I am amused by the exchange of comments with regards to the attempted suspension of Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay by the DILG upon orders of the Ombudsman. Amused because while some (most of them out of this country) argue that people should let the rule OF law take its course, they conveniently forget that the Fortress by the Pasig is operating on the rule BY law.

Rule by law: if at first you failed, try and try again. That’s how this administration operates. Let’s have some examples.

Rule by law: file the same case but with a different petitioner. Let’s take that “little” case at Naga. Jesse Robredo was suspended from being mayor of Naga because “he is not a Filipino citizen.” Robredo has served as Naga mayor for 15 years, and he had faced disqualification cases because of his citizenship. He won all those cases except this one, which was filed by Jojo Villafuerte (the previous cases were filed by another political rival).

John Nery had called the Brawner-penned decision as “the essential document of the 2007 vote.” I would be more daring and call it a mini “Hello, Garci” of 2007.

Winnie Monsod minced no words about this case; for the first time I applaud her piece in the PDI. And Atty. Edwin Lacierda weighs in on the matter.

Rule by law: file the same case but with a different petitioner or in a different form. Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay was issued a preventive suspension order in October 2006 by the Ombudsman based on a complaint (ghost employees) by a political opponent. He succesfully got a temporary restraining order from the Court of Appeals. Several months later, and almost a week before the elections, he was being suspended, this time for an administrative case filed by another political opponent. Fearing for a Binay landslide, the DILG made a retreat.

Rule by law: if you can’t beat it, hijack it. And then there’s the party list elections. Akbayan and several groups had accused the Fortress of fielding party list groups that are mere administration fronts. To prove its case, it has requested for the list of party list nominees. The Comelec refused.

Then, a memo was leaked. It was supposed to be a memo from the Fortress’ Office of External Affairs informing Gloria Arroyo of the formation of “special concerns groups” to ensure the victory of party list groups (4 parties) friendly to the Fortress. The memo also asks for Php5.5 million.

Akbayan and several other groups petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Comelec to release the list of party list nominees. The High Court ruled in favor of Akbayan et al. And as feared, the list reveals a can of disgusting worms. Read Ricky Carandang’s Pretzel Logic.

Rule of law? Passe; it’s so 60s. It’s the new millenium; it’s now rule by law, and some people still thinks you have to let the rule of law takes its course. That’s the problem with being outside the system for so long. The only thing you see is the facade; you don’t get to see what’s behind it.

—

I like this song from Batibot (courtesy of Misterhubs):

Kung hindi pwede minsan, subukan
Kung ang kasunod ay di pa rin, ulitin

Ganyan lang, ganyan lang
Di dapat magmukmok
Harapin ang pagsubok, ngayon.

Lahat ay kayang gawin
Kung sisikapin
Kung wala pa ring mangyari
subukan lang kung pwede.

Ganyan lang, ganyan lang
di dapat iyakan
Harapin ang pagsubok
Kayang-kaya mo ‘yan.

Batibot has never been more relevant than now.

As I was thinking of how to react to Josh’s latest comment in a previous post, I stumbled upon this article by Luchie Cruz-Valdez. At first, I thought, “Aha! Here’s the answer to Josh’s comment!”

Well, my enthusiasm got doused by the clincher. Anyway, I quote the most relevant parts:

This is exactly how I feel about those who have decided that they’re not voting this coming election. They come up with all kinds of reasons – and many of them are not entirely invalid: Nothing’s going to change. It’s the same people. The quality of candidates is poor. The masses of poor voters are going to sell their votes and my wise votes won’t count. My candidate won’t win anyway. He’s going to steal us blind, too. They all do. Ad infinitum.

I won’t argue that they’re wrong because they’re not. But I will argue that not doing anything is not going to change anything either. As Edmund Burke succinctly puts it, “All it takes for evil to triumph… is for a few good men to do nothing.”

But there’s one more reason why it would be a sin to not vote on May 14. That’s technology. More than ever, the power to change things is now within the ordinary voter’s grasp. If before, voters could only cower in fear before the guns and the goons, this time, they can use technology to turn the tables around. The cellphone in your hand is a weapon far more powerful than anything the trapos may wield. Use it to expose the sham and to report fraud. This is what Boto Mo, iPatrol Mo is all about.

It’s just a long plug for Boto Mo, Ipatrol Mo.

Anyway, I know we have the right to vote, and coins having two sides, we have the right not to vote, too. However, my gut feeling is that not voting is fundamentally wrong. On some countries, people don’t have the right to select their leaders. On some countries, it took them wars, several hundreds of waiting and whining, some beheadings. When I think of these, I cringe (one downside for reading too much about history).

Also, on research, it seems that the Philippines is not alone regarding the turnout of voters. Heck, ours is higher. But the downward trend is almost global. What’s happening to human civilization?

Here’s one item that is fundamentally true, but does not apply in this country:

A strong and stable democracy also relies on people using their votes. By voting, you can hold your elected representatives accountable.

Here’s a weekend challenge to bloggers who get to read this: this weekend, post an entry answering either “Why am I going to vote?” or “Why I am not going to vote?” Then post a comment here with the URL for your post. Spread the word. I know it’s the weekend, so spend it in a different way – introspection. And get those logical brains cranking. Who knows, you may convince others to vote or not.

To end this post here’s some words from the other side of the world.

the most basic means by which you have a voice in how your government works. By voting, you participate in a process that determines who will represent you, your family, and your neighbors in your community, your state, and your country.
xxx
The most likely reason–they don’t think their one vote will make a difference. But what if just one person on every street or in every voting precinct thought that way? We might find that the course of history would change.

UPDATE:

Here are the bloggers who responded to the challenge:
* Chicken Mafia – Your vote doesn’t count
* Atheista – My 2004 Ballot and My 2007 Ballot
* Baratillo @ Cubao – I will vote
* ExpectoRants – Blame Abalos!

They really need a good editor.

Bugging device found in Cory Aquino’s house

Police and telephone officials confirmed that a bugging device was discovered attached to the telephone lines installed in the residence of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino in Quezon City, ABS-CBN reported Thursday.

The device was discovered Aquino’s lines in his residence were checked by telephone line technicians.

Former President Aquino, once one of President Arroyo’s closest allies, has become one of the critics of the administration.

“This has been happening to me since martial law. Sanay na ako. We talk in codes so they don’t get a lot of info.”

Mrs. Aquino in 2005 called on Mrs. Arroyo “to make the supreme sacrifice” and turn-over the presidency to Vice-President Noli de Castro at the height of the furor created by the “Hello Garci” conversation..

Senior Superintendent Magtanggol Gatdula of QC police district says it was clearly an illegal wire tap and that they are investigating the matter.

1. “The device was discovered Aquino’s lines in his residence were checked by telephone line technicians.” Huh?
2. Same line: Mrs. Aquino is a she.
3. The first paragraph could have been better.

—

This is scary news.

UPDATE:

The link above is no longer available. The latest is here. The “first” article is here.

Evidence of vote-buying? More like a modified form of vote-buying to me.

You do not want to vote? Here’s Plato for you:

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

Short and sweet.

PS: my Political Science instructor once told our class that a person does not have the right to complain against the government if that person has not participated in the formation of the government (read: elections). Makes sense. Unless, of course, you are disenfranchised. Unless, of course, if the election is rigged.

Anyway, moving on…

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports about Ed Panlilio’s candidacy and the support he is getting from the people of Pampanga is heart warming. This is the kind of politics that we need – a candidate that the people can believe in and trust. A people that is willing to go the extra mile to get the necessary changes done

However, the experience of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca should be a cautionary tale for Kapampangans. Inside PCIJ has reported on Isabela’s current political condition. Here’s the money quote:

As far as Isabela’s mayors are concerned, it seems, the province is still Dy country. Or at least it is certainly not Padaca’s, because she has been unable to get most of them to cooperate with her. This has hindered Isabela’s growth — as well as bedeviled Padaca’s administration.
xxx
She has also insisted on a more sustainable health program by cutting subsidies on medicines, among other things, even though this has not exactly endeared her to some of her constituents.

Read more at PCIJ.

It is not enough that Kapampangans campaign for Panlilio. The election is just the beginning. The most crucial parts are after that. Of course, they must ensure that the real winner emerges. And if Panlilio wins, the people of Pampanga must be willing to continue the sacrifices that they are doing right now, or see their balloon of hopes burst by the pin called apathy – the malady that seems to afflict us from time to time, specially after elections.

Panlilio’s candidacy has opened a can of ethical questions. He is a priest, and the conflict between canon and constitution arises. He is suspended from his priestly duties; his candidacy is considered a violation of the separation of church and state (to some quarters, at least).

—

POLITICAL NOTES:

* Last night, I saw a “miting de abanse” of an independent congressional candidate for the second district of Caloocan. It’s like watching a noontime TV show. There’s the required entertainment portion, some audience participation, games, jokes (some of them not suitable for children, who were present in the audience). After the entertainment, the candidate spoke.

* Is the entire wall of the Chinese Cemetery along Rizal Avenue Extension in Manila a common poster area? I passed by that area last Saturday night, and it was a wall of campaign posters. The dead must be turning in their graves.

* No wonder they wanted the incumbents suspended by this time. Incumbents (or their relatives who will replace them) really have an edge. Just look at the posters. Manila and Caloocan are good examples.

* The Philippine Experience has posted the Unfair Elections Act of 2007. Read it and laugh (or weep).

* Patricia Evangelista has whipped Raul Gonzalez.

I cry because the concept of values is either dead or dying.

Back then, everything is black and white, now there is gray, with all its shades and hues.

Back then, everything is either good or evil, now it’s just because others are wily and you are just lame.

Back then, honor is everything, now it’s just a word that will not feed you and your family.

Back then, we trust our neighbors to keep watch of us. Now, we do not even trust our relatives.

Back then, we honor those who did good. Now we honor those who got ahead at the expense of the others.

Back then, brilliance means excellence in your own right. Now, you are brilliant if you achieve your goal, whatever the means you have done.

Back then, it is false to tell a lie. Now, it is a sin to tell a lie, as long as you are not caught. Heck, it is not a sin anymore even if you are caught lying.

Back then, we know the concept of what is truth. Now, we don’t even care what the truth is. We are content with all the lies that we hear and all the lies that we give. Anyone lies anyway.

Back then, we agree to disagree. Now, we agree to disagree with character assassination and ad hominem attacks as added bonuses. We shout with glee when we call our enemies jologs or stupid or bumbling fools.

Back then, we fight for others when their rights are trampled. Now, we don’t care, since it’s not our rights being trampled. Besides, they are a nuisance.

Back then, we respect the decision of the majority, even if that decision disagrees with yours. Now, screw them.

Back then, we hold our values as if they are gold. They were our guiding lights. Now, we see them as relative, of no value if we want to get ahead in the rat race.

If we lose the concept of true values, only then we will learn the folly that the values we hold dear now will not save us.

For if they can trample the rights of others, how long will you wait till they trample on your own rights?

I cry not because my rights are trampled. I cry because other’s rights are being trampled upon, and here we are, we don’t even care.

I cry because someone is being killed, and yet here we are, we don’t even care.

I cry because when someone cares, we call them communists or leftists.

I cry because those who call themselves freedom fighters harm the freedom of those they swore to protect.

I cry for all of these because we don’t care.

I cry because in the future, no one will care at all.

I cry because if these things happen to me, no one will care.

I cry because if these things happen to you, no one will care.