Stage-managing a crisis

JJ

What’s wrong with stage-managing Malacanang reaction to a stage-managed “brouhaha” in the Senate? “Palabas ang sagot sa palabas!

Hindi naman involve ang Filipino people sa lahat na iyan. Onsehan lang naman ang dahilan kaya’t nagkabukingan.

“I am in control, and my Cabinet is with me.”

That’s what you think. Wait until you wake -up tomorrow!
Just like you, the people behind are also traitors like you, and greedy to the bones. Tomorrow is another day.

As per survey, many believe that Gloria is the “problem”. Pero, sa takbo ng mga panyayari ay tila walang balak bitiwan ang Malaka sa kabila ng mga panawagan sanhi ng kaliwa’t kanang mga katiwalian. Kapit-tuko kumbaga. Ano ang dapat natin gawin? Tatayo na lang ba tayo at manood habang patutloy na binabalasubas tayo? Sa palagay ko hindi… kailangan umaksyon tayo. Ngunit ang tanong ay papa’no? Kung ang mga rally, mga panawagan, impitsment, kudeta, at iba pa ay hindi ay hindi umuobra, e’ papa’no? Well, itong isang basurang solosyon:

Ayon sa isang lathalang sinulat ni Ibid (pabritong kong awtor) sa isang basurang pahayagan,maari daw pababain sa trono ang isang balasubas at tigas-ulong hari na nagkukuta sa kalunsuran sa pamamgitan ng BASURA. Ganito raw ang dapat gawin:

Simula a Febrero 25 (anibersaryo ng Edsa) lahat ng mga Metro Manilans ay magbitbit ng lumang dyaryo pag-alis ng bahay papasok sa trabaho o saan man. Pagdating halimbawa sa EDSA o sa malalaking kalsada o bagay na lugar,o malls punit-punitin ang dyaryo,itapon paita-as habang sumisigaw ng: “Alis Dyan, Basura Ka”. Kung hindi raw tumalab,ulitin uli sa susunod na mga araw (sustain)at “pagrabe nang pagrabe” ang klase ng bitbit mong basura. Halimbawa, mula sa papel, mga latak,kaning -baboy at kung kinakailangan ay ‘yong pinakamatindi na. Iyon bang… alam mo na.

Huwag raw matakot kung mahuli ka man ng pulis dahil hindi kremin ang ginawa mo kundi “paglabag” o “violation” lamang ng ordinansang anti-littering na kadalasan ang parusa ay bayad lamang o isang araw sa pulis station. Ito raw ay mangyayari (aresto)kung sampu, o daan katao lamang ang gumagawa.Pero kung libo-libo o milyones na ang naghahagis ng basura hindi na kayo pakiki-alaman ng mga pulis dahil wala na silang kapasidad na hulihin, iproceso ang aresto o pakainin kayo sa pulis station. Maari pa kayong mapawalangsala kung ang hahawak na abogado ay katulad ng kalibre ni jcc dahil ang iyong ginawa ay konstitosyonal bilang pagpapahayag ng iyong “freedom of speech/expression”.

Maari daw bumaho ang kapaligiran dahil hindi makakayanan ng Sanitasyon na linisin o hakutin ang lahat-lahat na basura. Makakatawag-pansin daw po ito sa buong daigdig at magdadagsaan ang mga reporters at malalathala sa mga pahayagan ng mundo ang kabaho-an ng Pinas. Headlines halimbawa: “Mabahong Paligid Sagot Sa Mabahong Gobyerno”, “Alingasaw Ng Palasyo Gumapang Sa Metro.” Tiisin lang daw ng kaunti dahil habang bumabaho ang kapaligiran bumabango ang pag-asang lumisan ang eskwater sa nag-iisang Palasyo ng Pinas.

Hmmmm…. Mabahong Rebolusyon? malabo o mabaho yata. Pero bakit di natin subukan. Mas mabuti ito kaysa patayan. He..he… he. Ano sa palagay mo jcc? [peace na tayo]

If I may ask, jcc, saan po ba kayo nakatingin?
Of course, involved ang Filipino people dito. Muntik na tayong magbayad ng utang na napunta sa bulsa ng iilan. Pababayaan ba nating maisanla ang kinabukasan at kaluluwa ng ating mga anak, apo at susunod na henerasyon para lamang matustusan ang pagkagahaman ng iilang tao malalakas sa kasalukuyang tagapamahala?
Kung tingin mo simpleng onsehan lang ito, mas bulag ka pa kesa akin.
Pssst… atin-atin lang, magkano po ba sana ang para sa inyo?

“A political problem requires a political solution. It pains me to say that resignation is the only solution” -GMA on Erap, October, 2000

We say the same to GMA

wala naman talagang papalitan eh…di naman siya yung nanalo last 2004. vacant naman yang pwesto na yan since then, may nakikita ba kayo kapag siya ang nakaupo?

Kung pumayag si Abalos sa $65 million payoff, there is no controversy in hand… Nasaan si Lozada, Neri at Devenecia diyan?

Pati bloggers dito argumentong pulitiko ang linya.

Why do you insist that your position is right. I do not, but that is is my perspective. You claim to be well-enlightened when you are not even intolerant of other people’sw view, specially those that are contrary to yours.

Sino ang bulag?

I mean you are intolerant of other people’s view. You have the monopoly of the truth and it is sad.

Even the $65 M payoff is wrong. And it is irrelevant to your claim that the Filipino people are not involved. The value itself is irrelevant, the fact that there’s no valid reason why we have to give it to them and we have to pay for it is very relevant.
I’m not intolerant of your views, I am just giving my reactions to your views. Nevertheless, equating intolerance to the monopoly of truth is nonsense, it is your play of words and I’m not sure what you really meant. I’m a creature of very little brain and long words bother me.

To JJ and the rest na nagbubulagbulagan :

Akala niyo bang hindi pera ng mamamayan ang ginagamit ni GMA para ma “stage manage ang crisis na ito”? Sorry you are wrong ! Bawat centimo na ginagastos nila ay galing sa kaban ng bayan. At hindi lang in the range of thousand pesos ang gasto nila- probably in millions.

You only have to look at OWWA and GSIS as examples. Ang uncle ko wala ng pension sa GSIS kasi wala na daw pondo. Ang tinag uriang mga heroes na OFW, kapag humingi ng tulong sa OWWA- wala nang makuha.

Siguro, ok ra sa inyong magbayad ng buwis sa gobyerno kahit alam niyong kinurakot na lahat ito.

$65 payoff is wrong, but loazada and his group was willing to procure it for Abalos. people was not involved.. its the hatian nagkalingtikan. maraming gustong mag papogi sa isyu and that includes you huseng bulag..

please go back to lozada’s testimony in congress. Abalos he said was asking for $130 million but lozada was willing to work it out only for $65 million because bubukol at mahahalata ng taong bayan kung $130. Kung pumayag si Abalos sa $65 million, tapos ang boksing nagkaruon ng payoff na hindi mahahalata ng taong bayan at maraming kumita maliban kay Abalos.

Where is your sense of indignation to that? But I am still not forcing my analysis on you huseng bulag, just keep your cool and read first the issues before you make your post… otherwise, you your handle, huseng bulag after all might prove to be apt.

Huseng Bulag,
Sa ganang akin, tama si jcc. Kailangan unawain natin ang pananaw ng kahit nino: maging Judeo, Aleman, Mangyan o Amerikano dahil ito ay palitan ng malayang kuro-kuro at walang dapat magsabing tama ako at mali ka. Si jc ay walang dudang magaling sa wikang tagalog pero maaring Kano siya (kaya magaling sa Englis) o dili kaya “dual” kaya may “amoy Pinoy” pa rin. Kaya lang, pagsinabing US citizen ka na o kahit dual pa ay nakakabit ang katotohanang ‘nong magkaminsan ay itinakwil mo ang bayang Pilipinas.

I agree with Huseng Bulag.

Of course involved ang Filipino people. The original concept was a B.O.T. project that’s not going to cost the Philippine govt anything but Abalos turned it into a Foreign Loan Agreement that was going to cost $329M plus interest.

There was a conspiracy to defraud the Filipino people - it was a done deal, the contracts were signed. Until Lozada blew the whistle.

Originally the project was B.O.T. based but it was scrapped in favor of loan based dahil may magagatasan pag may “cash somewhere”. Lozada agreed to it when he found out that Abalos napakalakas pala sa mga intsik, pati Ambassador na intsik nakuhang mag offer na the”loan is available”. Water under the bridge na iyon B.O.T based project— kabayan makinig ka dahil mahirap iyong “half-truth”.

Second Episode:

Jun: Sir hindi uubra iyong hinihingi mong $130 milyon malaking masyado bubukol at mabubuking tayo, uubra siguro kung $65 milyon lang.

Si Jun lang ang nagpapapogi sa Senado so ako ngayon kunyari si Abalos:

Abalos (JCC) Hindi uubra iyan Jun mawawalan si FG at si Maa’m.

(Papel ko naman ngayon si Jun): Sir pag nagpumilit kayo sa $130 milyon paano naman iyong amin?

Abalos (JCC) Putris kayo, barya lang dapat sainyo..

Dito na nagkagulo… iyong iba diyan ayaw din ng barya dahil pare-parehong buwaya.

So Onsehan lang ito.. Maniwala kayo sa hindi, ito’y aking analisa sa problema…

Ngayon kabayan, magsalita ka….

Tama ka JCC, nagkaonsehan.

Pero bakit walang pakialam ang bayan? Hahayaan na lang ba nating lokohin tayo ng mga ganid na nasa gobyerno?

Kadugtong Na Kabanata:

Kung lilimiin natin sa mas malalim na pananaw ang sitwasyon, at kung tutuo ngang humihingi si Abalos ng $130 milyon, and therefore masyadaong gahaman,his being greedy proved to be beneficial to the people dahil umalingasgas at napilitang si GMA na “iiscrap” and project.

Kung pumayag sana siya sa $65 milyon, okay kay Lozada at sa kanyang grupo ang “figure na ito” ang naonse ay ang buong sambayanan, dahil kabayan sabi mo mag-babayad ang ating mga kaapoapohan sa lintik na loan na iyan…

So the alleged “greed” of Abalos, ironically has helped us uncovered the truth and we have avoided the China Loan Sharking and Banking Corporation - while the “moderate greed” of Neri and his group, would have proven to be more disastrous because any way you look at it, $65 million is still a big amount to be paid by the next generation.

Villain and heroes, anyone?

Kabayan, kaya ako naging neutral sa away na iyan… At sana ang bayan ay maging neutral din… Pareho naman silang mga magnanakaw.. At least kung tutuo man na si GMA ay magnanakaw, atleast siya ay magnanakaw (”kung tututo nga) habang siya ay nanunungkulan, ang iba diayan, wala pa sa puwesto ay pinaplano na ang pagnakakaw. Naging successful sila para “ifreeze” and ZTE project,pero asan ka kabayan, the minute na umupo sa puwesto ang mga lintik na iyan, isusulong nila and ZTE project na karumaldumal.

Yes of course.

Kaya’t ngayong nagkabistuhan na, the public has the right to know. Whatever the circumstances that led to Lozada revealing everything that he knows is somewhat immaterial at this point. You could say that a milestone has been reached and a new phase has begun.

Of course Abalos’ greed helped us uncover the truth but this is the nature of the game - you increase the stake, you increase the risk. I’m sure Abalos is a veteran when it comes to transactions like this, he might have been overconfident with this one.

With all the resources at their disposal, it is near impossible to prove corruption high up in the govt. Whistleblowers are the key in fighting corruption. We have to legislate to pay them and protect them.

If we could make it easy for anyone to make a percentage from recovered loot, I think we could seriously put a big dent on corruption.

Allelujah, Jack….

I am an OFW reeling from the negative effects of a strong Peso but what worries me most is, being sick and tired of hearing and watching the grapple of different organizations and individuals who wants to either take control of the government or try to establish popularity for future use. I wish the current administration, PGMA specifically, will remain strong and will be able to once again withstand the pressure for her to continue the momentum we have achieved in the unprecedented economic gains of our beloved country.

Here goes again the political maniacs, parasites and power-hungry of our country feasting on the ZTE/NBN deal pulling tooth and nails to bring down the presidency of PGMA. They pretend to be seeking for TRUTH and using MORALITY as the basis for PGMA and all those supposedly involved in the failed ZTE/NBN deal to quit their posts. Oh c’mon we’ve been into this same process twice in our country’s history and look what we’ve achieved? Were we able to successfully rid corruption in our government? For over 20 years since 1986, were we able to improve and safeguard our electoral process? I think the answer to all these questions is a big NO for a simple reason. These same type of people (with some same faces since 1986) who are vying for government positions and those that currently have the positions do not want to loose the opportunities to cheat during elections to be able to occupy a good position in government and finally to make a lot of money. Thus, they do not have the motivation to really fix the root causes of the problem of corruption in government. They are willing to spend unproductive hours just to advance their selfish intentions. With this, ironically, I agree with ZTE’s comment that the current investigation at the senate is a political circus. Supposedly, the ZTE/NBN investigations are being conducted in the premise of “in aid of legislation”, to find out the truth and hopefully, to prosecute the offenders. Personally, I do not believe that our elected senators and congressmen will have to wait for the conclusion of the ZTE/NBN investigation before they can formulate effective laws, policies or check and balances in our government system to eradicate or perhaps just even minimize corruption. They can if they really want to. I am sure most if not all of them knows how to handle anomalous transactions in government. After all, these are the source of additional income to compensate or as “return of investments” for all their huge spendings during elections. Are we stupid enough to expect and believe that these elected officials do not make more money than what is officially stipulated in our Constitution? As reference, our 1987 Constitution states that the annual salary of our President is at P300k or P25k per month. The VP, Senate President, Chief Justice and Speaker at P240k or P20k per month and other senators, justices and congressmen at P200k or roughly P17k per month. These figures were probably adjusted now but even if we assume these will be increased 400%, are we convinced that these people will be satisfied at these levels of income? I am sure there are other perks aside from these official annual incomes and commissions are part of it. If commissions or kickbacks from projects or lobbyists do not form part as income to these elected officials, why will they invest or spend millions or even billions (according Erap’s latest estimates) during election time? Are we to believe that all of them are super rich, super heroes, super philanthropists of our country willing to give away their money, time, effort and sometimes even life just to serve and please our people? Let’s wake up and be realistic for a while as it’s the only way we can figure out things and start thinking on real solutions to our problems. Let us realize that those elected officials who are dragging their feet and won’t budge in for reforms in government systems and/or processes and are trying very hard to occupy higher posts in government by overthrowing current occupants have the same corrupt objectives. They simply cannot wait for their time due to greed. For these type of people, now is the right time to make a move as our economy is doing good thus, a lot of money are pouring in or circulating in our country which means more commissions for them. As to the TRUTH they are seeking, they simply want the people involved to confirm what they believe. For them, they already know the truth since the Hello Garci scandal. Didn’t we see the banners and slogans used during the rallies, read and heard the writings and speeches of people inviting the personalities implicated in the controversies to step down? Yet, they continue to pretend they are all still searching for TRUTH. Since we are mostly Christians who are God fearing, the TRUTH and MORALITY issues are good covers to invite more followers for their real cause, i.e., to grab power. That is why this futile exercise has been tagged as a political circus. My dear senators, please and by all means, do not start a war with China by provoking them. A bloody war maybe far fetch but political and economic ramifications will be ascertained once we drag China into this controversy. In addition, what if ZTE or a Chinese government representative will heed to your invitation and will issue an official statement in one of your hearings that there was no bribery or corruption involved in the NBN deal? Is this what you have been waiting for to save face and stop the investigations?

What’s the difference between the past two People Power Revolutions and the current fiasco attempting to have a third one? During the 20 years of Marcos regime, there were more negative factors than positive ones. The economy was so bad as the money siphoned from our country’s corruption were mostly invested outside the Philippines. Then there was martial law which left so many hungry politicians waiting for the right opportunity. Majority of our people were simply waiting for a flash point to react thus, when it came through the death of Ninoy, EDSA 1 happened. What happened to the 3 popular personalities and backers of EDSA 1 namely : Cory, Ramos and Enrile? Ex-Pres. Cory Aquino was officially installed as president right after the revolution and ex-Pres. Ramos became president as well in 1992. Sen. Enrile is still popular and is currently one of our senators. In Erap’s time, to begin with, a lot of us know that our country have installed an incompetent manager to lead and manage our country. As expected, after almost 3 years in office, the economy was again bad since the fundamentals established during ex-Pres. Ramos time were not sustained. The ouster of Erap movements were primarily spearheaded from our middle class and professionals as these were the classes who realized that we didn’t have a good manager. The thwarted opening of an envelope at the senate impeachment hearing triggered EDSA 2. Again, the popular backers of EDSA 2 are currently occupying high posts in government such as senators Villar and Legarda, congressman de Venecia and even PGMA who did not want to show her sympathy for the cause at that time. Earlier, I have concluded that out of these 2 revolutions which were primarily aimed to change the handlers of government to effect changes, we did not succeed nor achieve our ultimate objective of eradicating or even minimizing corruption. Some people however, managed to succeed in getting popularity that placed them in the helm of government offices. Are these the same results we want to achieve from a possible EDSA 3 or People Power Revolution? The way I see it, the common denominator for the past 2 people power revolutions is the poor performance of our manager as reflected on our country’s economy. I am not surprised that despite the never ending accusations directed to our president and her family, the people behind the moves are having a hard time getting what they want. They could have challenged or disputed first our country’s 7.3 GDP performance of 2007 (first in 30 years), the reasons behind the strengthening of our currency and the historic low inflation rates before they have accelerated their moves to oust the president. I hope the majority of us who wants peace and progress will continue to be on the sidelines and help to genuinely effect changes in our government.

I am not advocating corruption and being a Catholic, I long for most of us if not all of us to strengthen our values. And, I hate being naïve, arrogant and having double standards. Look at those people exposing corruption and are pretending to fight it. Didn’t Jun Lozada admitted in one of the senate hearings that he was also corrupt? That he signed deals involving public funds for his, his wife and brother’s benefits. He even approved the purchase of imported goats just to eat our local grass at over P23k each? Didn’t Joey de Venecia set his foot on the senate witness stand after he lost hope that his company will not get the NBN deal? I wonder what happened to the P20 million patriotic fund offered to Sec.Neri. Was it split between the loyal whistleblowers? Are the politicians backing all these investigations clean, the super heroes and the super philanthropists of our country? Were they not involved in anomalies such as kidnappings, killings, election fraud and commissions or kickbacks from projects and lobbyists? Are they just receiving the basic annual pay as stipulated in our Constitution? I honestly don’t think so. To our priests and leaders of our churches, please focus on enhancing the moral and spiritual values of your flock. This way, you can help minimize or perhaps prevent anomalies and corruptions to happen over and over again. Please stay away from politics. Remember that Jesus Christ was sentenced to death wrongly. He was misjudged by the majority due to wrong and distorted evidences that were presented during His trial. Just imagine your flock joining and forming as majority in possibly misjudging our current administration. Maybe, despite their strong management performance, we will successfully bring it down, start all over again and then what?

If we are dead serious in fighting corruption and wants to make our nation great, we need to make radical changes in our electoral process and government systems. We need to be proactive rather than reactive by putting in place all the necessary checks and balances without jeopardizing efficiencies. We have to be more realistic and we need to admit that we cannot simply put any Tom, Dick, Harry or Jane as our president and expect him/her to deliver. We must screen our leaders not just through popularity and power. We need to fast track reforms in our election/voting process such as its computerization. We need to put an end that those only who have the money can manage the affairs of our government. There was one article published by the Management Association of the Philippines in one newspaper in reaction to the current fiasco. One of their question is, are we to tolerate lesser standard for those who manage the affairs of our government? Of course not! But how can we ensure they adhere to higher standards than private institutions when they can only officially receive a basic pay lower than mid managerial levels of private institutions? Are the rewards and penalties properly and clearly defined somewhere? At one time, those found guilty of plunder in our country is supposedly punishable by death. We attempted to define the penalty but, what about the rewards? Once we have clearly define the rewards for all government positions, we need to reinstate the maximum penalty of death for plunder. Talking about rewards, definitely, our 1987 Constitution needs to be updated. We cannot continue to hide from the people the real figures our government officials are compensated. We cannot expect a congressman to be satisfied with the official basic monthly pay of P17k only without putting his hands into the Pork Barrel funds as additional compensation. Aside from these supposedly development and emergency funds which they use as milking cow, apparently for some, these are not enough as “returns of their investment” during the elections and reason why they need to have commissions from other projects and lobbyists for certain legislations. Commissions, profit sharing or stock options for private institutions are legal for as long as they are clearly defined as part of an employee’s compensation package. Why don’t we consider this as part of the official compensation for our government managers? These are just some examples of really attacking and solving the root causes of corruption in government.

If we don’t unite to urge our law makers to fast track the necessary reforms we badly need in our system of government, our people power revolutions and any forms of mass actions will be worthless for the populace. It will only be of value to a few power hungry and parasitic politicians. Why don’t we start evaluating each performance of our government officials? Didn’t we realize that some popular figures in some uprisings managed to sneak into higher government offices without looking back at their causes? For example, we put into the senate a previous rebel soldier presumably to help the government solve the plights of our soldiers. Was he able to deliver what was expected of him so discontented and disgruntled soldiers like him in the past will be avoided or minimized? If he did, why is there another soldier who followed his suit? Yet they continue to preach similar ideologies so more people will join their cause which will probably just prolong their stay in the senate or perhaps even put them at the presidency. We also placed leftists in our congress in the hopes of alleviating poverty and end the fight between government forces and NPA’s to achieve peace. What have they done along these lines? How many years have they been members of congress and yet they still go to the streets once in a while to air their same grievances against the government? Are they not directly connected with government who have the hands to initiate changes and reforms they have been marching and shouting for?

Charter Change and implementation of National ID System are just some of the important issues that our beloved congressmen and senators should have been dealing with if we want to rid of corruption. For Charter Change, aside from redefining the compensation package of our elected officials, the electoral reforms, etc., there are some changes needed so the system is designed around our culture and not just simply patterned from western style of government. All these are needed so our country will achieve sustainable growth. Majority of the politicians not aligned with the current administration are up against Charter Change. These same people who are asking for “CHANGE” and search for TRUTH now do not want to pursue above changes. They hide their real intentions behind the reason of not allowing the current president to extend her/his term. The Charter Change issue has been discussed since Pres. Ramos time. The shield of the opposition at that time sounded reasonable as the timing was late. However, for PGMA’s time, the same issue was brought up earlier in her presidency and it would have been more reasonable to go for it then than it is now since 2010 elections is only around 2 years from now. Again, if we are serious to consider breaking the systemic way of corruption in government, we need to amend our existing Constitution. Some politicians want to scrap the idea of having a National ID System for baloney excuses. Having a National ID System will not only help deter terrorists or criminals from their malicious activities but will also help minimize corruption both in government and private institutions. To cite some examples why it can help prevent corruption in government. Since the National ID System database will compliment the electorate database, it can help prevent fraud during elections brought about by flying voters. Its database can be used for the electronic Electoral System thus, can fast track the latter’s implementation. It can help contribute to a more efficient system in government transactions, e.g., SSS, PAG-IBIG, Immigration, DFA, etc., etc. processing. Imagine for a Filipino traveler from abroad just using his National ID to enter back the Philippines. Its faster and more efficient. Thus, its implementation can significantly reduce head counts in government offices. It can prevent fictitious people like Jose Velarde and Jose Pidal from maintaining mysterious bank accounts. If these examples have a lot of advantages and will help safeguard corruption, then why are these being rejected by some politicians and policy makers? Isn’t it because they are afraid they will have a hard time doing some anomalous transactions when their opportunity comes?

TAMA NA SOBRA NA ANG MGA PLASTIKAN! Let’s focus on real reforms. Let’s amend our Constitution, finalize the Cheap Medicine’s Bill, implement the National ID System, formulate laws/guidelines to ensure we have good and competent candidates running for government posts, we will have fair and clean elections, elected government officials are compensated properly in legal manner and most importantly, we will have world-class government services and infrastructures and make our nation GREAT!

Amen, Jack. I think that propsal has a very good merit. A whistleblower takes the flak and the ire of those guilty but he’ll get compensated for the risk. It may take idealism and patriotism out of the equation but it may prove effective at this time. Kasi sa nakikita ko ngayon, pera-pera lang naman ang labanan, eh.

Thank you JCC for the positive reply.

“It may take idealism and patriotism out of the equation but it may prove effective at this time. Kasi sa nakikita ko ngayon, pera-pera lang naman ang labanan, eh.” - Huseng Bulag

That is true.

Siguro it’s time to put aside morality (but not taking it entirely out of the equation) and start looking at practical solutions that work.

In the US they have the WPA (Whistleblower Protection Act). Under the act, whistle-blowers can receive a percentage of the money recovered or damages won by the government in fraud cases they expose. The act also protects whistle-blowers from wrongful dismissal, allowing for reinstatement with seniority, double back pay, interest on back pay, compensation for discriminatory treatment, and reasonable legal fees.

Federal legislation in 1978 barred reprisals against those who exposed government corruption. Harassment and dismissal of and the revelation of widespread waste and fraud in defense contracting led Congress to strengthen the position of whistle-blowers in 1989. Many states also have employment laws that deal with discriminatory treatment of whistle-blowers.

Let’s take the fight to the corrupt and put them in a situation wherein the more money they are bound to make, the more they are in danger of being found out.

If we give the whistleblower the incentive of making a percentage of the recovered loot, we can clean up our corrupt govt and start anew in no time.

the existing government should realize that they have overwhelming resources from the congress, sc, military, pnp, senate, pcci, and etc to make real reform…and from 2001 until today…no reforms for labor sector…but they have infomercials that the existing minimum wage can make a living…the Security funds is now electronic…but their funds is still not enough for loans and pensions…yes the Peso gained against the USD or has the GDP increases every year…but the basic commodities is still high…and etc…just a few facts with the common denominator of…well everyone knows…and maybe this common denominator is used for stage-managing a crisis pede ring itawag na indulging a crisis. Neri is a reformist, kaya ayun na-reform din siya.

Agree din ako diyan sa suhestiyon mo Jack. Let’s eliminate the greed by this reward system for whistle blower. I don’t see anything immoral with this scheme if congress can en-act a law to make it legal.

Ang Bayan Kong Sawi

Ang kapaligiran ay samu’t-sari ang kulay,
Pula ,Puti, , itim, dilaw, kayumanggi, luntian
Subali’t ang pananaw daw ay dalawa lamang
Itim at puti walang kulay anuman sa pagitan.

Madalas kumatha ng ideyang kulay abuhin
Sa PCIJ website hinahayaang bayan ay aliwin
Maraming patutsada narining at pasaring
Pro-GMA daw dahil hindi naman pro-Ouster.

Ang bayan ay Malaya hindi dapat magdamdam
Tapat na pananaw ng iba dapat igalang
Kung hindi matarok senisado ng puti’t itim
Isaysay at dalisayin penumbrang abuhin.

Si GMA ay wala na pagdating ng 2010
Subalit’ dapat na daw ngayon na patalsikin
Proceso ng bansa dapat shortkatin, apurahin
Bayan bagsak na sa katiwaliang nakakarimarim.

Pag-ikaw kumontra sa ganuong patutsada
Dating mo taksil, lilo, sukab at bayaran ka
Bansa ay dapat umaksyon at ito ngayon na
Sa kalsada tapusin mga salot at sukab ng bansa.

Institusyong sibil ay hind dapat shortkatin
Hayaang pondasyon lumakas at tumining
Huwag magsagawa anumang “political lynching”
Sa kalsadang parliyamento, bansa masusugatin din.

Bakit ba sila atat na atat, na Si GMA ay umalpas?
Lutang ba ang pulitiko’t banyaga ang nasa likod ng lahat?
Para ang ODA at ZTE projects nasa “freezer” ay ma “thaw”
At maisulong din pagnanakaw ng mga kapwa buwakaw.

Bayan kung ako ay taksil ako’y parusahan
Itali sa puno hagupitin at sa hamtik ay ipaulam
Itabo ang dugo at sa dugo mo ihambing ang kulay
Paghindi magkasingkulay, isa sa atin taksil sa bayan.

I wrote:

Lack of Alternative

It is the quality of our electorate as well as the flaw in ourelectoral process that prevented us most of the times to elect decent public servants. The other factor that leads to the election of unworthy public servants is the lack of alternative choice from those people who offered their services to become public servants during elections.

The May 2007 midterm elections of Congressmen, Senators and local officials offer an uneasy paradox of how people of diverse and conflicting political or personal persuasions can make temporary alliances for a united ticket to improve their chances of being elected to the positions they are running for only to bolt the alliance after elections and go their own destructive separate ways.

Political parties are never defined by a distinct set of political beliefs and economic platforms that distinguishes one from the other. They are hodge-podge of non-partisan or overly partisan individuals fueled purely by personal ambition and offering their individual wisdom or lack of it as the complete recipe for the salvation of the nation.

Microsoft Encarta describes political parties in the Philippines this way:

Political parties in the Philippines are extensions of the key politicians who control them, rather than institutions focused on particular ideologies or political viewpoints. Political loyalties are given to individuals, and rarely to the parties. Politicians often switch party allegiances for personal party allegiances for regional advantage.

(pp.145-146, “Termites from Within”)

Nasyer,

Great post!!! Where have you been all this time?

I am speechless saiyo kabayan, bow na bow ako..

Alecks,
Some clarifications:

Wala bang limit dito ang posting ng isang tao? I mean, it looks like this blog is already being used not for free exchange of ideas but as a freebie of a person who looks like a professional salesman of the biggest corporation in Pinas (in terms of gross receipts) with HQ near Pasig River. Paulit-ulit kaya nakakapagduda na. Para bang may motibo. I could be wrong though.

Another thing, pag ang usapan ay tungkol sa mga Pilipino, puwede bang sumali dito ang mga banyaga at hayagang alipushain ang mga Pilipino?

And lastly, do you know what happened to RyeBosco? I’m bit worried considering his radical views and stance against admin. Baka kako “sinundo” na. He’s unheard for almost a week now which I thought very unusual.

Rye… where are you? We hope you’re OK and safe.

Ambuot,
I just saw ryebosco in another blog. Buhay pa.

Pwede naman sigurong magpost kahit banyaga. Ang nakakainis yung mga nagpopost na nagrereklamo kesyo trapik daw pag may rally, pag sinilip mo naman yung IP address, nasa North America pala, heheh.

Matagal na akong hindi naliligaw dito, putris yung post sa taas, 12 na ikot ng wheel nitong mouse ko, 19″ pa screen ko. Pero nabasa ko na yan.

Parang dun yata sa lulisbrigade.blogspot.com yata yun.

Hoohhuummm,

Nasasapawan ba ang mga nonsense na posts mo kaya ka nagrerekalamo?

Welcome back, Tongue in, anew.

To everyone, whatever differences in views and opinions we have, these should never be made an excuse to denigrate anyone in this community with personal attacks. While we do appreciate the renewed dynamism in the blog, we’d rather that the exchanges be substantial without being less sober, intelligent without being intolerant, dissenting without being disrespectful.

Alecks,

Game ako diyan. Let us discuss substance and issues hindi personalan. Kung ako’y namersonal dahil ako’y inunahan, kung ako naman ang umuna, sampung “sorry” agad ang kaagapay…

Tongue,
My goodness…!! Saan ka bang nag-hybernate? But anyway, good news that Rye is “alive” and that you are back especially at these critical defining moments. You know…? I’m also missing Joselu but I think he morphed into someone else and is here with a different name.

As you may already know, I’m in a place far from Pinas but I remained a “solid and pure Pinoy” because i did not embrace foreign citizenship despite being qualified long time ago. In fact, had I done so, many of my relatives are already here with me enjoying a bit comfortable life than in Pinas and in effect, they are questioning my “wisdom”. Pero hindi ko ginawa ‘yon dahil if you take an oath of citizenship ang ibig sabihin “itinakwil mo ang Pinas”. That’s why I asked Alecks if “foreigners” especially those Pinoys who took foreign citizenship at sasabihin na pro-Pinoy pa rin at makikialam sa usaping-Pinoy. For me that’s a highest form of hypocrisy. But anyway, welcome back again.