29
Apr

I will not vote (again)?

Here we go again. This was a problem last 2007, and it seems it is a problem again. The Comelec must have some beef against me.

Last 2007, I was afraid I won’t be able to vote, because the Comelec’s precint finder always returned negative when I searched for my precint. However, my hopes were raised when I tried searching for my brother’s precint (as we were both registered in the same barangay). And there it was. And yes, I was able to vote that year.

This year is a bit different. We had our election registration records transferred from Manila to Caloocan last September 2009 (my oldest brother was the only one who wasn’t able to transfer). Since this year will be the first time for us to vote in Caloocan, plus the fact that the Comelec had implemented clustering of precints, I am anxious to find out where our precint will be. Just like in 2007, Comelec’s Precint Finder via Web and SMS returned negative.

Just like back in 2007, I tried locating my brother’s precint. The Precint Finder returned positive, only that the results show the 2007 precint.

Yes, come May 10, I will be joining thousands of clueless people in looking for their names at voters lists posted outside the polling precints. And I am hoping that I am on that list; I am afraid to be disenfranchised.

So, don’t blame me if I am skeptical (if not distrustful) of this automated elections. The recent actions and decisions of Comelec do nothing to lift this skepticism of mine.

16
Jan

Lip service

For those who don’t know it yet, or for those who think they don’t know it yet, the Arroyo regime’s concept of transparency and good governance can be simplified by using the term “lip service.” When you hear any Arroyo factotum (or Gloria Arroyo herself) utter the words “transparency” or “good governance”, just substitute “lip service.”

For example, there are several vacancies in the Commission on Elections. The Fortress had already appointed someone whose reputation was suspect, and while there was a muted outrage, it burned the Fortress badly, and its intentions were already under suspicion. To rescue its already tattered reputation, it formed a search committee, composed of seemingly upright individuals. However, the search panel suffers from the same problem that the Arroyo regime has. Lip service=search committee.

Then, we have this nice episode of a convict (who happens to be the husband of a representative that is very close to Gloria) who is reportedly missing (though the representative says he’s not missing). Now, still reeling from the Jalosjos caper (also under investigation), the Fortress is now ordering an investigation on this issue. I can still remember the Mayuga report, the Feliciano report, and the Melo report, all unacted upon (and the Mayuga report unreleased to the public). Do you think something will come out of the said probe? Lip service=investigation.

And lastly: have you noticed the high-profile pardons that this regime is issuing? We have Erap last year. Then there was the botched Jalosjos caper. And now, SalvadorNorberto Manero (what’s with people named Norberto). For Jalosjos and Manero, too bad this ain’t the day. There’s nothing wrong with pardon. The problem is the kind of person being pardoned. That is not good governance. That is patronage. Good governance=lip service.

Transparency=lip service. Good governance=lip service. Wash, rinse, repeat.

11
Jan

Buwisit na buwis

Habang ang karamihan ay nangangarap na masuspinde ang pagpataw ng 12% na VAT sa mga produktong petrolyo, ang rehimeng Arroyo naman (sa pamamagitan ng kalihim ng kalakalan Peter Favila) ay nangangarap na patawan ng buwis ang text messaging. Opo, mga text addict, dahil sa lakas ninyo magtext, nakaisip ng dahilan ang rehimen para makalikom ng pera para sa 2010.

At hindi naman pahuhuli ang dalawa sa mga pangunahing tagasuporta ng rehimeng ito. Ang dalawang ito ay kumakatawan sa grupo ng mga mangangalakal at mga malalaking kumpanya. Ayon kina (ihanda ang inyong mga sarili) Donald Dee at Francis Chua (gusto ko maduwal), sang-ayon sila sa panukalang buwis. Sabi ni Dee, mabuti raw ito dahil marami raw sa mga kabataan ang nagpapadala ng mga walang kwentang text messages.

Kung gagamitin natin ang napakalupit na lohika ni Dee, dapat din nating buwisan ang mga sumusunod:

* mga tawag sa telepono, singkwenta sentimos kada minuto, 100 piso para sa mga komersyal na linya
* mga email, piso para sa mga email na galing sa mga kumpanya, 2 piso kung galing sa mga kumpanya na may kapital na mahigit sa 1 bilyong piso
* mga anunsyo sa radyo, telebisyon, at dyaryo, 100 piso kada 1 libo na ginastos sa nasabing anunsyo, 1 libo kada 500 piso kung ang kumpanya ay may kapital na mahigit sa 1 bilyong piso
* mga board meetings, 1 libong piso kada 30 minuto ng pagpupulong; 10% ng per diem ng mga board directors
* paglipad patungo sa ibang bansa upang dumalo sa mga pagpupulong, 5 libo kada isang araw na wala sa bansa
* dami ng sasakyan ng isang kumpanya, 1 libo kada isang kotse, 5 libo kada isang trak
* mga palabas sa telebisyon, 1 libo kada isang minuto ng palabas, na babayaran ng producer ng palabas; hindi kabilang ang mga balita

Alam nyo na ang ibig kong sabihin.

Kumontra naman sa nasabing panukala ang TXTPower. Hinamon nito ang rehimeng Arroyo na pagbawalan ang lahat ng byaheng panglabas. Ayon sa nasabing grupo, gumasta ang rehimen ng halos 692 milyong piso para sa mga byahe ni Gloria Arroyo noong 2005 at 2006. Grabe, ano?

Ngayon, sinasabi ni Favila na wala raw silang balak na patawan ng buwis ang text messaging. Siguro natambakan sya ng text messages. Buti nga sa kanya.

Bakit mali na buwisan ang text messaging? Simple lang. Mas matipid magtext kaysa tumawag. Mas mabilis ito, hindi kailangan ang internet connection. Pwede ka magtext kahit saan, basta may signal, may baterya, at may load. Bakit mo bubuwisan ang isang matino, mabilis, at maayos na paraan ng pakikipag-usap?

9
Jan

Oil price slick

ABS-CBN reports that any law that will suspend VAT for oil products shall be vetoed by Gloria Arroyo, says Finance Secretary Margarito Teves. The purported reason is that such a move will be “detrimental to the country’s economy and will only benefit the rich.” According to projections, the government stands to lose Php 54 billion from lost VAT revenues from oil if Mar Roxas’ proposed bill passes.

First, I don’t think Mar Roxas’ proposed measure will prosper. The House is firmly controlled by Arroyo lapdogs, and as such, a counterpart bill is impossible. Even if such a measure passes through the eye of the needle, Gloria Arroyo can simple veto it. And I doubt if both Houses can muster enough votes to override the veto.

Second, the government can always find a way to plug a possible deficit by reducing unnecessary spending. If these elected and appointed officials really mean it, the 40 billion shortfall can be cushioned or eradicated. For example, senators and congressmen and Gloria Arroyo can forgo their pork barrel allocations. Again, that’s impossible, given the kind of characters we have in government.

Third, Teves claims that only the rich will benefit from the suspension of VAT on oil products. He is assuming that the suspension will greatly benefit rich car owners. How about the middle class who owns cars? How about the jeepney and tricycle drivers and operators? And what about the so-called trickle down effect that this regime has been yakking about? Is that also one of this regime’s lies?

No. This regime is composed of goons who cannot afford to scrimp while the people it purportedly serves gets the shorter end of the stick. That 1% tariff reduction is just lip service. Imagine. A one percent reduction can mean a Php 0.23-0.25 in the price of diesel – and the people should be thankful for that. It will take effect two weeks from now, but independent oil players are already proclaiming an increase by January 15. There you go.

I find this piece of news curious:

She said if the tariff’s current rate remains at three percent the government will have windfall earnings of P11 billion but she added that this would be useless if prices of commodities go up as a result of high oil prices.

Using that logic, a windfall of earnings from VAT is useless if prices of commodities go up. Go figure.

So here are the main suggestions on how to cushion the effects of high oil prices:

* The regime slashes one percent from the tariff imposed on diesel. Token gesture as they say.
* Some lawmakers want the VAT for oil suspended. The regime calls it suicidal.
* The Left calls for the scrapping of the Oil Deregulation Law. Businesses (specially oil companies) balk at the idea.

Hmm. Why not reduce the VAT rate for oil to six percent?

Do you have any suggestions? Leave them at the comments.

4
Jan

Pagtaas patungo sa Enchanted Kingdom

Nagulat ang marami sa mga tumataya sa Super Lotto 6-49 kahapon. Nagtaas kasing bigla ang presyo sa pagtaya. Dati, sampung piso (Php 10) lamang ang bayad para sa anim na numero; ngayon, dalawampung piso (Php 20) na.

Matatandaan na dati ay sinubukan na ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) na taasan ang presyo ng pagtaya sa lahat ng larong lotto. Nagpaskil sila ng mga anunsyo sa mga tayaan ng lotto ukol sa nasabing pagtaas, kaya marami sa mga mananaya ang nagreklamo. Sa sobrang dami, napilitan si Gloria Arroyo na ipahinto ang nasabing pagtaas.

Ngayon natin makikita kung gaano kasuwail ang mga tauhang itinatalaga ng rehimeng Arroyo sa mga opisina ng pamahalaan. Para hindi na makapagreklamo ang mga mananaya, hindi na sila naglabas ng anunsyo ukol sa pagtaas. Hindi ba isa iyang uri ng pagsisinungaling? Ano pa nga ba? Eh iyong mismong punong nagtatalaga ay sinungaling, ano pa ba ang dapat nating asahan?

Mas nakakatuwa ang sinasabing dahilan ng pagtaas. Kailangan daw ng PCSO ng karagdagang pondo para mas marami pa raw ang mapagsilbihan nila. Saka dumoble naman daw ang jackpot prize.

Teka. Bago ang bola kagabi, ang jackpot prize noong Linggo ay nasa Php 50 milyon lamang. Ngayon, ang lumalabas na jackpot prize ay nasa Php 60 milyon. Ang pagtaas ay simula Disyembre 31. Bakit ganun lang ang naging jackpot prize? Di ba dapat mas malaki na kasi bente pesos na ang taya? Hay, ewan.

Kulang sa pondo? Bakit hindi ninyo bawasan ang gastos nyo sa mga anunsyo nyo? Tutal halata naman na ibinebenta nyo lang naman sa tao si Gloria Arroyo. Mas makabubuti siguro na ilaan na lamang ninyo sa mas makabuluhang bagay ang pondo sa pagbayad sa mga anunsyo na si Gloria Arroyo ang pangunahing makikinabang.

Pero baka tama nga ang butihing arsobispo ng Lingayen-Dagupan.

Nakakatawa ang mga nangyari kahapon.

Mula sa Twitter twit ni Ederic Eder (ito at ito), nalaman ko na kapag binisita mo kahapon ang mga Web site ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya, PNP-CIDG, at ITECC, dadalhin ka ng Web browser mo sa Web site ng Enchanted Kingdom. Tawa ako nang tawa kahapon.

Kung sino man ang gumawa nito: sana ganyan ang ginawa nyo sa Web site na ito.

Para kay Gloria Arroyo: tanggalin mo na ang mga tagasulat mo ng mga talumpati. Yung paggamit mo ng pariralang “Enchanted Kingdom” sa iyong talumpati ay isang karima-rimarim na katangahan.

21
Dec

Kababuyan, 2

Isang malaking kasinungalingan ang gusto ipairal ni Jesus Arranza ng Federation of Philippine Industries. Ayon sa kanya, bagamat nirerespeto nila ang naging desisyon ni Gloria Arroyo na ilagay sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) ang 144-ektaryang lupain na nabili ng San Miguel Foods, dapat daw ay manaig ang rule of law at hindi ang emosyon.

Kakaiba rin si Arranza. Malamang hindi ganoon kataas ang naging grado niya sa lohika noong siya ay nasa kolehiyo. Sabi niya, dapat manaig ang rule of law. Ibig ba niyang sabihin ay iligal ang ginawa ni Arroyo? Kung iligal ito, bakit niya iginalang ang pasya ni Arroyo? Hindi ba dapat iprotesta niya ito?

Bakit hindi niya ito sabihin sa pamilya Quisumbing na lumabag sa land conversion order na nilagdaan ni Ruben Torres? Bakit hindi niya ito sabihin sa San Miguel Foods na pumirma sa isang kontrata in bad faith?

Ano ba ang mas mahalaga sa isang magsasaka? Ang magkaroon ng trabaho na ang sweldo ay arawan? O ang magsaka ng sariling lupa?

Kung anu-ano pa ang pinagsasabi nitong si Arranza, tulad ng farm inputs, pero ano ang gagawin nila sa mga farm inputs na yan kung wala naman silang lupang sinasaka? Aanhin pa ang mga iyan kung ang trabaho lang naman nila ay mag-alaga ng baboy na hindi rin sa kanila?

Mas gusto ko pang maging alila ng lupa kaysa maging alila ng baboy, este tao pala.

14
Dec

Kababuyan

Nakakalungkot ang naging pasya ng Kagawaran ng Repormang Pang-agraryo. Sa naturang pagpapasya, pinapatigil nito ang anumang pagpapagawa ng San Miguel Foods sa lupain na kinuha mula sa mga magsasaka ng Sumilao. Nasabi rin sa naturang pasya na dapat igalang ng mga magsasaka ang pagmamay-ari ng SMF sa naturang lupain.

Sabi nga sa wikang Ingles, “screwed once again.” Bakit ko ito nasabi? Balikan natin ang nangyari. Noong panahon ng pamamahala ni Fidel Ramos, inilagay sa ilalim ng agrarian reform ang 144-ektaryang lupain na pagmamay-ari ni Norberto Quisumbing. Upang hindi makuha ang kanyang lupain, nagsampa siya ng isang apela at nangako na gagawa ng ilang mga gusali bilang kapalit sa pag-alis ng kanyang lupain sa ilalim ng agrarian reform. Ito ay pinagbigyan ni Ruben Torress, ang executive secretary noong panahong iyon. Nag-apela ang mga magsasaka sa Korte Suprema, ngunit ang apela ay ibinasura dahil hindi tumugon ang Kagawaran.

Makalipas ang ilang taon, ibinenta ni Quisumbing ang lupain sa SMF, at isang babuyan ang kasalukuyang ipinapatayo.

Ibinigay sa mga magsasaka ng Sumilao ang lupain ngunit binawi ito ng pamahalaang Ramos. They were screwed. Ngayon, they are screwed again. Habang humahaba ang kasong ito, nananatiling pag-aari ng SMF ang lupa. Ang mga magsasaka ng Sumilao ay nananatiling walang lupain upang masaka. Screwed once again.

Mas nakakalungkot ang mga reaksyon ng ilang mga tao tulad ni Mon Tulfo. Hindi nito makuha ang esensya ng isyu. Bigger picture? Simple lang naman iyan, Ginoong Tulfo: sa tulong ng SMF, mananatiling mga manggagawang walang lupa ang magsasaka ng Sumilao. Ganun lang iyon kasimple. Palibhasa kasi may sarili na siyang bahay at lupa. Kung matutuloy ang babuyan, mananatiling baboy ang mga magsasaka ng Sumilao sa lupang dapat ay sa kanila na.

Bilang sagot sa mga pagtatanggol ng mga tauhan ng rehimeng Arroyo laban sa isang survey ng Pulse Asia, kung saan sinasabing marami sa mga Pilipino ang naniniwala na si Gloria Arroyo ang pinakatiwaling pangulo ng bansa, nasabi ko na kasalanan din ito ng rehimeng Arroyo. Tulad na lamang ng nangyari sa Senado kahapon. Sa isang pagdinig ukol sa nangyaring pag-aresto sa mga mamamahayag noong Nobyembre 29, halos lahat ng inimbitahang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan ay hindi dumalo. Ang ganitong gawain ang naging basehan ng mga tao sa kanilang paniniwala.

Mas makakabuti kung tigilan na nila ang kanilang kahangalankababuyan at patunayan nila na hindi sila gumagawa ng mali.

12
Dec

A nation of crackpots and nuts (UPDATED)

That survey that says that Gloria Arroyo is the most corrupt non-president evah, it hit ground zero. Hard. So hard, in fact, that the Fortress spin machine begun humming even before you can say “Trillanes.” Too fast, in fact, that the reaction was mumbo-jumbo of defensiveness.

First reaction? The Fortress downplayed it, saying that the survey was commissioned by former senator Serge Osmeña. Since that was not enough, here’s another: the survey was unfair, baseless, and based on perception, which is not reality, says Cerge Remonde, who also blamed the “vicious” (his word) opposition. Then, the Fortress says the respondents were too few. And another factotum said that the perception was due to a media blackout on government’s action versus corruption.

Pathetic.

Anyway, the problem with the Fortress is that they are downplaying surveys that are negative in impact for the Arroyo regime. Yet, at the tail end of the 2004 campaign, the Arroyo campaign kept on harping about Arroyo edging the late Fernando Poe Jr. at surveys. Heck, when the Hello, Garci erupted, they used these surveys to prove that Arroyo won fair, square, and Garci. This line of defense is a two-edged sword, it cuts both ways.

For the baseless, unfair, and based on perception defense, read the previous paragraph. Heh. Can’t help but giggle on this one. Imagine: surveys showing that people would vote for Arroyo in 2004 were baseless and based on perceptions. Hello, Garci!

For the third defense, read the previous 2 paragraphs. Heh.

For the fourth defense, not only this is pathetic, it is also an acknowledgement of the media’s importance and purpose. And it also highlighted the fact that its policy of blackout is wrong, short-sighted, and has caused more harm than good for the Arroyo regime.

Let’s get back to the “perception” thing. Take it away, Wikipedia:

In psychology. and the cognitive sciences, perception is the process of acquiring, interpreting, selecting, and organizing sensory information.

Remember what Remonde said? “Sa tingin ko ay walang basis ito at of course as in all surveys lahat ay matter of perception. Ang perception is not the reality (I think the survey was without basis and of course, as in all surveys, this is just a matter of perception. Perception is not reality).” Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he has just insulted all of those survey respondents. He just insulted those who believe that Gloria Arroyo is corrupt. Arroyo’s actions of stonewalling, whitewashing, bribing, and lying do not help in perception; and for that, she only has herself, and her henchmen, to blame.

Perception not based on reality is called hallucination (or delusion, or whatever you want to call it). Is Mr. Remonde saying that those respondents were drug addicts? Is Mr. Remonde saying that those who think Arroyo is corrupt are addicts? Is Mr. Remonded admitting that this regime is helpless against drug addiction? Is Mr. Remonde saying that we are a nation of psychopaths? We are a nut republic, yay! We are a nation of crackpots, yay!

If there is someone who is delusional, its the guy who is the subject of this and that post. Read and learn.

Are Sumilao farmers about to be screwed the secondthird time around? The Secretary of Agrarian Reform is taking his own sweet time. Why can’t he just say, “I give up” and pass the buck? His passive-aggressiveness is sickening. Or maybe there’s gapangan in the background? If that’s the case, the Sumilao farmers are screwed.

Here’s a call to boycott San Miguel Foods products:

Bloggers Call for Boycotting of Monterey/Purefoods Products in support of Sumilao farmers. This Christmas season, December 15, 2007 to January 2, 2008. Bring down the sales of San Miguel Food, Inc. to show public support to the farmers of Bukidnon who were denied of their 144 hectares of land. Please pass to all bloggers.

This report shows how honorable Mr. Esperon is. There is no honor among thieves, really.

No news on Cris Mendez’ case. Long live Sigma Rho! (If you did not get the sarcasm in that, I’m sorry.)

UPDATE:

Wow, a new defense – blame the media. Heh.

Secretary to the Cabinet Ricardo Saludo held the media’s critical coverage of the Mrs. Arroyo responsible for the results, saying it “shows what happens when media publishes accusations and insinuations against the government without bothering to verify or even ask for the basis of the charges.”

Ha ha ha. Mr. Saludo, too bad I cannot salute you. You, your amo, and your fellows were given all the chance to disprove accusations and insinuations, but what did your cabal do? Stop talking and just walk the talk. Yeah, pay more congressmen, stonewall again, whitewash everything, spread more lies.

Another defense – investigate polling firms. Heh. Courtesy of the person who is the epitome of sanity in the Senate:

“I am filing a resolution tomorrow morning to investigate not only the particular survey firm but all major survey firms that have their results published in the media,” she added.

Wait, that ain’t defense – it is offense. Wow, a change in tact? W00t! (Incidentally, that l33t speak is word of the year, according to Merriam Webster.) Senator Miriam “I lied, ha ha ha!” Santiago has a beef with them survey firms. It all goes back to 1992. In any case, someone will like this investigation, as he always take these firms to task. Maybe Santiago should get this person as resource speaker.

5
Dec

Sumilao sa Metro Manila

The irony is almost lost.

The marching Sumilao farmers are now in Metro Manila. These Sumilao farmers began their journey from Sumilao, a poor municipality in the province of Bukidnon, where Juan Miguel Zuburi, Senator of Maguindanao, hails from. Yesterday, the Sumilao farmers went to the Senate, and they were able to talk with several senators. Zubiri, unfortunately, was not among them.

Conveniently, he was included in the congressional junket to Spain, accompanying her patron, Gloria Arroyo. When he drops by Lourdes, I hope that when he prays, he will be enlightened enough to support these Sumilao farmers.

Who am I kidding, though?

The irony is still there, though: while the Sumilao farmers had marched 1700 kilometers by foot (riding sea vessels to jump from several islands), under the glare of the sun and the sleet of the rains, sleeping where they were accommodated, eating whatever food they can scrounge; there is the senator of Maguindanao, flying business class, staying at plush hotels (paid for by the host country or by our taxes I cannot say), eating succulent and mouth-watering dishes.

All I can say is that the reign of greed is truly upon us. Kailan sisilaw ang liwanag ng katarungan?

For more updates on the Sumilao march, click here.

5
Dec

News people under siege

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.