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Why President Aquino’s hint of a second term is raising hell

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And the First Lady factor

Commentary by Raïssa Robles

How are we to respond to President Benigno Aquino coyly hinting he’s open to a (currently unconstitutional) second term?

Why, with a smile and a “No, thank you.”

Let’s have political succession. Not an amendment to the 1987 Constitution.

Before I explain why, let me share with you my conversation yesterday with Mel Sta. Maria, Dean of the Far Eastern University Institute of Law who scooped us all in the media with his interview with PNoy.

I wanted to know whether Aquino’s surprise revelation that he was open to a charter change and a second term had been scripted. I asked Dean Sta. Maria whether he had been required to submit all his questions prior to the interview . In short, whether PNoy’s answer was crafted beforehand.

Sta. Maria told me,

“I gave questions in advance excluding that.”

“That” referred to the question on whether PNoy was open to amending the Constitution, including removing the six-year presidential term limit.

During the interview Sta. Maria sneaked in the question:

“Sarado ba kayo sa pag-aamyenda ng Constitution hanggang ngayon?” (Are you still closed to amending the Constitution until now?)

And PNoy’s surprising reply was –

“Bago nito, bago nangyari lahat ng ito, sarado….aminado ako (Before all these things happened, I was closed to it, I admit that).”

“Pero ngayon, napapag-isip ako talaga… yung tinatawag na judicial reach (But now, I’m seriously rethinking things. Because of the judicial reach.)”

Dean Sta. Maria then followed that up by asking whether this meant Aquino was also open to another six-year term as president. The President replied:

“Nung pinasukan ko ito, ang tanda ko one term of six years…Ngayon, after having said that, syempre ang mga boss ko, kelangan kong pakinggan ‘yon.” (When I first got into this, I noted, one term of six years. Now, after having said that, of course my bosses, I have to listen to them, meaning the people).

“Hindi naman ibig sabihin…na automatic na hahabol pa ako na magkaroon pa ako ng dagdag dito, ‘no?” (That doesn’t automatically mean I’ll be chasing after another term, right?)

Aquino’s answers have set off a firestorm of speculation with audible gnashing of teeth in one end, and jubilant high-fives in another.

For my part, I think Aquino’s answers are mere political flirtation. At least for now. His way of telling his followers – if you want me, vote my anointed.

However, if people mount a serious attempt to encourage him to change the Constitution so he can run again – say, with that magical number of one million signatures – then PNoy and the Liberal Party might be sorely tempted.

Please don’t encourage him and the Liberal Party. It will not be good for our democracy.

For a democracy to work institutions have to be built, including the orderly process of handing over power from one leader to the next, from one generation to the next.

All Philippine presidents after Corazon Aquino have tried to amend the Constitution to give themselves a second life as president. The most serious challenges were mounted by President Fidel Ramos with “Pirma” and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with her ConCom (Constitutional Commission).

Arroyo’s ConCom was so alarming that it prompted me to write a 3-part series on the issue for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ).

I am a constitutionalist at heart. So those who accuse me of belittling the Constitution over DAP (the Disbursement Acceleration Program) do not know what they are talking about. I suggest they read my series which is now hosted in hotmanila.ph:

Cha-cha or dictator’s waltz? Part 1 of 3

Following a dictator’s playbook

The Supreme Court has the ball

But let’s go back to why PNoy says he’s suddenly open to constitutional amendments.

This statement comes on the heels of another private poll survey showing Vice-President Jejomar Binay way ahead of LP candidate Mar Roxas. If elections were held today, Binay will trounce Roxas.

That there seems to be no viable LP alternative right now to President Aquino is a testament to the higher standards he has set for that post. And also a sign of weakness of the Liberal Party and our overall alleged multi-party system.

Let me share with you my thoughts on this matter, gathered from years of covering politics. PNoy’s government is the closest to a party government I have seen since democracy was restored in 1986. Five key cabinet portfolios are held by LP officials:

  • Budget – Florencio Abad
  • Interior and Local Governments – Mar Roxas
  • Agriculture – Proceso Alcala and Francis Pangilinan
  • Transport and Communications – Joseph Abaya
  • Energy – Jericho Petilla

In addition, two LP officials hold the reins in Congress: House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Senate President Franklin Drilon.

But while LP officials are busy running government they’ve neglected to grow their own party and push other leaders to the national stage so that they can too shine and become the future champions. Face it. Political parties need to build up leaders the way TV networks build up their stars. Or maybe I’m using the wrong analogy…

The situation is worse with other political parties. The United Nationalist Alliance or political opposition is mainly held together by two dynasties – that of Vice President Jejomar Binay and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada. They are more intent in shoring up the political fortunes of their children than in building up genuine political parties.

The Nacionalista Party is in a somewhat better position than UNA because of billionaire businessman Manny Villar who acquired the party like a franchise. When he bought the “White House” mansion of the late Vice-President Salvador “Doy” Laurel, the party was apparently part of the deal.

But let’s go back to the LP and its lack of a leader to succeed Aquino.

President Aquino and the LP are trying to push Mar Roxas as his successor but survey after survey shows the people are not biting.

Why not? Is it the packaging? Is it because he comes across as second best?

On the face of it, Mar Roxas has the intellectual credentials to run a complex government in the 21st century. He is Wharton-educated. He was once an investment banker who put together successful deals.

Between Senator Bongbong Marcos and Mar Roxas (both are from Wharton), Bongbong seems to have more political traction because of Imelda Marcos and the fabulous fortune in stolen loot promised by the family to the poor if another Marcos makes it to Malacañang Palace.

But let’s face it, Mar Roxas is not exciting. The majority who are poor cannot relate to him, perhaps because he lacks a believable narrative for them. He hasn’t told them who he really is. He pretends to be what he is not –

 

And people can see through all that.

 

 

A 2009 photo of him taken during a political rally –

 

 

Has been photo-shopped into this –

 


Of course, Noynoy Aquino isn’t exactly Mister Electric Personality either but not only does he have the mantle bestowed by Cory, I think the people sense he is sincere and honest.

People still don’t know what to make of Mar Roxas.

The reality is that Mar Roxas belongs to a very, very rich clan. His father was politically down-trodden by Marcos. But his family built the first shopping complex in the country. His clan opened the first indoor entertainment center, the Araneta Coliseum, where one of the greatest boxers of all time, Muhammad Ali, made a stunning comeback. In other words, the family made boxing history.

Also, Mar Roxas was an overseas Filipino living in New York for over a decade. He cooked his own meals, he lived his own life.

When he returned to fill in his brother’s political shoes he brought home ideas strange to his class. Three of them have stuck in my mind.

Mar Roxas told me back in my 1999 interview with him that he hoped to see “feudalistic patronage mechanisms” replaced with a more people-empowered political environment.

Second, he said that as a congressman, he had tried to depoliticize state spending on education by getting a law approved that made student population the basis for the size of funding. This was intended to break the practice of tying school spending with whether an area was an opposition or ruling party bailiwick.

Third, he tried to make pork work by cajoling and threatening the governor, mayors, fellow Capiz congressmen, and barangay leaders into pooling their pork funds together and agreeing together on a set of infrastructure priorities. For starters, he threw in his entire pork barrel fund into the investment pool.

I think those were wonderfully innovative ideas. Problem is, the poor have never been told that.

And Mar Roxas couched his innovation in such boring language. For instance, he called the pooled pork the “Consolidated Planning Process.”

PNoy and Mar Roxas actually belong to the same social class but PNoy managed to overcome that political barrier with the powerful narrative of a father’s assassination, followed by a mother’s sacrifice and death.

Perhaps Mar Roxas could consider, if he dares, the following narrative: One big problem the Philippines faces today is the control of the country’s economy by a few elite families. Can Mar Roxas be a traitor to his class and go against his class’ interests? Or can Mar Roxas strike a deal with his class by making it find ways to be more inclusive of the rest of society especially the poor in their business deals?

Frankly, I don’t know.

Last Wednesday, after a press briefing conducted by Budget Secretary Butch Abad for members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), the talk naturally turned to politics.

Abad wanted to know why Mar Roxas did not seem to click with the people.

I offered two possible reasons: Mar Roxas himself and his wife Korina Sanchez.

I told Abad that Mar Roxas did not seem to be the same person I interviewed back in 1999. He was trying too hard to make a good impression. He was not coming across as sincere.

Korina Sanchez

And then there’s Korina Sanchez – probably one of a handful of prominent female personalities who have opted to keep using her maiden name after marriage. There is no law against that, by the way, but very few married women can get away with it.

I have met Korina on previous coverages and she was a pleasant person every time. However, I got a different feedback from some of Mar Roxas’ Liberal Party mates as well as those who accompanied him during the 2010 electoral campaign. For instance, in one sortie at a public market in Mindanao, instead of wooing voters Korina managed to turn them off because she appeared aloof. She did not shake hands the way other politicians’ wives did. The description given to me was that she “acted like a doña.”

Korina Sanchez appears to be well-received when she undertakes her own outreach programs in the provinces. Why does she elicit such a negative reaction as Mar Roxas’ wife?

I have puzzled over this phenomenon: Why is it that Korina Sanchez’ strong personality clicks as a news reader but not as the wife of a high-profile politician? Do voters still expect wives of politicians to stay in the background, look demure and simply cut ribbons?

This is something that Mar Roxas and his wife will have to thresh out between the two of them.

When I told Secretary Abad that, he blurted out to me and Tress Martelino-Reyes of Nikkei news agency – “Which one would you rather have as First Lady – Korina Sanchez or Elenita Binay?”

Mrs Binay is no shrinking violet either. Not the typical politician’s wife since she herself has been mayor of Makati City. While Korina Sanchez still has to live down Anderson Cooper, Mrs Binay has to shake off corruption allegations.

I’m trying to look on the bright side in this issue. What we are having right now – comparing Binay and Roxas and considering other political candidates – is America’s equivalent of a political primary. In the case of the Philippines, voters appear to be judging the 2016 presidential candidates through political surveys.

Because many of my Facebook friends and commenters on this site have been asking me to interpret for them the unfolding political events, I’ve decided to start writing pieces on the 2016 elections.

One of my next articles will try to answer the question – Is a Binay presidency inevitable?

Abangan.

Comments

  1. Re: Randy David’s http://opinion.inquirer.net/77551/risky-political-moves.

    The alternative risk is much larger for the President.

    If Binay is elected President, with the help of his allies Erap and Enrile – a very likely scenario, as today’s polls suggest – the three plundering Senators (and possibly GMA?) will likely be released from (by then) two years in jail. Revenge, especially for the frat man Enrile, will be very much in their mind: They will demand from Binay that the President take his turn to rot in jail.

  2. baycas says:
    January 6, 2013 at 6:30 am

    Ang Laro
    The Game

    MESA = pool or billiard table = PH

    POOL PLEYER = pool player = PNoy’s boss

    TAKO = cue stick = PH hopes and aspirations

    PATO = cue ball = PNoy

    BOLA = ball = cabinet man

    BULSA = pocket = positive goal/objective

    IBULSA = hit a ball into a hole (sink) = positive goal/objective fulfilled

    PNoy rolls in the interest of the pool players armed with cue sticks.

    PNoy, in turn, moves each ball to the direction of a pocket in order to sink it.

    The more balls pocketed the better for PH welfare.

    http://raissarobles.com/2013/01/05/billiards-could-explain-president-aquinos-style-of-problem-solving/comment-page-1/#comment-91569

    The DAP play turned out to be a scratch (foul ball in billiard) when the cue ball (PNoy) got deflected by the Judiciary ball (a co-equal ball) instead of pocketing Abad ball.

    A bad play. Nonetheless, the yellow pool players still love it.

  3. i wish someone would ask binay how his family was able to amass billions in wealth over the years. they do not have any business. they all get their $$ from government coffers.

    wonder if pcij can investigate how the binays got so rich. i’d really like to know.

  4. To see what’s wrong with Mar, one just has to follow the column of Boo Chanco. Mar’s lack of accomplishment at the DOTC was what bugged Chanco most of all. His lack of urgency at solving the MRT problem and the lack of progress in terms of new mass transit solutions speaks volumes of his bad leadership skills. I remember when he went to Tacloban during Yolanda and didn’t even bring a sat phone with him. That was an obviously stupid move on his part. He was asked on ANC Headstart whether he had a sat phone in Tacloban, but he didn’t even bother to answer the question and changed the topic immediately. Karen Davila didn’t press the issue since she knew it would put her guest to shame.

    Mar’s a lost cause and the LP would do best by bringing in some viable candidates. A Poe-Robredo tandem would certainly be intriguing. Both have tragic legacies but are quite capable in their own right. I did not vote for FPJ but would definitely support Grace over Binay. The Robredo family’s story on the other hand is quite remarkable. We need people like these at the helm of our country.

    • @montymor, I’m for Poe-Robredo too. although they are neophytes, why not? cory ran our country and her experience in politics before she became president was to serve coffee to his husband’s politician visitors.

      • I think housewives are very good in politics. they run a tight household, good in organizing and juggling the family budget, pay bills, meeting the demands of children and in laws, relatives and friends. sometimes the demands are immediate and conflicting. there are problems to solve and decisions to make. housewives play doctors and tend to sick husbands. discipline , guide and socialize children and sometimes motivate them to go to school, they help in doing homeworks as well and attend meetings at school.

        housewives who serve coffee to husband’s political visitors sometime sit and listen to talks, discussions and conferences. they know what is being discussed and take note of state secrets. they often whisper in husband’s ear what to say, and offer opinions. many times, and although they have portable skills, housewives downplay the importance of their role.

  5. ‘Extension’ for PNoy’s term. VP Binay says he’s anyway ready to face PNoy on 2016 pres’l elections.

    I thought the ‘extension’ is that PNoy gets another 6 years without need of being a candidate to be elected.

    In short, people’s approval through Congress as a constituent assembly proposes to ‘give’ on a golden platter PNoy another 6 years as president without anymore being elected for it. Am I wrong to this understanding?

    hahaha…sobrang sigurista!

    • But if it is the idea that PNoy has to ‘run’ as a candidate for president with VP Binay running against him, then those PCOS machines should be halted! I don’t trust them!

      Who says those PCOS machines can’t be manipnip pulated?

      Hand or manual counting the votes is preferable. Two weeks of suspense!

      • But I will not be either for the two and instead be for a ‘pure white horse’ for president. Bote ‘o kabayo. Two weeks of see-saw hand/manual counting.

  6. imo, this really has nothing to do about voting for pnoy’s anointed one.

    recall the intensity with which pnoy went after corona and gutierrez. compare that to the intensity with which he is now going after the supreme court. it’s on the same high level. he is riled up that his appointees did not deliver, did not “repay” him, embarrassed him. even a special speech just for the purpose.

    now compare that to the intensity with which he goes after enrile, estrada, and revilla. courtesy, respect, “handle with care”, etc. lame. why?

  7. Binay reasoned out that the Makati Parking Building was so expensive because of its soft soil, and “the building is designed to withstand earthquake with certain level of intensity,”

    But how do we compare Makati geologically with the rest of Metro Manila?

    The Geological Society of the Philippines said that Makati has a VERY LOW RISK susceptibility to seismic hazards compared to other areas in Metro Manila.

    “Based on the correlation of surface geology with historical records of damage wrought by earthquakes, Metro Manila is divided into four zones of varying susceptibility to seismic hazards. These range from very low-risk (large parts of Quezon City, Makati, and Paranaque), low-risk (Pasay, East Marikina), high-risk (Ermita, Navotas, South Marikina) and very high-risk (major sectors of downtown Manila, south Marikina and Pateros) zones.”

    http://www.geolsocphil.org/geocon_abstracts/geocon2004_28.htm

    Besides, the foundation of the MPB is spread over about 3,000 sqm because it has a total area of 32,000 sqm distributed over 11 floors. On the other hand the Bellagio Towers 1 at adjacent Taguig, where Corona has a penthouse at the 38th floor, is spread over about 1,000 sqm foundation. Meaning that its foundation carries three times the weight of MPB per sqm. But it appears that the MPB is built at a cost similar to the Bellagio Tower 1 which is a luxury condominium.

    All along I thought Binay is a lawyer, NOT a geologist.

    • not a geologist and not an engineer as well, binay is, who ensures that the building is really earthquake proof, it’s structure and construction designed to withstand earthquake of the magnitued 9 on the richter scale. to my knowledge, binay has not shown us conclusive engineer’s report.

      binay should specify the intensity of the earthquake that the building is designed to withstand whether 3, 4, or 5. maybe it can withstand a 5. but, will it crumble at an 8, or 9?

    • mayor jun2 binay is confident in saying it’s above board because the COA auditor said there was nothing wrong with it.

      iba talaga pag (allegedly) tao mo ang naka-assign na auditor sa makati no?

      i bet an incorruptible auditor would have a different result.

      • the coa’s report ought to be backed up by the building engineers’ comprehensive final report done after the completion of the building, attesting the soundness, the quality and durability of the structure. if indeed that much money was spent on the building, it should reflect on the building engineers report.

        I’m guessing the payroll was overly bloated to make up for ghost workers and ghost consultants.

  8. great pov, raissa,

    If PNoy spends his 6 years doing reforms, then it will go on without him come 2016.

    Mar Roxas for president? Isn‘t PNoy giving him enough moments to shine? What else can he asks for?

    The DILG position is a good litmus paper to test Mar‘s character and capability as a leader.

  9. I don’t. really believed the results of survey because last presidential election manny villar was always leadingin any survey but the outcome after election was different and he (villar) came only third as Pnoy made it the presidency in 2010 polls followed by erap estrada who was convicted of graph charges but was given presidential pardon by GMA who is now in hospital arrest.

    Binay won the vice presidential election last 2010 against roxas because of so many reason, on top of that were money plus ched escudero’s endorsement in his live television promo plus also of his nacionalista party. and also mar roxas was so over confident that he can win the polls. very easy etc. etc…

    Now that binay dynasties were exposed together with the many graph charges against his clan l think it will make a different and l believe mar roxas if ever he will run for president he can make a different also…plus if he (mar roxas) will be Pnoy’s choice as the standard bearer of the administrationit will be a good fight…

  10. Perhaps people are raising hell about the President’s remarks because they are missing the context. The interview show has not even run yet. Abigail Valte yesterday explained that the remarks were made in the context of the President’s concerns about judicial overreach.

    Consider this, the SC justices refuse to provide their SALN’s as required by law, and deny that Executive has the authority to request them. The Court cuts off House and Executive discretionary funds, but keeps their own discretionary fund, and denies that either the House or Executive has authority to impede the “independence” of the Court.

    The Court re-writes every law emerging from the Legislature and signed by the President, line by line. Rather than considering the broad powers of those bodies to make law . . . under the Constitution . . . and the intent of both the Constitution and the powers granted to other branches of government. The SC has become a law-making body, not an interpretive body.

    If you were President, would you not be concerned that the courts are exercising too much authority, and curtailing powers of the other bodies of government? Whilst holding themselves accountable to no one?

    In that context, the President says, I’m open to solutions. If the people want an extension of presidential term, I’m open to it.

    Let’s get the context right. His remark had nothing to do with Mar Roxas, really. Or Binay.

    • @ Joe America,

      You are absolutely Right Joe, Kapag para sa pansariling interest nila (corte suprema) ay legal pero kong iba ang gumamit ay bawal? para na silang diktador niyan gayong karamihan sa kanilang mga justices diyan sa korte suprema ay mga TUTA nang nagdaan administrasyon? ano masasabi nila sa mga pabaliktad baliktad na desisyon nila noon lalo na sa PALEA vs PAL CASE at marami pa? maraming mga CASHunduan diyan na pagkalaki laki? Bakit hindi maipakita ang SALNs? Bakit palaging judicial independende ang palaging sagot sa mga tanong? kong walang itinatago ay walang dapat ikabahala/ikahiya? Mayroon nga ba? ito ang dahilan kong bakit napatalsik si nato corona noon bilang chief justice nang korte suprema, diba? Sana maging transparent ang mga taga korte suprema at naalala ko tuloy sabi ni erap na mga “hodlum in robes” iba diyan.

      • FASAP v. PAL yata yung kaso na binalibaliktad ng SC dahil lang sa sulat ni Mendoza, hindi PALEA v. PAL

        • Timeline: FASAP-PAL case

          http://www.rappler.com/nation/special-coverage/corona-trial/1370-timeline-fasap-pal-case

          Key events relating to the case between the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Airlines

          Purple S. Romero

          Published 8:52 PM, Feb 07, 2012
          Updated 4:40 PM, Feb 08, 2012

          MANILA, Philippines – In the Articles of Impeachment lodged against him before the Senate, Chief Justice Renato Corona is charged with culpable violation of the constitution and betrayal of public trust for failing to meet and observe the stringent standards under Art. VIII, Section 7 (3) of the Constitution, which provides that “a member of the judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.”

          Specific issues Corona is charged with include his role in supposedly allowing the Supreme Court “to act on mere letters filed by a counsel which caused the issuance of a flip-flopping decision in final and executory cases.”

          These cases include the row between the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) and the Philippine Airlines (PAL).

          Below are key events relating to this case:

          June 15, 1998 – Philippine Airlines (PAL) retrenches 5,000 employees, including 1,400 cabin crew personnel as a cost-cutting measure. PAL said it incurred P90-B in liabilities during the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The retrenchment takes effect on July 15.

          June 22, 1998 – The Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines (FASAP) files a complaint against PAL and Patria Chiong, the Assistant Vice President for Cabin Services of PAL, for illegal retrenchment at the National Labor Relations Commission.

          July 23, 1998 – The labor arbiter rules in favor of FASAP and issues a preliminary injunction stopping PAL from implementing retrenchment program. He also orders the parties to issue a position paper.

          Sept. 4, 1998 – PAL chairman Lucio Tan dangles shares of stock to employees and 3 seats in its board of directors, but, in exchange, the collective bargaining agreement would be suspended for 10 years. The employees dismiss the offer.

          Sept. 23, 1998 – PAL stops operations and terminates employees.

          November 1998 – March 1999 – PAL starts to recall the cabin crew personnel it retrenched. PAL says it recalled 820 personnel already. FASAP says it only recalled 80.

          Sept. 28, 1999- FASAP files position paper with the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

          Nov. 8, 1999- PAL files position paper

          July 21, 2000 – Labor arbiter Jovencio Mayor rules in favor of FASAP and orders PAL to reinstate retrenched employees. PAL appeals the decision.

          May 31, 2004 – NLRC reverses decision due to lack of merit. FASAP elevates case to the Court of Appeals.

          Aug, 23, 2006 – The Court of Appeals affirms NLRC’s decision, saying PAL doesn’t have to consult FASAP for its criteria on retrenchment program. FASAP files motion for reconsideration.

          May 29, 2007 – CA stands by its earlier ruling. FASAP goes to the Supreme Court.

          July 22, 2008 – The SC special third division, in a decision penned by Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, rules in favor of FASAP and orders PAL to reinstate retrenched employees. Justices who concurred with this decision are Justices Alicia Austria-Martinez, Minita Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo Nachura and Ruben Reyes.

          Aug. 20, 2008 – PAL files motion for reconsideration.

          Oct. 2, 2009 – SC special third division affirms 2008 decision with finality. Decision is penned by Ynares-Santiago. Concurring are Justices Nachura, Diosdado Peralta, Nazario and Lucas Bersamin.

          Nov. 3. 2009 – PAL files motion for leave to file, and to admit motion for reconsideration for 2009 decision and second motion for reconsideration for 2008 decision.

          Jan. 20, 2010 – The SC third division, then chaired by Associate Justice Renato Corona, grants PAL’s motion. Corona inhibits from the case.

          June 3, 2010 – Chief Justice Renato Corona (he was named Chief Justice in May 2010) orders a revamp of SC divisions. Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales is new chair of third division, with members including Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Bersamin and Villarama.

          The FASAP case is raffled off to SC second division because members of the Special third division have retired.

          Sept. 7, 2011 – The SC second division dismisses PAL’s second motion for reconsideration

          Sept. 13, 2011 – PAL lawyer Estelito Mendoza writes the Clerk of Court and asks for an update on the Court’s action regarding the case and asks who is the ponente assigned to it.

          Sept. 16, 2011 – Mendoza writes a second letter, reiterating request for update.

          Sept. 20, 2011 – Mendoza writes another letter, saying they received copy of the Sept. 7 resolution on Sept. 19. He asks for voting pn the details on the resolution. The Sept. 7 resolution dismissses PAL’s second motion for reconsideration.

          Sept. 22, 2011 – Mendoza writes a fourth letter, asking the Clerk of Court to direct queries to Justices Carpio, Arturo Brion, Jose Perez, Diosdado Peralta, Jose Mendoza, Bersamin, if necessary.

          Oct. 4, 2011 – The SC en banc orders the recall of Sept. 7 resolution.

          Oct. 16, 2011 – In an interview with Move.ph on this day, Mendoza said the SC erred because their motion for reconsideration was decided by the second division, when what the SC should have done was to form a special third division in light of the retirement of certain members of the the third division, which originally handled the FASAP case.

          Oct. 17, 2011 – FASAP files a motion for reconsideration asking the Court to set aside its Oct. 4, 2011 resolution. – Rappler.com

    • This is cultural Joeam, Filipinos get it.

      Our politics is complex, dirty, and always scheming. So your persistent optimistic approach might not connect to the Fiipino callous skeptical mind.

      • My response to this is:

        Where is the positive influence of the Catholic church on this? Why did the Protestant dominated US and Anglican dominated UK get it right in developing a culture that emphasizes accountability and justice and why did Catholic dominated ones like Latin America and us languish in these kind of poiitical culture?

        • Joe, if I may, let give an answer to Andrew Lim.

          IMO there will be no positive influence from the Catholic church that will come if you are waiting for one because their doctrine is the very heart of the problem among Catholic influenced countries. The teaching that the eucharist is the real body of Christ and therefore can erase your sin makes one say to himself when under temptation to just do it and take the eucharist the next Sunday mass. Then one gets used to it and keep on repeating. The punishment? Recitation of x times of ‘Our Father’ and x times of ‘Hail Mary’ depending on the gravity of sin. I can debunk this theory using the Scripture itself but I will not do it here because this is not a venue for religious discussion. But don’t get me wrong for I myself was born, baptized and brought up as a Catholic.

      • Yes, but my assignment is not to be complacent with that, and to grind away to see which set of values caves in first, mine or yours. The assignment came from Mission Impossible headquarters, directly. via the ghost of Peter Graves. I must confess though I’ve been at it for four years now and appear not to have made even a dent. :)

        • I, on the other hand, have taken to driving like a lunatic, wearing no seat belt whilst swilling a warm Red Horse and with an unregistered gun taped beneath my seat.

    • @Raissa, I’ve gotten a couple of e-mails that comments have been dropped off, but they are not appearing here. The last was from Jorge Bernas, in response to this comment.

    • The first thing to remember is this. If we go back to the billiard analogy that Raissa used to describe the President’s way of thinking – which is looking at things from different angles and trying different tactics to pocket a ball – I would grant the President some complexity of mind.

      The second thing to remember is that he is forthright, he speaks his mind. This is not to say that he does not know when not to speak.

      The third thing to remember is that he is largely without malice. This is not to say he will not avail of certain means to accomplish certain ends. This is in keeping with his billiard mentality.

      The fourth thing to remember is his objective and legacy.

      So when the President speaks, there is context and suggestions, there is plain talk and strategy. He is primarily telling us what he is thinking. At first analysis, we can conclude he means what he says about charter change and judicial overreach. That is context.

      So what are the suggestions? To be able to answer this, we have to see how the table lies. You will excuse the mixed metaphors. I don’t play billiards but you will get the meaning.

      On the table, we primarily have the Judiciary Ball, the Legislative Ball, the Binay ball and the Roxas/Poe or the Heir Ball. The people are the spectators but they are a ball too.

      The Legislative Ball is a jawed ball. It has failed to drop but bounces back and forth against the jaws of a pocket. The President currently has a clean shot at it, but the ball behaves erratically especially when the Binay Ball is nearby.

      The Judiciary Ball has the President snookered, leaving him unable to drive other balls into pockets.

      The Heir Ball… The President wants to pocket this but it is twice removed. Not only is it behind the Judiciary Ball but also behind the Binay Ball.

      The Binay Ball… The President definitely wants this off the table, not only in a pocket, but off the table for good.

      This is how the President reads the table. What he has said is his way of positioning the cue ball in preparation for his next series of strikes which are:

      1. To pocket the Judicial Ball, thus containing judicial overreach.
      2. To pocket the Binay Ball for good, thus containing corruption.
      3. To leave the table clear for the Heir Ball.
      4. To win not only his inning but all future innings.

      Binay has said anything is possible in politics and, to his utter dismay, the President is just proving that.

      Anyway this is how I see it. I hope I am not guilty of overreaching.

      • The President seems to have some people snookered. They think he is ready to do a Marcos for his own ego-based power, and that simply, as you point out, is not his style. He certainly threw Mr. Binay into a conniption fit, and probably the judges, too. I note that today the judges’ people got a little snippy back at the President, saying that SALN’s ARE available to qualified people (the President said they were not). Unfortunately, one of the qualified people is evidently NOT BIR’s Kim Henares whose request for such documents in pursuit of the mysterious Arlene, a notorious buyer of judicial decisions, was denied. That snippiness from the courts does not bode well. I tell you, this is all more intriguing than a Ludlum novel, and your epistle has put some of the shades of nuance on the intrigue. I might add that the budget for the courts was cut, so Mr. Aquino plays with a certain well articulated smashing of the break.

        • Joeam,

          I appreciate your concerns and meddling in our politics and the positive contributions you generously shared.

          However, appreciating and articulating the Pieta is different from the citizens who truly experienced the Pieta.

          Marrying a Filipina is different from being a Filipino who felt all the hardships and being abused and repeatedly raped by the system.

          Parekoy

        • @Parekoy, I don’t claim to be Filipino or understand Filipinos, but I do claim to have worked hard for a few years trying to get a grasp of the ways cultures differ, real time. And I would even go further with what you say. It is hard for Filipino A to understand what Filipino B or American C has dealt with to make them who they are. So we ought to hold respect for others whom we don’t really know. And we ought not form conclusions based on what the press or other people say, or what we see in a brief glimpse of the person, or based on one or two incidents. These attitudes are values, and they are not owned by nations or peoples. They are values anyone can claim.

        • I am not claiming that my opinion is better than yours but I am stressing the culture factor as you agreed that you are still trying to understand.

        • Hey Joeam,

          You and I have had our many disagreements in the past but I never once thought my opinions were far more superior because I happen to have had some experiences that you haven’t had. I’d probably lose on that front anyway since from he looks of it, you have been around much longer than I have. Haha.

          If at all, I’d say our differences in opinion have more to do with you not being me and me not being you, if you get what I mean. And thank goodness for that. More haha.

          Rainy day in Sydney today. That’s all.

        • Our notes crossed in the internet ether, Cha. See my note to Parekoy, which, in different words says the same thing you have just said. The richness is the difference, isn’t it?

          Cloudy day in the Visayas.

          Read my tweet blog, right column today. Sunday is a good day for reflection.

        • Are you insinuating that I am claiming my opinion is better than Joeam? Where did I say that?

          Or is it just cultural among westerners to assume that?

          :)

        • Hello parekoy, hanap ka ng ibang kaaway. :) You are barking at the wrong westerner. I only wish for world peace. (And maybe Season 4 of Downton Abbey on DVD. )

        • @cha,

          Yung pasaring cultural yan, tanong mo kay baycas! :)

          Pero culturally balat sibuyas daw ang mga pinoy? Kaya?

          Sabi ng iba, Culturally yung Merkano akala superior sila da mga brown monkeys pag andito sa Pinas,kaya? Tingin ko hindi naman lahat.

          Noong nag visit ako sa New York City, sabi sa akin ng na meet kong puti, “How are you doin?” I said “I am doing fine, and I have been doing so and so and so…”. Came to find out culturally, the standard reply should be “I’m fine thank you! How about you?”

          Joeam is insisting that PNoy’s trial balloon is just a simple SC judicial overreach and has nothing to do with Mar or Binay. I was just trying to sinform Joeam about our political culture that it is not as simple as he perceievs it to be. Culturally, those pronouncements have multiple meanings and intent, as shown by Raissa, Lores, and multiple of Filipino columnists as well as the feedbacks from their columns.

          It took me awhile to understand Lucy’s football gag on Charlie! :)

          Peace!

        • @Parekoy, there are, in the complex Filipino way, possible multiple shades of meaning, along with guesswork, superstition, rumor, belief in what is printed in newspapers, lack of knowledge, a mix of lack of esteem and incredible hubris, and who knows why. That’s why everybody gets jealous and envious and fights. There is also the frequent capacity to mix issue with personality during argument, and I were to read your remark in all its subtleties, I’d think you were saying, well, you don’t understand Filipinos and therefore you are not qualified to comment. In fact, go back to America. It is an argument I’ve heard before.

          If you think I am wrong in suggesting people are missing the context of the President’s remarks, we would not get caught up in these irrelevant personal confusions if you would simply explain why I’m wrong. I’m used to being wrong. No big deal. It comes with getting educated “in the streets” or the blog threads.

          But if you are, in your complex way, suggesting I ought not be registering opinions because there is no way I can ever understand you poor pained Filipinos . . . I just declare you irrelevant.

        • @Joeam,

          Just finished running a few laps with some friends at steinbrenner stadium and they are amused with your declaring I’m irrelevant! By the way they are wearing MIT and Harvard shirts.

          To spell it out you are wrong in being simplistic, but I understand that you are still learning the culture.

          I’m glad that you are where you are and improve the vocabulary of your readers. I can understand that you treat our Filipino situation as a subject for mental masturbation and maybe reading your own words loudly to have an eargasm!

          But I maybe wrong with my assumptions. i also noticed how you brown nose with PNoy and adulation of Kris, I think you caught the showbiz bug of the masses. Now you are acquiring some Filipino traits and good for you!

          You also got another Filipino trait, being Pikon and being judgmental as our historical White Masters who can just declare me irrelevant!

          I think you are abusing the hospitality of the Filipinos and even in the past declared that ee are lightweights too in this blog. We have long memories Joeam so i would like to tell you to Fuck off but what good will it do? i am too pragmatic and I know you are not the enemy and I know you have value; we can use you as you use us!

          Maybe as an American you can relate Lucy’s football gag on Charlie Brown in our situation?

        • @Parekoy,Thanks for the eye-opener. Let me respond in Edgardian fashion:

          1. You’d have to show me where I denigrated people on this blog, for I’m sure it has a context, and you likely pulled off what irritated you, and not what I intended. I’ve always held this blog in great respect, for the articles and the commentary, and have rated it the number 1 blog in the Philippines, for both those reasons. Articles and commentary.

          2. Regarding objectifying Filipinos, yes, I do that. As you objectify Americans and OFWs in Saudi Arabia objectify Arabs. That is natural to try to reconcile differences in values and behavior, and one can either complain (which I did a lot of early on) or try to understand (which I aspire to now).

          3. Your fundamental theme seems to be that I am not respectful toward Filipinos. That can be proved or disproved by visiting my blog, which you obviously have done. Frankly, you are out to lunch. A number of CPMers contribute regularly over there and help make the blog a vibrant, growing RESPECTFUL discussion forum.

          4. Re cozying up to President Aquino. No, I cozy up to the well-being of the Philippines and believe a strong president is important to that aim, and loyalty to the president helps. My blog yesterday took the Aquino “favorite son” Roxas to task, and I’ve been critical of President Aquino for not backing FOI and for being vindictive. That is no reason to throw him under the bus, and I object to those who try to. Put your labels on someone else.

          5. As for Kris Aquino, I really dislike the nasties in blog threads, believe she is fundamentally a good person, if a little quirky for living her emotions on television, and I like to inject a little variety in my blogs from time to time. I have no yellow agenda. I have a kindness agenda and Philippine agenda and a desire to attract readers, which being boring fails to do.

          6. As for enjoying what I do, yes, that is true. I do. I remarked to my wife yesterday that my writing ability has improved since I started blogging. It is now easier to write, and the words are sometimes quite good. I take pride in my different writing style for I can reach ideas that ordinary writers don’t get to. Unfortunately, when I do a stinker, as one is inclined to do if cranking out regularly, it is a good one.

          7. As for FU and your finding utility in my presence, I appreciate your candor. It was an eye opener and led me to the thought that even people who seem to be interested in good can be manipulative, nasty and totalitarian. So clearly, you have gained new relevance.

          8. Other than that, I am sorry that we got off track from Raissa’s excellent blog.

        • Parekoy: @Joeam, I almost wanted to end our discussion but it seems you are yearning for answers.

          1. You’d have to show me where I denigrated people on this blog, for I’m sure it has a context, and you likely pulled off what irritated you, and not what I intended. I’ve always held this blog in great respect, for the articles and the commentary, and have rated it the number 1 blog in the Philippines, for both those reasons. Articles and commentary.

          Parekoy: Actually you did few years ago at other blogs referring at Raissa’s commenters. I will not get you off the hook easy, if you want to find out, search the history of your comments then if you found what irked me then congratulations!, you just passed the very important subject on Filipino Culture of respect.

          2. Regarding objectifying Filipinos, yes, I do that. As you objectify Americans and OFWs in Saudi Arabia objectify Arabs. That is natural to try to reconcile differences in values and behavior, and one can either complain (which I did a lot of early on) or try to understand (which I aspire to now).

          Parekoy: Common, maybe you don’t know it but it is a fetish. You heard of Poverty Porn? As an American, I assume that you are aware of the different ways to have an orgasm? Some are pedophiles, some love animals, some likes to suck toes, and some even like the “golden shower and golden shit”.

          3. Your fundamental theme seems to be that I am not respectful toward Filipinos. That can be proved or disproved by visiting my blog, which you obviously have done. Frankly, you are out to lunch. A number of CPMers contribute regularly over there and help make the blog a vibrant, growing RESPECTFUL discussion forum.

          Parekoy: I was respectful to you, but respect begets respect. I tried to tell you the reason of why a lot of Filipinos have a different view on the context of PNoy’s trial balloon. It is like agreeing to disagree because we see this pronouncement in a different way and you, of all the people who seemed projecting wisdom was so lacking on this simple cultural difference. I was not even arguing, I was just pointing out at first that you might not have considered our culture, but in your usual hubris you want to argue by saying this : ”Yes, but my assignment is not to be complacent with that, and to grind away to see which set of values caves in first, mine or yours.” You seemed desperate to win everytime, but it is not about all about winning, it is also about knowing if there is a fight at all.

          4. Re cozying up to President Aquino. No, I cozy up to the well-being of the Philippines and believe a strong president is important to that aim, and loyalty to the president helps. My blog yesterday took the Aquino “favorite son” Roxas to task, and I’ve been critical of President Aquino for not backing FOI and for being vindictive. That is no reason to throw him under the bus, and I object to those who try to. Put your labels on someone else.

          Parekoy: For some of us here, we don’t kiss ass, we kick ass and there are no sacred cows here, me, PNoy, or even you.

          Maybe your critics from other blogs are right after all. You are so Yellow like Golden Yellow and might not even know it. You have been deep into PNoy’s ass and kissing Kris’s ass as well and enjoy the “golden shower” from her; that you are not aware you are also covered with “golden shit” and your olfactory gone hay wired; you sniff and snort it like a junky, with gusto, and mistaken the stench like a Donna Karan Gold perfume.

          5. As for Kris Aquino, I really dislike the nasties in blog threads, believe she is fundamentally a good person, if a little quirky for living her emotions on television, and I like to inject a little variety in my blogs from time to time. I have no yellow agenda. I have a kindness agenda and Philippine agenda and a desire to attract readers, which being boring fails to do.

          Parekoy: Common, writing the “empath” thing during the time Kris was endorsing Binay was an insult and repulsive to great many thinking Filipinos.

          6. As for enjoying what I do, yes, that is true. I do. I remarked to my wife yesterday that my writing ability has improved since I started blogging. It is now easier to write, and the words are sometimes quite good. I take pride in my different writing style for I can reach ideas that ordinary writers don’t get to. Unfortunately, when I do a stinker, as one is inclined to do if cranking out regularly, it is a good one.

          Parekoy: Good for you! You are lucky that have all the time in the world now on pursuing your passion unlike us who still need to eke out a living. While you are at it, try to take some Tagalog lessons too and study our culture so as to add value to your writings.

          7. As for FU and your finding utility in my presence, I appreciate your candor. It was an eye opener and led me to the thought that even people who seem to be interested in good can be manipulative, nasty and totalitarian. So clearly, you have gained new relevance.

          Parekoy: I tried the Filipino way of being polite to foreigners but you got arrogant. Sometime we need to take out civility and pleasantries with being forthright. I could have started with the American cliché of “With all due respect…” but you know that I will sucker punch you. So yes, I was tact and candid as your “idol” empath Kris. If you know your history and even the current events, Americans are the most manipulative people in the world and you have the results to prove the American Domination. But that is the way it is and that is American Culture of Dominance. We learned from you!

          I still consider you as a tool. And when you understand our culture, I will elevate you to a living organism; we allow you to live with us in a symbiotic existence for better Philippines.

          8. Other than that, I am sorry that we got off track from Raissa’s excellent blog.
          Parekoy: I accept your apology.

          As you referred me to cultural remarks written by Melinda Quinto de Jesus, a Filipino, I also suggest to read the book, President Marcos and the Philippine Political Culture by Lewis E. Gleeck, an American, a diplomat, and a historian who made incredible work to understand the Filipino Culture.

        • Ahhh, okay, so you try to represent me as an outsider to the CPM crowd by claiming I’ve said disparaging remarks about them, but you can’t find the remarks so we can examine the context. Instead, you instruct ME to find them to prove my own guilt. Ahahahahaha. Are you a Supreme Court member by any chance? That’s the same twisted legal thinking they used in the ruling on DAP.

          Not only can you not prove your point, but now you double down on it by claiming I have “insulted” CPMers with a blog about Kris Aquino. Ahahahaha, they can’t handle a blog about Kris Aquino? THAT is your projection of the intellectual capacities of CPMers? So you pretend to represent all CPMers, and again try to cast me as an outsider.

          It doesn’t sell, Parekoy. It just doesn’t sell. Do you know why? Because over the years, I’ve had disagreements with Yvonne, with Rene-Ipil, with Edgar Lores, with Cha, with Raissa, with baycas and with others here, and the arguments have always been to the issue. To the issue. Not personal. So we can always return to discuss other issues the next day, and find our agreements and even a joke now and then. We can continue to respect one another because issues are issues and earnest people always come at things from their own legitimate perspectives. Only manipulators and insecure people have to go personal and try to denigrate others.

          You are the first and only person here who has claimed that I, at a personal level, do not have a legitimate perspective.

          You are peddling bullshit, Parekoy. The same childish personal bullshit that sells so well at Get Real Post, you bring here. Trying to create enemies when there are none. Get thee back under thy rock.

        • Parekoy: @Joeam, I almost wanted to end our discussion but it seems you are yearning for answers.

          1. You’d have to show me where I denigrated people on this blog, for I’m sure it has a context, and you likely pulled off what irritated you, and not what I intended. I’ve always held this blog in great respect, for the articles and the commentary, and have rated it the number 1 blog in the Philippines, for both those reasons. Articles and commentary.

          Parekoy: Actually you did few years ago at other blogs referring at Raissa’s commenters. I will not get you off the hook easy, if you want to find out, search the history of your comments then if you found what irked me then congratulations!, you just passed the very important subject on Filipino Culture of respect.

          2. Regarding objectifying Filipinos, yes, I do that. As you objectify Americans and OFWs in Saudi Arabia objectify Arabs. That is natural to try to reconcile differences in values and behavior, and one can either complain (which I did a lot of early on) or try to understand (which I aspire to now).

          Parekoy: Common, maybe you don’t know it but it is a fetish. You heard of Poverty Porn? As an American, I assume that you are aware of the different ways to have an orgasm? Some are pedophiles, some love animals, some likes to suck toes, and some even like the “golden shower and golden shit”.

          3. Your fundamental theme seems to be that I am not respectful toward Filipinos. That can be proved or disproved by visiting my blog, which you obviously have done. Frankly, you are out to lunch. A number of CPMers contribute regularly over there and help make the blog a vibrant, growing RESPECTFUL discussion forum.

          Parekoy: I was respectful to you, but respect begets respect. I tried to tell you the reason of why a lot of Filipinos have a different view on the context of PNoy’s trial balloon. It is like agreeing to disagree because we see this pronouncement in a different way and you, of all the people who seemed projecting wisdom was so lacking on this simple cultural difference. I was not even arguing, I was just pointing out at first that you might not have considered our culture, but in your usual hubris you want to argue by saying this : ”Yes, but my assignment is not to be complacent with that, and to grind away to see which set of values caves in first, mine or yours.” You seemed desperate to win everytime, but it is not about all about winning, it is also about knowing if there is a fight at all.

          4. Re cozying up to President Aquino. No, I cozy up to the well-being of the Philippines and believe a strong president is important to that aim, and loyalty to the president helps. My blog yesterday took the Aquino “favorite son” Roxas to task, and I’ve been critical of President Aquino for not backing FOI and for being vindictive. That is no reason to throw him under the bus, and I object to those who try to. Put your labels on someone else.

          Parekoy: For some of us here, we don’t kiss ass, we kick ass and there are no sacred cows here, me, PNoy, or even you.

          Maybe your critics from other blogs are right after all. You are so Yellow like Golden Yellow and might not even know it. You have been deep into PNoy’s ass and kissing Kris’s ass as well and enjoy the “golden shower” from her; that you are not aware you are also covered with “golden shit” and your olfactory gone hay wired; you sniff and snort it like a junky, with gusto, and mistaken the stench like a Donna Karan Gold perfume.

          5. As for Kris Aquino, I really dislike the nasties in blog threads, believe she is fundamentally a good person, if a little quirky for living her emotions on television, and I like to inject a little variety in my blogs from time to time. I have no yellow agenda. I have a kindness agenda and Philippine agenda and a desire to attract readers, which being boring fails to do.

          Parekoy: Common, writing the “empath” thing during the time Kris was endorsing Binay was an insult and repulsive to great many thinking Filipinos.

          6. As for enjoying what I do, yes, that is true. I do. I remarked to my wife yesterday that my writing ability has improved since I started blogging. It is now easier to write, and the words are sometimes quite good. I take pride in my different writing style for I can reach ideas that ordinary writers don’t get to. Unfortunately, when I do a stinker, as one is inclined to do if cranking out regularly, it is a good one.

          Parekoy: Good for you! You are lucky that have all the time in the world now on pursuing your passion unlike us who still need to eke out a living. While you are at it, try to take some Tagalog lessons too and study our culture so as to add value to your writings.

          7. As for FU and your finding utility in my presence, I appreciate your candor. It was an eye opener and led me to the thought that even people who seem to be interested in good can be manipulative, nasty and totalitarian. So clearly, you have gained new relevance.

          Parekoy: I tried the Filipino way of being polite to foreigners but you got arrogant. Sometime we need to take out civility and pleasantries with being forthright. I could have started with the American cliché of “With all due respect…” but you know that I will sucker punch you. So yes, I was tact and candid as your “idol” empath Kris. If you know your history and even the current events, Americans are the most manipulative people in the world and you have the results to prove the American Domination. But that is the way it is and that is American Culture of Dominance. We learned from you!

          I still consider you as a tool. And when you understand our culture, I will elevate you to a living organism; we allow you to live with us in a symbiotic existence for better Philippines.

          8. Other than that, I am sorry that we got off track from Raissa’s excellent blog.
          Parekoy: I accept your apology.

          As you referred me to cultural remarks written by Melinda Quinto de Jesus, a Filipino, I also suggest to read the book, President Marcos and the Philippine Political Culture by Lewis E. Gleeck, an American, a diplomat, and a historian who made incredible work to understand the Filipino Culture.

        • @joji,

          I say PNoy is abnoy as maverick and broke the mold of normal paste presidents who plundered the country and corrupt evrery branch of government and even the Catholic Church, and leaving us with almost failed state, criminality, hopelessness, doubling number of the poor, incredibke disparity of the distribution of wealth, and rampant injustice!

          So yes, I repeat PNoy is abnoy for showing us that he is a dreamer and a doer and the insane slogan of Daang Matuwid is indeed delivering results and the gains are catalyst for more reforms!

          I am proud of PNoy as abnoy!

          Ngayon sino nga ba ang baliw?

        • I guess I am abnoy too, for believing that after PNOY, no other person can have his vision.Those kind of people comes as a gift . In my mind those who are trying to break the straight road that an ABNORMAL President is trying to patch up are the insane beyond repair and help. Yes , he is so crazy to repair the annihilation done by hellish minds and minions of the dark because he is inspired by the spirits of light and goodness. The country is very much lucky than the rest of the world constantly in a state of war, instead the country survived the great dictator, persistent third world conditions of so much poverty, eating pagpag and committing suicide/ending life when the mind and physical cannot bear the hunger any-longer, emotional and physical pain, and surviving terrible YOLANDA.Look at the rest of the world in turmoil, progress built within long years of hard work are destroyed in a day of violence, rage and anger, fighting of same race to race, religious differences, bombing each other the winner gaining so much money and control in the midst of chaos and death.

          I can’t understand when people are so focused on getting so much wealth when this is only a temporary stay in this dimension called life in the planet Earth. ENOUGH is ENOUGH is just right to have a comfortable life. But tama na sobra na should read, SIGE PA, KULANG PA for those aching for more, destroying anything to gain more.

          I hear you Parekoy, you and others I understand now. Being an ABNOY can isolate one in his own world so as not to contaminate his pure vision. Hence, I respect all the ABNOYS. PLEASE SOME MORE ABNOYS speak up and come forward to lead the nation forward and end the road of the “Normal”.

        • I was just declared irrelevant by our historical white masters, maybe I am abnormal too netty? But so be it, I am abnormal but patriotically abnormal!

          Thank you Netty for feeling, reflecting, and illuminating!

        • @ Parekoy

          I’m now learning the new definitions of the word ABNOY… others who were not able to read your new definitions will interpret it as “abnormal” or as some who are so fond of lumping Josh Aquino and PNOY as “retarded” or “abnoy (as in abnormal Pnoy) will still take that as ridicule, will take that as to mean our President is so mentally inadequate. That term (along with stupid, noytard ) was usually used by PNOY haters and bashers in the infamous GRP blog and in the mainstream media. By your definitions, then I am also ABNOY.

          BTW, I’m a fan of JoeAm, as I am a fan of Raissa, MQ de Jesus and JCC and other independent bloggers and columnists. I admire JoeAm for his steadfast support of this administration to the point of wondering why some Filipinos have a penchant for undermining the programs being implemented by way of nitpicking every word, every misstep, blowing it out of proportion. I am thankful that we have a blogger like him, and a resident foreigner at that, who is concerned about the problems of our nation and doing something about them by blogging and commenting on other blogs, even in newspapers, and it pained me when I read how the GRP commenters ganged up on him.

          I think, Parekoy, you and JoeAm as well as the other contributors here (except the trolls) are on the same side, which is for the betterment of our country. He says he loves our country (his adoptive country) and I believe him; judging by your posts here, you do, too…. We just express that love differently.

    • Disband any branches of govt against Pnoy, Let his highest aquino stay in power forever. Long live Pnoy

  11. In an online survey by Julius Babao at DZMM this morning, the listeners were asked to choose between PNoy and Binay as president. PNoy got 66 while Binay got 27 votes. I guess it is a spontaneous survey for now, and the next online survey will surely be diluted by a text brigade already.

    I hope the next survey by SWS and Pulse Asia will include PNoy as presidentiable to serve as one of the bases in pursuing a term extension for PNoy, literally or via anointment. “The voice of the people is the voice of God.”

    • that’s probably just madness of crowd which could lead to short-term gains but long-term disasters. majority opinion is just that, that a majority of the people share the same opinion at one time. it does not necessarily follow that that certain opinion is right. lol, it definitely does not also have any connection to god’s will whatsoever.

      • @Drill Down:

        If you’re not a believer of the holy books, fine. But if you are, consider this:

        Daniel 2:20-22 “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:…..And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:…..He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.”

  12. I fully agree with Rejtatel, Vhin AB and Andrew Lim. PNOY should run for VP, and look for a principled and winnable presidential running mate. I think the names floated for such a tandem — de Lima, Poe or Robredo, all beat a Binay-Estrada ticket. If the overarching goal is to continue the political and economic reform PNOY has started, this seems to be the easiest and most practical way to go. It avoids a divisive and unnecessary monkeying with the constitution. Should Binay be denied the presidency, then:

    1. the trapos from all parties, including the LP are held at bay for another six years
    2. PNOY’s economic program continues
    3. justice is allowed to be served in the cases of Arroyo, Estrada, Enrile, Revilla, et.al.

    It’s the President’s decision to take. He’s arrived at a fork in the road of his daang matuwid. His own personal “sanggang-daan”. All the trapos in the LP are pushing him for a CONASS. All he has to do is to decide to run for VP.

    • PNoy is unbeatable as VP – so is binay as president. It will be the reverse of NoyBi in 2010 – BiNoy in 2016

      Extending PNoy’s term through CHA-CHA just to ensure the continuance of “daang matuwid” is a risky undertaking to our hard-earned democratic way of life as it will surely divide the country.

      PNoy’s latest pronouncements show that his enormous ego has been unwittingly pinched by the SC on his pet DAP – and he’s now open to term extension to pursue, among others, judicial reforms such as the SC justices’ SALNs, JDF, etc.

      Could the colossal confrontation between Malacanang and the SC be averted if the motion for reconsideration on the unconstitutionality of DAP be granted favorably?

      If not, the clash of the titans will continue until no one is standing, barely – and woe to the country.

  13. dalawa ang pumasok sa aking kaisipan kung bakit nagkaroon ng pagbabago ng isip si Pnoy sa kanyang paninindigan. Una nalalason sya ng kanyang katanyagan at ng mga nakapaligid sa kanya na may mga pansariling interest. Ang mga taong ito ang nagbibigay sa kanya ng mga maling datos at inpormasyon taliwas sa katotohanan ? Isang halimbawa nito yung sabihin niya ang tungkol sa pabahay sa Yolanda victims at sa zamboanga sa kanyang SONA na masuri sa katotohanan ay hindi pala totoo .

    o ang pangalawa ito isang stratehiya lamang , dahil sa restricted na pondo ng bayan mula ng sabihin ng korte suprema na illegal ang DAP at PDAF , lumalabas sya ngayong lameduck president dahil wala syang pondo na maaring maipain sa mga buwaya na nagpapanggap na kaalyado nya . ito ang mga hunyango at buwaya sa gobyerno na sa kaalaunan ay magiiba rin ng partido pag iba na ang nakapwesto . MONEY TALKS IKA NGA .

    Kung ako kay PNoy mas maganda humanap na lang sila na maaring supportahan nila , kung ako ang tatanungin tignan nila si Grace Poe , na walang bahid ng katiwalian at may magandang paninindigan sa mga current issues tulad ng Foi bill .

    • I would be very happy if grace gives more info on foi. she has lived in america for a long time and knows full well how foi works there. she must know that most state documents have statute of limitation, accessible only after the period of limitation is over, say in 5 or 10yrs time. if the same applies to the foi she is intending to foist on the filipino people, then she ought to let people know. save them from disappointments.

  14. Borrowing from President Cory Aquino’s “Project Katipunan” playbook but now custom-fitted for President Noynoy Aquino?

  15. Mar Roxas and the First Lady Factor

    Actually napakadali ng solusyon sa perception na hindi makakonek itong tandem na Mar at Korina.

    Eto ang Parekoy’s Prescriptions ko para maraming mahamig na mga bobotantes.

    Parekoy’s Prescriptions:

    1. Mag ampon ng isang batang iniwan sa basura or isang sanggol na galing sa Iskwater!

    a. Pag lalake yung sanggol pangalanan ng Pilipino Roxas at pag babae e Filipina Roxas. May gahang Pinoy or Pinay , naks may koneksyon na kay PNoy at samg Pinoy! Pag-uusapan sigurado ito ng masa.

    b. Siguraduhing may family picture together with his smiling son Paolo (Mar’s son nong binata pa sya) touching his baby brother or sister, at ang bagong baby na kalong at nakangiting Korina with Mar’s arms around his family! Picture Perfect! Magandang pangmumud na kaledaryo during election time!

    c. Family should arranged an interview with Vice Ganda and other Roxas Friendly TV personalities.

    d. The baby should wear the clothes given by PNoy and a rattler from Kris(kahit pilit).

    e. Mar and Family to donate and visit bahay ng ampunans. Picture picture with the orphaned kids! TV announcers are touting Mar’s generousity and calling all couples who were not lucky enough to kids to adopt! Pati na rin yun call sa mga Taipans na mag donate sa mga bahay ampunan!

    f. TV special sa bahay nila Mar at Korina showcasing their Baby Pinoy’s or Baby Pinay’s room with plenty of toys and cards from fellow orphans!

    g. During Baby Pinoy’s or Baby Pinay’s christening, kunin ang mga sikat na artista sa lahat ng TV stations, Kapuso, Kapamily, at Kapatid. Kung pwede lang kunin si Nora at Vilma, kunin din! Yung head ng CBCP kunin din na mag perform ng baptism!

    h. Kahit di mo bayaran ang mga tabloids, siguradong kakagatin nila itong istorya dahil siguradong mabili ito. Follow up pa ang sa TV at Radyo!

    i. Magkaron ng powdered milk commercial na si Baby Pinoy’s or Baby Pinay’s with Korina preparing the millk bottle. Tapos papasok si Sharon at KC with Kiko na may dala rin ng milk as pasalubong pagbukas ni Mar ng Pinto. Habang kumukuha ng photos si Paolo at nakangiti kay KC, pero humabol din si Julia na may dalang toys!

    2. During the Mar’s Presidential Campaign be disciplined and do the following:

    a. Siguraduhing alam na ni Korina ang script. Huwag mataray.

    b. Lahat tawaging ate at kuya at laging may po.

    c. Pag lalake, yakapin agad idikit ang kanyang asset na malaking bumpers. Huwag mag alala napapalitan yan kay Belo, mas malaki pa at hindi sagging.

    d. Pag babae kahit bungi at mabaho ang hininga, dapat akbayan agad at magpalitrato na katabi para hwag maamoy yung hininga.

    e. Isama si Vilma sa mga sorties para hamig agad yung mga Vilmanians.

    f. Isama si Sharon sa ibang maka-Sharon na lugar.

    g. Kung makuha si Nora dahil laging nangangailangan ng pera, bayaran na para pari yung mga anak ng mga daitng kasambahay kuha.

    h. Kunin ang mga sikat na artista sa mga Teleserye at e-endorso si Mar.

    i. Mag voice lesson at dancing lesson ang mag-asawang Mar at Korina, daming nauuto na mga bobotantes dahil akala nila pag sumasayaw at kumakanta sa entablado eh parang TV show pa rin.

    j. Kumuha ng magaling na jingle maker, kunin yung gumawa para kay Villar, hindi makalimutan kahit na ni Bimby.

    k. Siguraduhing ang mag-e-introduce kay Mar ay si Vice Ganda, pag hindi si PNoy available, para mabalanse ang impluensa ni Abunda pag kumampi kay Binay!

    l. Isama si PNoy sa lahat na mga lugar na maka Binay para mahati.

    m. Pag tumakbo si Erap, huwag tirahin para mahati ang boto kay Erap at Binay.

    n. Makipag areglo kay Erap na si Jinggoy ay pweding ma-pardon or pahinain ang ebidensya para acquitted si Jinggoy, pero kailangan mag run for President si Erap at magkampanyang maiigi sa Makati at mga maka-Binay na lugar.

    o. Siguraduhing yung Impeachment case kay Binay ay buhayin at yung mga ebidensya ilabas kung hindi pa impeached si Binay sa panahon ng Kampanya.

    p. TV footage ng mga ari-arian ng mga Binay dapat laging nasa balita.

    q. Huwag maging kuripot, dagdagan ang budget para sa mga bayarang media.

    r. Ang tunay na makamahirap ay nababasa ng Ulan at ang peke ay nagpapPayong sa buwan. Pictures of Mar na basa sa ulan at JunJun na naka payong side by side.

    s. Kailangan may Picture kay Santo Papa si Mar at Korina pagbisita dito. Dumayo rin sandali ang pamillya sa Vatican together with the adopted baby para may aura ng pagka relihiyoso at para mabili sa masa yung ala-prinsepe at prinsesa effect sa Italy: Ala Prince William at Princess Kate ng England, pero maka-masa ang dating!

    3. LP dapat fully prepared in any unexpected eventualities.

    a. Gamitin ang Special Purpose Fund sa mga lugar na marami ang boto ng masa.

    b. Siguraduhing konti lang ang ibulsa ni Dinky sa DWSD para naman manalo si Mar. Saka na magbulsa pagkatapos ng eleksyon otherwise stop na ang pagbubulsa pag pumalit ang administrasyon at yung iba naman ang magbubulsa. Tanggalin ang highlights ni Dinky para syang si Cruela sa Dalamatians. Kung ayaw dapa may ason syang Dalamation habang namumumud sa mga mahihirap.

    b. I check ang SC, at palaging nakaamba ang impeachment. O makipag areglo sa SC at dagdagan pa ang fund para maraming korte ang maitayo. Magandang photo ops yan.

    c. Ampunin ang ibang UNA na gustong bumalimbing per may kondisyon na siraan si Binay at UNA.

    d. Disiplina sa messaging. Dapat walang conflict ala Republican ng America.

    e. Yung mga LP personalities na bale magsasagot sa TV eh yung mga Young Turks or ilang mga wala pang bahid ng kurapsyon. Halo, may pa-english-english para hagip yung mga estudyante at mga ala-Chiz na malalim kuno ang tagalog para hagip yung mga mahihirap at iskwaters.

    f. Siguraduhing i-approve ang FOI Bill at gawing batas! Hwag si Drilon ang Mukha ng FOI, dapat sila Grace Poe, si Bam Aquino, at yung ibang LP sa kongreso na hindi Porky ang mukha. Kunin din sila Colmenares at mga Leftist sa Litrato para pangkalahatan ang dating together with some friendly bishops, at may mga Military rin sa hanay ng photo ops!

    g. Siguraduhing si PNoy ang laging bukambibig ay si Mar at ang LP as kanyang mga katulong sa Daang Matuwid.

    h. In case na delikado, ihanda ang nuclear weapon: Hocus PCOS!

    Parekoy
    07/16/2014
    Posting after reading the secret lost diaries of Joseph Goebbels, Dacer, and Ronnie Puno

    • at kunin si @Parekoy na Campaign Manager….

      Mananalo sigurado siyang Presidente ng ??????

      Mar Roxas is a great person, intelligent, hindi na niya kailangan mangurakot, masyadong mayaman …. the problem is CHARISMA.

      I AM STILL AWAITING FOR THE GOD-GIVEN PERSON TO FULFILL HIS DESTINY AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

      • Noong mapunta si Cory sa langit at dumungaw sa lupa, napaSigaw si Cory at tinatawag ang atensyon ni Kris na nakikita nya sa lupa ay nagkakalat.

        Nagalit at Nagising si God. Sabi nya, “hopeless na yang anak mo kahit si tanas hindi nayan mababago. Pero yung Pilipino meron pang pag-asa. Hayaan mo yung sinimulan at nagkamali mali ka at ipapagpatuloy at iwawasto yan ng lalaking anak mo!”

        Then umidlip ulit si God…

        Kaya chit magsisigaw naman tayo para magising ulit si God!

    • Parekoy, mukhang inspired ka at bihasa sa black prop.

      yung ibang rekomendasyon mo mukhang nasa alanganin na. pero ganito talaga mag-isip ang maraming pulitiko.

      bat mo alam? curious lang ako.

      • @raissa,
        –
        To defeat the enemy one should know the enemy.

        To change the system one must know the system and how it is played.
        –

        Since I was a kid, I saw how dirty politics is. It is repulsive and not for the faint hearted.

        Guns, goons, gold, and brilliant PR outfits money can buy!

        In the end I realized that our democratic system is so easy to manipulate to the advantage of the few. Failed promises of Edsa; return of he Marcoses; blatant plunder of our meager resources; Catholic Church grip of our mothers’ wombs and the exponential      rise of the number of the destitues; spreading of corruption even to the lowest barangay kagawads; oppression of the poor not only by the government as well by the leftist was getting worst; the musical chair of the elite is no longer bearable;  the corruption  of the mind and soul is getting worst year after year; criminality and hopelessness all around us; and the list continues.

        Then came PNoy.  I thought he was crazy even introducing us to a dream of Daang Matuwid…He is serious after all when he ousted Gutierrez, Corona and jailed Gloria.  He provided us with a glimmer of hope…So I contemplated and was attracted and decided that I can join the fight..

        Your blogsite seemed the best site for us would be warriors, and I think most of us agree that collectively we are and will provide the netizens and public an alternative way of thinking, discussions that expose the usual propaganda and manipulation of the public, rotten style of the erring politicians are exposed which if not discuss freely remain concealed.

        So yes I am inspired as many of us regulars here. Plenty of patriotic visitors are drawn to your blogsite because it agitates, informs, educates, and wakes up our dormant patriotism.

        So yes I’m inspired because this community is supportive and open to even the wildest and weirdest ideas and it spurs creativity in thinking. Take this site as a think thank of the Filipino  netizens from all over the world with different life experiences and talents from different fields; the microcosm of the thinking and patriotic Filipinos!

        Let us contribute to change the system for the better!

        Sincerely,
        Parekoy

        • Wow heavy Parekoy! Mukhang teary-eyed ako ah.

          I come here because I feel I belong and I can contribute my long distance wishes and joy when something good happens in the country. I am already good where I am but why do I come here to Raissa’s page and bare my heart and mind? I believe in PNOY and what Raissa is doing, at the same time I am learning things not in my field, and I enjoy the discussion here.

          i think this is just a strategy to shake some booties of those trying to obstruct his good deeds, good faith and good intentions. He is getting tired of the 99 million with 99 million of agendas and demands, some whiners, some criminals, some holy men and all sorts of responsibilities that one mere mortal can’t do by himself. considering the very big mess the country was in. True he has some thinking men on board but he is the sole decision maker and I think he is the type who won’t leave his friends in danger and will give his dear life for them.

          Anyway, Parekoy, you may add that Mar and Korina should also make one movie that the voters would remember “ala- Iginuhit ng tadhana”.. rings a bell? You may write the script and direct the movie… ready, action!

        • Sometime I got carried away and reveal the sensitity in me. Thanks for appreciating.

          I am drawn by the idea of Daang Matuwid. If PNoy acts against the Filipino interest I will criticize him too. The good thing in this site is that there are no sacred cows.

          About the movies, dami ng politiko gumawa nyan at gagawin pa ulit sa TV meron din yung MMK. Mahal yan.

          You are one of us many who lights the candle here to illuminate and share the wisdom to the Netizens.

          Thank you.

    • Parekoy, sa dami ng mga sinabi mong kailangang gawin, napaakahirap pala talagang manalo si Mar, he he he. Peace!

      • @Alfredo and Netty,

        I tried to solve what Raissa iterated as Mar and Korina’s handicap and qualified the script fir number 1 and 2 targeting the bobotantes.

        Actually portable yan kahit kaninong kandidato may mga variations lang to suit the personality.

        Yung number 1 ay para kila Mar at Korina,similar to Basura Story kay Villar, kay Marcos yung Guhit ng Tadhana. Si Erap at Da King, Bong, Jingoy, Lapid aynauna na yung script at akala ng bobotante yung acting ay sila na yun sa Tunay na buhay.

        Yung Number 2 ay standard blueprint yan sa mga sorties. Patok yan sa mga bobotantes. I have been on the ground so I know what I am talking about. Katamihan ng mga yan ayaw makipagsalamuha at peke sa masa pero kailangan during election time, kaya yung pagod at acting nila binabawi din sa kurakot.

        Yung number 3 has already started.