Loft Corner

K+12 program is Burdensome

2012-01-21T17:42:00.001-08:00

President Benigno Aquino III is pushing for reform in the country's education system by adding 2 more years of senior high school to the current 10 year education curriculum. Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that K+12 program is absolutely essential.

My response is this, granted that the K+12 program is absolutely essential to improve the education system by additional two more years. this program for the most part will not improve the quality of education. Why because as a matter of fact it is the quality of education that is not improving. For one given the example Japan, South Korea, and the US has adopted in their curriculum to teach students at a very young age in technology, agriculture, politics, and other that will help their country's economy grow. These students at a very young age was given a first hand approach to learn how to developed new generations of computers, technologies to built alternative renewable energies, and others. while our country's school curriculum teaches our students origami, how to built baskets and bags, how to cook pandesal, how to grow pechays, which are all considered antiquated teaching systems. These some of the facts why the quality of education is not improving and lagging behind our neighboring countries. Our school needs new modern tools and not tweak to the system.

I can also conclude that this will not sit well with student parent's partly because of additional burdensome to their economy. If we do the math correctly average tuition per calendar year is at 15,000 pesos plus a modest daily allowance of 120 pesos excluding holidays that gives 16,800 in a year (2,400 month by 8 months less assumed 20 days of holidays) and unknown school expense at an average of 2,000. In a year alone a parent of one student will incurred an average of 33,800 pesos to send their kids to school. Much more if you have 4 kids that will be 3 times more.

Overcrowded Transport System

2011-05-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

The Metro Manila Public Utility Buses and Railways such as the MRT and LRT is one of the many public transport systems that disregard passenger comfort and safety. If you are one of hundreds of thousands of commuters with health problems and have difficulty standing for extended periods, you are likely to suffer more during work rush hours. Overcrowding is mainly a problem that can poised safety concerns and dangers of being trapped inside when panic or stampede occurred among the passengers.

There ought to be motor vehicle safety standard regulations that require bus operators to provide passengers protection and comfort. The vehicle manufacturers also needs to determine the maximum allowable seating capacity of a bus and at all times make a permanent posting of the said info inside the buses before the bus can be purchase.

Certain rules that must be followed when seating passengers, such as all passengers must be properly seated, no passenger, nor can their belongings project beyond a seat into the aisle. Passenger belongings that are not considered hand carried items can be placed on bus compartments. No overcrowding should be permitted even when a commuter insists. If there is a law the Department of Transportation and Communication needs to revisit and review otherwise legislator should start drafting a law.

Politically Incorrect

2011-04-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

Marcos regime dated back to the martial law era of the 1970 that spans from 20 year rule saw the suppression of the most fundamental basic freedom rights and is a very painful touch to our history. Let us not forget that during those periods of oppression our country was in the brink of economic and political chaos while his family, political allies, and close associates enjoy enormous privileges of the elite that have access to government resources while our countrymen is on the suffering ends.

For the record there is no validity that Marcos becomes a war hero during the Japanese occupation in the 1940s. Assuming that he is a war hero and history was altered, either he died during the course of war or before his authoritarian rule, it is correct to give him the honor of hero’s burial. On the contrast his being war hero that he long sought was a reversal of his own tyranny.

Ferdinand Marcos a man of great intellect chose the path of tyrant than a path to serve the greater good. A hero cannot be made a tyrant nor can a tyrant be made to a hero. Put this simply a hero and tyrant are not compatible. Therefore Marcos is not a hero. To bury him in the “Libingan ng mga Bayani” is to bequeath a tyrant with the highest honor and tantamount to dispersed in history those true heroes who fought and died true to our country. To make Marcos a Hero is politically incorrect. A hero is someone that feels human, sacrifice, and a victim; should not be confused with tyrant. In truth Marcos neither feels human, did not sacrifice, nor the victim.

Truth Commission - Truth Denied by Congressman Edcel Lagman

2010-12-09T19:22:00.000-08:00

On November 7, 2010 the Supreme Court of the Philippines handed over a decision that struck down denying legality of the Executive Order No. 1 of President Aquino III on creating a Truth Commission to investigate wrong doings of former President Arroyo and her administration during the 9 tumultuous years of her term, including the C5 controversy of which have allegedly benefited the company of Senator Many Villar, are among the key concerns. It is not surprising that even before the Executive Order No. 1 has been inked, it already faced strong opposition from the allies of then former president Arroyo who is now a congresswoman of her representative and who have gone self-demotion. The Executive Order No. 1 is the key centerpiece of the Aquino administration to bring back the confidence and trust of the people to the government.

Sadly, our elected official particularly Congressman Edcel Lagman the main proponent in blocking the Truth Commission and filled the case at the Supreme Court, was swayed by partisan politics and in doing so has succeeded. In one of his arguments he said that only the congress has the vested power to create offices. True and and there is no question about that, however, what is disturbing is the fact that Congressman Edcel Lagmay, if anything left in his good character and is sincere to help the country, should have instead talked to or communicated with the Aquino administration that this function may best serve if Congress will be given a hand or opportunity to initiate the Truth Commission task. Congressman Lagman could have help the country by sponsoring a bill to create a Truth Commission or similar to it rather than opposing them. The question is what does Congressman Edcel Lagman has to gain or loose with the Truth Commission? Nothing, because in the first place it will not affect his duties as representative of his district nor his constituencies and he is not the subject for investigation.

The public continues to blame the Supreme Court in the present structure that most of the justices led by Chief Justice Renato Corona are appointed by the former president Arroyo and that many are led to believe that the Aquino Administration will not get any favorable outcome on the present structure of the Supreme Court. If the Aquino administration cannot get what it hoped for they need to start to plan on their next course of action even without the Truth Commission. For instance, the PCGG and the Justice Department can work together and form a task force committee with the members of the Truth Commission headed by former chief justice Davide to oversee and look into the past administrations wrong doings.

For more info see this link abs-cbn Truth Commission and abs-cbn Truth Commission FactBox.

Renewable Energy Act

2010-11-18T20:12:00.000-08:00

Revisiting the Renewable Energy Act of 2008

On a daily basis we often see a great deal of debate observing President Benigno Aquino III’s governance policy. It was not left go unnoticed how his administration work tirelessly to prevent and prosecute wrongdoers in the government be it in the past or present. This is a reform that most of us believe will lead our country to a sustainable economic prosperity and success, and each citizen has a chance to this opportunity to a better access of quality of living.

Prescription for economic growth and success cannot all depend on good governance alone but we can acknowledge it as a good start. The formula to sustain a well-manage economic success means a good driven formula for innovations. Our country needs to embrace innovations through technology supported by government initiatives to attract more foreign investments to create jobs domestically and compete globally. Part of these initiatives, President Aquino III administration needs to start to look at tapping alternative source of natural energy that will reduce the country’s heavy reliance on oil use. How? The administration needs to look into the failures of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, a change or expansion to the provision of the Energy law mandating Power Producing Companies to tap the natural source of energy by building more Photo Voltaic (PV) Solar Farms, in the minimum 10 percent of the energy that these power producing company sells should sourced from natural or renewable energy, which when sold to consumers should be at a reduced rate. At the same time mandating government buildings to start installing solar panels in their roof tops, grounds, or to where feasible at a close proximity. Private companies that are making a revenue of 100 million pesos or more annually to be included in the compulsory implementation subject to open consultations with the private sectors with the option to provide them tax breaks or rebates to be able persuade them to the support the initiatives.

Renewable energy has a bright promising economic as well as environmental benefits aspect, solar is expensive but in the long term it’s benefits outweigh it’s cost and it is wise to fundamentally support this Renewable Energy Act implementation. This initiative will create jobs and is environment friendly and will help companies who installed and use solar on their buildings can help them reduce their electric bills because they are generating and producing their own power. Perhaps Malacañang could start investing in renewable energy by becoming a blueprint model for other government as well as private sector, installing renewable energy device that will generate power for their use within their vicinity.

Pimentel on the Other Side of the Road

2010-02-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Senator Aquilino Pimentel is beginning to lose his integrity, it is in part thanks to his efforts of siding with whomever he perceived will challenge his main chief political rival Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, his jailer during the martial law period. In the most recent debacle on the Senate, Senator Pimentel chooses to side with Senator Manuel Villar on the allegations that Villar real estate business benefited mostly from the C5 project. Senator Pimentel, has a long reputation of advocating good governance and has chaired the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the most powerful committees on the senate. But his political meddling whenever he sees fit that Enrile is making way ahead of him has contributed to his sagging popularity. He is determined to stop Enrile even if he sees the other side of the road is nowhere to be found.

Senator Pimentel stand on defending fellow Senator Villar on the C5 project issue is contrary to his advocacies. Whether Senator Villar’s real estate business benefited directly or indirectly there is a simple case of conflict of interest issue. First and foremost Senator Villar should have divested his and his family shares in their business that does business with the government before entering politics; Senator Pimentel is a bright politician and should have known this also. Instead he chooses to ignore this principle over personal interest, or that he chooses the lesser good.

Cory Aquino the President Adored in Yellow

2009-08-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

Corazon Aquino the lady in yellow is remarkable was once a housewife and trust to become the first woman President of the Philippines in February 1986 thru peaceful people power revolution. She is famously known Tita Cory among us. Right after assuming office the first order of business is the task of regaining the freedom that was lost as consequences of martial law proclamation by the late President Ferdinand Marcos. Restoring civil liberties, economy recovery, and the people’s trust in the government was fast tracked in Aquino’s administration. Her administration survived several coup attempts instigated by the right-wing soldiers nevertheless she stand firm defending the newly 1987 constitution and democracy.

In her post presidency this president has never waver her call to respect the people’s voice when ever there is talk of amending the constitution to extend the term limits of the sitting president, senators, and congressmen. She has long argued that extending the term limits would lead to another authoritarian rule or Marcos era. In 1992 she openly supported the presidential campaign of former President Fidel Ramos. In 1998 she supported the campaign of former senator Alfredo Lim who lost the presidency to former President Joseph Estrada. Estrada’s weak governance marred by incompetency, favoritism, corruptions, mismanagement, scandals, and false promises to the masses lead to his ouster to which former President Aquino openly join the call in the second wave of people power revolution and installed Vice-President Gloria Arroyo to the presidency. In 2004 presidential election she did not endorsed any candidates but a year later after President Arroyo was elected, she openly calls for Arroyo’s resignation for allegedly defrauding the election. Aquino remains vigilant in thwarting attempts by Arroyo’s administration and allies on the Senate and House of Representatives. In 2007 she actively campaigned for her son’s Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III successful senate seat. Kris Aquino her younger daughter revealed that the former president’s security escorts provided by the government was recalled in Cory’s dying moments and was reduced and made to justify the need for security since asking President Arroyo to resign. When does it become that a former president is made to justify for a security escorts? Is it not provided on the law that former presidents are entitled security escorts? Tita Cory does not ask for tens of security, those security arrangements are what is due for her as a former president.

I was teary eyed and sad to learn on the news that this beloved president of a grateful nation who suffered from a colon cancer and eventually died on August 1, 2009 due to cardio respiratory arrest. This beloved president was unknown to me 26 years ago until the news spread that her husband Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. was assassinated upon returning home in exile. He was a youngest elected mayor who quickly rose to become a governor and senator. Ninoy Aquino whose prominence of being articulate, charismatic, energetic, brave, and sincere politician earned him the distinction of being the boy wonder of Philippine politics, considered by many. There was a news blackout all television and radio station except the Radio Veritas which run by Catholic Church are controlled by the government of former President Marcos. But despite of the fact of it’s one-sided bias news coverage in favor of the government of former President Marcos some newsprints and home video manage to cover the fateful event. From there on I actively join the peaceful walk for the assassinated Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino seeking justice and proudly wear the yellow T-shirt that prints his face and at the back reads as “Who Killed My Hero”. Soon found myself doing volunteered works as silent courier delivering literature material house to house campaigning for her endorsed candidates to the defunct Batansang Pambansa (National Assembly) with the help of my cousin Darwin Tolentino that we both ride on my self-assembled BMX pedaled bike. My first rally that I joined and could never forget was on the Luneta Grandstand a year after the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. There was a multitude of yellow wearing clothes people in millions that I have never seen before, there is the never end chants of Cory is heard out aloud. Soon the yellow becomes a rallying point for Cory Aquino.

History contends that the former President Marcos downfall is a consequence of Ninoy’s martyrdom. I partly believed that former President Marcos had no hand in the murder of Ninoy Aquino but he was involved in a cover-up. The mastermind of the murder of Ninoy Aquino has never been put in justice. The acquittals of the late General Fabian Ver, Marcos most trusted generals and other higher ranking officials that are implicated in the conspiracy were widely seen as miscarriage of justice in Marcos controlled government bodies. There is also widely speculations Marcos due to this deteriorating health will turn over power to Ninoy Aquino to unite the country but close aides and cronies of the late former President Marcos opposed the idea. Marcos administration rely heavily on foreign aids to get it’s administration float mostly provided U.S. aids as a result of his close personal ally with the late U.S. former President Ronald Reagan. With a growing discontent domestically and pressure from the foreign allies such as the U.S. he called a snap election. Cory Aquino was trusted to be the forefront of united opposition reluctantly accepted this highest honor but acceded to the mounting pressure from the public support and humbly taken the lead to become the presidential candidate. She choose to accept Salvador Laurel her Vice President candidate to unite the opposition despite that fact that Laurel was keen on eyeing the presidency alone. The 1986 presidential snap election was what the nation was hope for a change but fell short when all election results was manipulated and controlled by Marcos to declare he is the winner and has the mandate of the people. This capitalized the outrage of the Filipino people as a result of vote rigging done by Marcos. His Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile could have a fallen out with him as a warrant of arrest for graft and corruption is about to be served that leads Enrile to defect along with former President Fidel Ramos who was the then a general and chief of the defunct Philippine Constabulary the national police force which is now known as the Philippine National Police. Soon there gathered multitude of people in millions that line up the along the stretch of EDSA. In Enrile’s press conference if I correctly remember he told that the Marcos has rigged the election and other person had won the election. Thus it was Cory Aquino who had really won the election and for the first time in the world history the military is protected by the people. Marcos was exiled to Guam USA and Cory Aquino becomes the president. The EDSA event was closely followed throughout the world and may have inspired other countries like the Berlin wall and Boris Yeltsin of Russia crushing the communist hardliners.

Her legacy puts her in international arena as an acclaim of icon of democracy. She was selected as Times magazine’s Woman of the Year in 1986. In September 1986 President Aquino delivered a speech before the joint session of the United States Congress in her foreign trip which was interrupted by several applause and standing ovation. In the televised speech to U.S. Congress which was broadcast back home to the Philippines I never forgot the ending sentence were “Join us Americans as we build our new home for democracy”. The U.S. House Speaker Tip O’Neil and Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole at that time were all praises for her. At the near end of Cory Aquino’s presidency she was urged to run again by her allies though the 1987 constitution does not prevent her she humbly turned down the idea and wants to return to private life. She is happily turned over the presidency to her successor.

Tita Cory was laid to rest beside her husband Ninoy Aquino’s grave, both of relatively modest grave, no grander than other wealthly and famous people. At the end of cortege, she was given a full military honors, a two-star general acting as host and 8 one-star as pallbearers carried her flag-draped coffin. This remarkable president of the people does not wear jewelries in her lifetime, known to her family as simple mother despite raising from a wealthy known family. When Tita Cory learned of her colon cancer she refused treatments abroad instead preferred local physicians to treat her, a testament to trusting her countrymen. Her family turned down the offer of President Arroyo’s administrations for a state funeral and they turns out right the honor will come from the people and not from the Arroyo administration. There was a long line of queue of people in all walks of life, paying their final respect for the former President Aquino. Her cortege from Manila Cathedral to the Manila Memorial Park her resting place lasted for about 8 hours with hundreds of thousand mourners line up the street to where her burial convoy pass by. The route mostly covered with yellow where people expressed their last act of gratitude for the democracy she left behind, that all of us can live without fear of reprisal from government.

There are leader that command obedience but not respect. Tita Cory has not just govern she leads, and is the only truly a leader that commands both repect and love. Even in death she still continues to lead.

Farewell my President Tita Cory and I salute you whose absolute sincerity will be forever your legacy and will never be forgotten. Thank you my President Tita Cory and this nation is most truly grateful to have you. Ninoy has sacrificed his life for the love of this country and you sacrificed more to protect it. God has more calling for you in heaven and may you find eternal happiness with Ninoy in heaven.

The Kids in the 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980

2009-03-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

When we are Babies There are some of us who are born in the year 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980. Our baby cribs were made of hard wood and might be covered with lead based paints. And too the walker some of them do not really have wheels which are made of rattan woods that are sold from the moving caravan that is pulled by a cow.

Diapers are made out of real cotton cloths; there are no yet available disposable diapers. There are no yet soft cribs that play music only real songs from our parents, older brothers, older sisters, aunties, uncles, grand parents, and who wants us to fall asleep.

When we are toddlers

When we are introduced to the outside world (in the streets), the bikes for those who have a means to get on, helmets and kneepads are not yet available in those times, most of the bikes does not have brakes and you have to depend on your foot as your primary brakes this is also the reason why most slippers of kids does not last.

Our first bus ride does not have air-conditioned then and seats are made out of hard wood even the windows are not made of glass, when it rains you have to pull up the wooden window so as not to get wet and water does not get inside the bus. When all wooden windows are up it is dark and only the driver seat gets the day light. Worse is becomes hotter inside as there is only little fresh air coming inside.

When we gets our first schooling

In school we drank water straight from the water faucet and/or from the garden host. There is no bottled water yet what is available is water that was filled on an ice plastic bag that cost 0.25 cents at that time. The camaraderie begins when we share a bottle of soft drinks or refreshments with our friends, no one actual get sick or even contacted various diseases about this.

Kid’s talk of the town is not based on gossips but then talks about comic books. If I am correct the only available local kids comics is the Funny comics and I can still recall how I am very pleased with the stories of it's funny character Niknok Anok centered on the character's appetite for fried chicken. In television the weekend prime time series which is aired every Saturday, Kulit Bulilit is a hit. The show centered most of stories around local legends among these that I can still remember are The Legends of Coconut Tree, Why Sea Water are made of Salts, Legends of First Local Man and a Woman (local version of Adam and Eve), and The Legends of Pineapple. Cartoons classic such as Voltes V, Mazinger Z, Daimos, were a hit too but sad to say that these were ordered by former President Ferdinand Marcos off the air as he was ill-advised that these cartoons are deterrent to the students study habits. In reality these cartoons have somehow help build our English language skills.

On health facts

Locally made commercials that made some brands popular such as star margarine that can be mixed with rice to help you grow taller is more a gimmick than truth but still it provides some nutrition to help you stay healthy and strong. Sarsi a locally made soft drinks can be stirred up with raw eggs gives you better calcium that your bones needed, fact is there is real sugar no diet soft drinks are yet available in those times. The bottom line is we did not get sick or overweight because of those nutrition’s.

Kids playing outside always

Playing outside on the streets in the morning till all day when there is no schools, and back to home when street lights are turned on. Kids shout while playing but these are all ok with neighbors as long as they knew kids are having fun. Our favorites games are Patintero which is a line draw to defend incoming intruders, Tumbang Preso a combination of slippers and can that you have to attempt to knocked down a can with your slipper, Hide en Seek you know this game, and Agawan Base this is game that who ever first touched your base just like the baseball gets win. Our parents does not worried much they can see us through the windows, in those times there are no beepers and cell phone that they can reach us, still they know where to find us.

Our toys are made of various inventions

I have seen kids build their own wooden trolleys - a homemade skateboards that are made of woods and spare parts that are no longer in use. These kids labored all day finding piece of used plywood slides out of scraps and bearing spare parts to put them all together. These wooden trolleys are most used on an incline street the higher the better speed you can get. It has a single steering wheel but not equipped with brakes. Not a single kid in our neighbor that I know had a bad accident experience from this toy. They learned how to maneuver and solve the problem themselves after hitting the sidewalk or falling into a canal - sewage channel on the side of the canal. Amazing what these kids can build and the ideas that can spur great problem solving techniques.

The kites made out of pieces of stick brooms or barbeque sticks and cut-outs from newspapers or old PLDT telephone directories.

On gadgets

Nintendo’s Game Boy, Sony PlayStations, Microsoft X-boxes, those technology gadget does not yet exist in those times, even Cable Television channels, DVD players, CD players, Karaoke’s, Stereo Players, iPods, Cell phones, Computers, Internet, you name it does not exists. There are no online chat rooms and no online social networking such as Friendsters, Multiply, and Facebook. What we have are real friends to talk live and interact with.

On injuries

Sometimes we got injured from playing on the streets got cut or minor bruise while falling down when running or riding a bike, worst is broke bones and teeth’s. Medication is very painful when red mertiolet is applied to the wounds instead of getting comforting words from the elders what we got is also painful advise from them. But the end we learned how to tolerate, endure, and live in those experiences.

On playgrounds

The city government has no interest in building public playgrounds. For this matter only once in your lifetime that you can go to paid playgrounds such as the Manila Parks and Wildlife. Your house front mini yard with a space size of 6 feet by 5 feet is turned into a play yard where you play marbles in the soil that helps exercise your mind concentration.

On the street or if sidewalks are available you can play syatong - games made with stick, and tumbang preso - games using cans and slippers. Yet these are very dangerous you can get hurt or worse make you lose your sight. Nevertheless not a single people that I know suffered severe painfully experience from these games. These games are actually will simulate and exercise you physically and your thinking prowess.

On emotions

Depressions and emotions are not common in those days. I can give an example in school alone when sporting events are held annually during tryouts for basketball not everyone who wants to play made the team. Those who did not make it had learned to deal with the disappointment and themselves alone carries it in their secret. As saying goes by "those who are pique are always losers" and nobody wants to show being a loser they keep it themselves.

All of these symbolizes that our generations has produces some of the best problem solvers and creative minds. These people become successful professionals it does not matter what level of position we occupied.

Failures and success, we learned and earned the hard way.

On Congressman Jose de Venecia's Global Filipino Book Launch

2009-01-12T17:26:00.000-08:00

On December 23 2008, I was at The Podium Mall in Ortigas district of Mandaluyong City to have lunch with close friends. The same day coincided with the Book launching of Jose de Venecia on the second floor of the Mall, title Global Filipino: The Authorized Biography of Jose de Venecia Jr. I obliged to see the event to hear Congressman de Venecia talk about politics and was expecting him to tell-all what he know about the alleged corrupt practices of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a former staunch ally, which did not happen. Unknown to me (i'm in the left picture in yellow polo and navy blue slack) it was attended by former Presidents and other politicians that have been critical of the administration of President Gloria Macapal-Arroyo. In the book launch event Congressman De Venecia a former five-time House Speaker discusses about the economic condition of the Republic in his first opening statements. He address various conditions that the Republic is facing and experiencing as well as comparing the economic conditions of other Asian countries which the Philippines is lagging behind.

By the way who is Jose de Venecia? He is a career politician, congressman representing the 4th District of Pangasinan. Was Speaker of the House of Representatives on the Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses of the Philippines, and briefly on a short term on the Fourteenth Congress until February 5, 2008, 174 representatives, or a considerable majority of members of the House, voted to remove Jose de Venecia as Speaker. He was succeeded by Prospero Nograles who replaced the prior at height of NBN anomaly (National Broadband Network) on alleged involvement of the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Husband and inner circles. Congressman Jose de Venecia is a strong ally of former President Fidel Ramos and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Now on the opposition side, to tell-all in his book the alleged corruption practice of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was the former president of the country's dominant party LAKAS-CMD whom he founded along with former President Fidel Ramos that help Fidel Ramos and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo propel to presidency.

The book is a biography of Congress Jose de Venecia and alleges the corruption in the Arroyo administration, written by Brett Decker. I have seen the cover of the book and but not much in details.

Seated in the front row right side wing was former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada, Congressman Jose de Venecia, Congressman Zamora a staunch-ally of Estrada, while visibly at the left is former vice president Teofisto Guingona. While taking photograph of the event, I did not realize that former President Aquino was seated on the front row and was not noticeable because she was dressed in red, instead of the usual yellow the she used to be in most of her public appearance. She appears vibrant despite of reports that she is battling cancer. Former President Aquino gave a brief talk not much about the book launch, but mainly on a degree to which she publicly make apologize statements to
former President Estrada, for supporting to removed him nearly eight years ago on popular uprising EDSA 2. She also congratulated Congressman Jose de Venecia for coming out in the open to finally to denounce the allegedly rampant graft in the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She left early after she gave her talk and was escorted
by former President Estrada himself to her vehicle.

Sufficient to say former President Aquino has a long standing reputation for fighting against corruption. Indeed former President Aquino's public apology is the highlights of Congressman Jose de Venecia book launch. As news reports came out the following day former President Estrada is said to have told the press that he had accepted former President Aquino's apology and forgives not only her but Congressman Jose de Venecia who help remove him from his presidency in January 20, 2001, over alleged corruption in his administration. If the turn of events had been that there is no allegation of grand corruption and there is good governance in the administration of President Arroyo, former President Aquino for sure would not make any apology statement to former President Estrada whose own administration is ridden with scandals, anomaly, corruption, and inept governance. Former President Aquino should have not put her integrity at stake at all. In her talk looking direct to former President Estrada, “Lahat tayo nagkakamali, patawarin mo na lang ako [We all make mistakes, forgive me],” she said. True enough we all had our moment of mistakes but because the corruption in the administration of former President Estrada is not grand as opposed to the administration of President Arroyo, she has to switch side or flip-flop, she should just remain independent believing that both side, the current opposition associated with former President Estrada and administration of President Arroyo does not merit to have the integrity of good governance. On each of her sentence she drew applause from the audiences. It is interesting to note that former President Estrada had not lost his comedian trademark appeal such that on his talk he draw not applause but elicit laughter from the audiences. Some quotes or talk from former President Estrada are as follow and may not be the exact word:

We both stood up and fought for our convictions. Going through his book, I could
see that JDV is a man of conviction, just like me. The only difference is that I
am a certified man of conviction because I was convicted.

So my advice to Speaker De Venecia today is that if you want to be a certified man of
conviction, wait for your turn.

But I suspect, it is not only I who may have had a headache reading JDV's biography. I suspect Malacañang had a bigger headache.

After former Presidents Aquino and Estrada had left the event, former President Fidel Ramos arrived, was introduced and gave his candid talk more about the Congressman Jose de Venecia, and if I am not mistaken it was not a political talk as what Aquino and Estrada gave. I stood there watching and taking photograph close upfront of former President Ramos as he gave a brief talk, in my observation he appears to have an appeal that befitting a commander-in-chief. Former President Ramos has a high regard to Congressman Jose De Venecia, the two work hard to found LAKAS-CMD party which they are now both bestowed the honorary title of chair emeritus.

Coconutrama - The Tree Of Life

2008-09-23T18:52:00.001-07:00

Coconut tree is grown throughout the tropical world and it happens to be the Philippines is the second leading leader in coconut production behind India. Nearly all parts of the coconut tree has all uses, either for culinary or non-culinary purposes. In the Philippines, the coconut is commonly knows as the Tree of Life. In theory it gives you the basic needs for survival purposes. I will attempt to explain some nearly facts between the culinary and non-culinary purpose of this tree of life.

Culinary

A much older or mature fruit of coconut can be made into sweet macapuno which is popular as a Philippine deserts.

It can also be used as a hard gelatin known as the nata de coco which is one of the main ingredients to Halo-halo, Philippines best known milk shake mixed with different fruits and crushed iced.

Another Philippine desert known as the bukayo which is a grated coconut meat that is cooked and mixed with sugar.

Coconut milk or cream is used for cooking and is extracted from grated coconut meat with hot water.

Coconut juice good for serving refreshments.

The coconut meat is also used for additional ingredients for fruit salad or can be made alone as buko salad and is popular desert on Christmas seasons.

Coconut milk or the cream can be used for candies.

Non-culinary

The mature dried coconut shells of the fruit can be into charcoal.

Dried cleaned coconut shells is also used as a food plates or water cups.

The leaves provides materials for basket and, nipa hut roof tops and walls.

Coconut leaves is used for making makeshift balls which does not bounce when force against the floor but is used for games such as sipa. Sipa is game of foot skills that is tossed and kicked using the foot, like a soccer game but no goal net.

Coconut oil is used in many ways as alternative traditional medicine and in cosmetic products. It is popular oil being used by hilots - practitioners of traditional ancient type of massage.

Dried half shell with husks are used to polish the floors known as the bunot.

The husks are used as an alternative cleaning sponge for the blackened bottom of the utensils. While those dried husks are excellent alternative for wood fire that is used for cooking.

The palm wood provides alternative wood materials and an increasingly ecological alternatives for endangered hardwoods. Several known applications for furniture and the house notably the Manila's Coconut Palace.

Among other things that benefits to the economy is the discovery of coco-diesel petroleum product. Similar to the Ethanol alternative fuel.

The Correct Independence Day

2008-07-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

On June 12, 1898 General Emilio Aguinaldo who later on becomes the first Philippine and youngest president declared and proclaims the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine from Spain. The declaration however fail short to be recognized by other countries nonetheless it prompted for self-rule in the country and thus pave the way for the First Republic to be born. With the First Republic, Philippine Government with a Congress was established, Philippine Flag was officially declared, and the first Philippine Constitution was crafted and written, also the first constitution in Asia

The Independence was short-lived when the Philippine-American War started until the fall of First Philippine Republic to the American occupation, which effectively dissolved the First Republic. This war is of larger proportion than the Spanish-American War which resulted in more American casualties as a result of Philippine struggle for Independence and Patriotic stance. The Philippine First Republic military under the command of President Emilio Aguinaldo was of no match to the vast machinery of the U.S. military might. Nonetheless the Filipinos fought valiantly and bravely in their desire to bring Independence to their homeland.

The U.S. colonization of the Philippines, thus, denied the Filipinos the opportunity for self-rule and self-determination, and violates their own concept of Declaration of Independence, as evidence on the first sentence of the second paragraph that says:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Upon the end of the Philippine-American war, the U.S. formally abolished the First Republic and imposed its rule to the Philippines. English was made the official language, public works was introduced, and sedition acts and political imprisonment did silenced critics. The U.S. allowed the Filipinos partial self-rule in the form commonwealth type of government until the Philippines was granted full independence on July 4, 1946 a year after the Second World War formally ended.

From then on July 4 of every year was the officially recognized Independence Day in the Philippine Calendars until President Diosdado Macapagal signed the Republic Act No. 4166 statutorily prescribing June 12 as Philippine Independence Day, effectively moving back the official Independence Day to the First Independence declared on June 12, the correct and rightful date that President Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country's independence. President Diosdado Macapagal has rendered the Philippines of great service by having put the right historical facts on track and by bringing the glory and pride back for the Philippine Republic.

June 12, was the date that the Filipinos announced to the whole world that this country is a free and independent nation. This is the date not just an observance or celebration but a day that this nation is born into freedom, asserts its natural rights to liberty, and is ready to defend again with life and honor when necessary.

Lost in Civilization

2008-06-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

Too often, Sulu province a remote island in southern part of the Philippines is always thought of only as a subject of humanitarian concern or a region of conflict. Where all lawless and rebellion element took place simultaneously. Being a safe haven for terrorist as well as rebels in their own making. But the region has seen slowly successful transition to peaceful area with civilians irrespective of affiliation and religion are working together to define a broader scope to maintain peace, security, and stability. It will take continued work to achieve long term solutions to the conflict prone region and this is a dramatic breakthrough for the interest of the country.

The national government, local government units, non-profit organizations, and other foreign governments has been an active key partner in resolving conflicts in the region. With most effort committing to humanitarian concerns as well as supporting development of economic programs. Although conflicts elsewhere inside the Sulu region remains tragically unresolved, it is worth noting that key players are taking a continued active role in the peace and development progress in consideration of the context of what has been attained.

Though a comprehensive peace plan and agreement is in the works that will likely bring a much needed peace. On the many fronts more smaller armed groups will likely rise to the occasion which is in opposition to the plan. Thus creating a splintered and breakaway group. This saw the rise of the MILF which was formed as a breakaway faction from MNLF. The most notorious to rise was the Abu Sayaff the most radical group and considered terrorist organization and other smaller factions that are former members of the MILF and MNLF which has no clear political agenda.

The national government ability to confront smaller armed group is limited to the extent that it does not want lost of lives and resources. It is clear that an enhance peaceful political solution is much needed. Without political bargain peace and prosperity cannot be sustained.

Sulu is confronted by both economic and armed struggle issues being an island far from mainland Mindanao which is the third archipelago states in the Philippines others are Luzon and Visayas. For the local government units in Sulu promoting economic development must remain a top priority. The real question is how to promote.It is often wondered if armed struggle is an absolute right that could bring effective solution of their own but clearly it was a mere front to attract attention. The province is within the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and is effectively governed by the national government. With the recent abduction of ABS-CBN news veteran journalist Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama have been kidnapped for ransom on their way for their assignments -- It is disappointed to see prosperity in the region is hampered by kidnapping activities of lawless elements groups that resorted to violence to funds their continued arm struggle. Not long ago a similar incidents occurs where a number of journalist foreign and locals, tourists from an island resort in neighboring Malaysia, foreign and local humanitarians had been abducted in exchange for ransom with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group claiming responsibility.

The rise of lawless elements cause grave concerns for the future of Sulu. Perhaps to an even greater degree the increase in conflict and violence defines what future does Sulu holds. This could pull the province to slide into deepening violence and put it into martial law zone. For the residents of Sulu province in their districts that embraces life under the crossfire they have high expectations of the benefits of peace and prosperity that has been long denied to them.

The lawless armed groups that has been waging war against the national government offers political views that very few people of the province embrace. They exploit the weakness of the local and national government, often using violence against civilians and revenues they collected from illegal and/or criminal activities to fund their operation and existence. These lost groups are perceived to be obstacles to the development in the region. If someone from the national government had said that mission has been accomplished that was far from reality. Rooting out terrorists in the province by bringing in more peacekeepers and hopefully winning support from the locals would drastically reduce the terrorists ability to control the province. Many assumed that eliminating the lawless armed groups commanders would totally eradicate the groups existence -- perhaps on to some degree. They are mostly employing guerrilla tactics regrouping when they have mission and blending into simple villagers when not in mission.

Kidnapping crisis in Sulu is far from over. To some, journalist are corrupt going into the terrorists safe house is not free either they choose to agree to pay access pass for them to grant interviews or pay ransoms when they are not allowed leave. Board and Lodging is often used in lieu of ransoms by the journalists. When it's not supposed to be the term it is ransom, no one would pay a huge amount when one is held against his/her.

ABS-CBN the employer of the journalist kidnap victim Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama are quick to call a news blackout sensing the sensitive information that might have jeopardize the lives of their workers. Which is understandable to ensure their safety, when if we are to recall for other previous kidnap victims appeal for news blackout it might not be the same.

Military armed confrontation alone cannot totally solve the issues in Sulu but is also necessary to prevail and enforce law in the land. A continued infrastructure development, livelihood project assisted, and peace monitoring foreign groups from trusted foreign government will ensure economic progress opportunity to dwell in the region.

Clash Of The Titans

2008-05-31T18:03:00.000-07:00

There is so much growing conflicting bureaucracy of the Philippines three branches of the government. The Executive branch vis-à-vis Legislative branch in this case is the Senate. Disputes either resolved or unresolved by the Supreme Court and either in favor or unfavor for the Executive or Legislative branch would turn the two in struggle to control jurisdiction of their mandated powers to assert their viewpoints. An unending climax of setting these two titans against each other by most deplorable seeing that in most cases the loosing side becomes pique and vindictive while the wining side becomes loosely arrogant. An almost near constitutional crisis scenario likely to occur where those three branches of government unwilling to setting a tone for a compromise. In a case like this there is no winner and the republic is most likely to absorb the losing end.

As a classic governance dispute, the Neri petition to the Supreme Court obviously a question that turns the Executive and Legislative branch puts them in a gridlock. It is becoming more frustrating and difficult to comprehend for the people of the Republic the principle of equal bodies and matters of set forth by the constitution of their duly mandated authority. When the Supreme Court in a split decision handed down the decision by vote of 9-6 arguably the correctness is not the center of the subject but rather the finality of a ruling to put an end to the issues. In essence without an arbiter with the likes of the Supreme Court a prolong and unending ensuing charges and countercharges will create a much bigger political crisis.

Why does the Arroyo administration restrict cooperation with the Senate? When the fact that it is the same institution where the President has been with before becoming the head of the Republic. On matters of national security any secretive and or classified information is limited for dissemination but in the case of national interest though might involved external entities should become public information. In an endless debates and arguments when it should become a national security and national interest? Take the case of the cancelled National Broadband Network project which is a subject that is claimed to be a national security by the Executive branch while a national interest for in part as considered by the members of the Senate investigating the issues. Now this comes to a complete bureaucratic syndrome system where each has to engage in larger proportion to be able to get the information. If only if information is shared and or circulated between them even though only to a few these two branches would work collaboratively on the same goal for the good of the country. Going back to the question of the administration of President Arroyo restricting cooperation with Senate by not allowing members of cabinet to attend any legislative inquiries without the consent of the President. For of the many reasons it largely depends on the numbers of the elected members of the Senate who is either an ally or opposed. In the 14th Congress composition there are mostly Senators opposed with the administration of President Arroyo. It is most likely a partisan line and collaboration would be seen less. All the more reasons that the administration of President Arroyo and opposing members of the Senate does not have any trust in place when both have legitimate reasons. Most of those members of the Senate participating in the investigation chaired by Senate Blue Ribbon committee are to get the facts in the aid of legislation. When also these facts would be used against the President if proven that the President has first hand knowledge and/or behind the scenes participation in the anomaly. We may conclude that there will never be a good working atmosphere between the administration of President Arroyo and the present composition of the majority members of the Senate.

Malacanang's Conundrum

2008-04-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Needless to say the present actors in the arroyo administration is a hard-core "realists" that tighten it's grip on politics. They appears to abandoned that the goverment is designed and built for the people and not for their self-serving interest. They shape their self-serving personnal interest rather than the national interest of the country. The editors of the philippine daily inquirer is right to conclude that the political alliances or happy marriages of pro-administration political parties produced a buffet republic. Former president ramos, president arroyo, and speaker devenecia has a tremendous stake in their party on which they have founded and work hard to become country's current dominant party bloc. They would not allowed a breakup of their party.

Governor Ed Panlilio have admirably and courageously help start a much-needed model of good and honest governance in the goverment. No relationship or alliances, and no issues considered too hot to handle that needs a regular scruntiny in his dealings. Governor Panlilio may not be the best person to replace President Arroyo but he is more fit that any other personages aspiring to succeed her. The road to the 2010 malacanang will more likely be difficult for Governor Ed Panlilio to aspire but the prospect is bright. All this can be achieve with a good public display of his good governance.

As expected from the early start of the conviction of the deposed President Estrada of plunder would also pave the way for granting him an executive clemency by his successor. Thus rendering a pardon to the former President Joseph Estrada would not derail arroyo's hold onto the presidency. A pardon extended to Joseph Estrada would silent him on the matters of claiming the presidency and calls for Arroyo's resignation. The president's call that it is time to heal the wounds of the nations was more than healing but a more damaging reputation to it's efforts to curb corruption in the goverment. They claim the clarity and authority of rigorous logic, but their methods are loose and undeniable immoral. It takes them days before they could set the tone of reasons behind granting the pardon. The pardon would only set a bad precedent and provide some safe sanctuary to those who will future commit corruption in the goverment. Just recently president arroyo formed anti-kotong, and anti-Colorum” task force to go after corrupt cops and illegal vehicles owners this is an example of case they wish to make to display their sincere interest curbing corruption in the lower level. At the higher level it is a mixed of political interest in handling such complex realities of events because of political interest.

These faults and insesitivity too frequently display a convincing facts that this arroyo administration is not sincere in it's agenda. In her own backyard the president for sure is aware of what has transpired about the cash gifts intended to selective member of the house representatives and local goverment officials that was divulged by Governor Ed Panlilio. The cash gift are meant to garner support for the president if the reported assertion are true. Assuming the funds are coming from the president own party technically giving this cash to benefit their colleagues or partymates is noting of illegal. Morally it is wrong and unacceptable ignorance of the lapse of judgment. Considering the timing is not right and triggered an ugly outcome given the fact that another impeachment complaint is being filled in the house of representative. Which as of this writting the impeachment complaint file by lawyer Roel Pulido was rejected by the house of representative on justice committe on a technical grounds. thus in effect making president arroyo immunne for another year from filing of impeachment case.

It is also interesting to note that assuming the reported 120 million pesos budget coming from the presidents own party is correct for disbursement as cash gifts. one could argue that these personages behind this financial fund raisers posseses of great talents in finance. Why not these same personages uses their skills in pursing for the greater good of the country?
NEDA under the administration of arroyo is correct to say that the country posted a modest growth in the economy. The calculation is consistent if it will be applied with the standard formula rules for deriving the GDP. Yet around metro manila alone and not to mention on the other regions proverty can be seen in all levels. one might note that everything cost more these days. peso against dollar is rallying however to take a stronger note basic cost of commodities keeps rising. There are numerous regulation agencies either attached or not attached to the office the president but in awe these agencies have done litte impressive works to keep prices from rising and affordable to all. With a battery of advisers and aides for more that six years this arroyo administration has missed the greater opportunity to put the country in better shape for a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

The arroyo administration's resurging issues was the increasing and uncontrollable poverty, controversies surrounding it's governance, corruption, and instability in the country -- are well known.

The philippines needs a strong president who can revitalize the country's standing in the world, defeat and allieviate proverty that threatens each citizens pursuit of liberty and happines. we need more than vision to achieve a country where we wanted to be. The president we want should build a nation of security and opportunity. The next president should be steadfast belief to serve a greater cause than self-interest. Must also be prepared to accept their errors and shortcommings rather than resorting to false public relation and flip flopping. We were once a prosper nation and I believe we will be on the same track where we have been again.

This writtings was been written somewhere in December of 2007 but was only posted recently. As of this posting Representative Jose De Venencia Jr. was ousted as Speaker of the House overwhelming by the majority of the House members and was replaced by Representative Prospero Nograles as the new Speaker. This occurred at the height of National Broadband Network scandal when Representative De Venencia's son accussed the First Gentelmen Miguel Arroyo of involvement in the deal. An ongoing senate investigation took place which almost put the country at a near constitutional crisis that saw the executive and legislative branch clashes among a number of issues.

Era for Computerized Voting System

2008-03-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

Commission on Elections is a constitutional body mandated with the responsibility of overseeing the election in the republic. The agency face a multitude of tough security challenges in addition to ensuring a reliable and the integrity of the election returns. There has been proponent for making election systematically process by means of electronic machines. But public's lack of support and confidence in computerization, and legislative efforts of continued scruntinizing sometimes of conflicting laws and regulations, social, and economic have somewhat lost the interests and make it difficult or even impossible in achieving a modern computerization of elections. Added to this are arrays of irregularity in the bidding process. Despite of this concerns there should other alternatives for iniatives.

To gurantee success in achieving a modernization of the election systems through computerization. There must be first an IT Policy Compliance. The agencies concerned with supporting the election process systems either in public or private entities must be mandated to comply with an array of laws and standards, that is to ensure safeguard of the electorate's vote, protect and secure also personnal information. While making the election results accessible to the public but also giving it enough protection against tampering. In addition to IT Policy Compliance a contigency to be able to quickly react to other unexpected disaster, thus there also must be a Disaster Recovery Solutions. Continuous backup and faster recovery contigency must be mandated to protect critical and sensitive data of the electorate's information. Electorate's Information Protection should also mandated to provide protection against unknown threats ranging from tampering election data.

Because the republic has experienced allegation of vote tampering in any elections from local to the national level. Increased declined of trust and confidence for a modern computerized election from the general public are expected, thus by far achieving a computerized election system may not be possible anytime soon. Significantly traditional manual voting system is more preferred by the electorate and they have more confidence in having votes cast on paper ballots rather than relying exclusively on electronic voting machines.

To gain the support from the electorate the agencies responsible for maintaining the elections needs to have a proactive role by means of some effective communication channel. Educating the electorate in sincere means by addressing the advantages and disadvantages of both the traditonal current manual voting system and proposed computerized voting systems. Other channels might include an open forums and discussions such as town hall rountable meetings.

Speculations of massive vote manipulation that the computerization of election process migth result into added adverse impact. The biggest challenges that the traditional manual voting process faced is the reforms to bring honest and credible election results.

Through experimentation process or pilot program it might achieved something worth than nothing at all.

Conduct a pilot program that would start with the village election - barangay election; it can do much to remove common misconceptions; it might encountered serious problems. Nonetheless the computerized election system will serve as a grass-root training grounds leading to a modern automated and efective means of election system. Study the post election results focusing mostly on the participation, acceptance, and concerns of the electorates. A high approval rating would be a biggest considerable option that the same system can operate at the local - municipal/city elections and/or national level - congressional and presidential elections. They key of this pilot program is to provide an indepth study of the system effectiveness and efficiency.

If the proposal for computerized election systems failed to gain the electorate's trust and confidence. By far an on-site computerized voter's registration identification system maybe best alternative without compromising the traditional manual vote counting process or vote tabulation system. This means that voter's registration system are accessible on-site at the voting center. Aside from validating the voter's registration IDs at the same time in real-time it can validate the voter's identity thru finger print recognition system or any other computerized effective means of physically present identifications. Thereby in the very least ensuring that the identity of the voter is valid. This will also eliminate the traditional manual cross-checking lists on-site which is prone to errors and delays. Also to note it will lighten the work load of the front desk voting precint officers considerably. Where practical, these same voting precints officers may find that computers can make aspects of registration more efficient. In reality they face mounting pressure not only from the electorate but from candidates also to secure and maintain an integrity of voters lists. These are just a some of the few factors that the electorate and legislature needs to consider. To sum it up the voter's registration process would only validate the physical appearance of the identity of the voter at the polling precints and/or centers but would not involve the computerization process of counting of votes which would still be in form of a traditional manual vote counting systems. The process would at least give an opportunity for modernizing the election systems and perhaps in the least prevent fraudalent identities which are commonly known as ghost voters; and duplicate registration or as flying voters.

It is important to recognize that computerization of the election system has greater advantages than disadvantages.

On Salute and Disobedience

2008-02-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

There is general question in political debate are the acts of removing a president from power thru extra-constitutional measure is a basic natural rights? The constitution as we known is the first and foremost legal framework of the republic. It is the guiding principles aimed at protecting the civil liberty in pursuit of happiness.

Article II Section 3 of the Philippines constitution stated Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

But when will the civilian authority becomes supreme over the military?

Let us look back. A series of coup and rebellion that was staged by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has unfurled in the country. But there was only two successful coup supported by the en masse that brought two women president in Malacanang, Corazon Aquino and Gloria Arroyo who both preceded a corrupt predecessor.

The very first people power was of exceedingly great of magnitude of civilian supporters with the aim of suppressing an authoritarian regime by bringing a new democratic goverment while the second is of less than what saw in the first civilian back revolution.

Gregorio Honasan who was once a colonel and a leader of the RAM boys group in the military has launched a series of unsuccessful coup events against the administration of former President Corazon Aquino. Which the last coup attempted under his direction has almost bring down the administration of President Corazon Aquino to it's knees. The event almost killed Benigno Aquino III now a senator is the former President Aquino's son by a retreating rebels who tried to get past thru Malacanang. American intervention and support from former President George Bush swiftly pushed the balance of power into Corazon Aquino's favor. Thus it was the last coup legacies under Honasan supervision against the goverment of former President Aquino. Honasan was eventually captured ending his hide-and-seek game with the goverment. But was later on escaped with the military guard assigned to him.

Former President Fidel Ramos also former defense chief of Corazon Aquino who succeeded the later and elected in May 1992 as the first president to serve under the 1987 constitution, saw an opportunity for the country achieved lasting peace and development. A non-partisan and unity in the republic is one of his administration top priority. His administration instituted roadmap to peace and development in the republic by extending amnesty to the rebel groups. Under his leadersip the country gained political stability and saw no coup elements destabilizing the peace and security. Honasan resurfaced after hiding applied and was granted amnesty. May 2007 senatorial election came and he eventually won a seat in the senate.

After Vice President Gloria Arroyo assumed the presidency 2001 from deposed former President Joseph Estrada in the years to follow saw some resurgence of coup. In 2003 a group of young navy officers belongs to the magdalo group of lieutenant Antonio Trillanes held up in luxury apartment in Makati city, the Oakwood appartment. With some followers also in the military uniform cordon the apartment with explosive bomb and other amunition with them. In what appears to be a demonstration of ready for battle. These same magdalo group with lieutenant Antonio Trillanes that publicy demanded reform in the military, the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo and her former top defense chief Angelo Reyes due to allegation of corruption prevalence in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Under intense negotiation from the goverment these navy officers peacefully agreed to surrender peacefully and some of them return to their barracks.
Senator Honasan was an ally of deposed former President Joseph Estrada was implicated as the advisor behind the failed Oakwood appartment mutiny. Goverment prosecutors filed rebellion charges against him and went into hiding. This was not the second time Honasan went into hiding, intelligence and law enforcement agencies was able bring him out in the shadow. Eventually he became an ally of President Arroyo and charges of rebellion against him was discontinued. Senator Honasan was re-elected in the senate in the May 2007.

While in military detention lieutenant Antonio Trillanes was allowed to file his candidacy for senate and won a seat. Thus making him the second renegade officer that was elected in the senate after Honasan. His campaign for senate seat was supported by the opposition that is also allied to deposed former President Joseph Estrada. Due to the nature of his cases he was not allowed to attend a senate session with his frustration he staged another mutiny with General Lim and few supporters in what he might thought his cause would be supported by the en masse of those who had voted for him. Senator Trillanes second attempt in November 2007 to forced the resignation of President Arroyo did not send a multitude of people to the street to support and defend his cause while they are in the Manila Penninsula hotel. The unthinkable mistake of his action had given goverment prosecutors a stronger basis for not allowing him to attend senate session and filling of more charges against him.

Today the task of immediate radical changes in the goverment is perceived most difficult because in the face of political reality those that have the biggest well maintained political machinery would always comes out stronger. A current administration who's compentence and governance is questioned in it's ability to control corruption and is preceeded by a scandal and controversy ridden administration also does not necessarily or immediately would effect a dramatical event that would lead to another people power revolution. In effect the people of the republic is just too tired of politics as of this moment.

Factory of Political Parties

2008-01-01T12:29:00.000-08:00

The republic has been since becoming a blooming industry for diverse set of plurality of establishing political parties. In the early years of the first republic there has been one political party the Federal Party. The first party did not survive following the years after the commonwealth. In the second republic saw the emergence of two party the Nationalista Party and Liberal Party. A party system that patterned alike with the Republican and Democrats of the United States of America. The Nationalista party produced more Presidents than the Liberal party. It is the latter that was a breakaway from the former. Today both parties are considered the oldest surviving political party.

In the years and succession years of martial law period former President Ferdinand Marcos suspended polical parties. National assembly election in 1978 came and saw the resumption of political parties. Kilusan Bagong Lipunan was formed as an umbrella of political support for Marcos. Other political parties emerges most of them are unknown and defunct at present while the two grand old party Liberal and Nationalista was sidelined and their participation saw little impact. With most of the opposition parties boycotted other national elections in the 1980s with claimed of one-side to favor Marcos hold in power. The leading opposition political party against Marcos KBL was the Lakas ng Bayan of the Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr, he was the most leading opponent figure of Marcos. After Benigno Aquino's assination in August 21, 1983 his party transcend as one of the most leading vocal groups of opposing the autocratic administration of Marcos. Soon the party joined with other opposition party to form a single banner known as the United Nationalist Democratic Organization - UNIDO. This became former President Corazon Aquino's party banner in the 1986 presidential snap elections.

After assuming the presidency former President Corazon Aquino's popularity is evident in the May 1987 congressional elections wining most of the seats in congress. In the senate alone 22 out of 24 candidates she endorsed and run under her Lakas ng Bayan banner won the seats. Marcos' KBL saw little participation and was reduced to a minor party while Marcos was in exiled. Marcos died while in exile in 1989.

Pre-national election in 1992 saw the emergence of the new and ressurection of old political parties. Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) was formed but was divided into a faction that supports the candidacy of former Speaker Ramon Mitra and former defense secretary Fidel Ramos. Mitra was overwhelm garnered the support of the party's majority in a party's national convention and was nominated as the party's first standard bearer for the 1992 presidential elections. Ramos knowingly had better chances of winning the presidency than Mitra, thus together with his supporters had breakaway from LDP to form their own party the Lakas CMD which is at current the most dominant party. Ramos candidacy for the presidency was endorsed and supported by Corazon Aquino and he eventually won the presidency beating Mirriam Santiago who is now a Senator and was thought to be the next to become President after Corazon Aquino because of showing strong on the surveys all the time. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago also formed her own People's Reform Party. Other party that saw in action during presidential election campaign in 1992 was the Nationalist People's Coalition, Liberal Party, PDP-Laban, Nationalista Party, and KBL. It was Ramos who topped the 1992 presidential elections.

The presidential election campaign in 1998 change the course of political climate once more. The dominant Lakas CMD party was split into two faction supporting the candidacy of Speaker Jose De Venencia and former Defense Secretary Renato De Villa. De Venencia eventually won the party's nomination for it's standard bearer. De Villa followed the footstep of former President Ramos then to form his own party Reporma and run as it's standard bearer. Senator Raul Roco left LDP and formed his own Aksyon Demokratikong Pilipino. Other political parties that joined the 1998 presidential elections were Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of Joseph Estrada which coalesce with LDP, Peoples Reform Party of Miriam Santiago, PDP Laban of Aquilino Pimentel, Nationalist People's Coalition NPC, Liberal Party LP, Nationalista Party NP, Kilusan ng Bagong Lipunan KBL. Joseph Estrada a former actor eventually won the 1998 presidential election but was forced out of office in the middle of his term due to massive allegation of mismanagement and corruption. He was succeeded by Gloria Arroyo.

2004 presidential election came the incumbent President Gloria Arroyo run under the banner of her own party KAMPI with Lakas CMD as the main supporter. LDP faction headed by Edgardo Angara fielded Fernando Poe Jr an actor and close friend of deposed former President Joseph Estrada. The other LDP faction was with Agapito Aquino brother in-law of former President Corazon Aquino supported the candidacy of Senator Panfilo Lacson. Senator Raul Roco once again joined as himself the standard bearer of his own Aksyon Demokratiko. A new political party formed by religious leader Eddie Villanueva also joined in the election. Results of the election shows incumbent President Arroyo garnering the top spot. On top of this on the congressional level also saw growth on the formation of party-list sectors.

Political parties is not as surprising that always figured prominently in the affairs of the republic. It has been always the subject of public attention.

Apparently a diverse ideological indifferences that made this political parties. Others may quick to note that the party formation of their own was a vehicle for advancement of their own interests. For whatever ideological reasonings it may validate, sad to note whenever election came more and more political parties are formed. This display a reality of uncertainty and discord within the parties own rank, the urge to become a leader is strong than to serve.

Apparently a diverse ideological indifferences that made this political parties. Others may quick to note that the party formation of their own was a vehicle for advancement of their own interests. For whatever ideological reasonings it may validate, sad to note whenever election came more and more political parties are formed. This display a reality of uncertainty and discord within the parties own rank, the urge to become a leader is strong than to serve.

The biggest challenges posed for these political parties is the direction to what may they contribute toward bringing a sustain progressive economic development and peace in the republic. In the face of modern era in a manner to which parties operated traditionally they tend to seek new behaviors and strategies. Practice of modern liberal democracy is regarded as widely accepted common influence of broad appreciation from the electorate. Perhaps an important structures by means of which to build a social agent of representation in the government to where the exercise of the affairs of the republic is temporarily entrusted. Sad to note it appears that political parties are more entrenched in their strategies of electoral mobilization to ensure that they can get the vote needed to win in the elections.

Amendment not Replacement

2007-12-19T18:21:00.000-08:00

Constitution as what we known is the first and foremost legal framework of the republic. Historically Philippine Constitution has been replaced several times dating back on the era of the first republic was established. Several attempts are intitiated to amend or replaced the 1987 Constitution but it was welcomed with mixed opposition.

The very first Constitution groundwork was the 1899 Constitution at the Malolos convention attended by the statesmen of the revolutionary goverment of the first republic. This did not survive and was replaced by a 1935 Constitution under the commonwealth goverment. The second Constitution however did not survive also and was replaced by a 1973 Constitution promulgated after former president Ferdinand Marcos' declaration of martial laws that introduced a presidential parliamentary type of goverment. Under the 1973 Constitution the head of the republic which is the president could be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms. Subsequently amendments to the 1973 Constitution are introduced to allow the president to consolidate it's power. After president Marcos was removed from Malacanang thru civilian back revolt known as the very first people power his predecessor former president Corazon Aquino issue proclamation order number 3 to form a convention with the intent of replacing the 1973 Constitution. Thus the 1987 Constitution was created and accepted by the majority thru a referendum.

The Constitution as what we know is the supreme law in the land. Ammendments not replacement of the entire Constitution is somewhat needed. These are for the reason to close some gap and/or loopholes found in the Constitution. The task of amending the 1987 Constitution is not an easy one. What are the prerequisite in amending the Constitution?

Article 17 Section 3 as stated in the Constitution that the Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

And Article 17 Section 4 also stated that any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of such amendment or revision.

A major roadblock to amending the Constitution was the political discontent of the electorate. At the outmost the electorate believe that there was a hidden agenda with fear of issues ranging from extending the terms of the office of a public officials. Lacking of educating the electorate and dissemination of information regarding items to be amend, purposes behind needed amendments. Also consider the lack of widely general consultation with the electorate.

Notably some long overdue ammendments needed in the Constitution are as follows:

Additional requirements for President, Vice-president, Senators, and House of Representatives.

Must have at least a four year bachelor degree in any field

This additional qualification demonstrates that the person seeking an elective position in the goverment must have a steadfast commitment in education. Public offices eligibility requirements particularly the highest office position in the land must require that education attainment is an important factor in carrying out duties that requires due diligence in policy making decisions also.

In most cases this is well known, a job opportunity advertise for the position of administrative assistance requires a four year college degree from a reputable colleges or universities. Civil servants also are required to have a bachelor degree to be able to qualified for a goverment offices. To note that the highest office in the land which is the presidency does not require to be a holder of a college degree.

Additional restriction to the terms of the office for Senators and Representatives.

No Senator or Member of the House of Representative shall be eligible to apply to any other elective position in the goverment without voluntarily resignation from his/her office.

At present a Senator has six years terms and Representatives has three years. Noting nothing is wrong in this terms however if a Senator or Representative runs for other public elective office in the middle of his/her term and loses, this gives them the option to continue their remaining office terms or voluntarily vacate out of delicadeza, or sense of discretion. Yet, it is gurantee under the 1987 Constitution that legislative members cannot hold any other office or employment in the goverment.

Article 6 Section 13 as mandated in the 1987 Constitution stated as that no Senator or a Member of the House of Representatives may hold any other office or employment in the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof increased during the term for which he was elected.

Proportionate representation on each island in the Senate. Each island luzon, visayas, and mindanao should be exclusively represented by at least 2 Senators and the remaining 18 would be determine by a vote at large. This would at least give an opportunity for each island an equal representation in the senate, somehow an opportunity for equal representation in the Senate. This will also provide an opportunity to distribute country wide development program in each island.