Plunderers Power-Grab

Efren Danao said that it is now apparent that power grab is the only reason behind the efforts of former President Joseph Estrada to unite the opposition and nothing else. There is no underlying principle that should bind the opposition except to take over Malacañang in 2010—if that qualifies as a principle.

At the Kapihan sa Senado on Thursday, I asked Erap if there is any other reason, besides capturing Malacañang, that should bind the opposition. He virtually gave no other reason. He only gave the motherhood statement that “in the interest of our country, our government, we must be united.” He added that every member of the opposition wants to put the country’s affairs in order so the Philippines could no longer be branded as “the most corrupt country, most dangerous for journalists.”

For the opposition to be truly united, they must all agree on common political, social and economic principles that would govern the conduct of the government once they are in power. Otherwise, the unity will be good only during the election. Once they are in power, they will end up fighting each other.

But then, why bother with coming up with a platform of government that would be adopted by all opposition candidates? Opposition unity is a pipe dream, after all. And it is keeping Erap in the news.

If we are to believe the Pulse Asia Survey, Sen. Manny Villar is tops in the voters’ presidential preference. If we are to believe the Social Weather Stations survey, he is second only to Erap. Whichever survey one believes, what is apparent is that Villar remains high in the surveys despite the ethics case filed against him by Sen. Jamby Madrigal.

Villar had refused to attend the hearings of the case against him. He preferred to explain his case to media and the people and not before the Senate Committee of the Whole with members who would be his rivals for the presidency in 2010. I have had misgivings before about his non-appearance in the hearings. I thought it was a wrong strategy because the hearings were aired live on TV and radio. Only snippets of Villar’s side could be aired on the news programs of TV and radio, which would put him at a disadvantage.

Well, it looks like Villar was playing his card well. He is maintaining his ratings despite the charges. Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago has an explanation for this: “Either the people were becoming confused by the pieces of evidence submitted by Jamby or, they just do not care.” Incidentally, I note that the hearing last Tuesday was no longer covered live by radio and TV. I expect some senators to stop attending the hearing once they realized that they could not get the needed media exposure there.

Estrada is Unstoppable!

(by Tony Lopez) More than 100 trips to 360 towns and cities in 60 provinces in less than two years. By plane, by helicopter, by boat and by land. No one has been to more places, held more protests and meetings, spoken in more universities, delivered more speeches, met more local officials, seen more people and pressed more flesh in so short a time. Yet, Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada is not even a declared candidate for any office—yet.

“Neither [Senator] Many Villar nor [Senator] Chiz Escudero has covered not even a third of the territory we have been to nor the number of people we have met,” reckons former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, Estrada’s de facto executive secretary for his sorties. Villar and Escudero, per surveys, are Estrada’s main rivals for 2010.

In Iloilo next week, Estrada was scheduled to visit nine towns in two days. Four mayors called up his Greenhills, San Juan residence to inquire why their towns were not in his itinerary. “This shows you the interest of people in Erap, considering that Iloilo is supposed to be Mar Roxas and Frank Drilon country,” smiles Maceda.

In Cebu, the former president has made five visits and covered all its congressional districts. Cebu is administration or Gloria Arroyo country. Erap, per surveys, is weakest in Cebu, among so-called presidentiables. Yet, he was mobbed by local officials and Cebuanos. His political machinery on the island, which is booming economically, is well-oiled and working well.
In the 2004 presidential election, the main opposition candidate, actor and Erap buddy, Fernando Poe Jr., was clobbered by Arroyo by a margin of eight to one in Cebu. Yet, overall, nationwide, the fight was close and the outcome would have been different if not for the fraud. Arroyo, the incumbent, got 13.9 million votes (39.99 percent), just 1.12 million votes more than FPJ’s 11.78 million votes (36.51 percent). Her 3.48 percent margin is the smallest in the history of Philippine presidential elections. Her Lakas CMD party got just 79 of the 235 district congressional seats.

Erap—his screen name and political nickname—says he is stumping the length and breadth of the archipelago to say thank you to the people who had stood by him and never wavered in their support during his six years and six months of incarceration after his conviction for plunder by a special three-person court created specifically to try him.
Estrada says he will run only if the opposition is not united. Judging by the previous presidential elections, since the abolition of the two-party system, the opposition is usually not united. Since 1992, the presidency has always been contested by no less than five opposition claimants against a single perceived administration or status quo candidate. Estrada thrives best in such a scenario.

In 1992, seven vied for the presidency. Retired general and People Power 1 hero Fidel V. Ramos won with a 23.58-percent plurality, just a slim 3.86-percent margin over the second placer, Miriam Santiago’s 19.72 percent. In 1998, when Erap won. He garnered 40 percent (10.72 million votes) of the vote in a nine-way presidential fight. His chief rival, former Speaker Jose de Venecia, was a poor second, with 15.58 percent (4.26 million votes).

It seems inevitable Erap will throw his hat into the ring in 2010.

Surveys indicate he is now No. 1 among the aspirants. This is the effect of three factors—his lingering popularity and masa appeal, his hundreds of provincial sorties, and what Maceda calls “the sympathy vote,” the Filipino’s love for the underdog, for one who had been a victim of injustice, having been unceremoniously ousted from the presidency in January 2001, only to be succeeded by someone who later acquired the image being even more corrupt (than Erap) and as dictatorial as Ferdinand Marcos was.

Remembering tita Cory

Some people make me sick... Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, who helped lead a coup against Aquino in 1989, said in a statement: “She braved the night and the anti-riot police to be one with the people in prayer.” “Through the years I have learned to admire her bravery and courage very much. She was brave up to her final moments,” said Querubin, detained in connection with a failed 2006 coup against President Gloria Arroyo.

Two of Marcos’ senior aides defected in February 1986 after he beat Aquino in elections marred by massive cheating.

Aquino called her supporters onto the streets to protect them, giving birth to her “People Power” Revolution that sent the strongman and his family packing for exile in Hawaii, where he died three years later.Aquino established a transition government, overhauled the electoral process, released political detainees and instituted democratic reforms.

I saw Ariel Queubin and Rommelino Gojo painting a Marine LVT tank with the RAM-SFP markings back in December 1989. They treacherously went against my dad (who was Marine Commandant at that time), to lead the 1989 military revolt against tita Cory.

Their goal was simple- to murder the President! Rebel choppers open fired on the Presidential palace with rockets but luckily missed tita Cory.

Bloody coup attempts hounded her from Year one up to 1989. The first five of these useless rebellions were crushed without or with minimal violence. But the sixth left 53 people dead and over 200 wounded, including tita Cory’s son, Noynoy, now a senator. A handful of rebel Marines open fired on a Presidential convoy that carried tita Cory’s eldest son.

The seventh and final attempt, in December 1989, ended with more than a 100 dead and cost the nation more than a P1 billion financially. Until now, these rebels say their actions against Pres. Cory Aquino were “justifiable”. Some of these same rebels are again in jail, for their involvement in “military adventurism” against the present administration. Tita Cory, who these rebels loathed to the point of trying to murdering her, has now metamorphosed into the country’s madre de familia and national treasure.

I ask these rebels now… Was it worth trying to slaughter our madre de familia?

Honoring One Woman's Dream

SEC Commissioner Jenny, Chiqui Veneracion and Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig

The Philippines’ premier choral group, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, have worked tirelessly over almost five full decades to bring the Filipino’s incomparable choral gift to the world to touch hearts and improve lives through their performances and training of up-and-coming choral talents. On July 27, 2009, they stood both honored and humbled by the recognition of this unique mission as Koichiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, formally designated the Philippine Madrigal Singers as UNESCO Artists for Peace. This recognition was granted in the presence of Ambassador Rora Navarro-Tolentino, Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO; Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Esteban Cunejos Jr. and other members of the Diplomatic Corps, and the Filipino community in Paris. After expressing their gratitude and plans for fulfilling the role of Artists for Peace in an acceptance speech from Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz delivered a stirring, sterling one-hour concert that reminded all present of their capability and dedication.

These hard-traveling singers, the latest in a long line of proud Madz generations, were brought together in 1963 for the first time by Philippine National Artist for Music, Professor Andrea O. Veneracion. Their name has since become synonymous with peerless vocal skill, performance quality, individual discipline, and musical diversity. The Madz have spent the last few decades winning choral competitions such as the European Grand Prix – widely understood to be the Olympics of the choral circuit, which they have won twice (1997 and 2007) – and reaching out to budding choirs from all corners of the Philippines via the Madz Et Al choral network. The latter has enabled many of these choirs to compete abroad and win, as well as continue the practice of giving back to their own communities. They have been recognized as UNESCO Artists for Peace “in recognition of their efforts to promote dialogue and understanding among peoples in Southeast Asia , their contribution to extend UNESCO’s message of peace and tolerance, and their dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.”

Now named UNESCO Artists for Peace for the next two years, the Philippine Madrigal Singers are recognized celebrity advocates charged with the mission of embodying, and raising awareness in, the UNESCO ideals – including collaboration for the promotion of peace, security and fundamental human rights and freedoms – in their respective contexts through their respective means and talents.

MGen. Carlos Garcia Corruption Case

THE new head of public relations for Marc Jacobs' men's division has an interesting fashion accessory: an ankle bracelet.

Tim Mark Garcia is currently out on bond and facing extradition back to the Philippines on "plunder" charges -- and he's been wearing the ankle bracelet to fashion parties around town.

His father, former Armed Forces of the Philippines comptroller Major General Carlos F. Garcia, has been accused of stealing $6.2 million in public funds. A Trump Park Avenue condo purchased in the younger Garcia's name in 2004 for $765,000 is alleged to have been bought with the illegal cash.

His mother and two siblings are also facing extradition. A lawyer for Garcia denies the charges. He told Page Six, "He has absolutely no criminal record whatsoever. Whatever is transpiring has to do with the Philippines." No one at Marc Jacobs returned calls.

Richard Gutierrez Charged!

Actor Richard Gutierrez was charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide by the wife of his bodyguard who died in a car crash with him on May 22 in Silang, Cavite.

The case was filed by Lorayne Pardo, 29, of 1763 F.B. Harrizon Street, Pasay City, who is the wife of Gutierrez’s production assistant, Nomar Pardo.

The preliminary hearing is set on August 15 at the Prosecutor’s Office in Imus, Cavite.

According to the Fiscal’s Office in Imus, Lorayne personally filed the criminal charge of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide against Gutierrez, 25, of Mckinley Street, Makati City.

According to records, the car crash happened late morning of May 22 as Gutierrez and Pardo were riding a car (ZTU 775) when it fell from a cliff.

The car was a total wreck and Nomar died instantly and Gutierrez was thrown outside the car and escaped serious injuries.

Lorayne said that she has not asked for any monetary consideration from the actor and has not received any amount from him or his family. (Manila Times Correspondent)

Humility Needed- Sen. Mar Roxas

This is an excerpt from an open letter to Mar Roxas written by Alito Malinao of the Manila Times.

Dear Senator Roxas,
Among the so-called presidentiables, I have found you to be the most capable of running this country after President Arroyo. I do not know you personally although I have on several occasions observed you closely while you were still the DTI secretary and as a senator…In the Senate, I found you to be hardworking, conscientious, resourceful and scrupulous. Indeed, you are a chip off the old block, a man destined to perpetuate the legacy of your great forebears, your grandfather, Manuel Roxas, your namesake, the first president of the Republic, and your illustrious father, the late Senator Gerry Roxas, who, with his glasses perpetually on, looked like a college professor than a politician.
What I am saying is that even without your “padyak-padyak” commercial and your much-hyped romance and impending marriage to broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez, your record in the Senate and as former DTI boss can stand public scrutiny.


But I have a word of caution for you, my dear Senator Roxas. There is such a thing as overkill. In the Greek mythology, the gods would destroy those who develop HUBRIS or those who discard humility as a virtue.
While I am among the many beneficiaries of the Cheaper Medicines Act (my wife and I are taking maintenance medicines) that you have championed for so long, I was terribly disappointed when you announced to the media that you would summon President Arroyo to the Senate hearing.
Haven’t you gone too far in your desire to gain media mileage?
Why have you become so arrogant to seek the presence of the President of the Republic in a Senate hearing?
Why the cavalier attitude toward a president whom you once served?
Have you forgotten the Confucian saying that “humility is the solid foundation of all virtues?”
I remember quite well that among the Estrada Cabinet members, you were the only one who joined the Arroyo government after the tumultuous EDSA 2 revolt. Out of delicadeza, like all your former colleagues in the Estrada administration, you could have refused to serve in the new government.
But you stayed perhaps believing that Mrs. Arroyo, like you an economist, could make the difference in this country.
However, times have changed. And you have changed with the times…
I am sure a lot of Filipinos have cheered you for the crusade that you have embarked, from your Quixotic fight against the big oil companies and the scrapping of the VAT on oil products to your lonely battle against unscrupulous pre-need companies and your spirited call for the full implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Act…
But don’t squander your chance of leading this country by making reckless and puerile moves like asking the President to appear before you to be interrogated on the medicines law. However noble your objective was what you did was certainly an irresponsible act. This was like asking the mountain to go to Mahomet.
I have already forgiven you for the GUTTER language that you used in a Makati rally in attacking the President but asking her to kowtow to your whims is going too far.

God bless you, Senator Mar.