our people and out history, so one day we may have the right leader to improve the country. Regards

Marylou Dellosa, (by email), Melbourne, Australia, Feb.13, 2008

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Many battles my be lost before the war is won. Is Bonifacio to blame for his own murder? How many battles did Rizal win? He is a National Hero even if he was really opposed to revolution. Can you be a hero for writing senimental book?

damiproblema@yahoo.com.ph, Feb. 15, 2008

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Emil Diaz, jr. (ted7788@shaw.ca) thought you would be interested in the following article from globeandmail.com, Canada's leading source for online news:

"Filipinos find work faster "
Immigrants born in Southeast Asia tend to integrate themselves into the Canadian work force more rapidly than other adult immigrants, Statscan says
<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080213.wimmigrant0213/EmailBNStory/robNews/home>

Note from Emil Diaz, jr.: Just one positive note on our people. The government of B.C. and previously, the government of Saskatchewan signed and sealed an agreement to allow more Filipinos to work in these provinces because of our reputation as a hard-working group. I heard Australia is doing the same thing. Nice. More OFW remittances coming your way. Take care.

Emil Diaz, (by email), Toronto, Canada, Feb.14, 2008

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Hi Tony, Hi just read your article on Andres Bonifacio written by Engr Balacanao. very interesting. I wonder where he got all that data. a totally different perspective of Bonifacio. I wonder what else could we do to rewrite or at least present to our youth ideas such as those of Engr Balacanao.

Athough we have the same last names, I happen to be a direct descendant of Gen Aguinaldo. He is my great grandfather, my grandfather being Emilio Aguinaldo Jr, the son of the general. My dad is the genuine Ilocano. He is former Rep Plaridel Madarang Abaya of the 1st district of Cavite. He was born and grew up in Candon, Ilocos Sur. If you have Ilocano blood, then we are most likely relatives. Also read that Engr Balacanao is an alumnus of Philippine Science High School. I also happen to graduate from the same school. Thanks

Jun Abaya, (by email), Feb. 15, 2008

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More Reactions to “GMS’s Successes” (Jan. 17, 2008)

Dear Mr. Abaya, Do we have figures on per capita “genuine progress” like this one for the United States? “We could abandon gross national product (GNP) as an indicator of economic well-being; it suggests to the consumer that our economies need take no account of sustainability. In the United States, per capita GNP rose by 49% during 1976-98, whereas per capita ‘genuine progress’ (the economy's output with environmental and social costs subtracted and added weight given to education, health, etc.) declined by 30%.”

See basic causes of RP failures in “Celebrating the UP Centennial” posted at,

http://www.ovcrd.upd.edu.ph/content/view/461/81/ Best regards,

Flor Lacanilao, (by email), Diliman, Quezon City, Jan. 30, 2008

Retired professor of marine science, UP Diliman

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Reaction to “Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives”

In response to Auggie Surtida's e-mail Reaction to "Rizal: Undeserved Adjectives" (January 10, 2008), I'd say that it looks like hero-bashing [from Rizal to Bonifacio (Mr. Balacanao's Bonifacio Revisited (January 31, 2008)] is in fashion of late.

Those that I have read of the works of the Western novelists whom Mr. Surtida mentioned, not one inspired me or drove me to tears as Rizal's two landmark literary pieces Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo did. In fact, they were so moving that they inspired and stimulated a whole nation to a revolution -- the first in Asia against Western imperialists. And they were so powerful that these books have been practically banned in the classrooms of the educational powers that be (read the Catholic Church) to this very day. Isn't to stimulate, inspire, instruct, and entertain [yes, to many being driven to tears could be a form of entertainment (like Erich Segal's Love Story)] the purpose of this literary genre? If so, what could be a more telling testament to Rizal's greatness as a novelist than what his novels have accomplished and his greatness as a man in the nobleness of his spirit and courageous martyrdom?

Finally, being a summa cum laude graduate of the Ateneo, a graduate of Europe's two most preeminent universities, the Sorbonne and Heidelberg, and a polyglot, Rizal certainly fits the description of a Rennaissance Man for having excelled in medicine, sciences, languages and the arts. But apparently all this just ain't 'nuff to the sniffing Mr. Surtida.

Louie Fernandez, (by email), New Jersey, Feb. 04, 2008

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No Presidential Elections in 2010

The picture is almost complete. With screens, smoke and mirrors, the magic will happen.

Chief of Staff, Gen Esperon has been extended to finish off the NPA within the next three months. To placate the next in line, GMA pronounced that Army chief Gen Yano will take over from Esperon. The NPA problem is not going to be over in 3 months. There's another reason why Esperon was extended. It is not the NPA.

President's sons, Congressmen Datu and Mikey, are leading the pack to unseat JDV as speaker purportedly because he was not able to stop his son, Joey, from divulging the anomalies of the NBN deal. Malacanang is saying it will not stop the two regardless of GMA's pronouncements of supporting JDV. JDV is not being ousted because of the NBN deal. JDV is being ousted because of his ambition to be the nation's leader which can only be thru prime ministership of a parliamentary government. Very much possible because of his being speaker and his support in Congress.

As such he is no more of an ally but a rival. With him out, GMA's ambition to hold on to power is almost a reality. The Constitution will be altered. The AFP under the leadership of Esperon will guarantee that opposition to such will be suppressed. Presidential election in 2010 is not going to happen. Wait, there is more. If only I can go back to sleep.

Dan Jimenez, (by email), Feb.03, 2008

Dan, Mel and Jim
'The greatest failure is that never attempted.'

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On Post Office Thievery and Rudeness

Dear Mr. Abaya

This has reference to a complaint of Ms. Ana Alayu of Las Piñas regarding non-receipt of her mails as well as the rudeness of some people at Las Piñas PO which was forwarded by the Office of the Postmaster General to this Office for our investigation.

Our office is unable to conduct an intelligent investigation on the complaint since the complete address of Ms. Alayu is not given. May we therefore request for the address of Ms. Alayu so that we can immediately conduct an investigation and initate corrective actions. Thank you. Truly yours,

Alfredo O. Estrera, (by email), Feb. 06, 2008

Regional Director, Philpost -NCR

ncr.ppc@gmail.com

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(Forwarded to Tapaptt by Perry Diaz)

What you should know about February 1899

Every year on February 4, as far back as I can remember, my mother would tell me and my siblings about how important that day is in the life of our nation and for all Filipinos. She would always start out by saying that it is the day that we Filipinos have been taught to forget, and if only for that, 4 February 1899 is a day we must remember with our
hearts and our minds.

What happened on that day?-- my younger siblings who had not quite fathomed the lesson would inevitably ask. On the streets of Silencio and Sociego in Santa Mesa , mother would way, brave soldiers of the First Philippine Republic, Filipinos like us, were guarding the blockhouses at the agreed dividing line between the US forces and the army of the Republic, after the surrender of Manila by the Spaniards.

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo thought the Americans were our allies, and so did many of his
generals, some had gone to Bulacan on leave. Suddenly, that Sunday evening , a group of American soldiers called out "Halt!" to a Filipino patrol who ignored them, and they started firing upon the Filipino lines and all along the street the firing began. That was
the outbreak of the Philippine-American War.

Why is it important for us to remember that night and that first battle that followed?—mother would ask to stress the value of the historical lesson. Then she would continue with the core of her message: Filipinos today are often told that we are lost and foundering, that we find it hard to solve our problems. That is because those who do not know where they came from, will never reach their destination or learn where they
are going. We must remember our past so we can reach our future destiny. That is why we must remember 4 February 1899. We must remember where we came from.

And this is where we came from: In January 1899, we Filipinos inaugurated our own free, independent First Republica de Filipinas, the first in all of Asia. We had a parliament, a Constitution, an armed forces, an operational government with a cabinet, even a university. We Filipinos had won the anti-colonial Revolution against Spain. We had fought and besieged the City of Manila and it had surrendered. The envoys of the First Republic were sent to Paris and Washington to negotiate the support of foreign
nations.

All that means that we were not naked savages the American politicians said we were. We wrote and spoke a world language, Spanish, in addition to our own languages. Our young men won prizes in painting, music and literature in the capitals of Europe. We were Christians, civilized Asians with our own unique culture . We were a free people who had fought for our independence and set up our own Republic. We were building a nation! That is where we all came from. That is where we must start again today and everyday.. We must revisit 4 February 1899 to save ourselves today.

My siblings and I have remembered that valuable lesson in various degrees. I am doing my utmost to pass it on to my children and grandchildren. (gemma601@yahoo.com)

Gemma Cruz-Araneta

Landscape, Manila Bulletin

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Jun Lozada Expose

at 2:30 a.m. of February 7, 2008:

I'd like to start by thanking a lot of people who expressed their sincere sympathy for the family. I'd like to thank them first, so many of them. And in Tagalog, nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng nagpahayag ng pag-aalala sa akin at sa sampu ng aking pamilya.

Ako po'y nagtawag sa pagpupulong na ito upang mabigayan ng liwanag. Madami kasing mga katanungan ang bayan ukol sa proyekto ng NBN-ZTE na ito.

At upang huwag na sanang mapilitan pa yung iba, marami nang mabubuting taong napilitan pang magsinungaling dahil sa akin. Hindi naman sila kasama rito, napipilitan pa silang magsinungaling. Ayokong maging dahilan na magkasala sa Diyos at sa bayan kahit sinoman. Ayoko ho iyon.

Mabigat po sa aking damdamin ito at isipan, ang aking gagawin. Ngunit kailangan kong gawin ito para sa kaunawaan, para maliwanag na ang isipan ng bayang ito na lubhang makaka-apekto doon sa kinabukasan nila.

Ang aking ilalahad na mga salaysay ngayon tungkol sa ZTE-NBN ay yung mga bagay na ako'y may personal na ginampanan, the things that I'm involved with. And I'm going to say this with malice to no one.

Wala ho akong malisya kahit kanino man. Ang sasabihin ko ay kung ano lang ginawa namin, at kung ano ang nangyari.

Introduced to Abalos

To my recollection of events, I'll start off the first time I was introduced to this project by Secretary Neri, monitored action to Chairman Ben Abalos. I guess if it was not late September, early October I was introduced by Secretary Neri to Chairman Ben Abalos in Wack-Wack together with his entourage sina Ruben Reyes…and the ZTE president Yu Yong and Fan Yang. We had lunch in Wack-Wack wherein we talked about the NBN-ZTE.

I remember that the Secretary told Chairman Abalos to course his project proposal to the proper channel. NEDA received the first copy sometime in October…prepared by…All questions were referred back to Asec Formoso.

When the Secretary gave me a copy for me to review, the first three that really caught my attention, when I was reviewing the financial cost, the financial projection were based on… September 20, 2006 issue wherein they were quoting how much government was spending for telecom expenses…

…So, I told the Abalos group, through their guy Leo San Miguel, that they should revise their proposal. They should fix it and try to avoid the education part of it, because there's already a cyber-education project.

Abalos wanted $130 million

Sometime in November, that was the time that I also met Joey de Venecia, to see the presentation on a similar project but on a BOT basis. And at that time, the Secretary asked me if the project was appropriate for NBN.

Until we presented the project proposal for the NBN. And the Secretary asked If I think it was appropriate and I said yes, so he encouraged Joey to push through the project development further.

And when the Secretary asked me if there was a synergy between the two projects I said, yes. But both of them were pitching for the same project. The Secretary told me to reconcile the two proponents. And at that point, it was really a good project.

At that point, when the Secretary told me to reconcile the two proponents, I immediately went to work and proposed one tool for the two proponents wherein both of them can achieve both of their objectives. Joey's objective was to do a BOT with government, which was completely above board, and then Chairman Abalos's objective was to do a loan, a project on a loan basis.

So the project structure that I proposed was that Joey becomes the lead contracting party to the government, it's on a BOT basis anyway. And that Abalos, to achieve his objective of supplying, becomes supplier to Joey's project.

I thought at that point it was already a win-win situation for everyone involved. The government gets its NBN project, Joey gets his BOT project, and then Abalos gets his supply comes up.

So, at one point I got them already to do their own thing. It's finished. But I guess the trouble started when Chairman Abalos wanted to protect his $130-million… how shall I put this…commission on the project. So dapat daw proteksyonan 'yong $130 million, (before) we agree that Joey become the main proponent.

'Bubukol po ito'

At that point, I just felt that…it might be a little too big, in the vernacular sabi ko bubukol po ito, sabi ko siguro kalahati pupuwede. But nonetheless I relayed the information to Joey, because it's going to be Joey's project anyway.

And Joey's reaction was really like ballistic, parang he was worried, saan n'ya kukunin itong $130 million na 'to, because the project cost is $262 million, and Abalos wanted $130 million na komisyon. So sabi ko sa kanila, hindi ko problema 'yan, that's your problem.

So at that point, I don't know if the listener can realize how much money all of these are na pinag-uusapan…$130 million…At that point, I was telling them na problema n'yo na ito basta you make sure you'll get this thing together because we don't want another Atong Ang or Chavit Singson scandal to rock this country. I also made it very clear...na basta maayos lang.

ZTE's advances to Abalos

Sometime in December, the ZTE rep, si Yu Yong at saka si Fan Yang, who get quite close to me, along the progress of the work, were already getting frantic and talking to me about developments in the project, because they'd already gave enough advances daw to Chairman Abalos. So, sabi ko sa kanila, the project is moving along, they should not be alarmed.

So, it was also at this point because of Joey's hesitance to agree on the $130-million commission, that Chairman Abalos started considering doing the project on his own, deretso na siya.

Ang sabi ko ho sa kanya na hindi ho puwedeng de-deretcho kayo, kasi ang kabilin-bilinan ni Secretray Neri, na yun din ata ang utos ng Presidente, na this project can only be done through a BOT basis, hindi puwedeng utang.

'Tawagan natin si FG'

So I was standing firm on that, na hindi talaga pupuwede. At that point, that was the time that Chairman Abalos said, halika, tawagan natin si FG. So, sabi niya, nung tinawagan niya, pare nandito yung taga NEDA sa tabi ko, hindi raw puwedeng i-utang yung project ko.

I cannot hear the voice from the other end, pero sabi n'ya, kung ganyan kayong kausap, and the Chairman continues, kung ganyan kayong kausap, ang hirap n'yo palang kausap, kalimutan n'yo na lang ang usapan natin.

I don't know what that meant. But the following day, totoo nga, a letter from the Chinese ambassador came addressed to the government, and… with Mike, stating that this is already December.

'Moderate their greed'

You can check this with the records. I'm just doing this through my own recollection. But if you can check sometime December, a letter addressed to Mike yata, came in from the Chinese ambassador saying that there is now money available for a loan, for the NBN project, independent of the cyber-education project.

Kasi yung cyber-education yun ang napag-agree-han na ilo-loan na. Ngayon there's another loan na naman na puwede na rin yung NBN i-loan, it was sometime early December.

So, I told the Secretary about it, Secretary Neri. And his instruction to me was very clear, sabi n'ya, Jun, you moderate their greed. I was naive to accept that order. I do not know what moderating greed means, but I followed Secretary Neri.

'Pare, okay na kami sa NEDA'

And due to the insistence naman nitong mga taga ZTE that the project gets going, Chairman Abalos invited us sometime on the third week of December, I'm pretty sure of the timing, over dinner in Makati Shang-rila. He asked to invite Joey as well, kasi si FG will be there with us.

Actually the First Gentlemen did not say much, except that Chairman Abalos told him na pare okay na kami nina Joey, ok na kami sa NEDA. (and the FG answered) Ah, ganon, mabuti naman, okay na , okay na.

So, I'm just narrating to you with no malice intended. Whatever that means, kayo na po ang bahalang umano.

And on their trip to China, I did not join them anymore, and I guess Joey can speak omn what happened in China.

Like the North Rail

Sometime in early January naman, Secretray Neri again invited us for lunch with Abalos in Edsa, in Makati-Shangrila in a Chinese restaurant together with Yu Yong and Fan Yang, the ZTE, and the Chinese commercial councilor. At that point, the Chairman again was making the impression that the project is already a go. May be there was parallel trust…because…(but) it was not yet a go.

So there was some negative reaction from the ZTE person, and the Secretary noticed some awkward moments there, and then he immediately ask a leave, and said that he had to go, and asked me to stay behind.

Chairman Abalos and the ZTE guy were in curious exchange of words, because the ZTE people were like demanding from Chairman Abalos that he promised that the ZTE deal will be done on a loan project under the North Rail. I don't know why they speak about the North Rail. I don't know why they speak about the North Rail. They keep on mentioning ala North Rail terms loan agreement.

'Alam mo bang…?'

So, that was last meeting I had with the Chairman. And on January 18, I remember the date very well. This is the only date that I can remember because this was the date I said bye to the project.

I was then in Dumaguete in Negros, together with Henry Teves, when Chairman Abalos called me up, to some like early evening, and asked me questions like, "Alam ba ni Neri yung ginagawa mo, (I said) Opo. Alam ba ni Neri yung ginawa mo. Opo. Alam mo bang malapit ako sa military. Opo. Alam mong malapit ako sa intelligence. Opo. Alam mo namang malapit ako…

And then he started cursing. Mura siya nang mura in Tagalog, lahat-lahat. At ang sabi niya, nandito sa akin yung CD lahat ng phone conversations ninyo nina Joey, mga hayop kayo, tina-traydor n'yo ko.

I don't know what gave him that impression..but the fact, that they said I know the week 17 in ISAPF can do that, which Chairman Abalos and Ruben Reyes are …close to, I was not surprised.

So, I just took with a grain, and then Chairman Abalos ended up…his words with, "Huwag kang magpapakita sa aking hayop ka sa Wack –Wack o sa Mandaluyong at ipapapatay kita."

That's when all my troubles started. So, I quit the project. I told the Secretary that I don;lt think this project is worth risking my life for. All I did was trying to help the Secretary understand it.

So on February 2007, the executive order was issued. So this is now my personal participation ended and where it ended for the project concept.

From $262M to $329M

In February 2007, an EO was issued by the Office of the President, transferring the telos, the implementing agency to DOTC. And on April, the project… the NBN was approved…at $329 million.

When I quit the project, the project cost was $262 million. So it was approved. I don't know what happened then. I'm not imputing anything now. But when it was approved, it was already approved at $329 million. And the day after it was approved, the President together with PagCor officials, went to China to witness the signing of the agreement.

This project for me is one transactional example of a dysfunctional government procurement, a systemic dysfunction on how we procure projects. There are other more that have escaped scrutiny, but ganun din ang sistema. And I have agonized over this decision...

Ang dasal ko lang sana maintindihan n'yo yung dusang dinananas ng pamilya ko ngayon. Ang dasal ko lang sana matutunan na natin after nito na ang salitang Pilipino ay hindi lang tumutkoy sa isang pamilya. Ang salitang Pilipino ay tumutukoy sa isang bansa, ang bansang Pilipino. And sometimes, it's worth taking a risk for this country.

-- Shared by William M. Esposo

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'Neri Was Afraid.....'

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb 13, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 14 issue

NOTE: I am not the Tony Abaya who, according to Jun Lozada, brought him to the house of Mrs. Felicitas Aquino-Arroyo (wife of Sen. Joker Arroyo) who allegedly counseled him not to testify at the Senate.

Similarly, I was not the Tony Abaya who, according to a confused “intelligence source” in Malacanang last Sept-Oct. 2007, was coaching Joey de Venecia on how to discredit the ZTE NBN contract.

I have never met Jun Lozada or Joey de Venecia in my entire life. And I was not even aware of their existence until I saw them on television.

The other Tony Abaya moves in the corridors of power. I do not.

Vicente “Enteng” Romano, lead convenor of the Black and White Movement, emailed me a document – which is now all over cyberspace – which was purportedly written by Jun Lozada in October 2007.

Said document is claimed to explain why his (Jun’s) friend Romulo Neri refused or declined to divulge details of his (Nerti’s) conversation with President Arroyo after he (Neri) reported to her that Benjamin Abalos had allegedly offered him (Neri) a bribe of 200 (units unspecified but presumed to be millions in pesos) if he (Neri) would approve the controversial ZTE broadband contract. Abalos has denied the accusation.

Neri told the Senate investigating committees last October that he was invoking executive privilege in refusing or declining to divulge what President Arroyo’s further instructions were, after telling him (Neri) to ignore the bribe, but to approve the contract nonetheless.

This document, attributed to Jun Lozada and said to have been written in October 2007, purports to read the mind of Neri and second-guess his (Neri’s) reasons for doing what he (Neri) did and did not do. This is probably fair, considering the closeness of the two friends, but it would also be fair to conclude that it is also Jun talking here through the presumed voice of Neri.

In the following excerpts and summaries from the document – which is too long to reprint in toto – it would be useful to keep in mind that it is really a Neri-Jun avatar who is talking here.

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that when he (Neri) protested that (the ZTE contract) is too controversial and may attract the wrong kind of attention from media, Arroyo retorted back, ‘Pakulo lang ni Joey yan and his father.’ When he tried to reason that it may not be accommodated in the Chinese ODA package because it has been filled up with a list of projects already, Arroyo again ordered him to remove the low-cost housing project (for policemen and soldiers) and some water project to accommodate the ZTE-NBN deal in the ODA loan. That when he attempted to reason that it may not be approved in time for the Boao Forum which was only two days to go from that April day, Arroyo with raised voice told him to include the ZTE-NBN project in the agenda of the following day’s meeting of a combined NEDA Board and Cabinet Committee, which as expected promptly approved the project, paving the way for the contract signing between ZTE and DOTC in China the next day. Neri is afraid to tell the public that this conversation took place between him and Arroyo because it might spark another impeachment complaint against Arroyo.”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that with Arroyo’s firm control of public funds, she can buy al the necessary support from most sectors of society to keep her in power.”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the opposition knows about this conversation with Arroyo…they will not pursue a serious impeachment proceeding against Arroyo because it is not to their political interest that (VP) Noli de Castro becomes President in case Arroyo is impeached, and becomes a more formidable political opponent in 2010.”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the Church knows the truth about Arroyo’s direct involvement in the ZTE-NBN deal, the Church will still not call for her resignation due to the closeness of Arroyo’s trusted lady liaison to the Cardinal of Manila….”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the military knows the truth about Arroyo’s direct involvement in the fraudulent ZTE-NBN deal, the AFP brass is much too indebted to Arroyo for their positions and the perks that go with their positions, that they have demonstrated this twisted loyalty with their willingness to detain, remove from the service and even shoot their own people for voicing out their legitimate concerns regarding the corruption and moral authority of their Commander-in-Chief…”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the media knows the truth about Arroyo’s direct involvement in the ZTE-NBN scam, media will simply wither in the torrent of cash and favors similar to how the Hyatt 10, the Hello Garci scandal were killed in the media headlines and radio and TV coverage. Although he believes in the integrity of a handful of journalists, he believes that a handful of these mavericks cannot withstand the hordes of paid lackeys of Malacanang….”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the business sector knows the truth of Arroyo’s direct involvement to defraud the coffers of the taxes they are paying, the businessmen will be reluctant to rock the boat of the current economic uptrend….He is afraid the hard-earned remittances of Filipino OFWs that are keeping the economy booming and that can keep the economy afloat even under any administration are being wasted under this unholy alliance of Arroyo and her favored businessmen.”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if civil society knows the truth about Arroyo’s direct involvement in the ZTE-NBN deal, civil society is now tired of mass action after witnessing two failed EDSA revolutions, that civil society is now afflicted with ‘rally fatigue’ and cannot muster enough public outrage to denounce Arroyo’s ‘corruption with impunity.’ He is afraid that the middle class is now indifferent to the corruption that goes around them…..that the middle class are more interested to become OFWs and leave this country, leaving their family and children behind, and may not care anymore about the crimes being committed against their country by its own President.”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that even if the masa, the students, the workers know the truth about Arroyo’s direct involvement in the ZTE-NBN deal to steal precious resources from public funds, that they are now too poor and impoverished to be able to afford the time to join mass action against the abuses of the Arroyo government…..”

(Neri-Jun) “is afraid that the public may not know the extent of corruption in this country and may wrongly believe that they can cure corruption by simply replacing Arroyo with another person. He is afraid that the public may overlook the systemic and institutionalized nature of the source of corruption in this country, that the people will again opt for regime change without concern or a plan to correct the root causes of corruption in the country,…that people may not realize that it is not bringing Arroyo down that is difficult, it is establishing a new order that is the difficult task…..”

Of the 10 ‘afraids’ in this document, this last is the one that goes to the heart of the problem and constitutes the dilemma that we all face in our predicament. I will dissect this in a future article.

Now that the Jun half of this avatar has unburdened himself of the moral anguish that has tormented his soul in the past months, will the Neri half now come out and confirm what the Jun half has revealed? More important, will Neri now speak out more freely about the corruption that he has had to deal with at first hand, to an extent far wider and deeper than the Jun half ever did?

Has Neri found a solution to the 10^th ‘Afraid’? Will he ever find one. *****.

Reactions to tonyabaya@gmail.com. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com.

Jun Lozada, Reluctant Hero

By Antonio C. Abaya

Written on Feb.11, 2008

For the Standard Today,

February 12 issue

Jun Lozada did not want to be a hero. He did not want to face the Senate committees investigating the sordid ZTE broadband contract. He did not want to reveal what he knew about the massive over-pricing that allegedly attended this transaction.

Lozada narrated in his Senate testimony that two days before he left for Hong Kong, he had gone to Environment Secretary Lito Atienza (Lozada’s immediate superior in government) and briefed him (Atienza) on his (Lozada’s) involvement in the ZTE deal.

“He (Atienza) told me, ’if you come out with this, (the people) will get angry. You will hand this government to the opposition.’ But I told him that if I reach the Senate, I might not get a hold of myself, I might not be able to lie,” Lozada said. (Emphasis mine.)

So Jun Lozada wanted to avoid appearing in the Senate hearings because he was afraid he “might not be able to lie.” Hence the hurried departure for Hong Kong on the morning that he was supposed to appear in the Senate, the leaked misinformation that he was going to attend a conference in London, the exchange of text messages between him in HK and Atienza and Romulo Neri in Manila, to make sure he will not appear in the Senate, his sudden premature return to Manila, on a flight that that was chosen because it had relatively few passengers, as one of his handlers had specified.

And here seems to the tipping point in this controversy. When Lozada returned to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong, he had a 180 degree change of heart and mind. He suddenly felt compelled to tell the Senate and the rest of the country what he knew about the ZTE deal. What happened?

What happened is that when he was going down the tube from the aircraft to the terminal building, he was accosted by four armed men in civilian clothes and made to go along with them through a restricted security exit to a waiting car and driven around for five hours to as faraway as Los Banos, Laguna.

The four armed men who plucked him from the tube did not identify themselves or the organization they represented, nor did they tell him where they were taking him. They merely assured him that they were not going to harm him. All the while, exchanging text and cell phone messages with their superiors in Manila.

Sec. Atienza, Gen. Razon, Sec. Ermita, Sec. Puno, and all the Malacanang apologists have vehemently denied that there was any abduction or kidnapping, on the grounds that Lozada did not resist being made to go along with the four unidentified armed men, and had previously asked for security, even as his family waited vainly in the terminal to welcome him back, and the Senate sergeant-at-arms to serve an arrest warrant on him..

Let Atienza, Razon, Ermita, Puno and all the Malacanang apologists undergo the experience of being suddenly pulled away from the airport tube, being made to go along with four armed men who did not identify themselves or their organization, being driven around by them for five hours to as far away as Los Banos, while their families waited for him/them at the terminal to welcome him/them back…….let’s see if they would not scream ‘Abduction!’ or ‘Kidnapping!’ What a bunch of phonies.

The trauma of being picked up – even if it is being denied that there was abduction or kidnapping – must have shaken Lozada to the bones. He said he thought of what had happened years ago to publicist Bubby Dacer and Dacer’s driver, who were abducted by armed men and driven to a remote corner in Dasmarinas, Cavite, where they were both shot to death, just before he, Dacer, was about to testify on what he knew about misdeeds in the Estrada government.

It was a visibly shaken and traumatized Lozada who appeared at a hastily called press conference at two in the morning at the La Salle Greenhills, Thursday, Feb. 07, during which he claimed, “I guess the trouble started when (Comelec) Chairman (Benjamin) Abalos wanted to protect his $130 million, how shall I put this, commission on the (broadband) project…..”

During this presscon, Lozada said Abalos phoned First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, in his (Lozada’s) presence, to complain about Lozada’s stubborn refusal to approve the project on a loan basis, instead of the BOT basis, as had originally been agreed upon.

During the Senate hearing later that day, I think it was Sen. Panfilo Lacson who asked Lozada if he knew of other projects in which FG Arroyo was somehow involved. Lozada said that he knew of only two others. He replied that on one occasion he told FG that his (FG’s) name was being mentioned in connection with the South Rail project, but that the FG did not confirm or deny, and merely shrugged his shoulders. The other project was the purchase of x-ray machines for Philippine airports. Lozada said he was invited by FG Arroyo to travel with him to China to look over the x-ray machines. The senator asked, “Pati ba naman sa x-ray machines, nakiki-alam si FG?” Lozada said nothing.

This is significant because, as far as I know, the Philippine government or its agencies has/have signed a total of 27 contracts with Chinese agencies or corporations, including the development of 1.25 million hectares of agricultural land, cyber education for the school system, and one million units of social housing, plus the allegedly over-priced North Rail. Unless the ZTE contract is laid to rest with the benediction of angels, many people will conclude, rightly or wrongly, that FG Arroyo was involved in all 27 deals.

There are so many details in the testimony of Jun Lozada that it will take months to digest them all, including some pointed references to the “dysfunctional procurement system” of government, that makes supply contracts vulnerable to corruption: the details of a contract are tailor-fit to the specs of a contractor or supplier, not to the needs of the agency that signs the contract. The result is that political appointees, who know nothing of the project, dominate the senior levels of bureaucracy, and career bureaucrats become political mendicants, no longer public servants but servants of political masters.

Jun Lozada, a self-effacing but intellectual technical expert who calls himself a “probinsyanong Intsik”, without the social pedigree of Jose de Venecia or the personal fiefdom of Benjamin Abalos, comes out in all this as a man who truly loves his country, and who is genuinely appalled – as millions of Filipinos are - by the official corruption that has sunk this country to the bottom of the cesspool. In trying to avoid becoming a hero, he has reluctantly become one.

Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile – ironically the very same personages who had publicly exhorted the mobs of deposed President Estrada to assault the Malacanang of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in May 2001 – took turns in trying to destroy the credibility of Jun Lozada.

Armed with documents undoubtedly supplied by Arroyo’s Malacanang, Sen. Miriam revealed that Lozada, as president of the government-owned Philippine Forest Corp., had engaged in several questionable contracts that were awarded to Lozada’s own relatives or to his own company, without the requisite public bidding..

Lozada admitted it all, “There are things that I have done in my life that have diminished my self-respect. Mea culpa. Whatever self-respect I still have, I would like to keep. I felt that if I had approved the ZTE contract, I would have lost my soul.”

Well said, Jun. We believe you. And we love you. *****

Reactions to tonyabaya@gmail.com. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com.

NOTE: I am not the Tony Abaya who, Luzada said, had brought him to Mrs. Joker Arroyo, who advised him not to testify at the Senate. Just as I was not the Tony Abaya who, according to the spooks in Malacanang, had been coaching Joey de Venecia last year on how to discredit the ZTE Corp. My namesake moves in the corridors of power. I do not. ACA.

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RX to "Bonifacio Revisited"

Reactions to “Bonifacio Revisited”

Dear Sir Tony, Greetings,

I read your article often and we closely encounter during one forum in UE-Recto regarding charter change in 2004 during the question and answer forum. I hope you can remember the event.

I understand the problem of Bonifacio's personality and the Magdiwang responsibility for inviting Andres in Cavite and not protecting him later. However, we must also take into consider the personality problem and indecision's of our leaders during the 1896 revolution as well as to the event during the Philippine-American War like what happen in Biak na Bato money, the Hong Kong bank account of Aguinaldo, the Antonio Luna and Hacienda Luisita and other gray areas among our venerated heroes and historical events.

I wonder why the current Magdalos soldier of Oakwood are symbolically using this group as a present name, the same with Joma's Bonifacio veneration. Is it at the very beginning of the Republic. I hope that you will write something about why Trillanes et al are using Magdalo name with a wrong symbolic flag with them since the flag that they are using are not really identified with Magdalo but more similar to the flag of Macario Sakay.

We lack genuine leaders who walk their talk as for example Mahatma Gandhi.

On the other hand, heroes are not avatars. Instead they are human's who has limitation and imperfection's, same with our leaders today, what is important is that we learn from them, gather the lesson, the insights that we can learn from our history and move forward to re-create or re-imagine our nation.

I am only sad today becausewe cannot hear leader's today who have the strong sense of history and invoked without reading a paper regarding his vision of a nation.

God Bless You!

Albert Banico, (by email), Jan. 31, 2008

(I do not know why Trillanes and his Magdalos are using the flag of Macario Sakay. But I am glad that Andres Bonifacio never tried to seize a luxury hotel. ACA)

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Dear sir, Can you write an article regarding Artemio Ricarte, Apolinario Mabini, Lazaro Makapagal and Dr. Pio Valenzuela's Memoirs regarding the katipunan and bonifacio?

Accidentally I come across with one web page concerning this topic. You may open this site and be interested if you still haven’t come across with this..

http://bonifaciopapers.blogspot.com/

Thank you very much...

Albert Banico, (by email), Jan. 31, 2008

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With due respect to the professional expertise of Dante G. Balacanao of Los Angeles, California as an Engineer, his piece on laying on one particular individual the responsibility for the "cultural flaw" of modern day Filipinos reeks of amateurish sociology. It simply reminds one of the gravest manipulations committed in Christendom in order to control the behavior of followers: "Original Sin".

JMCN, pmcsi.phils@gmail.com, Feb. 01, 2008

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Wow and wow. I love this column. A. Bonifacio just proved my thinking that a majority of Filipinos belonging to the poor will never deserve to be rich because of their greed. D porke mahirap eh kaawan na natin because of their corrupt thinking. Just look at the baranggay captains, karamihan mga patay gutom, and we often hear stories of their kalokohan.

It is also good to know of this info because history books during our elementary and high school never supplied us with these details. Good to know. Will forward this. Definitely.

Mike Delgado, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Dear Tony -- From a faithful reader of your column, just a factual note on Bonifacio being an indio, as Engr. Balacanao believes (in today's column). This is from Alfredo Roces' Adios Patria Adorada (DLSU Press, 2006), p.232. "Its (the Katipunan's) Supremo, Bonifacio, was the son of a Spanish mestiza. His father was once Tondo's teniente mayor. His young bride, Gregoria de Jesus, said to be the first woman member of the KKK, was a member of the principalia, her father having served the office of gobernadorcillo of Caloocan." Indios and masses? Or mestizos and principales? Regards, Benito Legarda, Jr., (by email), Feb. 01, 2008.

(Beniting, Actually, the author referred to AB as a "native" and to the other revolutionists as "natives." In my only revision of his text, I changed "native" to "indio" and "natives" to "indios" because I thought it was inappropriate for a "native" to refer to his own countrymen as "natives." So the racial and social inaccuracies are mine, not the author's. Tony).

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Hi Tony. Quite a number of employers I know would tell you that Filipino workers are reliable, hard-working, committed, dedicated, self-sacrificing and so many other plaudits. Wonderful, I would say. But deep inside I would also be saying, well they have to be, otherwise there are others workers from other lands waiting on the queue. Simply they don't have a choice for there is nothing from the place they come from. But are these the normal characters of Filipinos? Well, put a group of Filipinos in one room and you'll witness what Dante has described as how a talented hard-working people, with solid basics at hand by the middle of the 20^th century, managed to squander everything ...through...pride, divisiveness, corruption, crab-mentality, and last but not least, selfishness.

It's not only happening in America but I believe anywhere that there are Filipinos. In Melbourne alone there are about 50 or more Filipino organizations., Why? Simply because of the 'Bonifacio' syndrome. When disagreements occur Filipinos try to solve them by forming another group, then another group and so on and so forth. Also there is an organization for Kapampangans, for Bicolanos, for Cebuanos, etc. etc. etc. We have here an annual celebration called the Philippine Fiesta. But guess what, another group tried to put up another Fiesta. Each one accusing each other of milking the coffers. And some quarrels end up in court. What a shame indeed. Now I have ceased joining any Filipino organization and completely avoided the Philippine Fiesta celebration. It's a pity, but I don't want to support any sham or corrupt group.

I just picked up from Melbourne airport a young chap from northern Philippines who is here to undergo surgery on a tumor growing on the bridge of his nose. This is a humanitarian program of Rotary of which I am a past-president. I contacted a few Filipinos to host him and his companion for a week at a time with financial support from Rotary. Until this writing no one has given me affirmative answers. Some are even worried that this fellow and his companion might be carrying transferable disease. Australian embassy staff are on strict instructions not to grant visas to anyone suspected of such illnesses.

Unfortunately, I have to bear the unforseen reality of my accidental birth to Filipino lineage. I'd expressed though my profound gratitude to my parents. Regards,

Bert Dellosa (Rev.), (by email), Melbourne, Australia, Feb. 01, 2008

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Hi, Tony: There seems to be some historical soul-searching going on in the search for our cultural defects caused by our cultural DNA. I had a short write-up moment on Manuel Quezon as well. Historically inaccurate perhaps...but hey I’m just a hack. =)

http://yps.org.ph/blogs/jaime/index.php?p=13

Have a good weekend.

Jaime Garchitorena, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Hello Tony! I don't know what Mr. Balacanao is belly-aching about. We did not make Bonifacio a National Hero because of his saintly qualities, if he had any. The fact is that he led an organization which eventually threw out the Spaniards (or would have if the Americans did not intervene) and he was among the first Filipinos to actually do something about Spanish tyranny. Compare this with Rizal partying/womanizing in Europe or sitting on his butt writing something amidst the splendor of Dapitan. In his age, Bonifacio stood tall among his contemporaries so we should not begrudge him of a deserved accolade.

Herminigildo Gutierrez, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Good Morning Sir, I'm Manolo Gatbonton, a moderator of at least two Filipino Masonic groups in the US and home-based in Virginia Beach. I came across your article this morning as I was going through my mails. It caught my attention and I thought it is a valuable article that can be shared with the members of Fraternity. With your permission, I would like to share this article with the rest of the Brethren. I thank you in advance and wishing you best regards.

Manolo Gatbonton, (by email), Virginia Beach, Virginia, Feb. 01, 2008

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Tony: I somewhat agree with Mr Bolacanao on his "root cause analysis to prevent reoccurences..." This is a REACTIVE mode. He can prevent accidents or negative occurrences by being PRO-ACTIVE. This can be accomplished by using the "WHAT IF.." approach. To be successful, prevention is the key to any root cause analysis.

In managing Filipino organizations, you can prevent a split if the "what if" approach is discussed prior to doing anything. If you can come out with something to answer the "what if" then find a solution to resolve it prior to implementation. If there are disagreements, then "compromise"...that is accepting the majority rule regardless if you agree or not. If one disagrees still, then there is no compromise. Look for alternative solutions. If you run out of alternative solutions and there is still a break in the organization....then blame it on our culture (root cause). At least you tried.

As in the case of Andres Bonifacio as a national hero....blame it on the academically educated intellectuals of the Philippines. They should know better.....

Rudy Hermosa, (by email), Boston, MA, Feb. 01, 2008

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Dear Mr.Abaya, First it was the spin-doctors who hyped that Rizal was the first Filipino Renaissance Man. Now it's Bonifacio as a SOB ? If the allegations are true, then wonder no more why we are an extremely fractious society. Yes, onli in da Pilipins ! There is really a tragic flaw in the moral fiber of the Filipino. So how come a supposedly smart dude like Joma Sison, an expert in the social/political/economic sciences, missed this one? Is it because he was a "working class hero"? Could you please clarify ?
Thank you .

Auggie Surtida, (by email), Tigbauan, Iloilo, Feb. 01, 2008

(As I wrote in my article, nationalists-communists worship Andres Bonifacio because he came from the proletariat. Bonifacio would have fulfilled the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist prophecy that the Revolt of the Masses will transform society from feudalism to socialism, without having to go through capitalism. Unfortunately for them, Bonifacio bombed out. But still he remained/s the model they were/are looking for, to personify their revolution ACA)

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Dear Mr. A.C.Abaya, Kudos to the article of Eng. Dante G. Balacanao re "Bonifacio Revisited"...Somehow, I have never believed in Bonifacio as a hero but could not come up with hard evidence to support my sentiment. Everything in me floats in the air as far as Bonifacio is concerned...I tried to parse what really happened and why he was executed and formed a reasonable conclusion that's parallel to the research and findings of the good engineer...So what else is new???

I still consider Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Jose Rizal to be the authentic heroes of Philippine independence...This I say because of their positive contributions to rouse the consciences of our forefathers which was dormant for centuries helped by the colonial government and religious leaders at that time...A time when the natives were left inside the proverbial caves to nurture ignorance and be taken advantaged of...It still is happening, just observe the annual fiestas and how the Christian faithful express themselves...I feel like throwing up!!! More power to your column, Mr. Abaya.

Respectfully yours,

Roberto E. Cabilao, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Thank you, countryman Dante Balcanao, for enlightening us on this matter. Thank you, Tony Abaya, for pursuing this information. Past my college years in U.P., I had realized the importance of Rizal as a national hero. His significance was the result of his defining
a national consciousness for the Filipino. Prior to Rizal conceptualizing and defining this consciousness implicitly through his writings, I thought that Filipinos were an un-unified lot that did not know what they had in common.

When you analyze history, it was the Spaniards that unified this scattered geographic area into a political union. Rizal had a good sense of history and anthropology to be able to perceive that we were in fact a nation that shared a common history with the people who migrated into this archipelago before it was unified by Spain. Others just thought of
themselves with respect to their locality.

With Bonifacio, on the other hand, I had perceived him to be a reckless, disorganized and impetuous personality that did not seek counsel nor consensus. This became obvious when I could not see the coherence of the accounts about him, particularly in the Cry of
Balintawak where no subsequent accounts of strategic actions followed. This was unlike the accounts about Aguinaldo that revealed deliberate intentions and strategic action.

Bonifacio is lionized because of the boldness of the image of the Cry of Balinatwak to which many uneducated people could identify. This is why our people adore people who will risk everything today without looking two or three steps ahead - the "bahala
na" mentality. As a matter of fact, my mother-in-law who is a descendant of General Gregorio del Pilar tells me that when the Katipuneros tore up their cedulas in Balintawak, the cry was actually "bahala na!"

While it may be too late to remove the romance of a reckless Bonifacio, I think if more people understand what really happened, perhaps we Filipinos may finally understand the consequence of this national flaw and start to reform ourselves. After all, we are a
Christian nation and Christianity is based on personal renewal by turning away from our sins.

I salute Dante Bacalanao for his perception on this historical error. I even salute him more for suggesting a plausible solution. May your tribe increase.

Gus Cosio, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Lesson we learned from Mr. Balacanao's essay on Bonifacio is the known naked story of struggle for power, for fame, pride and show of force "KUNG SINO ANG LALAKI" mentality. Dr Jose Rizal, speaking through the mouth of Father Florentino in the NOLI novel, was right of his prediction. In an answer to an earlier quote, " there are no tyrants where there are no slaves", the native priest told a dying wounded Simoun on his failed revolution the disastrous consequence of "WHAT GOOD IS INDEPENDENCE IF THE SLAVES OF TODAY ARE THE TYRANTS OF TOMORROW!" The jealousy and personal feud between Bonifacio and Aguinlaldo was repeated as we noted the same jealousy and personal feud between Aguinaldo and Antonio Luna.

While we had not yet achieved independence, Aguinaldo can claim his bragging right as "the SURVIVOR" but was NOT awarded the monument he expected in his native province right after the grant of independence.

Jose Sison Luzadas, (by email), Delray Beach, Florida, Feb. 01, 2008

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Dear Tony, It was only General Aguinaldo who could have cleared all the clouds on the controversy of Andres Bonifacio's execution and heroism, being the last survivor of the Philippine Revolutionary era. But until his death in 1967 (correct me if I'm wrong), he chose to remain silent about it? What about the accounts of a historian from Bonifacio's side?

Maybe it's not inherent with a particular person or race. Maybe it's about the virus that afflicts a person, anyone of the seven deadly sins.

Edel Anit, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Hi Tony,

"...I believe the negative cultural pattern in the Philippines was the result of Bonifacio being declared a national hero". "...With these in mind, it could be said that the congressional act of 1932 was the catalyst for the corruption of modern Filipino psyche (pilipit na katwiran). For that irresponsible stroke of legislative pen pried the pegs of reason and virtue off the cultural foundation, plunging the country into dysfunction... ," so says Mr. Balacanao sweepingly in his Bonifacio Revisited (January 31, 2008) .

Wouldn't it be nice if it were all that simple? Erase Bonifacio from our memory and all "...the pride, divisiveness, corruption, crab-mentality, and last but not least, selfishness" of the Pinoys, which by the way Mr. Balacanao seems to think to be the exclusive monopoly of our people, and we would all be like saints and angels.

But even the Greek and Roman gods and the stars of the Old Testament were all much too human and mostly bereft of virtue. Jacob (meaning grabber or usurper and whose other name is Israel) swindled his blind father Isaac and his brother Esau. David who was supposed to be the greatest Jewish King in the Old Testament (no record of him outside the Bible, in other words, was he just created myth?) committed adultery with Bathsheba whose husband Uriel was purposely sent by David to die in battle. I will not go into all those Greek tragedies. Greek, Roman and Jewish heroes all exhibited the same hubris, divisiveness, corruption, jealousy, crab-mentality, selfishness, vindictiveness, greed for power, schism. lust, sexual deviation, envy, betrayal, etc., etc. and were in many ways mostly a tragic lot. And yet their civilizations waxed, waned and survived through the millennia and their people to this very day are still exhibiting the same hubris, divisiveness, corruption, jealousy, crab-mentality, selfishness, vindictiveness, greed for power, schism, lust, sexual deviation, envy, betrayal, etc., etc., for human beings they all are.

Finally, if they could create myths and make heroes out of flawed characters or characters that may never even have existed, why can't Pinoys?

Louie Fernandez, (by email), New Jersey, Feb. 01, 2008

P.S. See Beppe’s Inferno, A comedian’s war on crooked politics:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/04/080204fa_fact_mueller

It seems the Italians are even more corrupt than Filipinos!

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Dear Mr. Abaya, I thank you for sending some notes recently. I am really interested reading something from you regarding your point of view why this recent Magdalo soldiers are using Magdalo symbol of the Aguinaldo group 100 years ago.

It will be nice if after revisiting some flaws of Bonifacio we will try to revisit the flaws of Magdalo too, of Cavite in 1890's lead by Aguinaldo and perhaps closed this chaper as we try to see some insights and learning from the flaws of our historical figure's and perhaps show it to this young soldiers who belong to my own generation that maybe they pick a wrong name for themselves.

Second, after this again perhaps we can look forward for better Philippines without becoming too militaristic, pacifist or messianic in nature.

Thank you very much and more power. Hope we can have a constant communication since there are only a few columnists that I read even if they belong from different orientation like PDI's Doronila, David for a few times, Esposo and Pamintuan of Philstar, Gemma Araneta of Bulletin, you and Jimeno of Standard and of course some in the Tribune group like Herman Laurel, because by reading from different context we can at least see a larger picture even if it is not complete. God Bless

Albert Banico, (by email), Feb. 01, 2008

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Good heavens, Tony! Where did all this material suddenly come from? After all the historical squabbling about Bonifacio for ages, and with none of the material the author brings up now having ever been mentioned, one wonders what documentation the author goes by and by what means he unearthed his facts.

Angie Collas-Dean, (by email), Eugene, Oregon, Feb. 02, 2008

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Tony, Nice piece of information. I had not been a very keen reader of our history although I know most of them. The information you provided us somehow explains the importance of the historic events and the manner our historians wrote or interpreted them. Had there been biases among our historians? I guess if we want to correct an erroneous historic entry we need to do it now and in the right process. Thanks

Eduardo Duvalan, (by email), Feb. 02, 2008

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Dear Mr. Abaya, I have just read your column, Bonifacio Revisited, and Dante Balacanao's opinion.

So, we should blame Andres Bonifacio for our dysfunction as a nation? Because he embodied everything that is the antithesis to heroism, we should start tearing down the Bonifacio monument in Caloocan City and pounding it to pieces until it’s reduced to dust, just like what we’ve seen when the Berlin Wall collapsed, or when Lenin’s statue or Saddam Hussein’s bust was demolished after liberation.

But wait. Let’s first examine Dante Balacanao’s devious ruminations about the Supremo and why he is the most extraordinary root of all the ills that plague our present-day Philippine society.

Balacanao’s timeline of events, beginning from the founding of the Katipunan on July 7, 1982, to Bonifacio’s declaration as a national hero in 1932, appears to be a revisionist’s interpretation of history. Every U.P. freshman starts the first semester with a class in Philippine History, and some of us who were keen on knowing more would enroll in higher history classes and even supplement this interest with additional readings of treatises and writings by other scholars not named Teodoro Agoncillo. It is amazing that Balacanao got it right as to who was the first president of the Katipunan, but he forgot to mention that Deodato Arellano was the most educated among the founding members who all belonged to the lowest class of society, including Bonifacio, whose parents were very poor and most probably illiterate, who was self-educated through reading newspapers and books. The truth was Bonifacio did not even finish the equivalent of Grade Four today.

Teodoro Agoncillo, the eminent Filipino historian, would credit Bonifacio for conceiving the idea of organizing the Katipunan. Deodato Arellano and Roman Basa were deposed as supremos because they were not very active and Bonifacio was not contented with their performance. It was during Bonifacio’s leadership of the Katipunan that the flames of the revolution caught fire, and he became the Supremo of the Katipunan until the establishment of a revolutionary government in Cavite.

During the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897, the Magdiwang and Magdalo factions of the Katipunan in Cavite tried to reconcile their differences by forming a provisional government with Emilio Aguinaldo as President and Bonifacio as the Director of the Interior. When Bonifacio was about to be proclaimed, Daniel Tirona stood up objecting that another man, Jose del Rosario should be elected instead of Bonifacio. This hurt Bonifacio because everybody had previously agreed to respect whoever was elected. He was about to shoot Tirona but Artemio Ricarte held his hand. Angry, Bonifacio left and declared the results of the election null and void in his capacity as the Supremo of the Katipunan. As every student of Philippine history knows, the ensuing events after Tejeros led to the trial and execution of Bonifacio and his brother.

Personally, I find Balacanao’s statement about the man he used to idolize in high school—that Bonifacio’s traits “mirror the worst in modern Philippine society”—very disturbing. He singled out Bonifacio’s “pride, divisiveness, corruption, crab-mentality, and selfishness.” The intellectual foundation for such sweeping conclusion: his own revisionist take on Philippine history.

Why would Balacanao write this disparaging statement about his former idol and the founder of the Katipunan? All those negative traits he ascribed to Bonifacio ran against the grain of the Ten Commandments or teachings of the Katipunan, some of which were:

“3. Engrave in your heart that the true measure of honor and happiness is to

die for the freedom of your country;

4. All your good wishes will be crowned with success if you have serenity,

constancy, reason, and faith in your acts and endeavor;

6. It is the duty of all to deliver, at the risk of their own lives and wealth,

anyone who runs great risks in the performance of his duty;

7. Our responsibility to ourselves and the performance of our duties will

be the example set for our fellow men to follow.”

Balacanao’s characterization of Bonifacio also gives us an image of a leader who would not subscribe to the Katipunan’s Kartilla, which members of the Katipunan were expected to take the teachings to heart. Let me cite some of these teachings embodied in the Kartilla which Emilio Jacinto, Bonifacio’s close friend and right-hand man, wrote.

“1. Life which is not consecrated to a lofty and sacred cause is like a tree

without a shadow, if not a poisonous weed.

2. A good deed that springs from a desire for personal profit and not from

a desire to do good is not kindness.

3. True greatness consists in being charitable, in loving one’s fellow men

and in adjusting every movement, deed and word to true Reason.”

If Balacanao could not find Bonifacio as a hero because he was poor and uneducated, unlike the American heroes who seem to be his present idols, at least he should find comfort and some amount of pride in the teachings of the Katipunan, ideals of conduct written by men of incomparable education and wealth.

Every movement, organization or human initiative has always been plagued by division. Unity is a perfect ideal, most oftentimes too difficult to achieve. Just like the Katipunan. It was split into two factions, the Magdalo and the Magdiwang groups. Bonifacio was not fomenting a civil war but only objected to the fraud committed by the Magdalo faction, at least this was according to Teodoro Agoncillo. If you were a genuine Katipunero and someone stood up to dishonor you, simply because you did not have the requisite education or social skills, would you not find this revolting?

Bonifacio had nothing to do with the disagreements among the alumni associations of U.P. and Ateneo, and Radyo Pinoy in Los Angeles. Certainly, Bonifacio is not responsible for the great divide between Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the Filipino masses. Nor should he be blamed for our ineffective Philippine Congress. The nature of politics is division.

Comparing Bonifacio with Benedict Arnold is perplexing, and to suggest that Bonifacio should also be treated like what the American people did to Arnold, make him our national villain, is both naïve and senseless. Arnold switched sides, Bonifacio never did. Bonifacio was executed by his own people, Arnold died in England of delirium after gout attacked his unwounded leg. (Those afflicted with gout, pay attention.) Arnold was regarded as a revolutionary hero before he switched allegiance to the British. Bonifacio, on the other hand, despite us declaring November 30 as Bonifacio Day, will always be deemed below the heroism of Rizal, who did not want a revolution against Spain at the time. The house in Gloucester’s Place where Arnold lived in Central London still stands, bearing a plaque that describes Arnold as an “American Patriot.” Balacanao, on the other hand, would rather intend to blow up the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City to pieces.

There is a danger that the kind of arguments Balacanao would like us to believe might be seductive to some of us for the wrong reasons. For those who disagree with him, it may cause them some discomfort or even unpopularity. But as Socrates would teach us, it would be naïve to hold unpopularity as synonymous with truth as to believe that it is synonymous with error. The validity of an idea or an argument is determined not by whether it is widely believed or widely reviled but whether it obeys the rules of logic. It is not because an argument is denounced by a majority that it is wrong nor, for those drawn to heroic defiance, that it is right.

Joe Rivera, (by email), Toronto, Canada, Feb. 03, 2008

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Dante Bacalanao's article is an intriguing, if not captivating, story that deserves my undivided attention for the next couple of weeks. Usually, allegations like these come with a long bibliography; more so if the author is saying that "It is time to cast the name Andres Bonifacio from the roster of Philippine national heroes." Unfortunately, he can't make that happen with a few paragraphs; not even with a few pages of ink.

Mismanaged the KKK funds? Got 500 Filipinos falsely implicated, tortured and killed? Hired an assassin to kill a Katipunero? Did Mr. Bacalanao get this information from the depths of the imagination of imaginary historians? These are very serious allegations; they should be proven to the satisfaction of the Filipino people who have, for all their lives, looked up to Gat Andres Bonifacio as a hero worthy of emulation - the same Filiipinos whom Mr. Antonio Abaya calls communists. I don't know where these two writers are coming from.

Willy Calinawan, (by email), Pasig City, Feb. 03, 2008

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G. Antonio Abaya Ka Tony,

Pasensya ka na sa abalang ito. Tigmak sa aking alaala ang inyong ngalan simula pa nung ako'y isang Press Office reporter sa staff ni dating Press Secretary Virgilio "Rex" Reyes sa panahon ni "Cong" Dadong Macapagal. Napakatagal na! Ipahintulot ninyong iambag ko ang mga sumusunod:

SAAN PATUTUNGO IKAW, BAYAN KO?

* Nimia Perez Carpio

Bakit ikaw bayan, hilig gunitai’y mga kasawian?

Ang “Fall of Bataan; Fall of corregidor” ipinagdiriwang?

Bakit patuluyang ngalan nitong bansa’y Pilipinas?

Hindi kaya ang pangalang iya’y merong sumpa; o 'di kaya'y, malas?

Bakit para kay Magellan kay laking bantayog na krus sa Cebu;

Nguni’t ang unang bayaning si Lapu-Lapu ay d’un lang

Sa isang sentimo?

Bakit watawat pa ng USA ang nasa ating sandaan-piso;

Na waring saklaw pa rin ang pananalapi natin ni Kanuto?

Bakit di natin wakasan ang pagsandig sa JUSMAG

Tungkol sa ating Sandatahang-Lakas; at ‘di mag-isip

Ayon sa likas na alam ng ating sariling hukbo?

Bakit patuluyan ang pagka-gumon ng sistema ng edukasyon sa salitang Ingles, sa halip na pagyamanin ang sarili nating mga wika, at bumuo ng isang mayaman, maunlad at laganap na wikang pambansa?

Bakit ang palitang-salapi ay hindi sikaping magkaroon ng Asian dollar, para sa mga bansa dini sa Silangang-Asya, sa halip na palaging isabit sa greenbuck ang ating pananalapi?

Bakit panatilihin pa ang mga eleksyon kung hindi rin lamang makabuluhan at iginagalang ng ating mga pinuno ang ganitong sistema sa ating buhay-pulitika?

Hindi ba’t malaking aksaya? Gugol sa pagmantini ng COMELEC; mga paraphernalia sa eleksyon, mga abala, samaan ng loob; destabilisasyon, mga patayan at iba pang mga krimen sa pagsawata ng mga kilos-protesta?

SA LAHAT NANG MGA IYAN AY SINO KAYA ANG NAKIKINABANG? AT SINO NAMAN ANG NALULUGI?

Nagtatanong po lamang -- Si KaPule2

(Ang ibang mga kaisipan dito’y hango sa talumpati ni Congressman Zialcita ngParañaque City sa instalasyon ng Pamunuan sa Palanyag Lodge No. 323, of Free and Accepted Masons, sa King Solomon’s Garden, Las Piñas City, kagabi – Pebrero 2, 2008).

Irineo P. Goce , (by email), Lipa City, Feb. 03, 2008

a.k.a. KaPule2

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NOTE: Because of limited space, this post may be truncated in my blogsite acabaya.blogspot.com. It appears or will appear complete in www.tapatt.org.

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Hello Tony, I wonder where Mr. Balacanao got his data? As Post Commander of Fort Andres Bonifacio, I have a professional interest in the Gatpuno's credentials as a hero. I'll keep an open mind provided Mr. Balacanao can cite his sources.

Dick Morales, Brig. Gen., (by email), Feb.03, 2008

Post Commander, Fort Bonifacio

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Dear Mr. Tony Abaya It is well said that "Revolutions eats its own sons.." World history is full of anecdotes with leaders ending up as victims of their own enterprises. We need not to point to the French and Russian revolutions. Andres Bonifacio, his brother and Gen. Antonio Luna were murdered by Aguinaldo's men. The Bonifacio brothers through a kangaroo military court in Cavite and Gen. Antonio Luna by blatant treacherous assassination while on his way to attend a war council called by Aguinaldo.

Whatever the intra-rivalries and hatred between the personalities involved that led to such shameful and tragic deaths, one thing is obvious, the leadership of the Philippine revolution were by men who's personal interests and perhaps by abounded ambitions dominated the greater cause of fighting for liberty and emancipation of the country from colonial power(s).

It would be superfluous to assume that the official declaration of Andres Bonifacio as a National Hero was deliberately concocted by the American colonial government to plant the seed of future dysfunctional national leadership of the colony. Maybe it would be more acceptable to conclude that the social and political order of feudalism and colonialism, the very same social conditions the revolutionaries wanted to eradicate at that time did not change a bit up to the present time.

The Spanish colonial powers composed mainly of the feudal lords, the church and illustrados were simply transformed as Trapos, Political Dynasties and Showbiztocracy. Benedict Arnold and Andres Bonifacio as any big name player of the both American and Philippine revolutions were just names and participants of the grand historical pictures. In the Philippine political scene from the time we acquired historical consciousness, there was nothing but tribal fragmentation and very little nationalistic fervor. The only time we fought united for our survival as a nation was during the Japanese occupation, embarrassingly led and insufficiently armed by the Americans.

Perhaps our endemic tribalism that led to a "damaged culture" is the real culprit for what we are now. What do you expect of a country with 70+ dialects?. Where political loyalties extended only to the immediate and extended families, disregarding the greater portion of anybody else that did no belong to their clan?

Our historical antecedents were replete with tribalism and factionalism. Until we find a way to solve this social dilemma, we will remain a fractured society always dysfunctional and sadly now spiralling towards a semi-failed State...ironically maintained alive by the remittances sent home by the very same citizens driven to endure self exiled conditions brought about by their own inherited endemic social conditions.

Mark Enriquez/Peter Lee,, (by email), Pomona, CA, Feb. 03, 2008

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Dear Tony, I read with great interest the article of Engr. Balacanao on Bonifacio's personality flaws and the fatal tendencies of modern Filipinos towards dysfunction.
I am not in a position to attest to the correctness of his research on Bonifacio neither do I want to draw such a general conclusion as to the tendencies of modern Filipinos towards dysfunction, but I do see a clear parallel with another undeclared hero of the Philippine revolution and a self-proclaimed leader of the Filipino people, Joma Sison, and some of our friends in the movement.

I want to share with you my 'Martial Law Memoirs'. Especially the latter part of my memoirs relate a number of incidents which I myself experienced, that show such a negative cultural trend that Balacanao is talking about. In particular I cannot agree with their hard stand on continuing the armed struggle. By all means, they should stop this unholy war and spare no efforts to come to a negotiated settlement between the Filipino people and the NDF. Take my comments for what it is worth. With kind regards,

Arnold van Vugt, (by email), Cagayan de Oro City, Feb.03, 2008

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For the nation to do a soul searching, the writer has to establish first the factual bases of his allegations. For each assertion, he has to provide the documentary (and/or oral) sources or references. Whichever come out as facts, together with complete
circumstances surrounding each incident, shall then be the proper bases of revisiting the national hero.

Marcelo Tecson, (by email), San Miguel, Bulacan, Feb. 04, 2008

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Sir, I wonder if the author could provide us (the readers) some concrete evidence, references to his various claims. Ii say claims because these stuff were not in our history books, which we use as standard in the absence of contrary opinion. The article is full of assumptions (e.g., suspected of, believed to be…) and contradictions.

Assuming that what the author just pointed out here is all true; the cause-effect relationship of supposedly modern Filipino flaws (especially in organizational aspect) attributable to Bonifacio's traits is completely farfetched and problematic, Why? First off, cause-effect study is the hardest to prove because it involve years... and so many variables (academic, spiritual, philosophical background, etc, etc) to study (in this case, what we are talking about are not just years but generations.)Ssecondly, the connection made, I think, is too stretched, at one side of the world there is divisiveness or problems among individuals who can't seem to get along then on the other the supposed flaws of one of our national heroes then there's the connection... its just as some Filipinos might call it pilit.