Author Archives: Arbet Bernardo

5
Dec

News people under siege

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If you have received a letter like this one, what would you do?

TO: MARIA RESSA
Head of ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs

GREETINGS:

By virtue of the authority vested upon me pursuant to Section 6 of Republic Act 5750, you are commanded to appear before the office of Southern Metro Manila Criminal Investigation and Detection Team, NCRCIDU, CIDG SPD Compound, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on December 5, 2007 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning and bring with you a DVD copy of raw video footage re-March of SENATOR ANTONIO S TRILLANES IV and GEN. DANILO LIM together with thirteen (13) other members of Magdalo soldiers and civilian supporters from RTC, Branch 148, Makati City to Manila Peninsula Hotel.

FAIL NOT UNDER THE PENALTY OF LAW:

WITNESS my signature this 3rd day of December 2007, Camp Crame, Quezon City, Philippines.

EDGARDO M. DOROMAL
Police Director
Director, CIDG

FAIL NOT UNDER THE PENALTY OF LAW. Ominous words.

—

I think the dialogue between the Arroyo dogs and the media being facilitated by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkasters sa Pilipinas (KBP) is a useless exercise. Let’s face it: the Philippine National Police had erred when it arrested and/or handcuffed several media people who covered the Manila Peninsula Hotel affair. No amount of dialogue will change that.

Anyway, what’s the dialogue for? To draft guidelines on coverage of crucial situations? It is almost as good as the PNP telling the media on how to cover an event. Yes, the police wants to control the way media covers such events. I think this is some form of prior restraint, and good thing the media people who attended that dialogue are clearly showing where they stand (except NBN 4, but that should be expected from a government-owned propaganda machine). Jessica Soho was even gleeful when she pointed out that it is a good thing GMA 7 is no longer a KBP member.

And as for the KBP, I have not realized that it has become an Arroyo factotum. Tsk, another institution compromised by Arroyo’s scorched earth policy.

3
Dec

Annoyance of the Week: Preferred whatever

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Whoever says that social classes are things of the past needs to get their illusions shattered.

Just go to a nearest BPI branch, and one counter is clearly labeled “Preferred banking clients.” Yes, if you are not rich enough, you are not a preferred banking client, and you cannot line up in that counter.

I am no communist, but I just want to disillusion people about this Enchanted Kingdom.

PS: I paid my BPI bill at this BPI branch, and took me an hour just to pay a five-hundred peso credit card bill.

“We’ll take you farther.” Eh. It should be “We’ll waste your time.” More appropos, I guess.

3
Dec

Notes on the Manila Peninsula Hotel affair

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Some people have already said this, and I had made the same observations to some people, but I think a lot of people haven’t realized how dangerous the Arroyo regime’s reaction to the Manila Pen affair.

Many thought that the PNP’s action was an overkill. Two armored personel carriers, several hundred elite police men, loads of tear gas – is it really an overkill? There are tactical blunders in the police’s action. For example, why force themselves in a sofa-bariccaded front door when there are other entrances that they can use? Why use an APC to force the front door open when they can use other means? I think someone’s ego was seriously pricked, hence the action (that someone’s name sounds like a part of a vehicle).

But no, the medium is the message. The police reaction is precisely overkill because the Arroyo regime is sending a message to its enemies – it will not hesitate to kill just to survive. The queen’s enemies better think twice.

—

What the police did to media men last Thursday is the worst blunder, the most stupid blunder that they can ever do. And it does not end there.

Earlier today, Plinky Webb (one of those “processed” by the police) interviewed the Director General of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Avelino Razon. To be honest, he seems to be the most media-savvy PNP chief since Babylon, and he appears to be a decent chap. Apparently not. In the interview, he said that if media people decides to file a case against the police, they will have no choice but to file a countersuit.

Yes, that is called blackmail.

—

And probably the most scary part for the Arroyo regime – the military. How afraid can the queen be of her armed forces? The official action was entirely a police matter. Logically.

But there is one thing that was buried deep by the usual propaganda crap and litanies by dogs and monkeys. Remember that Trillanes et al were escorted by military police at the courtroom. How were they able to pull the stunt off? It scared Hermogenes Esperon so much that the AFP chief by default claimed that they were ordered to go along. Fool.

Hence the absence of the AFP in last Thursday’s affair. The Arroyo regime is deeply scared of the possibility of the military supporting Trillanes instead.

—

The reactions to the Manila Peninsula Affair reminded me of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. I don’t know why. Maybe I should reread that novel. If you can connect the two, please let me know.

Maybe it was because of Vivian Yuchengco.

Speaking of Yuchengco, her reaction is typical of those who have a lot to lose in a big social upheaval. Understandable, but her family’s reaction to the Pacific Plans fiasco, however, puts a damper on Yuchengco’s credibility. Her reaction is not surprising. Remember her family’s reaction to the PEP Coalition? The Yuchengco family filed libel cases against the officers of the PEP Coalition.

Niloko na, kinasuhan pa. Still want the status quo? It can happen to you.

—

I am currently re-reading John Cornwell’s Hitler’s Pope. I had read this once, and I was re-reading it, since I think the book’s contents are relevant to how the current Roman Catholic hierarchy is acting (or not acting).

Have you read this book? What is your take on it?

—

Finally, as I have said, the regime’s later actions after Trillanes surrendered are disturbing. Let’s outline them:

* The media being treated as suspects and some of them being handcuffed. Read the following accounts for context:
– From Manila Pen to Bicutan: When the Media Became the Story
– Hours, media grit in the Manila Pen
– ABS-CBN reporter: No one told us to leave Pen

* The PNP declared a 12AM-5AM curfew for a rather large area of Luzon.

Scary? Both of these already happened before.

If there’s one thing that Gloria Arroyo has learned from this episode, it is this: she can declare martial law anytime and no one would bother crying foul. Well, some few people would cry foul, but not enough to deter her.

—

To end this post, let me quote Ederic Eder:

“Sa kaloob-looban natin, gusto rin natin ng pagbabago. Ngunit nagagalit tayo sa mga mapangahas na nais gumambala sa maalwan nating pamumuhay.”

I could have not said it any better.

3
Dec

If they vote now, the Senate will not kick Trillanes out

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Last Friday, Miriam Defensor Santiago, the epitome of sanity in the Senate, had threatened to file a resolution for the suspension or expulsion of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV for that November 29 stunt (she already did.). While Senate President Manny Villar thinks this resolution will not prosper and Senator Aquilino Pimentel says the opposition will block such a resolution, anything can happen. So, let us speculate who will vote for the resolution.

Assuming that resolution goes like this: “RESOLVED, that Antonio Trillanes IV be expelled from/suspended from being member of the Philippine Senate.” The vote will likely go this way:

Yes
Edgardo Angara
Joker Arroyo
Juan Ponce Enrile
Richard Gordon
Miriam Defensor Santiago
Juan Miguel Zubiri

No
Benigno Aquino III
Rodolfo Biazon
Alan Peter Cayetano
Francis Escudero
Jose Estrada
Panfilo Lacson
Loren Legarda
Ma. Consuelo Madrigal
Francis Pangilinan
Aquilino Pimentel Jr.
Manuel Roxas II
Manuel Villar

Maybe yes
Pia Cayetano
Gregorio Honasan
Manuel Lapid
Ramon Revilla Jr.

The possible NO senators who can switch to yes are:

* Estrada – We will now see if the pardon for Joseph Estrada will affect Jinggoy’s stance. Note Erap’s reaction to the Manila Pen affair.
* Lacson – If the gossip is true (that Ping Lacson is involved in the Thursday Pen affair), his voting YES will be a strong indication.
* Legarda – Cmon, she can switch sides like it is her second nature. Kidding aside, she is rather silent on the issue.
* Roxas – He always plays safe, so voting Yes will not be a surprise.
* Villar – Another play-safe senator, he claims that the Santiago resolution will not prosper. He knows how to switch sides at the right times. If he sees that the Trillanes caper is unpopular, he can always vote yes when the time comes, right?

—

Mrs. Santiago should somehow reconsider her idea. Remember what she said in the days before the May 1 siege of the Fortress by the Pasig? Remember when she admitted to the entire universe that she lied when she claimed that she will commit suicide if Erap is impeached (well, he was removed from office extra-constitutionally)? Remember when she said that corruption originated in China? The opposition could have censured her (they should have), but they did not. Her ghosts will haunt her soon.

3
Dec

National Press Club’s credibility problems

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I put into question the motives, credibility, and sincerity of the National Press Club when it threatened to file a complaint against the police for the unlawful arrest made against news people last Thursday.

I just find their proposed action icky for the following reasons:

1. This is the very same organization that censored a mural made by a group of artists because of political implications. They have several “offending” parts defaced, all because the guest of honor for the opening of their restaurant might get offended. The guest of honor? Gloria Arroyo. Ironic, no? Whether the complaint is sincere or an attempt to deodorize the NPC’s image remains to be seen. However…

2. I doubt the sincerity of the group in filing the complaint. Of all places, why file a complaint at the Commission on Human Rights? CHR is as toothless as a baby panda. It can only investigate and recommend. It has no prosecutorial powers. In the end, the complaint is useless. Also, when another group files another complaint, this time a criminal one, forum-shopping may be raised by the prosecutors, thus seeing a criminal complaint dismissed.

3. The NPC in the recent years, including this one, has been beset by credibility problems. For this year, aside from the mural censorship, it has disposed of the Manansala mural. Also, in parallel to the legitimacy problems of Gloria Arroyo, the current crop of officers suffer from legitimacy problem, too. (I just find it ironic that they had Gloria Arroyo as guest of honor in that restaurant opening, heh.)

If there’s anyone who should sue the police, it should be the media people who were arrested/invited/whatever by the police. They are more credible than the NPC.

1
Dec

“I will give you aids”

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Yes, after eleven months, the year is about to end now. Has anything changed in your life? Ramdam mo ba ang pag-asenso? (Do you feel the progress?)

Anyway, done with the Christmas decorations yesterday. Christmas songs playing in the music player. For the first time, decoration was done in such a late date. Hard times.

With the times getting harder than ever, I am thankful that not everyone is hard pressed like us who scour for crumbs from the table. While we scrounge to survive, I am thankful some people are comfortable with their lives. While we strive to make our lives better, I am thankful for some people who do their best to keep us where we are. While we try to change the way things work, we are thankful for some people who tries very hard to keep the status quo.

While people are being ravaged by HIV/AIDS, the Catholic Taliban continues to to encourage us to keep on guessing whether it is safe to do it or not. I am thankful that the Church and the State are separate, but who am I kidding?

As much as I want to count my blessings, I cannot be blind to what is truly happening on the ground. I am thankful, though, that I don’t have a callused conscience. And I hope I will remain that way. I hope the next year, my conscience will remain that way.

I know I am being incoherent. Life is like that. Unless you live a comfortable life, of course.

(You might be wondering about the title. It is from a Filipino comedy movie. In one scene, an American is addressing a group of poor Filipinos, spewing promises. He said, “I will give you aids.” When the people heard that, they ran away. They thought he is to give them AIDS. And yes, today is World AIDS Day.)

1
Dec

“Dissent without action is consent”

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“Dissent without action is consent.”

Discuss in the comments below. Remove the personalities and stick with the statement.

30
Nov

Lucky table

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Met new bloggers at the Filipina Writing Contest Winners Announcement event last Wednesday. Held at Ponciana’s Kitchen along Timog Avenue corner Scout Torillo, it was fun, funny, enjoyable, and sinful. That last word was due to that sinful lechon. Lechon should be banned forever.

Anyway, as I have said, I met new bloggers:

From left, counter-clockwise: Marghil, Joyce, Jehzeel, Betsy, and Aiza.

And because the event was free, it is only right to thank the sponsor, right? Thanks to IPVG, a company engaged in information technology and telecommunications, on-line gaming, and business process outsourcing.

Thanks to other sponsors:

By the way, to explain the title: all of us in that table did not go home empty-handed, like Marghil winning US$200, Betsy with US$100, and Aiza with US$100. Too bad Ederic was too late when he sat by our table.

Was a little bit late in arriving, since I walked from EDSA corner Timog up to Scout Torillo. =P

30
Nov

The parable of pigs

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It is very easy to describe pigs. They are simple-minded, and they don’t care at all – they don’t care about their fellow pigs, they don’t care about their pig pens (they do care, but not that much). Heck, they don’t even care that they are up for slaughter. They don’t care at all as long as they are fed enough and on time. They don’t care as long as they get to mate (and they don’t care about the partner, as long as they have their sex). They don’t care as long as they appear to be superficially clean (even if it stinks to high heavens). They don’t care as long as long as their pig pen appears to be clean (even if it stinks to high heavens). They don’t care at all as long as all of their needs and wants are fulfilled. They don’t care at all as long as their comforts are not affected.

Question: how many pigs are there in this country? Just ask these guys.


“In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: Not necessarily to Win, but mainly to keep from Losing Completely” – Hunter S. Thompson.

29
Nov

Trillanes, Lim at Makati: Another coup?

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Something’s happening at Makati right now. It seems that Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV together with Gen. Danilo Lim have walked out of the coup hearing at Makati RTC. They are now walking along Ayala Avenue.

I dunno, but I think the soldiers guarding them have switched to Magdalo, too.

Will the people go there when called? It is up to you, I guess, but think of the risks first.

It seems that this is carefully planned: look here:

SENATOR ANTONIO TRILLANES, BRIG. GEN. DANILO LIM, MAGDALO SOLDIERS, THEIR GUARDS AND THE PEOPLE ARE NOW IN MANILA PENINSULA.

THE PEOPLE ARE CALLED UPON TO CONVERGE IN MAKATI TRIANGLE, AYALA AND MAKATI AVENUE NOW TO BRING FORTH A NEW GOVERNMENT!

For those who hate Trillanes et al so much, it is time to take that illogical rage into action. It is time to stop yakking and it is time to start walking the talk. Here’s my humble suggestion. Create placards that says “Trillanes shut up”, “Die, Trillanes!” or whatever, then go to Makati. Gloria Arroyo will be very delighted.

NEWS UPDATES:

ABS-CBN News: Trillanes, Lim call for Arroyo’s removal
GMA News: Trillanes, Lim walk out of court, call for ouster of Arroyo