Cory Aquino the President Adored in Yellow

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

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

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

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

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 politicalimprisonment 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.

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

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

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.