Ping Lacson VS Erap: mud slinging in Phil politics

There's no such thing as permanent  friends in politics, only permanent interests.  This was again proven true with the latest political brawl between former President Joseph Estrada and Senator Panfilo Lacson.  Lacson and Estrada used to be close political allies for several years.  Last Monday, Sept. 14, Senator Lacson delivered a hard-hitting priviledge speech exposing Erap's alleged involvement in the illegal numbers game Jueteng, his (Erap's) alleged knowledge about Oplan Delta which is believed to be key to the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, smuggling, and Erap's manipulation of a particular huge business deal. That business deal they allegedly brokered earned Erap and his minions P3 Billion in commission.

While I personally think there's some tint of truth to Lacson's accusations (His statements are being supported by some people who were involved in the allegations mentioned in his speech), I also think that Lacson was as guilty for not standing up for the truth a long time ago. It took him almost nine years to speak up. WHY? Is it because he's now being pinned down for the a non-bailable offense relating to the Dacer-Corbito double murder case? This looks like his last card. While his allegations against Erap strengthens my belief that the Filipino people did well in ousting him from the Presidency through People Power II in 2001, it also strengthens my belief that Lacson likewise failed to serve the country for continuously working as Erap's loyal political ally. I believe his hands aren't clean as what he tries to imply, especially on the Dacer-Corbito case. This whole thing further strengthens my belief that corruption in the government goes as high up to the President (Oh, who doesn't know that anyway?). 

I do hope this issue doesn't just end in the Senate floor but in court. Unless that happens, all of this hullabaloo is just as good as a freak show. 

Ombudsman sets stricter guidelines on SALN release

I never intended this blog to be geared towards political matters but lately, more and more political issues have been pissing me off that I can't help but write about them here.  You may have watched over GMA 7 the grilling of Presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo by Mareng Winnie Monsod and Igan.  It was, as what the media coined it, a media suicide.  I recommend that you click on the video below if you happened to miss it on TV.  



Mareng Winnine and Igan were asking Mikey to explain his wealth particularly a P63 Million house in California. Much of their discussion was based on Mikee's SALN or Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Networth.

Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, the public has the right to know the assets and liabilities of public officials and employees, including those of their spouses and of unmarried children under 18 years of age living in their households.

Barely a few days after Mikey's so-called media suicide, reports came out that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez issued Memorandum Circular No. 1, which revised the guidelines for obtaining access to copies of SALNs. The memo was reportedly issued last June 16 when the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) was at the height of its research and examination of the SALN's of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for a story about her wealth.  Perfect timing that's blatantly intended to protect the interest of the president and her family while denying the Filipino people of the basic right to access information from a public document such as SALN

In a report at GMA News.TV, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño called the Ombudsman circular "ridiculous," saying SALNs are not confidential documents.

"How can the SALN be effective if the public cannot access it?" Casiño was quoted in the said GMA News report, adding that the Ombudsman--who has the duty to check on public officials--should be "the last person" to issue such an order.

Who wouldn't get pissed with the fact that the Ombudsman, who's a presidential appointee and is known to be a close friend of the first family, obviously works for the benefit of the Arroyos and not that of the country?  I can't wait for the May elections to come.  I can't wait for our chance to change this country. I can't wait for corruption in the government to lessen if not totally die down.   I can't wait to see real leaders running the government with sincerity, honesty, credibility, and political will.  I can't wait.

Noynoy Aquino declares candidacy

I'm watching the live news feed over GMA 7 now as I write. Senator Noynoy Aquino has finally announced his decision to run for President in 2010. Responding to the calls from various sectors for him to run for presidency, the son of the country's Democracy Icons Benigno Ninoy Aquino and Cory Aquino finally announced that he's accepting the challenge and the responsibilities surrounding it.

"Tinatanggap ko ang hamong mamuno sa labang ito. Bayang Pilipinas, tatakbo po ako bilang pangulo sa darating na halalan," said Sen. Aquino.  The announcement was made after Noynoy took a spiritual retreat in the Carmelites Convent in Zamboanga.  Today also happens to be the 40th day of the late Pres. Cory Aquino's death, so the entire Aquino family was wearing black during the higly-anticipated announcement.

Senator Mar Roxas earlier gave up his bid for the presidency to make way for Noynoy.  Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca also did the same. More and more politicians are crowding behind Noynoy in full support including Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, and former Senate President Franklin Drilon, among others.

I used to dislike Sen. Mar Roxas because of his early papogi TV ads that don't say anything about what he's done for the country nor do these TV ads educate and inform.  To me, they're utterly a waste of money.  But after his "sacrifice" or what others say "graceful exit," I now have a reason to believe that he's not a sucker for power.  Noynoy too, who initially had no plans to run for a higher office, is one good example of a modest political figure - One who doesn't think too highly of himself, one who thinks first of the duties and responsibilities ahead and if he's ready and capable to handle them before he makes a decision to run.  Oh I've seen many politicians run for office despite the questionable capacity and morality to lead and serve.  Sadly, that's common in this country.  Money and popularity talk big in Philippine politics. Competence and moral ascendancy hardly ever stand a chance if you lack political machinery. 

No further announcements yet as to Noynoy's running mate.   Till then, let's keep watching.  And let's keep our fingers crossed that majority of the Filipinos will go out and register, keep themselves informed, vote and vote wisely, stand up against vote buying and other forms of cheating. The government does not have the sole responsibility of stabilizing this country.  All Filipinos should take that responsibility and only then can we achieve change for the better. Let's start with selecting the right leaders in a clean and honest election.

Super Ferry 9 sinks

Another deadly maritime tragedy hit the Philippines as Super Ferry 9 sank off the coast of Zamboanga peninsula yesterday. Reports said the ferry issued a distress call around 3:30 am when it began tilting on one side for still undisclosed  reasons. At least nine fatalities have been confirmed while dozens more remain missing. A total of 931 people are reported to have been rescued out of the total 964 passengers and crew in the ferry's manifest.

The tragedy happened in the midst of  tropical storm Dujuan although according to Zamboanga coast guard chief Commodore Rudy Isorena, the weather in the area had not been too bad. According to reports, the ferry shifted suddenly which caused some passengers to panic and jump into the water. Other passengers managed to get into life boats.

Maritime disasters are common in the country at the height of typhoon season.

According to this report, "aside from bad weather, poor maintenance, overcrowding of vessels and lax enforcement of regulations have also contributed to disasters."  Furthermore, it said, "the coastguard report said the Superferry 9, a steel-hulled vessel made in Japan in 1986, had a legal capacity of 1,120 passengers and crew."
 
The Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has already issued a show cause order against the ship's captain, Capt. Joel Yap to explain the circumstances behind the sinking of the said ship.

Whatever the cause of the tragedy had been, I wish more of the missing people will be found and rescued the soonest time possible and that the death toll wouldn't rise some more.  And if ever negligence on the part of the ferry's management is found to be the culprit, I hope justice will then be served.