Carlos Ante sent me this open letter all the way from Dubai after news broke that President Benigno Aquino III was now open to amending the Constitution to lift terms limits. He said he was against allowing Aquino to run again.
He asked me if his letter could be published in Philippine media.
Later he wrote again – “No need na yata. Perhaps, they are just testing the water.”
I decided to publish it anyway because of what he said. It shows Filipinos care deeply for their country no matter where they are. And they dream of coming home.
PANGULONG BENIGNO AQUINO III
REPUBLIKA NG PILIPINAS
Nuong kayo po ay tumakbo bilang pangulo ng ating bansa, kayo po ay aking hindi ibinoto sa paniniwalang mas may nakakahigit sa inyo na magsusulong ng mabuting pagbabago sa ating bansa subalit ako ay nagpapasalamat dahil ako ay nagkamali sa aking paniniwala sa inyo.
Dahil po sa inyo naibalik po ang tiwala at respeto ng mga Pilipino sa ehikutibong sangay ng pamahalaan sa pamamagitan ng inyong pagtupad sa inyong pangako na susugpuin ninyo ang kurapsyon na matagal nang sakit ng ating lipunan. Ito po ay walang dudang inyong tinupad at patuloy na tinutupad.
Dahil po sa inyo ang ating ekonomiya ay umabot sa pinakamataas na antas sa ating kasaysayan. Habang sinusulat ko ito, sa pangalawang pagkakataon ang PSEI ay nagsara sa higit 7,000.
Dahil po sa inyo ang mga dayuhang namumuhunan ay nagkaroon ng lubos na kompiyansa sa tatag ng ating ekonomiya at bilang patunay nito ang pagbigay sa atin ng “investment grade” ng S&P, Moody’s at Fitch group.
Malayo na po ang progresong tinatamasa at patuloy na tatamasahin ng ating bansa sa larangan ng ekonomiya at ang lahat ng ito ay dahil sa inyong Tuwid na Daang pamamahala. Nakakalungkot mang isipin na mahigit isang taon na lamang ang nalalabi sa inyong panunungkulan upang gampanan ang inyong tungkuling ipagpatuloy na iahon sa kahirapan ang maraming Pilipino, panagutin sa batas ang mga kriminal, habulin ang mga hindi nagbabayad ng tamang buwis at ipakulong pa ang mga taong nagsamantala sa kaban ng bayan.
Subalit, mahal namin at iginagalang na pangulo huwag na po ninyo sanang bigyang prayoridad ang pag-amyenda sa ating saligang batas para lamang mapalawig ang inyong panunungkulan sa ating inang bayan sapagkat ito ay magbibigay daan lamang upang mahati-hati na naman ang mga Pilipino. Ito ay magpapagal din sa umaarangkada na nating ekonomiya. Sa kakaunting ko pong kaalaman ukol sa ating Saligang Batas, ako ay naniniwala na ito ay nararapat lamang amyendahan lalo’t higit ang mga probisyong nagpapabagal sa mas lalong paglago ng ating ekonomiya. Subalit ako po ay hindi po naniniwala na ito ay dapat nyo pong unahin sa pagkakataong ito.
Bilang isa sa iyong “boss” na naririto sa gitnang silangan, ako ay nakikiusap sa inyo na ibuhos po ninyo ang lahat ng inyong lakas at nanalalabing oras upang maipatupad pa po ninyo ang lahat ng mga PPPs at ang lahat ng inyo pang magagandang balakin para sa ating bayan.
Mahal na pangulo huwag po kayong mag agam-agam na baka masayang ang napakaganda po ninyong nasimulan sapagkat sinu man ang susunod na mahahalal na susunod na pangulo ay ipagpapatuloy nya ang lahat ng magagandang inyong nasimulan. Si Cayetano, Binay, Roxas, Drilon o sinuman ang susunod na mahahalal bilang pangulo ito ay maglilikod nang tapat, walang bahid ng pansariling interes at buong puso na ibibigay ang kanyang sarili sa ating bayan.
Huwag po kayong matakot mahal na pangulo sapagkat ang inyong mabuting halimbawa ay hindi maaaring putulin o sirain ng isang makasariling layunin nino man. Mahal na pangulo sapat na po ang inyong kontribusyon. Ang inyo pong kontribusyon sa ating bansa ay hindi na po maaaring tawaran ng sinuman. Kaya po mahal na Pangulo TAMA NA, SOBRA NA hayaan po naman natin na sila ang mag-akay sa atin sa TUWID NA DAAN (o naman ang bagong magiging tawag dito). Ang Pilipinas ay mananatiling matatag ang ekonomiya at ang mga Pilipino ay mas lalo pang higit na tatalino sa larangan ng pulitikang kaisipan.
Sa mga taga oposisyon, panatagin po ninyo ang kalooban ng Pangulo na ang kanyang mga nasimulan ay hindi masasayang bagkus ay mas lalo pa ninyong pag-iibayuhin nang sa gayon ang mahal nating Pangulo ay kompiyansang bababa sa kanyang pwesto na walang agam-agam na tayo ay muling babalik sa lubhang kahirapan.
Sa mga taga LP na nagsusulong sa pag-amyenda ng Saligang Batas upang mapalawig lamang ang panunungkulan ng ating pangulo dahil ito ay makasariling kaisipan. Tandaan po sana ninyo lahat tayo ay naghahangad ng maunlad na bansa. Kaya po wag po ninyong isipin na nasa LP lang ang lahat ng kasagutan sa lahat ng suliranin ng ating bansa.
Mahal na pangulo TAMA NA, SOBRA NA. Ang mga kakulangan, ay nasa kanila din ang kasagutan.
Nawa’y ang tinig kong ito ay maging alingaw-ngaw ng lahat ng mga OFW na umaasang darating ang araw kami ay uuwi na upang diyan tuparin ang aming mga pangarap para sa aming pamilya. Na sa aming pag-uwi kami ay hindi makakabawas ng opurtunidad para sa kapwa naming Pilipino.
Gumagalang,
Carlos
OFW, DUBAI
Balikbayan says
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.
greenpea says
@Balikbayan
Said Epictetus, If you seek truth, you shall not seek it by every and even dishonorable means. But if you have found it, you need not fear being defeated.
Meaning if PNoy has done right but through the machinations of his opponents he ends up in jail, he will still be right no matter what they say or do to him. But what kind of a people are we if we allow a righteous man who has served his country to be unjustly punished.?
Instead of speculating on what Binay will do should he come to power, it would be better to take his current popularity as a writing on the wall and to heed its message.
And the message is not for the government to simply try harder and do more of the same of what they do but to examine their assumptions and explore new approaches and solutions to the people’s concern. Some assumptions to be reexamined are the trickle down effect, the dole out notion of governance, and the superman idea of leadership.
And the public too should change their thinking that people who do not vote their way are bobo. It is those who do not understand them who are.
carlos a. says
very well said, I wish I have that kind of prowess to write.
Balikbayan says
What is the message you see in:
Binay, Nancy, Erap, Jinggoy, JV, Bongbong, Honasan, Revilla Sr. & Jr., Sotto, etc. etc. winning their elections?
What people’s concerns do you want to address? What secret understanding of the people’s vote have you uncovered? Please share.
And, based on the history above, would it be incorrect to infer that Binay will likely win in 2016? And, assuming ERAP campaigns for him and he wins, that he will release ERAP’s legitimate son?
greenpea says
@Balikbayan
Thanks for asking me to share my insights. First of all, let me be clear – we are on the same side. I dread the prospect of a Binay presidency as much as you do and for the same reasons. I also did not vote for all the names you mentioned. But I will not dismiss their winning as a result of ignorant voting.
I do not have a secret understanding of the way people vote. What I have is respect for our countrymen no matter what their status in life is. If the candidates you voted for have the same mentality as those who think people who voted differently than them are stupid, how will they properly serve the people? Of course politicians who come to power through illicit means already consider people as stupid and treat them accordingly.
I have long wondered and pondered why the masa seem to have a masochistic penchant for supporting a candidate who would most certainly just fool and rob them. I have not found a sure answer but maybe it is because those who are supposed to be the better alternatives have failed to deliver simply because they are lost in their own smug assumptions that do not work.
Take the idea of the trickle down effect for example. There is an assumption that as the economy does well, the wealth created will trickle down to the masses and everybody will be happy. But in reality, does wealth trickle down or is it just crumbs that reach the poor? The almost immoral wealth gap in our country shows that only the rich so far are enjoying our economic success while the poor remain as miserably poor as ever. So why should they feel obligated to support the candidates of the rich, middle class instead of the charlatan politician who at least offer them some hope and cash from their loot?
Instead of relying on the trickle down principle which is like trying to build a house from the roof down instead of ground up, I wish government can provide stronger grassroots leadership to the people so that they themselves can create the wealth that will lift them out of poverty. If you just check with your barangay, you will see that this is not happening and that nothing of our corrupted political values and system has changed at all.
I remember during the EDSA dos rally in support of deposed President Estrada, many came from the ranks of the urban poor. But there was an urban poor community that did not support this rally. And this was because in that community, there was the presence of – not government but a church organization helping people to help themselves. For me this shows that what people look for is structure, leadership and meaningful engagement in society.
If you want people to see the light that you see, take the effort in closing the gap between you and them. We change our country not by our President but by changing ourselves.
Balikbayan says
When you have the chance, please talk to, say 10 of the masa. Make it a diverse sampling: a taxi driver, a house helper, a clerk, a peddler. Even easier, do it in Makati.
Ask them: Will you vote for Binay for President? Did you vote for Binay for Mayor? VP? for Nancy? Abigail?Junior? Why?
Then, we can compare notes afterwards.
(The sampling, though not exactly scientific, may surprise you.)
BTW, I think I have enough maturity and experience to have confidence in myself, my principles, my accomplishments. I am open to changing – but to what? And will I be happy with the change? Hmmm.
greenpea says
@balikbayan,
I do make it a point to talk with a diverse group of people as much as possible. In fact I tried to keep a blog dedicated to writing about the common man’s dreams and aspirations with respect to the government. Pero medyo napabayaan ko ito dahil matrabaho ng kaunti.
I also had strange conversation with many people. There was even a pro Marcos fx driver who not only hated the Aquinos very much but also held a very anti woman view that during the Iraq invasion of Kuwait, Filipinas who were raped were lucky because they got a big amount of compensation and may have even enjoyed their ordeal. I nearly stormed out of his vehicle.
There are many other strange conversations with so many people and I can only shake my head sometimes. Not all are as odious as with the fx driver. Some were even funny and bizarre.
But if people think strangely, will there be a point to argue with words? If you want to change their mind, you have to show it with your action.
If one treats a house help for example as family instead of a slave, then it will be easier to convince the house help that a certain candidate is good for him/her too instead of the candidate’s rival.
You mentioned Makati and I happen to pass by Makati a lot. In one neighborhood I pass by, you can smell the strong pro Binay leaning of the residents. But what can I do, the people there live in relative order and peace, confident of free schooling and good medical care should anything happen to them. This and maybe their elders look forward to the cake they get on their birthdays
I do not know how we can compare notes but please consider my proposal on post no 23 on how we can rate presidentiables and come up with a worthy choice.
leona says
[email protected] …the ‘Trickle Down’ principle
the Spaniards applied it to us. Our politicians learned to apply it also to us.
Once you do the opposite of ‘trickle’ by ‘giving’ the whole of it, you will lose trickling it down to the Massa. You will be kicked out with a SURGE!
A surge will open the Massa’s eyes! Not to make this happen…trickle and trickle it only. That’s how it is maintained.
drill down says
Why Ninoy, Cory fought for a one-term President
For Corazon Aquino, tinkering with the charter was not merely an ethical minefield for Ramos.
She believed it could pave the way for yet another dictatorial regime to take hold of the country in the future.
She warned that the leader of the country will hear many voices urging him to stay on.
The danger is that those voices will not belong to the people but to lackeys and those with vested interests.
“They will say you are right, when you are wrong. They will say you are successful, when you fail, and will insist you are indispensable, although you are just one of 70 million Filipinos who gave you the rare privilege to be their servant but only for your elected term. They will say that nobody can take your place, when what they mean is that they do not want to give up their places,” she said.
Cory said in no uncertain terms, if you’ve had your turn at the presidency, you should humbly and graciously move on.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/08/15/14/why-ninoy-cory-fought-one-term-president
——————————————————————-
“She warned that the leader of the country will hear many voices urging him to stay on.”
“The danger is that those voices will not belong to the people but to lackeys and those with vested interests.”
Rene-Ipil says
It seems that “TAMA NA, SOBRA NA” really hurt so deep. And now the weapon used against the dictator is being used against the son of the author, Cory.
Is it “a dose of your own medicine” tactic?
I believe Carlos Ante represents the person who would benefit most with PNoy out of the presidential arena. Carlos foisted on us the names of pushovers compared to PNoy and his benefactor and conveniently ignored the latter whom he wants to be president.
I now say to Carlos Ante and his benefactor. TAMA NA, SOBRA NA.
Ang tawag ko sa style ni Carlos Ante ay “SANGGANG DIIN.”
Rene-Ipil says
This post should be @13.
Dolly Gonzales says
I agree.
The all-caps TAMA NA, SOBRA NA was jarring, and out-of-place in the seemingly humble-and-supportive tone of the letter.
Hidden agenda.
Well said, Mr. Ipil, that it must have really hurt so deep. Now, they’re trying to sanitize the phrase, as part of their over-all strategy.
Historical revisionism.
Carlos A. says
I am honored of what you have said. You made me feel I am someone big but I am nobody but an ordinary office worker (purchase officer to be precised). Should I am SANGGANG DIIN perhaps it is better for me to stay there in the Philippines.
Rene-Ipil says
So, an ordinary office worker could write without further ado a Latin maxim known mostly to lawyers and judges. You wrote @8.2.1:
“nullum crimen et nulla poena sine lege.”
The maxim means “that there can be no crime committed, and no punishment meted out, without a violation of penal law as it existed at the moment the alleged offense occurred.” I wonder how many ordinary office workers would know this maxim. You wrote the Latin maxim as your own without enclosing it or its English meaning in quotations.
Ang isda ay nahuhuli sa bibig.
carlos a. says
I am graduate of Political Science in Lyceum of the Philippines. Knowing latin maxim doesn’t make you big. I googled it to make sure I have the correct spelling.
carlos a. says
Knowing latin maxim doesn’t make you big. I even googled it to make sure I have the correct spelling.
You are flattering me. Thank you!
Rene-Ipil says
No, I am not flattering you, nor am I impressed. Far from it. I am disappointed that political sience professors in Lyceum did not warn you against the use of Latin maxims. As far as I know law students and graduates of the Lyceum College of Law are discouraged by law professors from using Latin maxims in their pleadings because it would not help.
Carlos A. says
I am taking it in a positive way…
Carlos A. says
You are really flattering me. Ayaw mo lang umamin… Ngayon namn ginawa mo akong abogado (not even a law student). Hindi pleading yung mga sinasabi ko… Opinyon lang po…
kajames says
Siguro, kung lalagay tayo sa sapatos ng pangulo sa ngayon. mag-iisip din tayo sa magiging kalagayan ng ating bansa sa kamay ng mga taong nalasing na ng karangyaan at kapangyarihan. Iwasan natin ang madilim na daan at sa halip ay tahakin ang maliwanag at matuwid na daan. Iwasan ang mga naglipanang mga ahas at buwaya na nagtatago sa kadiliman.
viewko says
all these talk about term extension for the president reminds me of how king solomon (bible) decided the case of 2 women claiming ownership of a child; he first ordered the killing of the child so, case closed. but while one of the women agreed to let the child die, the other said she was willing to let the other have the child, as long as the child lives. the wise king solomon then decided to give the child to her who would sacrifice if only to let the child live.
the term extension means no election for president in 2016, it means no presidency for any of the contenders. one contender says don’t extend, the other is willing to sacrifice, for the second time, and says lets extend if only to ensure what has been started continues…
vander anievas says
@viewko,
wow. parang maganda ang analogy mong iyan.
give the child to the woman who shall give up just to let the child live.
he who can sacrifice his platter can sacrifice for the people.
so it is MAR…
leona says
PNoy and surely many must have read NEWSBREAK, linked here by [email protected] as given by Raissa re VP Binay.
PNoy in his latest SONA said ‘pipiliin natin xxx yong walang maski kititing’ referring to doubts on cleanliness as a quality for presidency. Thus PNoy is marking on this.
What does NEWBREAK dated March 28, 2001 report? Please read it. And some extracts here:
A. “Speaking on condition of anonymity, Binay’s former farm hands complained that each time Binay bought the parcels of land, these would be put under their names and they would be made to sign documents to that effect. Binay got all the documents, however, they said, depriving them of the right to pursue their claims. The agrarian reform law bars a landowner from owning five hectares of agricultural land. Beyond that, he or she must distribute the land to his workers.”
a.1. Under Agrarian Reform Law, any sale of agri lands within the prohibited period is null and void. No prescriptive period to stop or question the void sale. Purchasing real estate without ‘registering’ is KATITING.
a.2. Not ‘registering’ those void sale contracts does not bind the whole world but only between the ‘owners and buyer.’ When the ‘owners’ in those ‘void sales’ passes away, their heirs [could be many] becomes ‘the owners.’ So the buyer will need ‘more signatures’ from ‘the heirs’ for extrajudicial settlement to confirm the void sales. That’s a lot of task that may not be accomplished. A second KATITING.
B. “In less than a decade, Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, former chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and former mayor of Makati, accumulated at least P80 million worth of real estate properties in Makati and Batangas, which he kept undeclared, our investigation shows. The amount excludes P12 million in declared investments, as well as other businesses that he and his friends reportedly control through dummy corporations.”
This the 1st paragraph of that NEWSBREAK report. ‘Undeclared investments’ it says. P80 million worth in Makati and Batangas. Third KATITING.
C. “In addition, Binay and his wife, Elenita, current Makati mayor, also own at least two Hidalgo condominium units, located inside the posh Rockwell Center in Makati. A 208-squae meter unit in Rockwell, like the ones occupied by each of the two Binay daughters, costs around P28 million.
The three properties alone, worth at least P79 million, were never declared in the couple’s statement of assets and liabilities.”
‘P28 million.’ And ‘P79 million.’ Never declared also. Fourth KATITING.
D. “This is in violation of RA 6713, which mandates all officials to file every year the acquisition cost and the assessed and fair market values of their real property. They are also required by law to list other personal property, investments, cash on hand or in banks, financial liabilities, and their business interests and connections.” This is a ‘separate’ item for violation of RA 6713. So, a Fifth separate KATITING.
E. ““These charges are a rehash of old election issues,” says Binay in a written response to questions, brushing aside the allegations of misdeed.” If this response is made under OATH and proven to the contrary, this will be a Sixth KATITING.
F. “But the couple never declared this in their Statement of Assets and Liabilities (SAL) of 1996, 1997 and 1999, which Newsbreak obtained. The Office of the Ombudsman did not have a copy of his 1998 SAL. The Binay couple is scheduled to file their new SAL next month, as mandated by law.” and –
G. “As of December 1999, the couple declared a net worth of only P20.06 million. In the same period, they declared P12.24 million in business investments-without identifying which these are. In fact, the Binays said their real properties are worth only P3,183,445 as of December 1999.”
These will be Seventh and Eight KATITINGS.
H. ““Pineke nila ang pirma namin. Tuwing kailangan, ‘yon ang ginawa nila,” said one of those formerly assigned to the piggery. “May kakutsaba sila sa munisipyo.” (Binay’s aides just forged our signatures. Every time these were needed, they would just forge them. Somebody in the municipal hall connives with them.)”
Pine-peke? Forgery siguro yan! Ninth KATITING ito on many documents.
I. “Nongovernment organizations campaigning against Binay asked realtors to explain the most likely scheme that Binay, a former human right lawyer, must have used to hide his ownership of these houses.
The realtors explained it this way: He forms a company, which buys or builds the house for him. He then lists down unknown names from different addresses as incorporators of the company. After buying the property, registration papers do not bear his name. Instead, the original owner is asked to either issue a mortgage in Binay’s favor or sign a paper bestowing him with a power of attorney over the property. Only Binay has copies of the pertinent documents, such as deeds of sale and land titles.”
‘Unknown names from different addresses as incorporators.” ‘Registration papers do not bear his name.” This is hiding something. Tenth KATITING.
All in all, SAMPUNG KATITINGS na! When proofs are secured on these kutotongs na ito lahat. Get the proofs!
Reason why PNoy said at the SONA : Do Not Vote For Those With Katitings.
leona says
Link of newsbreak http://archives.newsbreak-knowledge.ph/2001/03/28/the-lord-of-makati/
Carlos A. says
Leona,
let me just set the record straight, I am not endorsing someone. I just meant that there is a hope after PNOY. That at this very moment constitutional amendment is untimely.
Imagine, it will cost us P7B according to Comelec Chair but did anyone knows how much it will cost our entire economy by taking the risk of amending the constitution?
leona says
Carlos [email protected] . . . your record remains straight my friend. I am not endorsing also for any amendment for extension. Your reasons are thought different from mine. My point is only to watch out and not voting for those with katitings.
P7B for amending the constitution? Dont’ worry about this measly sum of money. As long as we the people are still working we can heave and spend even P700 billion at that if and when necessary for something good like amending anything for that matter. Living a life is always a risk my friend.
We and you are used to it. Take the risk. Otherwise, nada.
leona says
btw, I am referring to the NEWSBREAK report still under moderation. I don’t know why Carlos [email protected] mentioned me #11.1.1. Anyway o.k. lang.
vander anievas says
@carlos,
iginagalang ko ang pananaw mo.
may mabuti ka ring hangad para sa bansa.
tayong lahat ay malayang magsalita.
tayo rin ay may karapatang pumili ng pinuno.
pantay-pantay ang lahat, mahirap o mayaman, tig-iisang boto lang.
ang term na “TAMA NA, SOBRA NA.” ay ginamit noon ni Tita Cory laban sa mapaniil na diktaturya ni Marcos.
at nagkataong ginamit mo uli dito upang paalalahanan si Pnoy,
nabasa ko naman ang paliwanag mo kay @Rosario, na you used it in a positive way.
maaaring di na mapapansin ang paliwanag ng ibang makakabasa nito.
ang term na “TAMA NA, SOBRA NA.” ay naging synonymous sa martial rule o sobrang pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan ni macoy.
isang batik(mantsa) ito na nakakapit sa katauhan ni MARCOS, ang diktador.
kung nirerespeto natin ang kasalukuyang pinuno, baka pwede tayong pumili ng salita na hindi double meaning?
ang ating talino ay magagamit natin upang makatulong sa pagpapaayos ng napakaraming gusot ng pulitika.
ayaw nating maging gatong lang na magpapa-alab pa sa galit ng mga taong may malaking pagkadisgusto kay Pnoy.
alam naman natin kung sinu-sino sila. nangunguna na ang maka-kaliwa.
siguro naman ay isa ka umaayaw sa mga taong iyon na ang hangad lang ay ang mapigilan ang sambayanang magkaisa tungo sa isang mithiin: ang kaunlaran at kapayapaan.
kung humanga ka kay Pnoy dahil sa magandang ipinakita ng takbo ng economy natin salamat sa iyo.
isa rin akong OFW.
naniniwala ako nang lubos sa kanyang plataporma.
may inspirasyon siyang ibinahagi sa lahat.
sana nga ang bawat mabubuting Pinoy ay pumili ng mga salitang magpapatiwasay kay Pnoy upang kanyang hangarin ang paglilipat ng tungkulin sa susunod na pangulo.
lubha siyang nag-aalala na mapuputol agad ang daang matuwid sa 2016.
nag-aalala siya sa itinatakbo ng hudikatura.
at hindi lang si Pnoy, ang mga tao man ay mababa ang pag-asang si Mar ay mananalo.
malapit na ang 2016, at sa mga survey ay mahina ang rating ni Mar.
binanggit mo si Binay sa mga pwedeng humalili at magpatuloy ng nasimulan ni Pnoy.
ang totoo, mas maraming Pinoy ang naniniwalang walang talo si Binay sa 2016.
pero sa ngayon ay hindi pa ako kumbinsidong tatahakin ni Binay ang daan ni Pnoy..
welcome sa CPM!
Carlos A. says
TAMA NA, SOBRA NA is taken in a positive way. The president has achieve more than enough for our country. He didn’t disgrace the name AQUINO but let someone else continue all the other things to be done.
Joe America says
Brilliant and touching. A genuine sense of nationhood. I fear the corrupt have no idea what he is talking about.
Geng says
The corrupt will always think of his/her personal/vested interests. Nationhood is only a term used by fools who intends to stay principled but poor.
Joe America says
I trust that you mean “the corrupt think nationhood is a term used by fools . . .” That I would agree with. I think nationhood is the path to stability and security, and from that, if its done right, emerges prosperity. The corrupt get rich but sacrifice their souls. They are bugs.
Carlos A. says
Thank you!
kajames says
…dati, masugid akong taga-hanga ni VP, pero ng pumasok sa eksena: una ang misis at tatlong anak, eh teka iba na iyan. Me pinu-protektahang balon ng pera ang pamilya na yan! ‘Pag nawala nga naman sila, iba ang makikinabang. Paki-espleka muna nila kung saan galing ang kanilang yaman. ‘di naman sila Jacinto, o Ayala kaya na may mga legit na bigtime na negosyo.
MAGMUNI-MUNI TAYO NG MA-IGI BAGO NATIN SUUNGIN ANG KADILIMANG NAKA-AMBA SA ATIN…
Carlos A. says
Ang aking liham ay hindi isyu kung sino ang susunod. Ito ay pahayag kung baki hindi dapat baguhing ang amyendahan ang saligang batas.
Lorena says
Sa aking pananaw, maganda ang iyong hangarin para sa one-term presidency. Subali’t malamang ay hindi mo na inabutan ang sanhi ng malalim ng sugat na nalikha ng diktador sa ating mahal na bansa. Yung lalim na iyon ay hindi mahilom-hilom nang matagal na panahon. Kumbaga nanginginig ang sambayan na pwedeng isang makasariling tao/pamilya ang maupo kasunod ni PNoy.(At maraming “clones” gaya-gaya) Magaling ang mga promo-boys at promo-girls sunggab agad sa mga papuring para bang sila yung tinuran.
fed-up says
Ang disgusto ko kay VP Binay ay nagmula noong ipinalit niya ang asawa niya bilang mayor ng makati at pagkatapos ng asawa niya, siya ulit ang naging mayor. ayon kasi sa pangkasalukuyang anti-dynasty law, hindi na puedeng tumakbo ng 3rd term ang mayor (bago itong law na ito, forever ang panunungkulan ng mga mayor). Pero hindi pala ipinagbawal ng batas na ito na puede mong ipalit ang asawa mo sa pangatlong term at pagkatapos ng asawa mo, ay puede ka rin ulit tumakbo.
Carlos A. says
nullum crimen et nulla poena sine lege…
Its up to the wishes of the people.
I don’t like political dynasty too but its not against the law.
When the perfect time comes. It is one of the things must be visited in the constitution.
The constitution itself should define what anti-dynasty is. There is no enabling law yet for this one.
Lito Basilio says
Carlos, if Congress passes a law before 2016 election defining the terms and scope of the constitutional mandate prohibiting political dynasty and such law applies to Binay, will you support it?
carlos a. says
NO with strong conviction. You singled out BINAY…
YES with strong conviction if it goes to everyone…
Geng says
Kaya ayaw nila bitiwan ang Makati e dahil sa di maipaliwanag na kayamanan. Dati na bang meron silang napakalaking bahay bago naging mayor ang padre de pamilya?
Nagtatanong lang!
andrew lim says
@Carlos Ante,
Iimbitahin kitang basahin itong column ni Randy David sa Inquirer:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/77551/risky-political-moves
Napaka-balanse, mahinahon at tama ang perspektibo.
Buhay ang demokrasya.
Carlos A. says
Yes its one of the best article I have read so far regarding this issue. Thank you!
I wish napanood mo yung interview kay Mr. Monsod sa ANC.
But risking everything by amending the constitution is another thing. Did anyone knows how much it will cost us by risking everything he has achieved for us.
Bilang isa sa “boss” nya hindi ko siya pinapayagang isugal ang lahat ng nakamtan ng Pinas dahil sa kanyang administrasyon at ang mga ito ay hindi para sa kanyang sarili. Ito ay para sa iyo, sa akin, sa kanila, sa ating lahat, para sa Pinas. Hindi nya pwedeng isugal ito anuman ang layunin sa pag-amyenda ng konstitusyon.
Mark A.B. Andrade says
Hindi ko maintindihan kung ANU ang ISUSUGAL ni PNOY by amending the Constitution..? Do you think he will MESS UP in case he is allowed to run and win for 2nd term..?
After all kahit na ma amend ang constitution it is still the people who will decide to let PNOY stay or Go.
Carlos A. says
yes
OlapamiseD says
Hindi rin ako pabor sa pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas para “extension of terms of elected officials”. Kung ang pangamba ni PNoy ay baka hindi maipagpatuloy ang nasimulan nang pag-angat ng ating ekonomiya at pagkilala muli ng ibang bansa sa mahal nating Pilipinas ay sa aking palagay marami tayong mamayan na may kakayanan upang ipagpatuloy at palawigin ang mga magagandang programang nasimulan.
Ang sabi ni PNoy sa kanyang panglimang SONA ay” kung pipili tayo ng papalit sa kanya ay yong walang bahid ni katiting”. Sa aking palagay ay marami po ang may ganyang katangian, sa larangan man ng politika o sa mga nanunungkulan sa iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan. Siguro si Mam Raissa ay maraming kilala na mga leaders na malinis at walang bahid. Sa mga nababasa ko sa pahayagan at sa cyber zone may maiaambag din akong mga pangalan, sina Sen. Grace Poe, Congresswoman Leni Robredo, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. Hindi naman siguro pwedeng sabihin natin na walang kakayanan ang mga ito kasi may mga karanasan din sila sa pamahalaan. Di po ba sabi nila noon na si PNoy ay kulang pa sa experience pero naipamalas naman niya ang kanyang kakayanan.
Salamat po.
raissa says
Salamat sa yong mga ipiahiwatig dito sa Cyber Plaza Miranda
greenpea says
@OlapamiseD
Sana po ay hwag nyo kalimutan kabilang sa mapagpipilian si DOJ Secretary Leila De Lima. Bagamat sinasabi sa ngayon na hindi sya winnable – walang pera, walang politikong backers, hindi dadalhin ng Iglesia ni Cristo dahil nagsakdal ng alaga nila etc., pasadong pasado sya sa criteria na “siguradong ipagpapatuloy ang matuwid na daan” vision ni PNoy.
Dahil kay De Lima, si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ay nakapiit ngayon at nililitis sa halip na pinagtatawanan tayo mula sa malayo habang tinatamasa ang kanyang nakaw..
Dahil kay De Lima, nalambat ang tatlong pinakamasisibang buwaya na ninanakaw ang kaban ng bayan at umuusad pa ang proseso sa paghuli ng iba.
Dahil kay De Lima, unti unting naibalik ang tiwala ng mga tao sa NBI at sana patuloy na mareporma pa ito.
Dahil kay De Lima, unti unti na bumabagsak ang mga kaaway ng estado. Tulungan pa lalo dapat sya ng taumbayan.
Dahil kay De Lima, ang mga Pilipino ay hindi nag mukhang tanga.
Mark A.B. Andrade says
I don’t trust the people’s judgement. Haven’t you see a CONVICTED Plundered easily won as a City Mayor of Manila..? It is the same people who will elect PNOY’s successor in 2016… How can you trust that judgement..? It may be selfish on my side to ask PNOY to stay for another 6 years – he has given enough and he already sacrificed his own personal life just to lead and make our country better. But with the reality on ground today, it’s too risky too take chances that people will choose someone who has nothing but the good of the country in his/her mind and heart. Chances of BINAY winning is very high. . .
Carlos A. says
Why so many people is so cautious of BINAY? Is he a lone candidate?
Why you don’t trust people’s judgement.
It is the same people who placed PNOY in Malacañang?
Could there be any better judgement than that?
Tsamba lang ba ang “judgement” na to?
raissa says
you posed a verh interedting question.
pelang says
@carlos A. cautious ‘kamo? we should be very afraid. You don’t know how powerful his family could be. with children both in the Senate and congress. and the prince in the city hall of makati. It’s very easy to influence their comrades in congress to their side in matters of legislation dahil presidente si daddy ko. Hindi pa nangyayari ito kahit noong time ni marcos. it was only after martial law was declared that marcos gave govt. positions to his wife Imelda.
Carlos A. says
If you are correct, I am with you… Let’s make it sure someone else be elected (2016).
But don’t amend the constitution because we are afraid of BINAY.
Bka mangyari nyan kapag ang kanditato eh merong record ng kawalanghiyaan ang lagi nating sagot “let’s amend the constitution”.
Again, hindi si BINAY ang issue ko dito. Kung talagang dapat amyendahan ang konstitution lets do it in the very first year of the incumbent president para mahaba ang panahon natin na siguraduhin na ang bawat probisyon nito ay sumasagot sa pangangailangan ng ating bansa.
Lorena says
SA LAHAT NG LGU KAMO – hindi man blood relatives -Comrades in ARMS. Grand fallacy na ilagay si BINAY sa HLURB – lahat kaya ng LGU konek dun. even if he was NOT DILG SECRETARY and JESSE ROBREDO THE CLEAN occupied that post.
Can we start IMAGINING the breadth and depth of hidden documents?
Balikbayan says
@Raissa:
I am eagerly awaiting your next article. But it should not try to answer: “Is a Binay Presidency inevitable?”, but rather, “Is a Binay Presidency probable?”
Or an even simpler question to answer: “Is a Binay Presidency at least 80% probable?”
If you can convincingly answer this question in the negative, then I agree: Let us have a political succession.
But if you can’t? The Kafkaesque possibilities in a replay of Erap’s or GMA’s regime scare me enough to want instead a two-term limit for the Presidency.
What’s so bad with an amendment to the Constitution anyway? The U.S. has had 27 amendments so far, the latest being in 1992.
With such an amendment, the President would still have to win in order to get a second term. (I am confident that he can win against Binay anytime.)
Carlos A. says
What’s so bad with an amendment to the Constitution anyway?
1. if the idea is brought about because of the ruling of DAP as unconstitutional
2. If you want to weaken the Supreme Court (what if the next president has no integrity like PNOY)
3. P7B can be spent for something else
Balikbayan says
@Carlos:
On 1: The amendment is for allowing a second term for the Presidency.
On 2: The second term is by winning in an election. Integrity is an issue in any election.
On 3: P7B is small compared to what the Binays and his allies will steal during their regime.
Carlos A. says
On 1: The amendment is for allowing a second term for the Presidency.
Fyi: constitutional amendments will not only focus on terms of the President.
On 2: The second term is by winning in an election. Integrity is an issue in any election.
Have you heard the last statement of palace about this?
On 3: P7B is small compared to what the Binays and his allies will steal during their regime.
This is not an issue against or in favor of Binay. I myself will not vote for him but we must have the next presidential election.
Balikbayan says
The amendment is not to cancel the election, but just to change the Presidential term from one to two.
Carlos A. says
and I didn’t say that there will be cancellation but it can be delayed. habang nagpapalitan tayo ng kuro-kuro tumatakbo ang oras. 1 year or so is not enough for us to intelligently discussed every provision of the constitution. Ito pa ngalang na not-so-organized open letter eh ang daming opinyon na ang nagpapalitan.
Balikbayan says
I strongly suggest that you read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_amendments_to_the_United_States_Constitution:
around 200 proposals per year in US Congress, but only 33 adopted and 27 ratified in 200+ years.
Ph Congress can focus on one amendment only: 2-terms allowed for the Presidency.
rOSARIO says
@Carlos
wag mo sanang masamain kung ako ay magkukumento rin sa iyong liham.
isa. pakiusap lang kung pupwede ay wag nating gamitin ang salitang “Tama na, sorbra na!” Hindi si Marcos, o Arroyo ang presidente natin sa ngayon. Ang “phrase” (ba yan?) ay patungkol kay Marcos at kay Arroyo sa sobrang pag abuso sa kanilang katungkulan inukupa ng panahong yaon.
2nd. kung natuloy ang cha-cha noong panahon ni arroyo, sigurado talo si arroyo kung hindi mandaraya, at mamimili ng boto sa election ng 2010 kasi pcos na ang bilangan at ndi na mano-mano. makakatakbo muli si Pres. Aquino III at ibubuto ko siya.
tulad nga ng sabi ni @yvone “Sana sumaisip sa iyo na ang anumang bagay ay madaling gibain ngunit napakahirap at napakatagal itayong muli. Ang giniba ng bagyong Yolanda sa loob ng isang araw ay hindi maibabalik sa loob ng isang taon lamang. Ganun din, ang giniba ng isang diktadura ng ilang dekada ay hindi madaling maisasaayos sa loob ng ilang taon lamang.”
hanggang sa maipatupad na ang lahat ng batas na magpapatatag sa transperya ng mga lahat ng mga budget na pera nyong lahat. FOI please. although sa ngayon karamihan ay mababasa mo na sa govt. website na gazzete. isa pang panalangin ko, kung pupwede rin sana kay Sir Mar, pakiayos po ng criminalidad, ang dami na po talagang patayan, holdapan, riding in tandem, tricycle in trio. kulang pa po ang lambat. lakilakihan nyo po ang sakop. pakitutukan nyo po lahat ito. okay ang demokrasya. wala lang sanang patayan, holdapan, riding in tandem, tricycle in trio. kund nandito lang sa angeles si Sir Tolentino, sana lahat ng kulorum na tricycle, motorcycle iimpound niya. sabi nga ni Peza President, madaling mapatalsik sa trabaho ang kurap,pero ang incompetent ay naku! lalo na kung regular na. karamihan yata sa mga kapulisan, incompetent eh. or kasamahan sa katarantaduhan. sa central luzon news may nabasa ako na ang mga namimili ng nga agaw motor ay mga kapulisan rin daw for 15libo. ay wait, sorry digress na. mabalik. . .
3rd. Kung ang vp rin lang naman, ay naku! kinakailangan muna nilang iispleka kung saan nanggaling ang limpak-limpak nilang “wealth”. ang vp wife, may graft case sa sandigan bayan kaya may holdover siya, ndi makaalis o makapamasyal man lang sa HK? mali siguro ako pero parang nabasa ko na may holdover siya. ang senator nyang anak, sa saln ay may 68Million pesos wealth, pakiispleka, sabi ni ancy, secretary siya ng mama, papa niya, how did she managed to have that much money? may kinikita ka, wala kang ginagastusan ? pakikwenta nga?
4th. sa ngayon may bagong kaso sa ombudsman ang mag amang makati patungkol sa napakamahal ng parking at building na nagkakahalaga ng 2Billion daw, ayon sa coa report. at galit na galit si ancy kasi magkakaroon ng senate hearing hiniling ni trillianes at pangungunahan naman ni koko pimentel, ang hamon ni ancy ay iimpeach na lang daw tatay niya. maghintay kamo siya. atribida!
5th. ang anak na representante ay sabi sa coa naglagay ng kangyang pdaf sa pagpapalago ng bulate, eh wala naman raw proyekto at ang proyekto ay hindi pa naliliquidate. ghost project din.
6th. Family Dynasty sila.
to sum up: NO TO BINAY, NO TO DYNASTY! Dyan dapat ang TAMA NA, SOBRA NA!
Cayetano? political dynasty malapit lapit na rin.
kahit 2nd best (sabi-sabi) sa ngayon si Mar Roxas, kung siya ang tatakbo sa kanya na lang ang boto ko. kasi no to cha-cha raw kaya ndi makatatatkbo si Pres. Aquino III sa 2016.
lastly, ingat ka dyan sa dubai. magipon ka ng sweldo mo para may makutkot ka pag tanda niyo ni spouse.
carlos a. says
Hi Rosario,
Your comment is taken in a positive context. You are entitled to it.
TAMA NA, SOBRA NA , I meant it to be in a positive way. I mean the president has done more than enough for our country and in honor of his parents. Let what he has started be continued by Roxas if you wish but not the amendment of the constitution for the following reasons:
1. untimely
2. divisive
3. expensive
4. lack of time
5. As you have said, priorities should be FOI, peace and order. And if you’ll allow me to add, the BANGSAMORO LAW
6. and you name it but not the amendment of the constitution.
Sinu man ang iyong iboto bilang susunod na pangulo ay tama sapagkat karapatan mo yan.
Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa lahat na ako ay hindi nangangampanya para sa partikular na maaaring maging kandidato. Ang mga nabanggit kong pangalan ay ang mga posibling tumakbo sa pagkapangulo. Kung sino mang ang aking iboboto ay masyado pa maaga para ikampanya ko siya.
Gayun pa man, maraming salamat sa iyong respeto sa aking paniniwala.
Salamat
Lorena says
uuuuuyyyyy sabi mo hindi mo iboboto si Binay. swabe lang
Carlos A. says
Pero hindi ko sasabihin sa pahinang ito kung sino ang iboboto ko.
Lorena says
Be sure to cast your ONE VOTE which is a right and a privilege at this time. IT WAS CURTAILED at the time of the dictator – a very intelligent man, misguided.
Carlos A. says
I will. Thank you!
Vhin AB says
@Carlos:
Mainam na rin naman na marinig ang saloobin ng kagaya mo na “boss” ni PNoy. Yes, I also believe that the president is just testing the waters. It’s a political strategy. Nevertheless, ang importante ay aware tayong lahat sa nangyayari para sa kapakanan ng ating bansa. Let’s all be involved and be heard.
God bless the Philippines.
Cristina Hipolito says
Thoughts are right!People are so afraid of the next batch of Politicians who are surfacing. 2016 is 2 yrs from now but they are selling themselves like Starbucks coffee, sugarcoating people about their accomplishment,lying in front of our faces that they are the right candidate.Hopefully;Filipino should be smart enough to choose the right one to lead our country.
yvonne says
@Carlos,
Salamat sa iyong liham.
Ikaw na rin ang nagsabing nagkamali ka sa iyong paniniwala kay Pnoy kaya hindi siya ang ibinoto mo noong eleksyon.
Isinaad mo sa iyung liham na:
“Mahal na pangulo huwag po kayong mag agam-agam na baka masayang ang napakaganda po ninyong nasimulan sapagkat sinu man ang susunod na mahahalal na susunod na pangulo ay ipagpapatuloy nya ang lahat ng magagandang inyong nasimulan. Si Cayetano, Binay, Roxas, Drilon o sinuman ang susunod na mahahalal bilang pangulo ito ay maglilikod nang tapat, walang bahid ng pansariling interes at buong puso na ibibigay ang kanyang sarili sa ating bayan.”
Carlos, eto ang pangalawa mong pagkakamali: ang iyong paniniwala na sinuman ang papalit kay Pnoy “ay maglilikod nang tapat, walang bahid ng pansariling interes at buong puso na ibibigay ang kanyang sarili sa ating bayan.”
Kung ganito nga sana ang tunay na maaasahan natin sa mga pulitiko, nuon pa man ay hindi na natin kinailangan pa si Pnoy.
Sana sumaisip sa iyo na ang anumang bagay ay madaling gibain ngunit napakahirap at napakatagal itayong muli. Ang giniba ng bagyong Yolanda sa loob ng isang araw ay hindi maibabalik sa loob ng isang taon lamang. Ganun din, ang giniba ng isang diktadura ng ilang dekada ay hindi madaling maisasaayos sa loob ng ilang taon lamang.
Katulad mo, hinahangad ko rin ang ikabubuti ng sambayanang Pilipino.
carlos a. says
yvone, salamat sa iyong pag-bigay oras dito. Salamat!
Pero walang pangalawang pagkakamali. I am just expressing my faith in Filipinos (leaders).
Oo tama ka, hindi mahirap buuhin muli ang nagiba na. Tulad ng saligang batas hindi ito basta-basta na lamang ginigiba (amyendahan).
Cipher says
I agree this guy really believes in fairy tale I trust President Noy at this point since I may be able to give my trust to Mar but his chances of wining is like leaving the country to the dogs I dont Trust Binay, Marcos, and Ejercitos no more of these clowns Please
Carlos A. says
Thank you but please informed I don’t believe in fairy tale. But I do believe in next to fairy tale. You don’t trust those guys, good for you. I don’t also. That’s is why WE SHOULD BE VOTING someone else.