Binay and Marcos: dumbing down the Philippines
[Photo credit: hollywood-elsewhere.com]
The term “dumbing down” originated in 1933 as movie-business slang, used by motion picture screenplay writers, meaning: “[to] revise so as to appeal to those of little education or intelligence”. [Wiki]
We have two national candidates who are engaged in dumbing down the Philippines. It is the only way they can get elected. Distinguished Senator Miriam Santiago has chosen one of them as her running mate, certifying that she is ever the jokester, always willing to tread the path less traveled.
The problem is, it is just not funny.
It is the choice between backward and forward.
The Binay and Marcos families want certain information taken out of the public record and new information placed in that record. By recasting the look of things, they seek to persuade a broad swath of the Philippine voting population to vote them into prominence in the 2016 election.
This, of course, is the exact opposite of what we commonly hold as virtues: honesty and transparency and raising the nation up, both economically and in terms of being an honorable and purposeful place. It is akin to propaganda of ill motive, or brainwashing. The two families seek to remove factual records from view and replace them with fictitious records.
Information removed from the public record
The Binay family seeks to remove from the public record any evidence of theft. The methods of removal are to deny any and all allegations of wrongdoing, smear the accusers and political opponents, and fight legal battles to suppress or block any actions that would bring the facts to light. As you follow the public statements of the Binay family, you will see that almost all deeds and statements fit into this pattern. Indeed, it is not just a one man show. The whole family is complicit.
Why?
It is “make or break” time for the family. As long as Vice President Binay holds the Vice Presidency, or the Presidency, the Ombudsman can’t put him on a path directly to jail. Senate hearings put the facts into the public record. For the Makati Garage, taxpayers were charged P2.3 billion for a building appraised at P860 million. The Ombudsman’s case, based on this and a lot of irregularities, is a ticking indictment that comes into play as soon as Jejomar Binay leaves office. If he is defeated in the election, his future is very likely jail time. Given this stark outcome, truth is certainly no virtue for the family.
Judgment day is election day.
The Marcos family is in a similar predicament. The information to be removed from the public record deals primarily with the dirty deeds done by President Ferdinand Marcos, and billions of stolen money, much of it still in family hands. Killings and torturings and disappearings in the scale of thousands. Perhaps tens of thousands. The Marcoses want this history erased.
Ferdinand Marcos is in the record book as the world’s second most corrupt leader [“World’s ten most corrupt leaders“]. This history must be “deep sixed” by the Marcos family, assigned to “out of sight and out of mind”. [“Deep sixed”: to bury something six feet deep, as a body in a cemetery.] Which raises the point: if Marcos supporters can get President Marcos buried in the Philippines with honor, they will have accomplished a huge step toward their goal. Dishonor will be changed to honor.
The method of operation by the Marcos family is to sever candidate Bongbong’s connection to his father’s bad deeds, while claiming credit for the father’s good deeds. That is the pattern you will see in public comments from the Senator, his family, his running mate, and his backers: disconnect from the bad, connect with the good.
Information inserted in the public record
The Binay and Marcos families have one over-riding need: to portray the current programs of President Aquino as inept or ineffective or lazy or any number of descriptions aimed at painting them the color “bad”. That, by extension, paints candidate Roxas as “bad” and it gives Binay and Marcos a platform from which to promise the moon.
That is their number one deception, the number one goal in their remaking the current reality.
Such distortions are easy to do, for the Filipino population typically operates by generalizing overall character from a specific incident. Point to the jammed MRT lines, and, clearly, the Aquino Administration – in ALL activities – is inept. “Worst airport in the world” shows that the straight path is not working. Never mind that the airports got that way through neglect of prior administrations and the Aquino Administration has invested huge sums in infrastructure improvements.
Filipinos are tolerant of theft among bad leaders and intolerant of perceived shortcomings among good leaders. Go figure . . .
Many make their judgments without any information whatsoever, or based on what a tabloid press tells them. Critical thinking is not the style here. Impressions, emotions, simple decisions held without question . . . they win the day.
The Binay and Marcos operating method is to pound the points of popular frustration, pound them, pound them, pound them. Truth is irrelevant. (Senators Poe and Escudero also show tendencies to pursue this tack.)
With enough of that, people set aside any contrary data, like GDP growth or roads built across the nation or world class storm readiness or a better equipped military or 100,000 new school classrooms or ANYTHING positive at all. The weighing of competence and character is done, in crab fashion, on one or two specific points of complaint. The overall judgment is invariably harsh.
Beyond painting the Administration – and Roxas – as inept, the Binay and Marcos families also seek to build some other new realities. For the Binays, they will recite how wonderful Makati is, and what a good manager Jejomar Binay has proven to be. For the Marcoses, they will cite how much good work President Marcos got done, and how much the Senator is doing. Never mind that he co-sponsored only two new pieces of enacted legislation the past session and his halt of the Bangsamoro Basic Law has thrown peace in Mindanao to the four winds.
Both families are “for the people”, of course, and will repeat that line over and over again. They will take the poverty of the nation, developed over decades, and say it is all the fault of the current administration. They will claim: “President Aquino is corrupt, too, and that rich Roxas is not one of you like I am.”
The new information being placed in the record consists of gross distortions or outright lies. The owner of a huge hacienda with air conditioned piggery eats with his hands to prove he is just one of the poor. The Ombudsman is accused of being an Aquino pawn. The Secretary of Justice is accused of playing politics on the Iglesia ni Cristo protest. Roxas is behind any bad information about either family.
The media tabloids and TV talking heads are absolutely rich with disinformation, and the publishers and producers of that news . . . rather than holding to journalistic integrity to sort out truth from lie . . . thrive on the accusations and disinformation.
Who are the people being dumbed down?
There is a band of advocates around each family that is “in on it”. They are a party to the promotion of lies and deceptions and removal of facts from the public record. They are either: (1) being paid for their work (spokesmen, attorneys, and bands of internet trolls or public protesters; sellers of votes), or (2) they foresee some personal gain if either Binay or Marcos are elected (the Sister City Mayors for Binay, and the local political backers from North Luzon and Leyte for Marcos; also, Senator Santiago).
Anecdotal evidence suggests that huge sums of money are being invested in this election by the two families to purchase the loyalty of community opinion-makers. In my home town, the Marcos family is said to have distributed bags of money to key families. Goods have been generously supplied to poor residents . . . tin and lumber and food.
Impoverished and under-educated local residents have no concept of personal accountability, no inkling that a vote determines their future, and they hold no strong feelings of national patriotism. They also don’t know the hashtag #NeverAgain.
The opinion-makers who are herding poor people to their cause are NOT being dumbed down. They know exactly what they are doing. They are taking care of themselves, over the best interest of the nation. They are willing to back the deceptions. They are strange patriots indeed. Including Senator Santiago.
The people being dumbed down are all the voters who go by what others say, rather than by published facts.
Most of the voting population is in this category.
Some of these people are intelligent. Highly. College graduates. Professionals. But they invariably do not do their homework.
Contributor Irineo calls them the “fish market” voters, because that is where they get their information and make their decisions. GDP growth and infrastructure spending doesn’t get into the fish market. The fish market is the same the coffee shop for the up and comers, or the Facebook group of like thinkers, who also don’t seek information, but go with that which is dramatic or exciting or popular among their friends.
They’d rather go with the drama of a fraud – the illusions peddled – than do boring research or advocate for something as non-macho as integrity.
Self awareness in the Philippines is a brick wall
It is easy to get discouraged about the Philippines. The nation seems “born to lose.”
For a whole lot of Filipinos, ignorance is their statement of personal sovereignty, their statement of self-esteem. They don’t WANT to hear anything but what they know. The Visayan term “gahi ulo” was one of the first terms I learned in the Philippines, as it was used so frequently locally. “Hard headed.” Immune to knowledge. Resistant to education.
There is also a step beyond simple day to day ignorance, and that is the desire by many to silence anyone who has a view different than they hold. It reveals a class of people who actively seek being dumb, and who, like the Binay and Marcos families, seek to impose dumb on others. Information is personally threatening to them.
The person spreading the information must be silenced.
Andrew Lim wrote a powerful article about the Marcos stolen loot [“Return the ill-gotten wealth first, Bongbong“] and received this comment from a Marcos supporter:
“Is Andrew lim Filipino? Leave the Filipino people alone.”
Meet the individual citizen intimidator who favors ignorance over a rising Philippines. These individuals have joined with their role models, the Binay and Marcos families. So many backers of the two families are intimidators who favor ignorance over an intelligent, forthright, rising Philippines.
That’s what happens when leaders insist on dumbing down other voices so that only their message survives. Filipinos risk cycling back to the Marcos method of suppression. And the brutally that is required to enforce it.
We “outside” observers can see all this happening, as plain as day. It’s like watching a slow-moving freight on a direct track to Hell.
We are inclined to ask — to the enablers of Binay and Marcos:
Why are you doing this to your nation? To your people?
w
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
filipinos are dumb. they vote in corruption and let corruption continue. the rest of asean has hit the streets to rid out bad corrupt leaders. pinoys pray for change vs. use action. is pathetic really.
I’m inclined not to see it that way. The rules are set up to protect the entitled, and the social values themselves favor the powerful. The forces for change move slowly, but are moving the right direction. The purpose of the article is not to condemn those who are on the right side of this movement, but to push against those who are on the wrong side. I think condemning a whole people is pretty much the same thinking done here locally that keeps the nation divided and dysfunctional. My way is right. Yours is wrong.
Gahi ulo.
Filipinos are dumb? seriously? What are you, another instik salot in the Philippines? Do you know that your people poop in the streets, go google it. Chinese pooping…
The truth is they are not dumb or stupid, they are mellow because of their religion. THe same religion that makes them good people.
…another ad hominem response.
The thing is… the disapproval of the Tuwid na Daan wouldn’t be resonating if it didn’t have more than a kernel of truth. The Tuwid na Daan has not been all sunshine and light. Metro Manila’s infrastructure (keep in mind, Metro Manila is where a lot of these complaints are centered) has not kept up with requirements.
If it were just Binay, Marcos, and their friends bloviating into the wind their complaints wouldn’t get traction. They’re getting it because in the day-to-day lives of the voter, there’s more than a grain of truth in them. Not that it’s doing them much good, mind: I find no contradiction in believing that there have been shortcomings by PNoy’s team which need to be addressed and that Binay is a world-class thief who belongs in jail, not Malacanang. There’s no contradiction in saying that the Tuwid na Daan has gone wrong, and that the solution is not the likes of modern-day caudillos like Binay.
The supporters of the Tuwid na Daan cannot bury their heads in the sand and proclaim that all is well. A voter losing a third of his hard-earned pay to taxes while suffering through two hours of traffic to get to his work and another two hours to get home is liable to give you the middle finger – if not more. If they want to win, yes, you can celebrate the successes – but be honest about the difficulties, and what you will do to fix them.
Well, I don’t see anyone in Executive burying their heads or problems in the sand. I see honorable work being done to recognize what needs to be done (see a couple of the must read items on planning that addresses these issues.) I don’t see Binay and Marcos being candid at all. I see only deception. I see your all encompassing dissing of the straight path as the kind of simplistic thinking and sloganeering that is itself deceptive and not helpful.
Of course there are problems. Long and deeply ingrained. There are no simple fixes for a lot of them, poverty being the most prominent. Who’s hiding from that? Who’s “using it” by twisting it to be a current day problem, and a current day expectation of solution.
I’m looking primarily at the campaigns. The campaign I’m seeing so far from the Liberals has been very simplistic: it really is a very straightforward “Ituloy ang Tuwid na Daan” campaign. That’s not helping. That’s not acknowledging the very real issues people have had with the past six years. (Not that ANY of the campaigns have impressed me so far.)
I am much more impressed with the Roxas from the roundtable with the bloggers that the likes of Carlos Celdran and Jessica Zafra talked about recently. That one is more willing to admit that there have been bumps in the road for the past six years. That one might be willing to say, we didn’t get some things right.
By the way, I am not completely dissing the straight path either. I view it as well meaning, with a decent number of successes, but with its own share of problems (especially in Manila). You can argue with whether those feelings are justified or not. But politically, either the Liberals address those, or it’ll cost Mar big.
I agree, the LP platform should be forthright and meaningful. I’m guessing it will be. I also think continuity and stability are very important goals. The opposite would be to change direction or yank the nation around, as if the IMAGE of action were really action. It is not. Good, hard, honest work is really action. The ship is turned. Now pick up speed. As you say, recognize the problems and deal with them forthrightly.
Jonathan aren’t you dumbing down Joe America telling him the bases of what he wrote about. Joe is not a victim of the malignant stupidizing of innocent evil in the society of dishonor. What you are and what you are saying is precisely what Joe is trying to be fair and diplomatic about. Pinoy Bloggers are yelling to cyberspace: these rascals think all Filipinos are stupid.
I don’t think I’m dumbing down Joe at all. What I am pointing out is that in my view, it would be a mistake to dismiss the words of the Binay/Marcos propagandists as mere propaganda without basis in truth – there is a reason they’re resonating.
But the reasons you suggest are the same propaganda they cite, not the factual truth, that poverty and lack of opportunity are killers of any kind of critical thinking. And those who twist that vulnerability and lack of education into something sinister are truly not working for the well-being of the Philippines. Someone on Twitter showed an arial photo of the flooding in Pampanga brought by the recent storm and used it to mock the straight path. Give me a break. Aquino is responsible for natural disasters? That’s what Binay and Marcos are selling, and it simply is not honest.
I don’t completely disagree with you. The Marcos/Binay camp is selling propaganda. They’re not particularly interested in the country, more in their own goals.
But… it’s not completely made-up propaganda. There is more than a kernel of truth to it. Exaggerated, played up for political value? Sure. But not completely made up.
Look at the tax reform movement, which I think is related to this anger. People wouldn’t mind tax levels so much if they felt they were getting fair value out of it. They want their money back because they don’t think there’s fair value in their taxes right now.
Yes, it’s propaganda, but there’s a reason it’s not being dismissed out of hand by people. The Liberals want to win? Think why it’s resonating with more people than it ought to, and address that.
Jonathan,
I’m glad there’s a tax reform movement. Are you referring to some congressional members advocating for lower income tax?
Micha, there are a few million OFW’s eager to change their foreign currency for pesos, also the BPO businesses have mainly foreign customers…
The tax reform issue increased my respect for PNoy. I disagree but after thinking long and hard I finally get where he is coming from.
People want lower taxes and surely deserve it but this is because we have been living in a fucking corrupt country. That is why people hate paying taxes but we have to factor in Ralph Recto’s experiment.
The Philippines was slowly becoming insolvent the weak tax collections during the Arroyo administration coupled with increase in commodity prices world wide was creating a situation where we may cross a point of no return as lenders.
We needed a tax bill that can bolster up the government finances. Ralph Recto authored the E-VAT bill that increased VAT from 10% to 12%. This saved us and not many people credit Ralph Recto’s political suicide which caused him losing a senate bid. But as Moodys and other ratings agency point showing the debt markets that we can still pay our debts and raise more revenue allowed GMA the leeway to create debts with more favorable time horizons and interest rates.
I don’t see any senator in the next 12 years who will pass anything resembling the EVAT law and thus with the vision of building modern infrastructure, increasing and improving our social safety net, Basically creating a better modern Philippines we cannot forgo of the Tax revenues while we have not improved collections at Customs and BIR.
It is a matter of timing and Philosophy of what government should do.
Another failure of communications by the President and his communications team.
But complex issues are really hard to communicate so let’s cut Manolo/Lacierda/Coloma some slack.
@gian
So we raised our tax revenue through Ralph Recto’s expanded VAT so we could pay our dollar debt?
Yeah.
This is a quote from then trade secretary Favila
“I do not see any reason why the President will not fully push the agenda that has been laid down,” Favila said. “We feel, in the economic team — and this is also shared by the business community — that the implementation of the reformed VAT law in its entirety is necessary so that we can realize the full potential revenue impact and likewise maintain our credibility in the international market.”
Favila said EVAT revenues will help address the “never-ending headache of debt” that ails the country.
“We don’t have the luxury of time. We really have to support the measure,” he said, citing a study by the International Finance Corp., that said the Philippines ranks 113th in terms of direct foreign investments due to poor infrastructure.
Favila also said the implementation of the new tax law “did not necessarily cause major changes in the current price trends in the market.”
http://www.philstar.com:8080/headlines/306149/%C2%91there%C2%92s-no-stopping-evat%C2%92
gian,
But we collect VAT in pesos. Did our international creditors accepted those peso denominated revenues as payment for our dollar debts?
I am not going to discuss MMT and unfortunately to answer that question would necessitate research on what actually happened as opposed to what good financial management would dictate.
I’d give it a go if I get a chance to peek at the BTr’s records.
Micha has an article coming out on Sunday, and the discussion can carry over to there perhaps.
Hope I can read up on the matter to be of some use to Micha.
gian,
Short answer is no, international creditors don’t accept peso payments for our dollar debt.
It’s a big fat lie to say that we’re raising revenues through expanded VAT so we could pay international bankers with it.
You’re correct but our domestic debt is higher or equal to our foreign debt.
I will reiterate I am not at ease discussing something I haven’t really really.
I did not say dollar debt but you are correct most of these debts are dollar debts.
Half and now 2/3 of our debt is domestic debt.
Click to access yr_debtindicator.pdf
Forget about Moody’s or Standard and Poor’s. Their credibility is below nil after they’ve downgraded the US and there was a failure of bond vigilantes’ to attack as predicted.
Domestic debt, in and of itself, is not a big deal. Our national gov’t will have no trouble paying it back if it wanted to. It is the foreign debt that we should be worried about because if it goes out of proportion in our ability to pay, those blood sucking international bankers will come charging to bled us dry. Dracula pales in comparison.
This should be good news then: https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1iillq3n2mez50/Screenshot%202015-10-22%2021.50.42.png?dl=0
if the trend continues we can get to a 100% Peso donominated debt that could mean we can go full MMT. although i suspect the BSP would be on the fence with that.
Yup, I think it started in 2013 when President Aquino started to auction more domestic bonds and shying away from foreign lenders.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-17/philippines-to-boost-debt-sales-after-rate-cut-treasurer-says
If we could pay for imported goods and services either through positive balance of payments and/or the continuing influx of OFW remittances, we may yet be liberated by the dictates of those foreign blood-sucking bankers.
Did you really mean to say that the administrations rejection of the income tax cut increased you respect for pnoy?
You muct be unlike most of us that is hardly making ends meet…..
Let me offer my view because the subject is very interesting. We have the immediate and the now, making ends meet, and the long-term well-being of the nation, which means working over the long term to build a stable financial situation and steadily growing economy. More people will be helped by righting the financial ship, gaining international respect and investment and tourism, than giving quick tax relief. I think that was the admirable point . . . and accomplishment . . . of the Aquino’s approach to taxes. Now that the nation has achieved investment grade status, then tax relief . . . like increasing CCT in the past . . . can be considered as a new tactic.
But to have come aboard a shaky rattletrap of an economy and bend to the popular will . . . that would have been reckless.
So I, too, admire the Aquino strategic approach to building a sound economy that can now handle different decisions on how to spend and tax.
Respect because it is hard to hold an unpopular position. If you hold a position like that it means you believe you are in the right or you just don’t care. I believe the president cares. That is why I tried to fathom his reasons for his position. That is what is written in the comment you replied to.
Two things. Item #1: A case can be made that yes, we need the revenue from the current system. But how the case has been made has been utterly, and completely, execrable.
– The explanation by PNoy and Secretary Purisima (that credit ratings were important), while factually defensible, was done in a completely tone-deaf way. It made it look like they cared more about foreign bankers than Filipinos.
– Mar Roxas further stepped in it when he basically held tax reform hostage to cutting some form of spending. He set up a strawman, demolished it, and made himself look like a fool.
Item #2: The current system is ruinous to the social contract of the country. Best estimates say that we have about 13 million employed workers in the country who actually pay taxes. The income tax accounts for almost 60% of all national tax collection. So we are in a situation where a relatively small part of the country pays for the rest.
That is simply not sustainable. You can’t have build a country on the backs of such a small percentage of the country for long. Such graphic unfairness destroys the social contract which is why many of our best and brightest are no longer in this country.
I’ve seen the reforms that Commissioner Kim has tried to institute in the BIR as an outside observer, the systems she is trying to create and her mini successes and somewhat her failures If we can clone her and install her clone to the BOC then maybe we won’t need to be taxed too much.
Just imagine covering 80 Million Filipinos with PhilHealth without taxes beyond the Sin Tax.
Just imagine implementing the K-12 program and having the budget for it with no new taxes.
Just imagine the Defense Spending with the Ships/Jets and weapons we’ve acquired with no new taxes.
The tax base will widen. The present reality is Professionals are beginning to pay their fair share because they are being audited more often.
Lots of self employed people specially in the Contractual BPO/IT industries are beginning to be taxed an regular rates because of closing of some of the loopholes.
New graduates who engage in contractual employment/professional self employment are required to get TINS and receipts and issue that to the companies contracting them.
All is not rosy and even the US Armed forces was designed initially to barely fight a two front war, we can’t expect a good government to engage in a 4-10 front war against almost everyone and expect to win. Patience coupled with Vigilance will win the day(I didn’t want to write slow but sure will win the day).
Let me share my opinion on the subject of this individual taxation. I wrote a blog post about this. Yes, the government has a need to raise revenue, and there are a lot of other methods of doing so. Try to look at the BIR and how they’re actually collecting taxes (and foregoing some–err-or a lot). But I’d rather leave them at that. My primary concern is to make the tax rate equitable to the majority of people, including the middle class: http://deuts.net/2015/09/22/the-almost-two-decades-old-graduated-tax-table-that-defies-inflation/
“They want their money back because they don’t think there’s fair value in their taxes right now.”
The present admin is addressing that right now through the more effective fight against corruption, it’s the corruption that is diverting the taxes from the intended purpose, fertilizer fund going to city legislative members? Disaster funds ending up to non existing persons?
We need to rationalize our tax system, I agree to that, but we have to admit also that we need to realize that defense spending and social services need tax revenues. We can reduce income taxes being paid by the middle class but replace it with other revenue sources, say sin tax expansion or more coverage to include sodas, junk foods or other products that are harmful to the public health, win-win solution, we got to promote health and raise tax for defense, educational and social services.
We need to track down tax evaders who are mostly billionaire businessmen. This is being done now.
The problem with democracy is that it takes time to put these together in the midst of impatience and anger by the populace, fueled by politicians who want to take over for their own selfish interest aided by the tabloid media.
Six years of good governance is simply not enough, we need continuity.
I agree with jonathan and marygrace regarding how government should address tax reform and i am sure there is so much more ways to do it if only our leaders have the balls….
To mary grace i do not agree what you claimed that tracking down billionaire tax evaders are being done now. Who are you referring to? Can you cite an example aside from our boxing champ?
As with anti corruption campaign, its not that truthful, what is apparent is that there is trgeted justice practiced, so for us (me) who is expecting more from pnoy would be inclined to not continue extending the trust to his wanabe successor.
Take a look at this, is this an example of dumbing down? My goodness (they) even used the word contract….
In the light of all these issues: FOI STILL FAR FROM BEING PASSED, KABARILAN IN HIGH GOVT POST, PORK BARREL RENAMED PDAF…. ETC ETC
PLEASE ENLIGHTEN US JOE….
https://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/2009/11/28/a-social-contract-with-the-filipino-people-the-platform-of-senator-benigno-%e2%80%9cnoynoy%e2%80%9d-s-aquino-iii/
Ad,
It is hard to convince those who have already prejudged Pnoy and are often heard echoing or mouthing issues against his kabarilan, kaibigan tales forgetting that most of them are no longer in the government.
As for running after the businessmen tax evaders, below is just an example of those efforts. This is regulatly featured in newspapers but seldom get attention they deserved because they are not controversial enough like Pacquiao.
http://www.mb.com.ph/bir-files-p245-million-tax-evasion-cases/
http://business.inquirer.net/178566/bir-files-10-more-tax-evasion-cases-at-the-doj
Ad, another one, above…there are more if you care to do the search.
To mary grace. Thanks for the info about tax evaders.
As for prejudging pnoy, what i said is ” i was expecting more from him”, if only he could not have done the obvious mistake like the kabarilan…..
and should have pushed hard for the FOI bill as he did with the BBL…
Plus eliminating completely the DAP,
he would have the filipinos unending support And i would not have written my comments here as being ” dumb down” by his social contract in his 2010 campaign…. 🙂
Good morning, Jonathan.
“What I am pointing out is that in my view, it would be a mistake to dismiss the words of the Binay/Marcos propagandists as mere propaganda without basis in truth – there is a reason they’re resonating.”
I disagree. The resonance stems from the sheer scope and magnitude of the propaganda, not from any basis in truth. I understand you are speaking of the Binay/Marcos lines criticial of the Aquino administration–of course things are not all hunky-dory. However, it is readily evident that the pitches most prominent are massive overstatements of their capabilities and track records. This is where truth proves most elusive, if not absent.
The difference is in time horizon. I know rome wasn’t built in 6 years and we are a democratic countries defined by a multitude of interest groups. Realist vs Idealist. We know no political party is perfect so we choose the party that is closest in ideals. We know that rising incomes means greater spending in status symbols like cars and we understand that regulating the number of cars is a thorny issue. We understand that to make lasting change we have to be legalistic, vigilant and patient. That is why we don’t begrudge the apparent slowness of progress with all the i’s dotted and all the t’s crossed.
I’ve met some people and even before Yolanda the DILG of Mar Roxas made one of its primary thrust as increasing disaster preparedness. Yolanda was beyond anyone’s imagination and there were surely lapses but if you look at how much more effective the Lando preparation and response was you would see that there is gradual noticeable and life saving improvement by LGUs/NDRRMC/RDRRMC and LDRRMC.
6 years of hard work, and if fortune smiles at us another 6 years with Mar and Leni. This will be our generation’s sacrifice so that the next generation will no longer look down on itself.
Gian you are so level-headed. It takes a long time to put humpty dumpty together again. But people want improvements like yesterday. It’s really exasperating.
You know I like to quote Confucius. He said a takes 100 years for a good govt to put everything in place. Of course the magic 100 is just his opinion, but it was simply a way of saying hey it’s a tough job, guys.
Here is to hoping we get our hundred years tt least my theoretically future grandchildren will have a Philippines they can be proud of.
Gian, am glad that you now have time to post such meaningful comments like these. I agree wholeheartedly with your points. I share your hope and dreams just stated.
That’s a metamorphic rock of a write up Joe Am.
Do. I wish I could too, but I was not born to the language
That’s why I am inclined to use a WWII flame thrower.
Indeed 2016 is a double whammy to comatose voters
They could be robbed and plundered again for one
Thumbs up inside their haemorrhoidal rectum for two.
I’ll write ’em, you supply the exclamation point.
Nice one.
NOTES FROM THE EDITOR: When “The Voice” contestant Amy Vachal starts producing records, I will buy every one of them. She is American with Filipino blood and sings music …
America made her NOT Filipino blood in her. It is not the genes that gave her voice. It is America gave her voice.
Pleae Filipinos, do not claim she is a Filipino. She is an American. You can invite her to the Philippines, please, please, do not ever commit a mistake by doing a Jessica Sanchez on her by asking “You are a Filipino aren’t you?”. Because Amy Vachal will respond, “No, I am not a Filipino, I am an American”
When Jessica Sanchez told the Filipinos in FoxNews that she is a MEXICAN not a FILIPINO and she will cut a Mariachi Album, FILIPINO NETWORK TV DROPPED HER LIKE HOT FRENCH FRIES.
Well, she was 15-year-old then. She cannot tell a MEXICAN from a FILIPINO. She is “…AMERICAN WITH FILIPINO BLOOD AND SINGS MUSIC …. ” educated in America raised by a Mexican stepfather and Filipino mother.
It is unfortunate Grace Poe was not raised in America. She was raised in the Philippines, immigrated to America not to chase the American dream but to be with her husband. So, therefore, she may be an American-by-papers but truly a GAHI ULO Filipino. Because once a Filipino is raised in the Philippines they cannot learn a lesson.
Take Monsod for example. She already found Binay guilty when Princeton-educated Monsod cannot even tie the money to Binay. Monsod is an example of a Filipino that cannot learn. They still have a justice system guilty-by-association because looking for evidence is very difficult for Filipnos.
Take Harvard educated Henares. She asked Money Pacquiao for certified authenticated authorized true copy from IRS. In America, we file our taxes on-line and what we print from our laptop is good as authenticated, certified, notarized, authroized copy no questions asked.
Another Filipino that studied in Harvard that stole Switzerland “It is fun in the Alps” and made it as hers “IT IS FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES” HA! HA! HA! HA!
Education is sooooo difficult for Filipnos. Even UP took centuries to know that UPCAT REVIEW is same as GOING TO SCHOOL. Filipinos should not go to SCHOOL because it is the same as UPCAT REVIEW. This Filipino mentality also is common in restaurants. Filipinos do not wnt to ask how big how large is the serving because they do not want the waits to know that it is their first time in the restaurants. They wanted to appear they are regular and knows the servings and menus. WHY ARE YOU FILIPINOS LIKE THAT?
A FILIPINO SHOULD NOT USE CHOPSTICKS IF THEY CANNOT USE IT LIKE THE CHINESE !!! Americans do. Americans are not laughing if they are clumsy using CHOPSTICKS. Filipinos have to practice chopsticks at home before they use chopsticks in restaurant to make it apear that they are goot in chopsticks.
Aaaaah, there are plenty of UP-graduate educated abroadd that run the Philippines to the ground. Plenty of them. Most of them steal money from the government. They also practice law based on guilty-by-association, guilty-because-they-are-in-the-wedding-picture, guilty-by-affidavits, guilty-by-paid-witnesses, NO EVIDENCE NECESSARY.
Most police investigation in the Philippines turns into admission-and-confession. I do not get it. BIZARRE !!!!
UP JOURNALISTS DO NOT SEE THESE. Because U.P. journalists and its graduates are Filipnos. THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DUMB DOWN THE FILIPINOS.
Which comes first? FILIPNOS OR U.P. GRADUATES THAT ARE MADE UP OF FILIPINOS? They are all Filipinos right?
What an unfortunate embarassing circumstance. If only they listened to Spanish Conquistadores and embrace COLONIAL MENTALITY.
JINGGOY STUDIED in my alma mater, Fairfax High. He stole money from the government. Wetaminit, Mar Roxas studied in my country …. HOPE HE IS NOT A THIEF. Most Filipinos wait for the most opportune time to steal.
Take The Binays for example. They have to go to University of the PHilippines for 8 years to become lawyers just to steal money. 8 years !!!! THAT IS A LOT OF PATIENCE.
Ferdinand Marcos studied in U.P. for 8 years. He studied very hard to garner unbeatable Bar score in Philippine History JUST TO STEAL FROM THE PEOPLE. THAT IS A LOT OF PATIENCE
Even Korina. After jumping so many beds, married Mar so she can play Cinderella in Malacanang wonderland. I wonder how Leni takes this showbiz witch. Leni has this motherly demeanor like Grace. Hope they do not clash because if women are gathered together it boils down to “Mirror Mirror on the Wall who is the prettiest of them all” ! That is pretty scary.
Really, MRP. Most of what you are saying could be true, I grant that. But please picture us as a bunch of stupid people—according to you—who are trying to douse the flames of our house on fire. And there you are blaming the house design, the trickle of water, the people who are sincerely trying to help, haranguing us while we are trying to save the house, because it is the only house we have. Could you leave us be and come back when you are of a mind to lighten our burden?
Say come back after May 9, 2016?
Joke…
He should learn to discuss and not just repeat his opinions. OK with me sometimes he discusses. But I manage to find ways to discuss even with trash-talking bums if I like.
Because every person has his story. And in Dostoevsky’s novels – which Mar Roxas likes to read – it is often the slightly crazy who tell the truth within a lot of ravings, and who are crazy because they have faced “the horror! the horror!” and are not able to deal with it.
I think I’m getting tired of MRP’s anti-UP tirades. Come on, just because a lot of corrupt politicians came from UP doesn’t mean everyone in UP is corrupt. It’s like saying that all leftists are communists: technically I’m a leftist but I can assure you that I have a disdain for communism and any ideology which will trample on the rights of the majority.
I saw the film how Goebbels murdered all his beautiful daughters. It’s bad goebbledegook. It’s heinous goebbelian : You are dumb, you are stupid, you are corrupt, you are animals, you have no soul, you are despicable, you are the lowest of the low, you are dogs, etc.
Hoping repeated many times you will believe it is true, and be everything and live the lies of the devil. I see it repeated many times in the print and broadcast media, by anchors, pundits and columnists, but the world outside don’t believe it and despise Goebbel’s lies.
Now pray tell me are there Goebbels in this Joeam’s blog?
You are super polite Will. If I bothered to read what Pacifico has to say, I wouldn’t be as polite in telling him to dump his vitriol against Filipinos somewhere else. His opinion/s are inconsequential to me now since I stopped reading him after the first time I suffered through his comments. All I need is a milli-second after catching his name to move on to the more substantial comments of other responders.
He could at least help find ways to stop the fire without too much collateral damage.
Which is what I am trying to do – with my experience and observations, and methodical thinking. Even if I do get mistaken for the same kind of person as MRP, I am not…
I am a Red Adair in my profession. In my profession I try to understand what is going on first – by asking questions. Then I solve the problem or help people solve it – now if I am sometimes go from wrong assumptions, it is your prerogative to correct them frankly.
If the house is on fire – I ask this question: would it not be the best thing for Mar Roxas to declare Martial Law- that is defined as being necessary in a State of Emergency – for one year to fix the most urgent problems? Without TROs, without Supreme Court meddling?
It is under Congressional control now, used once by Arroyo, but if it is used properly, I mean surgically like a form of anesthesia while operating the patient, is it not the best way? Smoke out bandits. Get the slums cleaned, not relocated. Clean the waters. Identify the worst ills in the system and have them fixed – budgeting, Customs corruption etc. – but with transparent reporting to Senate, Congress and the People – SPQR? Just asking… Then restore democracy within one year, with major bugs removed after short downtime?
Martial law, no matter who implements it, is a big no-no for me. Martial law isn’t even necessary in your case. The end does not justify the means. Even if P-Noy himself declared martial law I would be against it. #NeverAgain
Well how would you solve the blockages happening now? Enrile getting out of jail. Massive funds that are obviously being used to fund Marcos Jr., even Poe? Where is AMLAC? Where is COMELEC? Are the institutions so weak that they cannot do anything?
How about massive lies being propagated by the Marcos camp on social media? Are cybercrime laws not sufficient against them? A man got two years for racist propaganda against refugees on Facebook just a few days ago here in Germany. A democratic state should have the weapons to protect itself, otherwise it is not effective. Courts take too long to decide in the Philippines, can that not be speeded up without losing due process?
Simple: get rid of incompetent people like Abaya and replace them with people with integrity like Morales or De Lima.
The courts are still not fast enough. The New Penal Code is drafted since 2014 but where is the progress on pushing it through the Congress and Senate. Why is a TRO against prosecuting bodies still possible like in the case of Junjun Binay – not allowed elsewhere.
This is the kind of constructive criticism and pushing those who have been given a mandate a friendly reminder, nothing more. This would be modern civic awareness.
#Ireneo B.R. Salazar
To say that martial law would be okay if the one at the top is a good person is the same as saying that nazism would be okay if Hitler was not the one on top, fascism is okay if it were not Mussolini or Franco on top, communism is okay if it were not Stalin or Mao on top. It is not WHO is on top of martial law but martial law itself that is wrong except in those cases specifically allowed by the constitution. See Art VII Sec 18 of the 1987 Constitution, notice all the restrictions attached to a declaration of martial law. That is because our system of democratic government rests on principle of checks and balance and we will not survive as a democracy if we abandon it.
The blockages, the propaganda etc are part of our democratic system. They are a pain in the butt, they hinder progress but they can be overcome without draconian measures meant only for dire situations like lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.
We cannot kill democracy in order to save it.
Is the situation of the poor in the slums living in unsanitary conditions not a dire situation?
Is the situation of people living in practically lawless areas not a dire situation for them?
Then I am asking: should the Constitution then not be changed in that respect to accomodate these situations – with Martial Law only locally and limited in time in order to solve them quicker? I may not understand democracy that well, maybe. Enlighten me.
Yes they are dire situations but they do not rise to the level of lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. And yes localized martial law is allowed under the 1987 Constitution. I think there was some sort of martial law in Maguindanao after the Ampatuan massacre or at the very least Congress was debating it.
The thing is you have to limit martial law to the situation allowed by the Constitution for the simple reason that how is the military supposed to solve the problem of slums with unsanitary conditions? Slums and unsanitary conditions are socio-economic problems whose solutions lie within the scope of civil not military government.
You see martial law means the military takes over. Martial law is not only about giving the president the power to issue decrees and by-pass congress and the courts, it is turning over civiian rule to the military. That is why martial law is reserved for cases of lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion. Those are cases where the problem has to be met with armed force. Now why would you want to use armed force for slums with unsanitary condition?
You are right, there is no reason for martial law in slums… even violence there causing difficulties would be a pure police operation. Now you have given me some education in certain reasons for things in the 1987 Constitution, thank you.
Could a lack of education about the Constitution be the reason for many people clamoring for Duterte and Bongbong Marcos? How well was the populace informed about the kind of constitution and laws the Philippines has? Is it taught in schools to increase buy-in for the rule of law and democracy? Is it taught via barangays for adults as a voluntary training? Because I fear that your knowledge of the constitution is exceptional, not the norm.
I find it a tad amusing that you find my support of Roxas, for the stability and continuity he represents, to be a little “over much”, but you put on the table declaring martial law and going with autocracy. I like my “over much” better . . . 🙂
I guess Irineo brought up ML because PH was likened to a house on fire. From the replies, it would seem we aren’t at that point yet. (I doubt he was seriously proposing it.) So if we’re not on fire, then there is still room for MRP’s rants?
I agree 100% Mami Kawada Lover.
You know what, Wil, I might do that. I was planning to. I need to go on sabbatical. Like what Mary Grace posted below, I might come back after May 9, 2016 with my little pinky wagging “I TOLD YOU SO”.
Ulol! Why don’t you help us make it different?
See I told you so? Are you Rush Limbaugh? Gimme a break..
What you and them see in my comments are hate. Parents do corporal punishments. I do verbal punishments. What they see instead are punishments not why they are being punished.
I am challenging them to change by verybally not abusing but by punishing.
I made UP open UPCAT Review Center
I made Benigno sternly reprimand Lawmakers Trillanes and Cayetano to stop drib-a-drab
I made Ombudsman look for evidences against Binay. To this day she is still gathering evidences
I made DOJ to instruct affidavitizers to support their affidavits with evidence.
I made Benigno supporters to take off his name from Wikipedia’s Boy Scout of the Philippines as Master Scout when Binay’s Mt. Makiling came out.
I made columnists realize that EDSA REvolution was a fake revolution
I made UP Business Reporters change their reporting from “oil companies dropped gas prices” to “oil prices dropped” because oil companies are not charitable institutions
I made them stop attacking Jessica SAnchez just because she said she’s a Mexican(sic)
I made them stop botoxing Charice Pempengco. In fact I made the American parents made aware that Charice Pemepcno is botoxed princess. What an uprorar from American parents.
Althought this came from Anti-Pinoy but I made sure it made the rounds in the internet that Kariton Teacher won CNN Man of the Year because the vote was thru texting. They gathered all Filipino texters and texted CNN to no end eventually CNN caved in and made the Teacher CNN Man of the Year
WHAT THEY ARE NOT LISTERNING:
– SALN, Police and NBI clearance for election candidates
– SALN is legalized Government blackmail
-Protection from abuse of houseslaves
– Stop importing half-bred half-white English-snob ex-colonist Mestizo-class Ameican beauties to represent Filipinos in Miss Univer contests
– Colonial Mentality is good because the Mestizo ex-and-current colonists, the carrier of – — Colonial Mentality, have never ever been charged of corruption and bribery only the Nog-nog dark-skinned colored Filipinos
– Roman CAtholic and Christian Filipinos celebrate the death of Jesus Christ’s messenger, Ferdinand Magellan.
– Pre-20th century Filipinos are more intelligent than the current breed of Filipinos. They read uber-expensive Noli Mi and El Feli voraciously without UP History Professor translating it for them and its allegories. Current breed of Filipinos need to study Jose Rizal with UP History Professors
– Traitor Gen. Aguinaldo was made a hero and history was tweaked to make June 12 Independence relevant instead of July 4th.
– Benigno’s anti-wang-wang was a failure from the beginning. PMAyers afraid to pull over wang-wangers because these abusers are well-connected and powerful. They can buy witnesses and typists for Affidavits. PMAyers are afraid they might be directing chinese frigates at lonely Spratleys or assigned to post-apocalypse BRP Siera Madre
– UP should be investigated and defunded. They produced the most high-class big-time crooks
– Only Filipinos steal the mestizo class do not.
– They only charge Filipinos of stealing never the mestizo class
– Lawmakers crank out laws they forget they made the laws
– The only viable export of Philippines are Filipinos
– The government doesn’t want to stop population explosion because there would not be human exports to be slaves in other countries
– They hate Grace Poe of being an American, but wanted to go to America.
– America is where vehemently fanatically irresponsibly religious Filipino pilgrims go to not jerusalem
– Filipinos pray first, never work out their prayers. Americans work, if all thing fails, they pray
– Benigno allowed Chiense to trample Philippine sovereignty by allowing the Chinese to review the Chinese Massacre fact finding draft. It got an OK by Chinese. They published it in very archaic medieval English. Stephen Hawkings book is easier read
– Philippine News Business Section are written for Harvard graduates. Wall Street Journal is easier read
There are a lot more … they say I cannot offer solutions. The solutions are in my criticisms. All they have to do is flip it upside down backwards. It reads “DO NOT DO THESE”
We have different ways of changing the world, I change them in my small ways one Filipino at a time. Kind Courteious Politeness are seen by Filipinos as “OK, Lang. They are not angry so let us party”.
This country is where Matthew like all the Gods and saints at sea are proven wrong, “The Meek does not inherit Philippines” “Truth do not set them free but a good Binay lawyer does”
OK MRP: 🙂
WHAT THEY ARE NOT LISTERNING:
– SALN, Police and NBI clearance for election candidates
* agree – and disclose fully all campaign funding like in the USA
– SALN is legalized Government blackmail
* possible… why not ask for it always for candidates.
– Protection from abuse of houseslaves
* I agree, maids are often not treated well in the Philippines
– Stop importing half-bred half-white English-snob ex-colonist Mestizo-class Ameican beauties to represent Filipinos in Miss Univer contests
* Filipino colonial mentality – white is good
* I know, the Filipinas in Germany like to show off their mestizo kids to relatives
– Colonial Mentality is good because the Mestizo ex-and-current colonists, the carrier of – — Colonial Mentality, have never ever been charged of corruption and bribery only the Nog-nog dark-skinned colored Filipinos
* hmmm… tell me what you mean
– Roman Catholic and Christian Filipinos celebrate the death of Jesus Christ’s messenger, Ferdinand Magellan.
* OK, because Lapu-Lapu killed him he is a hero for nationalists…
– Pre-20th century Filipinos are more intelligent than the current breed of Filipinos. They read uber-expensive Noli Mi and El Feli voraciously without UP History Professor translating it for them and its allegories. Current breed of Filipinos need to study Jose Rizal with UP History Professors
* Those we read about were well-informed. But let us not forget that for example Bonifacio was not poor. He was working for a German company I think in the warehouse. So the Katipunan folks were the equivalent of todays BPO crowd while the ilustrados were like the Forbes Park crowd – they had money to send their kids to Europe after all. Mabini was a bit poorer did not go to Europe, but not really poor he went to Ateneo with Rizal! But the simple peasants I think were not too well-informed. And in those days people had time to read no smartphones and stuff. Our generation read more than the current one…
– Traitor Gen. Aguinaldo was made a hero and history was tweaked to make June 12 Independence relevant instead of July 4th.
* I would say the Philippines is not yet really free… it is postcolonial. Read my article. But it was the fault of Macapagal who wanted to look nationalist. He changed the holiday. Agoncillo covered up for Aguinaldo because they are allegedly related somehow.
– Benigno’s anti-wang-wang was a failure from the beginning. PMAyers afraid to pull over wang-wangers because these abusers are well-connected and powerful. They can buy witnesses and typists for Affidavits. PMAyers are afraid they might be directing chinese frigates at lonely Spratleys or assigned to post-apocalypse BRP Siera Madre
* possible, but I would see it as minor
– UP should be investigated and defunded. They produced the most high-class big-time crooks
* UP is a major thing… I think anti-dynasty law should cover all government institutions. So that there are no dynasties in UP, the military or in politics. People forced to mingle would make Philippine society less of a tribal-clannish thing.
– Only Filipinos steal the mestizo class do not.
– They only charge Filipinos of stealing never the mestizo class
* that is possible given the nature of Filipino class thinking.. what is your evidence?
* because without evidence I will not believe you – you are only a witness account
– Lawmakers crank out laws they forget they made the laws
* I think some mentioned that here about the IRRs not being followed up sometimes
– The only viable export of Philippines are Filipinos
* that is not fully true, but mainly yes, and it is not good I agree
– The government doesn’t want to stop population explosion because there would not be human exports to be slaves in other countries
* that is your theory – do you have evidence? Or you just think so.
– They hate Grace Poe of being an American, but wanted to go to America.
* well… maybe they hate her for coming back. I had that when I was home in 1995.
– America is where vehemently fanatically irresponsibly religious Filipino pilgrims go to not jerusalem
* colonial thinking… but what can we do? There are more travelling Europe now…
– Filipinos pray first, never work out their prayers. Americans work, if all thing fails, they pray
* rely to much on prayers. I agree that is the result of Spanish colonialism – friars.
– Benigno allowed Chiense to trample Philippine sovereignty by allowing the Chinese to review the Chinese Massacre fact finding draft. It got an OK by Chinese. They published it in very archaic medieval English. Stephen Hawkings book is easier read
* don’t know enough about that, but that is not a major issue I would say
– Philippine News Business Section are written for Harvard graduates. Wall Street Journal is easier read
* possible, maybe they are proud that they speak English and make it complex?
There are a lot more … they say I cannot offer solutions. The solutions are in my criticisms. All they have to do is flip it upside down backwards. It reads “DO NOT DO THESE”
* it is not that simple. The disease must be cured. You are mentioning symptoms.
We have different ways of changing the world, I change them in my small ways one Filipino at a time. Kind Courteious Politeness are seen by Filipinos as “OK, Lang. They are not angry so let us party”.
* yes, but if people don’t know what to do? It is not really simple to remove a cough if the reason is bacterial, you need antibiotics, and some of these issues need root canal.
This country is where Matthew like all the Gods and saints at sea are proven wrong, “The Meek does not inherit Philippines” “Truth do not set them free but a good Binay lawyer does”
* well, I am trying to reach those who want to listen. The solution is patience. If you could organize your thoughts a bit on one topic and write an article, I will edit it and put it in my blog. Not all kinds of topics at once, just one. Or a group of topics that are related like the mestizo class thing, maids being treated badly, dark-skinned Filipinos that are often accused – but please give me the EVIDENCE in the form of hyperlinks for what you are claiming, otherwise you are only giving me a WITNESS ACCOUNT, OK? I will then make the article a little nicer and more organized, and we will both appear as co-authors…
Because then you only have to hyperlink to our article when referring to the topic! 🙂
above is the accomplishment report of MRP followed by an interpolation of IBRS
hahaha…that May 9, 2016 timeline is a joke, MRP…you know, you and Jonathan, even Irineo make this site seem less an echo chamber.
so far, JoeAm is smelling like a rose. A tip of the hat to you, sir. 🙂
I think it is the new mosquito repellent I use since that recent bout with dengue. 🙂 (thanks)
Sorry for the levity, Joe. Just came from Vegas with Sen Bam’s mom & dad and the classmate who authored the ombudsman position in our Constitution. We were like giddy schoolboys. It’s good to find the Society in fine form still! 🙂 (NB: I couldn’t extract the plans for Sen Bam in 2022. I tried.).
Oh, I see nothing wrong with Filipinos adopting her, as it is a positive expression, likely to be returned, to the benefit of all. People cheer for their old high school or college even though they left decades ago and the connection is only in the memory. People should be allowed their joys of attachment, I think. No harm done.
A nice companion article to this one.
http://www.rappler.com/views/imho/110095-kia-sison-politics-think-stupid
It is, published the same day. The question of whether or not politicians are correct to play the electorate for stupid will be determined on election day.
Hi andrew,
That picture of the madam along with Estrada and Enrile endorsing the candidacy of the son is so repulsive I need to refresh my memory on the circumstances when the Marcoses fled the Palace.
There should have been a reckoning right there and then. They should not have been allowed to board that chopper. It’s like snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
That they are now abusing the compassion and generosity by doubling down on their crime when they could have easily met the fate of the Romanovs makes for a stronger case for the alternative.
I have shared a meme post in my FB account which says COA and OOMB detain the corrupt and the compassionate CA and SC free them.
First, the Ex-Presidents Ramos and Estrada began this compassion for them, now it’s the courts’ turn. Even the UN with the help of Amal Cloony is joining the fray of the ever compassionate groups, the Arroyo 8 controlled SC is quaking on their toes…Joke… I think am now infected with MRP’s hyperbole.
OT :Mary is trying to form a Facebook group to reach the masses, BBM and Binay is still a force worth to be cause to fight for for the sake of Mar.
Yep, and the operative word is TRYING.., as Gian said, there are way so many negative people and trolls it’s frustrating, persistence is the name of the game. You win some, you block a few. Others are so into selfies, others promote their congressmen as a comment.
SCARY HALLOWEEN STORY IN FIVE WORDS
Miriam dies; Bongbong becomes President.
*******
And in two: Marcos returns.
*****
Oh, my…horror of horrors, enough to freak me out again. Karl did it earlier when he reported that BBM is leading the VP survey.
Going with the flow here —
One word, hyphenated: HORROR-2016.
All the more reason to remain calm and not to panic. And risk stampede.
I am calm, I am calm…hooo haahhh…..
Posting here in Tagalog the summary of my previous blog, and also since the topic is on dumbness or stupidity. For those who may want to share it on social media it refutes the idiocy of the young Marcos loyalist.
ANONG NANGYARI SA MGA BATANG MARCOS LOYALIST? BAKIT SILA NAGKAGANYAN?
Ubod ng tanga ang mga batang Marcos loyalist na nagkukomento rito. Bakit? Wala raw ebidensiya sa korapsyon at pang-abuso ang mga Marcos. Bigyan mo naman ng ebidensiya, sasabihin propaganda lang daw, na-brainwash lang.
Tanungin mo sila saan galing ang mga sinasabi nila at hindi nila masagot ng maayos. Puro hit and run comment lang. Wala namang maibigay na pangalan ng taong may integridad para masabing source.
E ni hindi nila alam ano yung source ng mga Youtube and Facebook posts nila, tapos brainwashed daw tayo? Ni hindi nila alam kung ano ang mga reputable na iskwela o pahayagan para kuhaan ng inpormasyon.
Kapag hindi sang-ayon sa pananaw nila, propaganda daw! Konting utak naman, dre. Ganoon ba sila ka-hirap sa buhay at mangmang na talaga? Meron ba sa kanilang nakapagbabasa?
Marami sa mga batang Marcos loyalist na nakausap ko dati ay galing sa broken family, dysfunctional family- walang responsableng adult sa buhay nila habang silaý lumalaki. Marami sa magulang nila OFW, o kaya ay hiwalay na, matagal ng hindi nagkikita. Yung iba naman, talagang lumaki na walang magulang. Kaya sila napariwara. Marami sa kanila ay walang pag-asa at bugnot na sa buhay!
Madali tuloy silang maakit ng mga kasinungalingan ng mga Marcos. Parang ISIS recruits sila, akala nila magkakaroon ng kulay at diwa ang kanilang walang saysay na buhay kung sasapi sila sa Marcos for President movement. Akala nila gaganda ang buhay nila kapag Marcos ang pumalit. Tanga! Ano si Bongbong, messiah?
Kung bulakbol ka sa iskwela o tamad ka, wala pa ring saysay ang buhay mo kahit si Bongbong ang maging pangulo! Kung nag-anak ka ng sangkatutak, huwag kang magtaka kung kayoý naghihirap! Kung ang kurso mo sa kolehiyo ay hindi relevant sa economy, huwag kang umasa ng magandang trabaho! Kung payosi yosi ka lang at laklak ng laklak, kahit sino pa ang pangulo, e walang kwenta pa rin ang buhay mo.
Maraming bagay sa personal na buhay mo ang makaka-angat o makaka-bagsak sa katayuan mo, hindi kung sino ang pangulo! Depende na yan sa iyo!
Pulpol pa ang logic nila: dahil wala daw nakulong, e di walang kasalanan ang mga Marcos. E yung ibang Nazi officers na nakatakbo sa South America, hindi nakulong. So wala silang kasalanan? E bakit sila tumakbo?
The best weapon against ignorance is patient enlightenment. Even if the situation seems hopeless. Going into a rage is understandable, but then the chance of reaching at least some of them is lost – and the fire gets worse.
I know I’ve posted this link before, but now that this article is far more relevant to the link, I’m reposting it for the benefit of those who missed it (I see that Bing has already commented on this post). For those who haven’t read it, be warned: you will weep at the lack of consistency and logic:
https://teddycasino.wordpress.com/2014/11/08/the-lefts-attitude-on-the-binay-investigations/
And for those who are lazy to read the whole thing, here are the relevant passages:
> have no doubt that once Senators Trillanes, Cayetano and Pimentel get their smoking gun, they will proceed to impeach Binay. Mabilis pa sa alas kwatro. And we all know why – because if they don’t bring him down, he’s going to be the next frigging president of the Philippines. Paano na lang si Mar?
>In fact, there are concerns that the Senate is overstepping its powers and losing its integrity by conducting an inquisition on Binay. But who cares? Congressional investigations have always been a way for extracting political muck, except that Trillanes and Cayetano lack finesse.
>In any case, Mar and his yellow chuwari-wari-waps already have Sonny, Allan and Koko to do the dirty work. They certainly don’t need the Left’s help on this. Besides, we have better things to do than play the Nog-Nog vs. Maligno charade.
>At this point, I think the Left is better off spending its time and energy pursuing a host of other anomalies that Malacañang and its allies want swept under the rug – the illegal and immoral PDAF and DAP disbursements, the Malampaya Fund scam, the MRT-3 fiasco and the LRT-1 privatization contract, to name a few. Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot! Plus of course the various national and sectoral advocacies that we have to push.
While Casino later mentions that they believe that Binay should still be investigated and aren’t denying the possibility that Binay in indeed corrupt, somehow those still feel like motherhood statements that aren’t very different from Poe’s. Very weak reasoning there, Mr. Casino. I agree with Casino that P-Noy’s minions have more than once been off the hook, but that doesn’t mean the left should not join in on the anti-Binay train either without good reason.
In the interest of HBP prevention, I never read or listen to Teddy whether it’s Casino or Locsin…
It was also during the Marcos regime that Binay and other human rights lawyers created Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity, and Nationalism (MABINI)…defended the left leaning groups during that period as well as those belonging to the right and center ones…the former could have maintained their ties of long ago with Binay.
HBP?
Oh, sorry, I forgot, the young still has to be acquainted with such medical abbreviations, that’s high blood pressure, a condition which yours truly is unfortunately genetically predisposed
Interestingly, both of my parents are physicians but I’ve never heard either of them use “HBP”.
I often see them when they fill up the diagnosis…my doctors, I mean.
Hypertension siguro ang sinulat Sulat Doctor lang
Hypertension is HTN ☺
you’re right, mercedes…HTN it is
“medical abbreviations” of layman patients like me, I should have said. HBP for High Blood Pressure.
The common expression I here here is simply “high blood”. It amuses me for some reason.
right…”oh, high blood ka na naman” is an often times expression directed to highly emotional and rant prone person.
Joe, as a long in the long in the tooth ex-seafarer who knows that you seek perfection, may I offer to you my alternative understanding of the term “to deep six it”?
Long before the days of echo sounders the water depth beneath a ships hull was measured by hand sounding using a lead line marked off in fathoms. Thus, during sounding, the call of seaman doing the sounding would be, “by the deep five”, “by the deep six” etc, etc.
Six fathoms being the depth beyond which things when thrown overboard could only be recovered with difficulty the standard term among mariners for getting rid of something you did not need/like/want was to “deep six it”. It was also the water depth beyond which bodies were buried at sea.
Of course you are correct in your reference to the depth of a grave but not quite as romantic as the nautical version. Don’t you think?
You may take this as proof that I truly am ancient.
Ancient Mariner, for a while there, it was as if I was in the ship as you described what “deep six” is to mariners. And that I will add to my mental store of treasures.
Strangely, hand sounding chains are used to this day, by civil engineering surveyors as they are more reliably accurate than echo sounders, particularly when close to existing structures.
And of course, if you cannot afford an echo-sounder. Et voila!
I love your more romantic version, and I wish I had known, I would have written it into the blog. I was just winging my definition, as Humpty Dumpty is inclined to do.
I take it as proof that you are truly a mariner, and the ancient is incidental to that. Thanks for the info. 🙂
Thank you ancient mariner for deep sixing my preconception that it is the same with six feet under.
Me too, nephew. Recalling my high school Physics, the weight of a cubic foot of water is 62.4 lbs. Since six fathoms equal 36 feet, 62.4 lbs x 36 = 2,246 lbs. This is the weight of water bearing on an object at six fathoms. That is more than a ton of upward buoyancy needed to float the object. Ergo, no way but down. Thanks, ancient mariner.
Now you guys have roused my imagination and perhaps the origin of a Chinese soup may have nautical origins, too.
If the weight of six fathoms of water is one ton, then perhaps Chinese mariners making soup onboard first made it, and when they did not like it or the cook, they would have “deep sixed” and “wonton” him as well.
🙂 aha ha ha ha
luv it! 🙂
Hahaha
IN THIS BLOG of a society, I see bloggers’ names
That dominate and you know most of them,
Shaking their heads, they are what they write
For material nothings because they are
DUMB busters, of the dumbing down experts
Who fittingly get exiled from these pages of sage
I blame not the experts for the benefits they got/get
For thinking crookedly straight.
It is not to disrespect and to admire less
To just even imagine as dumbing down expert
The statesman who preferred a hell ruled
By Filipinos than a heaven run by Americans.
It was gross, to be kind, deftly mortalizing meanings
Of two words, of two perfect worlds as if heaven and hell
Can be duplicated by mere humans on earth.
If that is deep dumbing down, this one is dumbest shallow
When Mar Roxas said numerous attacks of stones thrown at them
Meant because like trees they are bearing more and sweeter fruits.
Gleeful dumbing down experts then follow through: EUREKA!
Grace Poe is better than Mar Roxas, her fruits more numerous and sweeter
because of the truckloads of stone thrown at her.
Those who were young boys and not stupid once, know
Only boys and not men throw stone at fruit trees
It is not the same when men throw stones
At rabid monkeys living in Balete trees.
Darwinians no longer wonder then,
Why good and beautiful species go extinct
And why the ugly others mysteriously remain
In the endangered species list.
Mystery no more, the answer is: stick like a leech
To stay in the dumbing down species list.
Yes – if we wish to criticize Grace Poe, let us do so on her demerits. But not use tangential, subliminal attacks (DNA of honor, weighed and found wanting) that are in my opinion not worthy of our name: Society of Honor. We should be careful with our tone, not throw stones.
Grace Poe has not stolen or been a party to murder like Binay and Marcos. She is an opportunist, but part of democracy. George H. W. Bush told Marcos he admired his adherence to democratic principles in 1981 as VP. Those are NOT our principles I think.
Therefore we must, in fighting dragons, be careful not to become dragons ourselves. Dubya Bush damaged democratic culture while fighting enemies of freedom. Careful!
Using methods similar to those of the others makes our cause vulnerable to attack as well, and is therefore not even smart if you ask me.
One can attack, and be vicious doing it, but always fair. Just my two cents on this.
“(DNA of honor, weighed and found wanting) that are in my opinion not worthy of our name: Society of Honor. We should be careful with our tone, not throw stones.”
that’s not the way I read it Irineo, looks after reading it again, it looks like a
a life vest, a solbavida kindly thrown to Poe. read it again. Do write something substantive of a life vest of fairness for Grace Poe Please. From what you’re writing you have been
in the muddy floods before, so you can judge DNA of honor as not worthy of the Society of Honor? Come on write your age and honor and prove your words, Irineo.
OK, if that is how you see it, possible. An opinion is only an opinion, first and foremost. Opinions can change if one sees something in a wrong way…
But it worries me that we might really start looking like an LP/Roxas spin machine. If I want to spin my dirty laundry, I go to my washing machine in the bathroom. I have been in the muddy floods myself, I am not a saint – I am not without sin and will not cast the first stone.
Don’t bull shit me with that Opinion is just an opinion Irineo, when venom is venom and when jellyfish is just a Portuguese Man of War. If I may share to other bloggers here not to you irineo the Tagalogs told me mag ingat sa mga pakawala; mag ingat, iwasan ang
magwala.
I admit to emotionality, sorry for that – NHerrera brought me down to facts. My mistake.
May I join in the current discussion thread.
I searched through the current blog of Joe and I just found one sentence under the heading — Information inserted in the public record,
“The Binay and Marcos operating method is to pound the points of popular frustration, pound them, pound them, pound them. Truth is irrelevant. (Senators Poe and Escudero also show tendencies to pursue this tack.)”
which referred to Poe.
The strong comments on the unfairness to Poe is probably related to the pervious blog topic: “Filipino expats weigh, find Grace Poe wanting”? Or I did not do a due diligence on the current blog and missed the culprit item?
Yes. I think an opinion of one blogger should not be misconstrued as the opinion of all Filipino expats. Are we not being like the Inquirer with its misleading headlines there?
We are not always right, we all make mistakes even I do – I admit that I like Poe and am disappointed by her, but as one who not stolen, killed or abetted it she deserves fairness.
Thank you for dissecting the rational motivation for my emotionality. Let us focus on this. Is this headline still OK, permissible hyperbole, or does it cross the line? I don’t know…
I myself should have boiled it down to that point – that I see the headline as somewhat misleading. This was my mistake – not thinking sufficiently before I raise an issue.
Sorry folks – the tone of my raising an issue was wrong, I made a mistake there. Yet I still see Poe winning – even if Mar would be better – as preferable to having Binay or Santiago. And on the VP slot, BBM is the one to avoid at all costs – a VP is sub for the President! Escudero and Honasan as well. Trillanes, Cayetano are OK even if I prefer Leni Robredo. Anti-democratic candidates could win if we burn those who are still considered democrats until proven otherwise. If you can prove to me Poe, Trillanes, Cayetano are not, then fine.
It’s alright, Irineo, we all do that sometimes. We are not perfect so prone to make a mistake or two in our lifetime, err in our commenting. This is the beauty of this site, we can learn and share that learning, make mistakes and admit them, apologize and move on to other matters.
@ Irineo
Long ago as a 20 year old lieutenant greener than my green uniform, I wrote a stinging memo to a certain dept in the Defence Ministry. Few weeks later I walked into a ministerial meeting as a nobody but guys with more brass on their shoulders pointed me out…ah so you’re the one who said blah blah blah. I realised it was’nt recognition,
then in the corporate world I learnt how to put aside angry mail responses for the next day to read with a calmer mind. I was surprised at how many letters I had to re-write.
But now, online, and instantaneous, sometimes instinctive, responses are necessary. One can’t wait for the morrow cos the moment would be gone forever. Much tougher now. Sorry is the word haha…. it’s in my 10 commandmants for blogging.
What happened was he waited a day but holding a grudge.. Yes wait a day,but clear your mind while you are at it.
http://filipinogerman.blogsport.eu/reconstitute-the-philippines/ – will appear here tomorrow, peered by Joe, but you are cordially invited to read. My P.S. in the article is my statement towards GRP. There are good reasons why I am not with them, even if offered to me, and I state them clearly.
Americans CAN sometimes not go by their principles, but they usually correct themselves when they notice they have deviated from their lofty aims. Slavery, Suffrage, Racism against Filipinos in 30’s California, Vietnam, Dubya Bush – all lessons the Americans learned from. Good folks! 🙂
Joe my open critique now is that you are too partial to LP and Mar Roxas – even if I see them as the best choice. Too much of a promotion job for the above, and a demolition job especially towards Grace Poe who for all her mistakes deserves the benefit of the doubt. Marcos and Binay are clearly anti-democrats and deserve to be pulled down, Poe is an opportunistic democrat, but does not deserve the tangential hits (“DNA of honor”, “weighed and found wanting”) which I do not see as fulfilling the honor in the society’s name. I think we are straying from the path of honor we have set for ourselves – to ensure that Mar Roxas wins at all costs. This could undermine the democratic culture we wish to establish in the Philippines – the end does not justify the means. Fairness is part of democracy we were taught in Germany, thanks to American reeducation…
This. I like P-Noy but lately Joe has been giving nothing but praise for Mar, sometimes ignoring legitimate complaints against him. Then again, right now there appears to be no viable alternative to him (Poe could have been it but as it turns out she’s just an opportunist, or should I say opPOEtunist?)
If we do not want to fall into the trap of blindly following like sheep, and wish to remain thinking democrats, we must also constructively criticize those we support.
Then we are credible, and immune to those who wish to call us MarTards. Martians, OK. 🙂
LCPL_X, thanks for teaching me to be more disagreeable – in a loyal manner. This is the fine line that separates Semper Fi from – Heil Mein Führer!
Are candidates in the Philippines required to disclose the sources of their campaign funding to the COMELEC? This is a major loophole if it is not required. This could be a job for investigative journalists to ask. And a fair but vicious way to discredit. Any ideas?
http://www.rappler.com/nation/76988-vp-binay-campaign-contributors-tax-evasion
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed separate tax evasion cases against the brother and sister-in-law of billionaire Antonio Tiu, the alleged dummy of Vice President Jejomar Binay.
In a press conference, BIR Commissioner Kim Henares named James and Ann Loraine Tiu – said to be among Binay’s biggest campaign contributors – as having failed to pay the correct taxes and accumulating a liability of over P39 million.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) records show that James Tiu contributed P7.5 million to the vice-presidential candidacy of Binay and P2.5 million to his political party, PDP-Laban, in the 2010 national elections. Tiu’s wife Ann Loraine Buencamino contributed identical amounts to Binay and his political party in the same year.
This is Binay… he is already as dirty as a carabao in the mud anyway, but fine.
Anything on Poe? Because I have seen the allegation by Mary here of Marcos money.
They are required to list all their contributors specially those who give sizeable amounts. There is a form for campaign contributions and expenses that all candidates have to fill up and submit to the Comelec within a certain period of time after the election
What complaints do you believe should be mentioned, that I have neglected to mention. Let’s talk about them. DOTC? Addressed in the discussions. Not a dynamic personality, for popularity? Repeatedly mentioned. Temper tantrum at the golf course and at CDO? Mentioned. His wife Korina? MRP has dealt with that. The one thing I won’t do is put the complaint out there as the dominant summary, and neglect the other factors that negate them. I believe we are all mistake-laden and, too often, Filipinos take a mistake and run with it as representing the whole character of the man.
But cite the complaints that have not been addressed to get them on the table. I agree that is healthy.
I have to disagree with you in this Irineo.
The opposition is truly daunting, Binay, by all appearances maintains his loyal core of 30%, the remaining 70% will be divided among Poe (with the billions in pesos of the remnants of the Marcos regime at her disposal, not to mention the movie stars), Santiago with the dictator’s son himself with their loot and legions of blind, gullible followers, the Duterte enablers who are not yet giving up to the point that one of his partymates filed his presidential candidacy with the hope of Duterte giving in (a possibility that even the Comelec is allowing via withdrawal and substitution) and Mar with his continuity programs and idealist followers and supporters, the yellowtards if you will.
This is no time for nitpicking, this calls for plain speaking, calling a spade a spade or opportunist….we need all the help we can get, or suffer the consequence of letting the country go to the plunderers. (Tempted to say dogs there, but hey, I might offend their sensibilities, although Will might agree with me if I say dogs are more sensible and human friendly than some of them when our backs are turned.
Good – you are a true democrat, always have been. I respect your capability to defend your opinions, truly, and I know where you come from, you know my background also.
But is our tone not slipping into a propagandistic mode?
You posted in Facebook that Trillanes said Marcos is his idol. Where did he say that? I did not find any evidence. We should for all passion avoid becoming vicious mudslingers, then in my opinion we are becoming no better than the enemies of democracy, or not?
That’s a meme that I shared, a comparison of the VP candidates. 4 out of five are true and factual, the one on Trilllanes may have been a misjudgement by the one who prepared that meme..I wish I could change that as I admire the Trilla too, but you know how techie challenged yours truly is. My apologies to him, to karl and for all of us. No malice intended.
I hit the like button that time
“Poe (with the billions in pesos of the remnants of the Marcos regime at her disposal, not to mention the movie stars),” this is an aspect we should look at, where do you have the information that she has Marcos money? If yes, then it is an aspect that we must attack.
Attack directly with clear evidence – not tangential attacks. Especially evidence that a person could be corrupt or undermine democracy. Ex-crony funding – let’s go for it!
Association with that shady Escudero – also something to attack. But trying to disqualify Poe, or making it look as if most migrants are against her – I must say I don’t like that. Research more on Escudero and his shady links to oligarchs – that is a way to go.
Irineo, please relax, somebody here might say you are starting to demonstrate how a good blogger can cluelessly singlehandedly disembowel himself.
Why? I did not say anything IS that way, I am saying I SEE it that way. So I have not been dishonorable by making false allegations, and need not commit seppuku.
Tell my why I see things wrong please. Enlighten my vision and perspective.
OK, I will take a break… 🙂
“But trying to disqualify Poe,”
Whoa! If Poe is eligible then she has no problems. However there are several people who have questioned her eligibility before the proper forums, those cases have been accepted by the SET and the Comelec and so let’s allow the process to take its course.
What I am worried about is that that due process may take too long – and even destabilize her Presidency if she is elected. I am a natural-born Filipino citizen – and a German citizen by application of law, not naturalized, not natural-born. I even have a certificate that says that clearly, so it is very doubtful anybody would be able to contest my status, because the laws are clear and their application as well – not that it would make a difference for me.
My impression is that things are often done sloppily, carelessly in the Philippines and then later questioned. That does not give much security in terms of rule of law IMHO. Land titles I have heard can be questioned years later – an impediment to doing business.
The two issue against Poe: (1) natural-born (2) residency. She has to meet those two requirements.
As to destabilizing her presidency. If she is elected before a final decision on her eligibility is reached, then I am sure the SC will not render a decision that will cause instability. They will cite vox populi. However if she wins by a hair then the court will weigh carefully what would cause greater instability and decide on the side of least instability. Under the 1935 Constitution the court could avoid a decision by simply saying that it is a political question hence not within its oversight. But under 1987 Constitution the court cannot do that. So the options are (1) to render a decision that will not cause instability or (2) better yet to not decide on the question until July 1 2022 and it can do that.
Thank you for that clarification – you know the 1987 Constitution very well. But am I not right in seeing sloppiness in that both were not an issue when she was a candidate for Senate? Shouldn’t the due dilligence for such candidates be improved next time?
“… making it look like as if most migrants are against her…”
I do not think that is the case, Irineo. The surveys of TFC/Balitang America had been presented as sentiments of expats in the US. These are substantiated premises, not made up misinformation. Please elaborate on how you arrived at that conclusion.
Even people who are close to her have doubts about her presidential ambition:
http://www.abante.com.ph/news/nat/36611/hindi-ito-ang-tamang-panahon-.html
Thanks for the clarification. Sometimes I read too fast. Listen too little.
I overlooked the survey part. I am often still too impulsive.
“where do you have the information that she has Marcos money?” I didn’t say she has them, I said the remnants of the Marcos regime, meaning Roberto Ongpin and other cronies, all courtesy of Escudero, all of which she chose to associate with.
Ireneo,
What is wrong with promoting to the max someone you really admire? “Weighed and found wanting” is an opinion which I share now. Once upon a time I thought highly of Poe but her actions ever since she developed moist eyes towards the presidency left me disappointed.
Two recent examples of what she has become:
1) she announced her candidacy at UP but UP students were not invited. The crowd was bussed to the site. The people who were invited to the event included child rapist Romeo Jalosjos. The event was choreographed. (You can watch the rehearsals on youtube and if they are not there you can search the web)
2) She denied that she brought in a hakot crowd when she filed her candidacy with the Comelec. Really? Identical placards being carried by a spontaneous crowd? Members of the same crowd telling reporters they were given meals and pocket money to join the spontaneous demonstration?
I am not going to bring up her patronizing statements re the INC rally because maybe she really believed that the INC had a right to inconvience thousands of commuters.
But I will bring up the fact that before ratings showed how popular she was, she kept telling the public she was not ready for the job. Mar offered her the VP slot but she said, in so many words, that why should she settle for VP when she was leading the Presidential polls? In other words, she decided to run for president not because she is ready for the job but because she thinks she can win.
I would have voted for her had she run as Mar’s Veep because (1) It would show that she is committed to Daang Matuwid; (2) it would prepare her for the presidency in 2022 and Daan Matuwid would continue for another 6 years.
Compare her to Leni Robredo. People were also urging her to run for president but she said no she was not ready. Then people said, run for VP and she said no because she was new to national politics. Take note she was not ready for the politics. That is different from not having any public service experience which is something that she has had decades of experience with – from being a public attorney to involvement in NGO work. If she wins she will have had 6 years of exposure to politics on a national scale, she will see first-hand what a president does, and she will be prepared to take over in 2022.
Grace believed she was not ready for the position until the polls told her otherwise. So yes Grace has been weighed and found wanting. From a person that once exuded intelligence and gravitas, she became intoxicated by celebrity.
Fine if the title were only weighed and found wanting. But the criticism that remains is that the title makes it look as if most expat Filipinos do not like her. How does the author know?
I thought your objection was to weighed and found wanting and not to the part about expats
This is the phrase were I was led to believe that your concern was over “weighed and found wanting”
“Poe is an opportunistic democrat, but does not deserve the tangential hits (“DNA of honor”, “weighed and found wanting”) which I do not see as fulfilling the honor in the society’s name.”
I didn’t see anything about expats in that phrase.
Fine, then I did not express myself well…
and am clarifying my point now.
Filipino expats weigh, find Grace Poe wanting is the entire title. How does the author know that the plural of expat find Grace Poe wanting? Does it not suggest a majority?
Bandwagon technique in public relations. Housewives recommend Ajax. That’s the point.
Juana has shown me that the title is correct. Concede.
I’d welcome a thoughtful pro-Poe blog. I can’t write it myself. I’d welcome a pro-Binay blog, but would not engage in the discussion, and it would be hell keeping people from getting personal. The matter of “too” partial is for the beholder, I think, and how much he or she believes the well-being of the nation is best in the hands of a steady, honest leader. Binay, Poe, Santiago, Roxas. hahaha, I’m sorry, but I find it hard to not lean dramatically toward Roxas. I’m actually stunned that anyone would lean any other direction. Duterte? I prefer steady to unknown and unknowable and threatening.
How dumb and dumber can people get when after you explain in detail their plundering ways and greed for power until you’re blue in the face, they will ask in pure innocence, how come they’re not in jail? Or remark that “you have to hand it to them, see how smart they are and at least we get to have a share in the loot, they’re all the same anyway.” Marcos and his cronies have started it all, now corruption is the new norm, if someone is in power and remain poor, then he’s a fool, they say.
Yes. When the culture of corruption is not just among the leaders, but throughout society, and embedded even in people’s thinking, then the thinking runs at odds with those of us who prefer honesty. Democracy is principled on education and good will. It gets a little weird when those qualities are lacking.
Offtopic, but I wonder how many readers/regulars of this blog have actually listened to Kawada Mami’s music.
Sample, sample, please..to provide some sort of break….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7fre59vO8w (note: the video title is incorrect: the song is by Kawada Mami and not KOTOKO)
first time to hear them…Edgar googled kawada mami,so he must have heard them before….nice.
Neat-o, MKL. Her musical styling is very “now.”
My taste in music is very eclectic and I like the genre fusions that new artists are creating now-a-days. Like Joe, I was immediately drawn to Amy Vachal for the pureness of her voice. I hold the likes of Billy Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald in high esteem. In more recent musical talents, I am partial to Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Adele and others whose voices do not need to be digitally enhanced.
One of my pet peeves is going to a live concert and being disappointed when the artist’s actual voice does not match the recorded one. I often feel like I’ve been duped in those instances.
You have wonderful taste in music. Billy Holiday — an early-day Michael Jackson for the tragedy of her early drug problem and death — when music mattered and the blues were really blue.
Thanks, MKL…. nice, bouncy music…am enjoying it now.
Are you into anime that’s how you discovered her?
Obviously. I actually started using this name on an anime website.
A Popoy original.
Do the masses really go by what people say or do they also go by what they see? New roads, drains, supply lines of much higher quality, big excavators and bulldozers they never saw before, more new classrooms than in the 5 previous administration together, cash for 4 million families, all tangible things that are difficult to dumb down.
Curious to see the next polls.
Most Filipinos have herd mentality. We are social animals. Pakitang tao is deeply imbedded in the fabric of our lives. We often do not care about tangible proofs because what matters most are the intangibles we get from those around us. The answer to your question is the sad fact that most of us go by what is popular in our circles, critical thinking and evidences be damned.
All people are, to some extent, not only Filipinos. But could it be that the Enlightenment which passed through Europe, destroying the monopoly of truth by the Church, never truly touched the Philippines. Except for Rizal and some other people who got him?
Because the herd mentality can also cause new, better memes to be transmitted. Protestantism – read the Bible yourself to get it, don’t just believe the priest – was a prelude to the Enlightenment I think. Which is why people in Protestant parts of Europe are generally more articulate and enlightened than in Catholic parts of Europe – even within Germany there is a divide. Orthodox Europe is totally superstitious, nearly Islamic.The rest of my take on this is in my big posting below, mostly questions…
Of course there are also emotional defense mechanisms to enlightenment – like shutting down when you don’t want to hear something that challenges your assumptions. Or a person arguing things that are true in a too aggressive way like me… Hope you answer. 🙂
You are on to something there, Ireneo. Like you, I think most Filipinos have not reached the peak of Maslow’s pyramid where they can self actualize and create their own destiny through discernment and critical thinking. Too many lower level needs are yet to be met.
I have respect for your ability to be open minded though you put up a fight when your strongly held beliefs are challenged. You are not a stick-in- the- mud type, you entertain alternative ideas and humble enough to admit your lapses in judgement. I admire your quest for what is right and your mental agility and tenacity.
Hehe Bert said I am “Texas” – meaning a Texas leghorn, hard to defeat in a cockfight… 🙂
The agility I have to thank my German mother for, the tenacity my Bikolano father.
But HE is hard-headed, Filipino old school, never admits a mistake directly. Although he does change his mind, quietly, if one lets him save face. But he has quite mellowed.
Because admitting a mistake for a patriarch like him is tantamount to losing authority in the world he grew up in – Northern Albay boondocks, where clan meant everything and not establishing respect – within and without of the clan – meant being eaten. Losing one’s authority to competitors within the clan, losing part of one’s land in infighting between parts of the clan – there was a famous clan meeting my mother told me about, in my father’s house in UP – about the abaca land of my great-grandmother. It was never transferred to my great-grandfather because he was a poor man – I think the chief security man of his father-in-law in the boondocks. The two major bloodlines in the clan shouted at each other in Bikol and the side not directly related to my father left with death threats…
Now the old land papers of my family dating back to 1850-something show that my folks probably did not get their land in a nice way. Historical records show that the abaca boom led to landgrabbing and my great-great-grandfathers folks were probably involved. That kind of culture is like that of the Ampatuans, only Albay went through that 160 years ago. But attitudes survive and are passed on. It took my little sister – who is fiercer than me – to smoothen of the rough edges. My father gave up on her, left for the Philippines hehe.. 🙂 It is not just what people experienced, it is what their folks experienced, shaped their way of doing things, and how they passed it on to their kids. Look at Marcoses and Binays…
death threats I admit I added to the story. Now exaggerating stories, kanto-boy style, is a typical testosterone-driven attitude… and also a vestigial legacy of our folks. Fight when you are ready then go for the kill was what boys were taught to do in my clan even if you just fight verbally… words are weapons don’t back down… words should not just be a means of defending one’s virtual territory… fear of losing face is one thing I fight against… It takes a lot of skill to deal with those who have in the back of their minds that you are roast if you admit a mistake. I can afford to lose status because I am not in the middle of the Philippine setting anymore where you can get shunned as weak by your own group. And will other groups take you? Not likely. And you have to be very strong to be an individual in the Philippines – except in more modern settings were individuality is not seen as betrayal. The older, the poorer, and the closer to the “boondocks” people are, the more they will have a stand your ground verbal mindset – Mindanao the most I think…
Interesting first person rendering of “saving-face” mentality there from your own family experience, Irineo.
Herd mentality among Filipinos is also caused by distrust and fear – deeply embedded in the collective unconscious. Because of a history of betrayal and if you are attacked, who do you have to rely on but your own bloodstream? That stuff runs very deep I think.
Sociological studies – Malcolm Gladwell quotes some regarding cultural North – South US differences in attitudes – get transmitted subliminally through upbringing. Southerners often have attitudes that come from their rugged Scottish and Welsh ancestors – McCoys? Might be no small wonder that American historian Alfred McCoy was the one who wrote “An Anarchy of Families” regarding the Philippines? Hatfields and McCoys possibly?
My first comment relevant to the topic because I got caught in the argument I provoked myself – dumbed down as I am in some respects I guess… maybe also a bit too impulsive and emotional.
That argument is settled, things are clarified… but I have my opinion regarding dumbed down now from the arguments as well. Could it be that people can be dumbed down because they are not being enlightened enough? Not being informed properly about things, in addition to ignorance?
At least I am not hard-headed (anymore) – I can be convinced by arguments if I was led astray by ignorance or impulsiveness. But a lot of my Facebook friends – many are from the top 240 who passed the Pisay exam in 1978, not stupid people – are not really bought into the 1987 Constitution and many people who I discuss with online use it like the Bible – without getting the reason for what is in it. Manuel Buencamino and Mami Kawada lover impressed me today by explaining the reasons for certain things, not just saying it is in our “Cory Bible” and basta!
Now I ask – was the 1987 Constitution brought to the people, the educated ones would have been enough, by an information campaign carried by barangays, NGOs, universities? And was it taught in schools like the German constitution was taught to US in schools – i admit to my shame that I did not really listen well at that time, and I wondered what the stuff was all about. But at least some stuff stayed in my hard head so I was able to understand it later – not when I was taught.
My German mother used to say to me that the Philippines is in the Middle Ages, mentally. Could it be that the Age of Enlightenment has not fully reached the Philippines? Not even universitites? Only some people? I admit that I only reached it in this blog. With many nudges from others. Took me Will and Karl to realize that Duterte is not the right person for President. I was blinded by the NDF creed which I imbibed in my youth. Duterte is NPA style, talk to the people and eliminate those who won’t cooperate. Not good. But how do you get our folks to reflect? I have been in an enlightened country for 33 years and yet I carry hardheadness with me. What are your thoughts? My father – French-trained – always said developing mental muscle is important. How about mental stretching exercises to reduce hard-headedness? How can we get our folks on board?
Now let me put forward for you the picture I have in the back of my head – unquestioned assumptions about the 1987 Constitution. That is was made to restore the old oligarchy, the same folks who messed up the Old Republic into power. It seems a bit different now.
Yes, and a lot of the stuff that circulated back in the early days of Cory was that if Marcos was a dictator like Napoleon, the folks around Cory were like the Bourbons coming back after Napoleon, that it was a Restoration. Bourbons learned nothing, forgot nothing was the adage in Restoration years, leading Napoleon III to get into power much later – while Napoleon II fortunately did not succeed, to Napoleon III was a milder version of the first. And yes, the parallels abound – Empress Josephine was an Imelda type, and Napoleon created his own new aristocracy, made his brothers Kings of Spain and Italy for example. And during restoration the old aristocracy came back, went after Napoleonists with a vengeance. Who was a prominent Napoleonist? Alexandre Dumas – a 1/4 black man whose father was The Black Count – a Napoleonic general later imprisoned down by Napoleon. The regime gave underdogs opportunities – but also hurt those who were out of favor. And yes I am talking about both regimes – Napoleon and Marcos. Where do the parallels end?
Now if I still have that picture in the back of my head – which I feel is partly wrong now – how much more so many others less interested in current events and history? What are our arguments to ENLIGHTEN people, shine a light into their darkened minds. Please help me.
One thing that I think of is that you need to approach people at their level – also from a psychological point of view. I am Chief of Wildlife for a good reason – I know how to deal with aggressive people because I know how it feels to be in a rage. Much irrationality in the Philippines is emotional defensiveness. How do you win the trust of someone whose adrenalin is rising? It is a skill in itself, hard to learn. I think LCPL_X, who has field experience in war zones, can enlighten all of us on that – and he has experience talking to people who are just as hard-headed and superstitious as Filipinos – Middle Eastern folks! Even some of the more intelligent go for conspiracy theories, especially when Jews and Americans are involved – I have a top-flight Iranian-Swedish colleague who is like that…
Yes, the good Lance Corporal could enlighten us on the doctrine of “winning hearts and minds.” I think the fundamental principle is being observant of the positive traits of the subjects involved and reinforcing them. Likewise, the negative traits are discussed and confronted (I know the word confrontation has a negative connotation in some societies. I am using it in Western context where it means dissection or analysis) to the point where they are extinguished.
Nice talking with you, Irineo but I got to run because lunchtime is over. Thank you for the great conversation.
Welcome – thanks also, especially for facing off with me. I think most Filipinos at home fear me a little bit, I try to tone down myself but don’t always manage. You are US-shaped and have the boldness to deal with me – hope more of our folks back home learn that too. 🙂
To add to this discussion – I just had an FB chat with gian on the young neo-Marcos zombies – they cannot be convinced. The summary is: they are lured by “brotherhood” and the pack feeling young men seek. Once their mindset is hardened – 6 months is what it takes, those that leave before never return those that stay always have it in them and it is hard to shake, even if you do it is like Captain Picard’s Borg implant – no turning back.
The undecided you can win – and spread enlightenment to prevent the large mass of people from easily believing any kind of nonsense. That means having summaries of arguments, for example those against Poe so well put together by manuel buencamino for me – as PDFs, as a kit for all who meet such people on social media. If the attack is there, the defense must be well prepared as well. I pointed to a neveragain FB group where many memes are and summaries of how the Marcos people are telling so many lies for exactly that purpose – to provide armor against their ammunition. It is a media war now.
Knowing you are Kapampangan, I am now reminded of the only phrase I know in that language: keng leon keng tigre di ecu tatacut – I fear neither lion nor tiger 🙂
“I think LCPL_X, who has field experience in war zones, can enlighten all of us on that – and he has experience talking to people who are just as hard-headed and superstitious as Filipinos – Middle Eastern folks! Even some of the more intelligent go for conspiracy theories”
Ireneo & Juana,
The first reading on this topic should be this, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Wars_Manual
That’s the historical background on the US military’s (specifically the Marines’) take on “winning hearts & minds”, in essence it’s no different from Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends & Influence People”– only the Small Wars Manual has more planning & logistics, and of course, tactical considerations.
Both works were written or compiled in the mid-1930s.
“How do you win the trust of someone whose adrenalin is rising?”
Adrenaline isn’t usually on the rise or wane, it’s just the way they’ve been brought up, separate from hormones. it’s Culture. Or lack of nutrients when growing up, that and just general lack of mental stimuli there after.
So the military generally has a wider purpose in mind. Winning hearts & minds is one of a myriad of tools.
From the US military’s standpoint, they take stock of who they are working with, ie. cultural deficits & environmental mental constraints, culture and then maneuver thru that human terrain accordingly.
The US military abroad works with what’s there. There’s no attempt to play social experiments. There’s just no time.
So “winning hearts & minds” is actually more like influencing hearts. The way we reason in the West and the way people think in 3rd world countries are just (many times) irreconcilable.
Focus then is in bodily and mental needs (not so much reason), as for the top level, most in the US military aren’t even cognizant of that, so that’s largely left alone– the Mormons and Christian missionaries can tackle that mess
There’s a lot of sharing food, water, drinking, merriment, “breaking bread”, etc. That’s the bottom level.
Then training, mostly on basic infantry tactics and martial arts, then build on all that with technological and advanced topics. This level is where camaraderie happens.
Then to solidify the relationship, a sense of belonging, as part of the global warrior class, which transcends nations and cultures, etc.
Then for the officers of host nations, you cooochie-cooo them to death. A lot of ‘ata boys!’. They won’t understand the warrior class aspect, based on their pedigree.
It’s simply Psych 101.
But I think you guys are asking more on, affecting society, playing social experiments. Sure you can go with the Edward Bernays–model of doing this.
I think though, the US military special ops community model of FID/UW is a lot more effective.
Marine Raiders: 2,000 (tasked with FID/UW)
Army Rangers: 4,000 (light infantry)
Navy SEALs: 8,000 (tasked with UW, not so much FID)
Air Force STS: 16,000 (rescue, weather, air traffic control)
Army Green Berets: 24,000 (tasked with FID/UW)
The number there abouts, that’s according to this,
Click to access 671462.pdf
The AFP and PNP can do more FID/UW-type stuff, wining hearts & minds portion, instead of the tacticool SWAT crap they want so much.
Increase AFP/PNP medic training, to match what the US does with its special ops medics (we’re talking 2 yrs training) and then get more engineers trained, that can build homes, schools, etc.
Get 12-man teams (Green Berets) or 14-man teams (Marines) into towns and get these townsfolk medical care and build stuff for them (canals, etc.).
Mentorship and role-modeling can jump start education, and aspirations for something better.
The numbers up above (as per that gao) is now over bloated, I think that’s the automatic American solution of more money and more personnel thrown at a problem. I see that dwindling in time (it’s a waste of money).
But my point is, get your AFP/PNP to do Peace Corps/AmeriCorps stuff.
They already have been for some years… especially during floods and storms they are present… I think it was even a long-term program to bolster their image in the population.
In Marcos’ time they were feared especially in rural areas, their image as being helpers is recent and from what I gather due to their work as a civil defense force during calamities.
Peace Corps/AmeriCorps – makes sense actually. They are the ones who could defuse the social time bomb especially in big city slums – Paul wrote about that just a while ago.
“They already have been for some years… especially during floods and storms they are present…”
As conventional forces, in platoons to companies. I’m talking about smaller footprints. Hence, selection and assessment necessary to find individuals who can work in 12-14 man outfits, be self-sufficient and effective.
Also I’m alluding more to rural, small town, small islands settings, to cock block bandits and terrorists (and LGU criminals selling their sand to China, etc.). Big city slums, urban ops in general, should be relegated to urban police, not military– and that’s a totally different matter all together.
I think you are talking about the kind of stuff German troops did in Afghanistan…
Engineering stuff, peacekeeping.. if I remember right some of it together with US troops.
No, no, not that. There are doctors and there are engineers in the military, and other specialties. I’m not talking about conventional. Small units is what I’m referring to.
I’m talking about Green Beret (and lately, Marine Raider) -type missions, where you have guys who are professional soldiers, who can protect from as well as take the fight to enemies.
But who are also TCCC trained, whose medics have train close to 2 yrs (so basically they are just a notch below ER nurses or even ER doctors) and whose engineers, are professional soldiers, but ones specifically trained to build (as well as demolish).
The comms guy, if trained correctly, can be the guy that brings internet access to rural populations. Small footprint, reliant on people skills, and self-sufficient.
But for the Philippines, just go with basic infantry tactics, small unit leadership, and forego fancy equipment & tech.
Focus on medical training and engineering (and communications). The medical training aspect can be fast tracked since you guys already have a bunch of surplus nurses– many are paying employers to be able to work, WTF!
Same with communications, you guys also have a surplus of IT -type graduates. Engineering (traditionally an EOD/Sapper role), forego all that stuff, and focus on building, carpentry, DIY stuff like this, https://vimeo.com/16106427
the point is assess and select qualified personnel, but forego all the high speed, low drag SWAT, Direct Action stuff that requires unnecessary funding.
Medical, Engineering, Communications, Weapons (only necessary, since this is after all a military mission, not the Peace Corps) & Leadership/Operations (this last can be the one to set-up the education component)
“I think you are talking about the kind of stuff German troops did in Afghanistan…”
Ireneo,
Maybe you are talking about something similar, but my first impression when people bring up the German military is amateur hour. In the whole NATO scheme of things Germany’s usually at the bottom of the heap, with the Poles consistently on top.
But this idea I’m envisioning, is basically what you (or maybe it was karl or sonny, I don’t remember) described about Marcos’ project in the mid-60s to send freshly minted Filipino teachers (in their early 20s) to the countryside as their first school/teaching assignments.
Along with the task of teaching students, they were also there to teach birth control, health, farming, machinery, etc. to communities. All of which these 20 yr old teachers know only from an academic setting– since they come from urban areas.
It’s a great plan. Gen. McChrystal’s trying to implement something similar here, http://www.franklinproject.org/
But without support and actual expertise (maturity & experience) in these endeavors, it’s a plan destined for failure, so instead of tasking the nation’s teachers, task the military– select & assess for individuals who’ll get the job done.
And support them– don’t just send them with books and pamphlets and expect them to convince people with no electricity & education to use condoms. It just won’t sell, the disconnect from theory and practice on the ground is just too wide.
Yep, the first serious war zone assignment German troops had was Afghanistan.
The descendants of pitbulls have become a bit TOO domesticated I think.
Military draft is now abolished, a serious pro army is being developed.
I have integrated some of your proposal into Article 8… Article 8 of what?
this: https://joeam.com/2015/10/23/reconstitute-the-philippines/#comment-142771
we were already branded as the sixth worst army, we need the tech and equipment,the soldiers are already well trained,they already do humanitarian stuff especially during relief operations and medical missions around the world.
The presidents father questioned the move of the armed forces as creeping militarism
” Despite the achievements and success of utilizing the Armed Forces on various infrastructure projects of the administration, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. criticized it as “creeping militarism” in his first privilege speech in the Senate:
Unhappily, our armed forces is undergoing-surely if unperceptibly- a reorientation and a redirection geared fundamentally to suit and advance the political aims of President Marcos. President Marcos justifies it in the name of speeding up socio-economic development, but it politicking of the most insidious stripe.
Clearly, the programme is taking shape. And I am alarmed. I see it in the presidential order to the Philippine Navy to equip and support medical, rural teams and civic action centers. And this, Mr. President, to a navy which still has to put all its ships out to sea and to bring up its manpower to the required levels.
I see it, too, in the order of the Philippine Air Force to organize an engineering construction battalion- and added to this, to set up civil action centers and to field rural medical health teams. And this, Mr. President, to an air force hard-put in filling its duties with its meager resources.
The administration men have argued-repeatedly, I must note- that army engineering battalions are far more efficient than their civilian counterparts. The facts, I am afraid, belie this.
The North Diversion Road is there as proof of army engineering inefficiency. It has cracked by longer than five kilometers in certain portions, and in most other portions, it is rapidly deteriorating into what newspaper wit has termed our “corrugated roads.”
What went wrong with this road, this main artery of men and commerce which the surveyors of the cult of the “Great One” had intended to ballyhoo as the start of a lace of monuments to “His Greatness?”
…in their hurry to create impact, they forgot the age-old adage, “haste makes waste.” And all because they wanted to log achievement.[13]””
That was the first privilege speech of the late senator Ninoy Aquino,that early he was already questioning the so called achievements of Marcos.
Which goes to show that my description of Marcos was true. His motto was “action agad”.
But the reality was “action agad, palpak sa wakas”. No real foundation act without plan.
The casualties when the Manila Film Center was built were the worst manifestation of this.
They just poured cement on dead workers because Imelda wanted the building finished.
Bataan nuclear power plant is the worst manifestation of the hubris of the regime.
Philippines can’t handle such a technology yet, Manila would be uninhabitable worst case.
This particular privilege speech is now use to rub in that Ninoy was anti military was a communist,etc etc…plaza Miranda bombings the real cause of martial law yatta yatta yatte
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1. Here. Near. Far.
2. We use these three words to denote distance most often in space but also in time. Examine the way we use the words “malapit” and “malayo” and you will see what I mean. “Malapit na” can mean just one kilometre or one hour away.
3. Many moons ago, Joseph noted that Filipinos have a short time horizon. Unlike Chinese taipans we do not think of years hence. We live for the day… and hope tomorrow will take care of itself. We do not build megamalls in different places; we build a sari-sari store at the corner.
4. Our short sense of time affects our non-understanding of history. The Marcos dictatorship was a little more than (29 years) a generation ago (25 years). Twelve years after Marcos’ exile, we voted another plunderer into office. Immediately after Erap, Gloria, who should have known better, toddled in Marcos’ footsteps. Now, we entertain the idea that another alleged plunderer can fill the shoes of the Dictator. And if that were not enough, the Dictator’s son is attempting to retrace his father’s footsteps.
5. But apart from space and time, our short sense of distance is also reflected in our day-to-day concerns for our relationships. Self is here, family is near, and nation is far. Therefore, never mind nation.
6. But the paradox is that while Self is here, we do not examine it or reflect upon it. We take Self to be a constant, if not the constant. It is very rare that we have someone like Irineo who is able to see the error of his thinking, to admit it, and to make the necessary adjustment. The more typical example is MRP who thinks the world should adjust to his thinking.
7. So if Self is the problem, what is the solution?
8. As an individualist, I have always favoured Self being the solution. To a great degree, education can help but ultimately enlightenment depends on the Self. One can lead a horse to water… etcetera.
9. Certainly in the public arena we must talk of individual and communal efforts. But are not communal efforts the coalescence of like-minded individuals putting their shoulders to the wheel?
10. The dumbing down process is in a way an educational process… except that it cements ignorance. It is mis-education. To counter it, one can follow Juana’s and Mary’s example of challenging claims. But this method often results in a Mexican standoff where each party is talking past each other. It only works if, like Irineo, each party is receptive and is listening.
11. I do not know the solution except to favour, foster and encourage an attitude of enquiry, independence and self-reliance. If something is that important, be sceptical, listen to all sides and do your own research. Then make your individual judgement using intuition and perfect logic.
11.1. But even so allow that you could be wrong. Chances are… you are. An indicator is the vehemence of your emotions and not your arguments.
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Nicely put notes on the blog topic from a hyperspace view.
Commonality in hyperspace thinking: traditional three-dimensional space, time dimension, relationship dimension, other dimensions — all part of hyperspace.
Albert Einstein’s relativity physics uses space-time thinking.
If something is that important, be skeptical, listen to all sides and do your own research. Then make your individual judgement using intuition and perfect logic. — good food for thought.
(A side note: adjective “perfect” in logic; is there such a one? Aren’t there schools of logic. A small matter — a nitpicking — in the context of your notes that I like.)
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NHerrera, thanks. By perfect logic I meant the avoidance of fallacious reasoning as much as possible.
I should also add that logic can lead us to a place where judgement sometimes cannot be rendered on the available evidence. Thus judgement should be withheld until a new condition or argument tips the balance. And if the new condition is delivered by a synchrodipity… so much the better.
*****
10. Mexican standoff? Not necessarily if the one arguing is a woman. I know from my own experience – even here – that I tend to go “Texas leghorn” more easily if another man is involved – the testosterone thing. But any Filipino male will give in to a resolute woman – types like my little sister who grew up strong and self-aware in a German setting, Juana who is very American – or the PC women whom they sent to arrest us in 1981 after we, diehard KM fanatics very much like the neo-Marcos loyalists of today in their dedication due to brainwashing combined with youthful testosterone, started beating up Metrocoms and they started hitting back with truncheons. I gladly let myself be accosted to the bus waiting to take us to some military camp – must have been Fort Bonifacio because the factory where we did a teach-in with trade union folks was in Pasay City – then to the Pasay City fiscal then to adjacent Pasay city jail – by two plain but tough PC ladies. Luckily for us the factory driveway was too cramped for the PC to get their feared troops with machine guns they allegedly used at times in open spaces like Commonwealth Avenue, never experienced that kind of rally, I think that our group shifted to cramped areas like Taft or Recto because of that. Once at Liwasang Bonifacio we ran because an entire phalanx of Metrocoms came, we had predetermined routes and a meeting point – Paco cemetery – where a count-off was made about an hour after… anyway we were talking about ladies…
The combination of tough and friendly from a woman is needed to deal with a Filipino with the typical mentality. But you will need someone familiar with the respective jargon of the person they are talking with and with a presence that does not challenge them status-wise. Can’t send Korina Sanchez to talk to them, forget it. First of all they will only look at her big breasts and envy Mar Roxas for that :-), second they will not like her “socialite” aura and not even listen. Guess a lot of hate against Korina is about a chick they could never get in real life hehe… So in addition to tough and friendly the woman has to have down-to-earth aura – like Leni Robredo… nothing that makes the other side see red is very important.
Someone needs to translate this. I would if I could… in fact, I’ll try. But somebody needs to do a proper one. Then do email me a copy and I’ll gladly devote a weekend leafleting at masa-populated areas here in Pque.
I’ll take on the task, karlagae26. I’ll send it to Joe as soon as it is done so be on the look out or e-mail Joe so he can send it to you.
The EpaLs are harnessing Jologs minions, as Beggars Can’t be Choosy! 😣
Still, Mar Roxas is just another TraPo Brat like GMA. And, Miriam is a disappointment 😒
It’s up to Filipino citizen to raise themselves out of mediocrity. Corruption, defensive insecurities, unpatriotic and ” gulang ” mindset is too much ingrained in the system.
Why do you say Mar Roxas is just another TraPo? How do you define the term, and how does he fulfill it?
Thanks.
During FVR’s reign as president 91992 -98 ), he was with FVR. During Erap’s reign (1998 – 2001) he moved over to Erap (who was/still is enemy #1 of FVR). In 2001, he moved over to GMA.
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Does that make Mar a trapo or a technocrat?
In other words, did he serve for himself? Or was his services required for the nation?
The distinction is not clear.
*****
I remember a wonderful episode of Usagi Yojimbo – THE manga comic that taught me a lot about character. A samurai asked Usagi Yojimbo – which means Rabbit Bodyguard, the character is a ronin, a samurai who is wandering without a lord, an honorable mercenary:
SamuraiMy lord is an evil man, but it is my duty to serve him as a samurai, what shall I do Usagi-San?
UsagiIf you cannot serve your lord in your heart, do your duty to him, but serve the people while doing so!
Usagi leaves…
Samurai thinkshe is wise beyond his years…
My favorite anime as a teenager – banned by Marcos.
Jessica Zafra wrote – tongue in cheek – that the ban may have been the true reason why those who were young then went to EDSA years later…
Voltes V teaches a lot of things – cooperation, solidarity – and fighting against injustice.
But that was not the reason it was banned. Many parents who experienced WW2 wrote Marcos, they did not like to have their kids watching Japanese stuff.
My father did not like how Voltes V sliced up monsters from outer space like a samurai. Didn’t know that he had to witness executions by sword by Japanese officers during the war. The entire village was forced to gather at the town square after Sunday mass…
Ferdinand Marcos was convicted for murder in 1935. His conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court. This is also part of the lost history but funny MRP does not mention it…
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1940/oct1940/gr_l-47388_1940.html
That was my question as well. It could be that Mar Roxas was not changing loyalties, but just doing good work (non-political work) that people of different political stripes appreciated.
Work for the country as a whole…
and gaining work experience in governing…
Interestingly, new news came out yesterday: the governor of the province of Capiz, an LP member no less, was sacked by the Ombudsman for alleged kickbacks. This is the Tuwid na Daan, it spares no one, not even allies, if they have done wrong. And no, the Capiz governor isn’t a sacrificial lamb, otherwise Alan Purisima as well as the (now ex) governor of Masbate (who IIRC while has since changed parties was originally from the LP at the time she was being investigated; correct me if I’m wrong) would not have been shown the door, or Abad would not be under investigation. Honestly I wished Abad could have been replaced for the DAP since he messed up, or could have done a Tolentino and resigned. Is this selective justice now?
Now that is one example of something that should be documented. Where can one find a summary of what Tuwid na Daan has really done – on a single PDF for example or on a webpage? Because the BIG LIE that is being spread is that it is only about a few higher-up political rivals. What do people who are not informed for whatever reason do? They read the big lie and in the back of their heads an impression is formed. People who have no time to read because of traffic or slow internet cannot google all over the place I think.
So to counter disinformation, you need clear, well-summarized information. Are there places on the Internet where on can read all the accomplishments of Tuwid na Daan?
It’s really mind-boggling how Pinoys decide on who to elect. If only democracy is exclusively for those with sound moral compass and intact integrity, we won’t have any problem and we can trust the voters to choose the correct candidates – kaso hindi eh. If Binay, Marcos or Poe wins, I’ll start to believe na we are hopeless na.
Yes, it seems rather simple to me, and those who favor complications are hard to figure out.
Same everywhere else in the world I guess. Look at the US with salesmen Trump, creationist Carson at the top of the Conservative Party polls. Playing (ultra-)nationalistic feeling or (ultra-)religious feelings, using the underdog mentality, selling fear, all populistic and too easy. There was a time where competition was at the “high” level of data based correctness, feasibility, a future vision, today the competition is towards the “low” level of basic feeling, fear, fighting the enemy outsider, physical and emotional power plays, the alfa male. Just as if you want to compete/maximize your profit in this global world it will have to be towards the lowest common salary, the least worker protection, the easiest safety or environmental regulations, highest rent opportunities… Or I’m just becoming a grumpy old man.
I know Binay supports this so it must suck,but let us take a look at fair tax
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The FairTax is a proposal to reform the federal tax code of the United States. It would replace all federal income taxes (including the alternative minimum tax, corporate income taxes, and capital gains taxes), payroll taxes (including Social Security and Medicare taxes), gift taxes, and estate taxes with a single broad national consumption tax on retail sales. The Fair Tax Act (H.R. 25/S. 155) would apply a tax, once, at the point of purchase on all new goods and services for personal consumption. The proposal also calls for a monthly payment to all family households of lawful U.S. residents as an advance rebate, or “prebate”, of tax on purchases up to the poverty level.[1][2] First introduced into the United States Congress in 1999, a number of congressional committees have heard testimony on the bill; however, it has not moved from committee and has yet to have any effect on the tax system. In recent years, a tax reform movement has formed behind the FairTax proposal.[3] Attention increased after talk radio personality Neal Boortz and Georgia Congressman John Linder published The FairTax Book in 2005 and additional visibility was gained in the 2008 presidential campaign.
As defined in the proposed legislation, the tax rate is 23% for the first year. This percentage is based on the total amount paid including the tax ($23 out of every $100 spent in total). This would be equivalent to a 30% traditional U.S. sales tax ($23 on top of every $77 spent—$100 total).[4] The rate would automatically adjust annually based on federal receipts in the previous fiscal year.[5] With the rebate taken into consideration, the FairTax would be progressive on consumption,[2] but would also be regressive on income at higher income levels (as consumption falls as a percentage of income).[6][7] Opponents argue this would accordingly decrease the tax burden on high-income earners and increase it on the middle class.[4][8] Supporters contend that the plan would effectively tax wealth, increase purchasing power[9][10] and decrease tax burdens by broadening the tax base.
The plan’s supporters state that a consumption tax would increase savings and investment, ease tax compliance and increase economic growth, increase incentives for international business to locate in the US and increase US competitiveness in international trade.[11][12][13] The plan is intended to increase cost transparency for funding the federal government. Supporters believe it would increase civil liberties, benefit the environment and effectively tax illegal activity and undocumented immigrants.[11][14] Opponents contend that a consumption tax of this size would be extremely difficult to collect, and would lead to pervasive tax evasion.[4][6] They also argue that the proposed sales tax rate would raise less revenue than the current tax system, leading to an increased budget deficit.[4][15] Other concerns include the proposed repeal of the Sixteenth Amendment, removal of tax deduction incentives, transition effects on after-tax savings, incentives on credit use and the loss of tax advantages to state and local bonds.
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Will this be good for us?
If done right only consumption would be taxed, problem i see here is not that the rich won’t consume because they do consume, if you raise 12 percent vat to 25 the majority can’t consume. Wala din underground economy will still thrive
Or June pa Lang pre x mas inventory sale Na
Having Lacson must mean support for national ID and removal of pork barrel and the likes,having Toots Ople for OFWs and labor advocacies,Gordon to make the place turned into Subic,
That might clash with the vision of turning the place to makati
In the defense forum I saw a comment that BbM will finally implement AFP modernization…..sure
isn’t this one nice?
The sound of silence is dedicated to Jameboy …..man where have you been?
Meaningful lyrics are hard to find in songs of today. This one makes you think, and the music is haunting and restful to boot.
It is already a proven fallacy that dead men tell no tales, because of forensics…..nah I mean through literature and music
Irineo you mentioned Martial law here,look what happened in your post the commenter Paul bombarded you with proposals akin to Martial law that only an ironfist can reconstruct the country.He said only a dictator can do this do that,just rereading them all makes me cringe.
When the house is on fire you stop the fire and assess damage,if damage is just small you don’t demolish the house,you just repair.
I’d like to know Paul’s credentials, myself. I thought it got a little weird at the end when he was comparing China’s democracy as better than the American democracy. Plus, as Bert pointed out, his observations about squatters bordered on bigotry. The idealism of his proposals are impractical, although they do make interesting talking points. Who’s going to take his ideas and run with them? The whole nation would have to, or a dictator like Marcos II.
Let’s make sure your son will not have to shoot Obed in the reign of Marcos III. 🙂
If not, I hope I have the flux capacitor figured out by 2025 and can take Karl back to 2015.
Which reminds me, I need to get Junior down to the shooting range . . . just in case . . .
Good luck on that flux capacitor.
Politicians dumbing down the Philippines are just wasting their time. Most are already shades of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne. Sorry, I’m judgemental but I sincerely wish I’m wrong. I hope to eat my words after May 2016.
That’s the reason why Confucius was not in favour of democracy. The majority of the population simply are not educated enough to cast their votes based on rational thinking.
Always good to get your cheery take on things, chempo. ahaha
But still . . . still . . . we must push for a new awakening.
Let me present a different view of the topic.
I don’t know if dumbing down is even possible to do nowadays. People are not dumb in terms of exposure to information simple because it’s everywhere. We don’t only get information from word of mouth or newpapers and radio but in other medium of communication. Social media is one source that people rely on these days to get updated or informed.
The Binay and Marcos families dumbing down the Philippines would be a hard sell to me, at least, because for starter people “knew” who they are. Their life is an open book. Their history is no longer a secret. They are families, like other political clans, that people easily relate to corruption and abuses, waste and entitlements. They are in the business of public service. That’s the front. But people also know what’s in the back. Know what I mean? People just know. I mean, the picture cannot lie nor fool us. If it’s Marcos or Binay, fair or not, those qualities I mentioned just a while ago will come to mind. That’s how notorious the two families are.
Given that scenario the issue of the Marcoses and Binays “taking out certain information from public records” to replace the bad for good deeds is kind of unbelievable to me.
That set aside, I would like to focus on the issue of the Marcoses and Binays focusing their attack on Mar Roxas through the Aquino administration. Sure they can do that. That is expected because Roxas is a major part of the current administration. They have to hurl something in Roxas’ direction to counter his offensive moves. It’s politics. Nothing is surprising with that. The question is will their allegations stick? I don’t think so because Noynoy is not Mar and vice-versa. It’s as simple as that. Of course they will focus on the ‘weakness and mistakes’ of PNoy and connect it to Mar. They will try to elevate the negatives and subdue the positives to put Roxas on the defensive. Will they succeed? I don’t think so.
First off, they are Jojo Binay and Bongbong Marcos. They really have to work hard against Mar Roxas (Jojo at least) because their surnames are not on the same level with Roxas nor Aquino. They have to pass that hurdle first to be able to throw an effective bomb on Mar’s direction.
Secondly, Mar is back up by the administration holding the machinery and capital to run an effective campaign. That of course comes second to what he can offer the country, experience and unsullied public service reputation. On that aspect alone, Mar enjoys a moral, personal and professional edge over Jojo.
Lastly, I don’t agree with the insinuation that the impoverished and undereducated have no concept of personal accountability or no inkling that their vote determines their future nor do they have strong feelings of national patriotism.
People know what personal accountability is. They know if their leaders are abusing or taking them for a ride. It is those in powers who ignore personal accountability simply because they can. They know their votes determine their future, if the game is open and clear. As far as I know, people vote on the basis of what it would mean for them. It’s not only the Iglesia Ni Cristo who can do that. Even the poor and the impoverished look at elections and weigh it’s pros and cons opposite their interest, which, unfortunately for most, the answer is clear: none. Same old, same old.
And since there is really no dramatic or substantive change or improvement happens after each election, even with patriotism in their hearts, they will have to vote according to their personal survival and interest. The need of the stomach is powerful than the love for something intangible.
If it’s up to me, the (“Why are you doing this to your Nation? To your people?”) question should not just be confined to the Binays and the Marcoses. As long as inequality, corruption and abuses dominates the political life of the country, such question can be pose to anyone who aspires to run for public office. : l
Thanks for taking the excesses of the blog’s literary approach to the center-line. If the broad population does, as you say, understand how important their votes are, then I am confident the election will turn out well for the Philippines.
I so wish the next surveys will reflect your optimism if only for the benefit of those who believe them and make them the basis of their votes. Quite perplexing that they need others to do the deciding for them or the need for feel good knowing they belong to the majority even if that majority may not be right or good for the country.
The ideal thing is for the still undecided or those in doubt or even those leaning on the Binay, Poe or Santiago/Marcos but have an open mind, to read up on blogs like this, analyze, do some critical thinking and realize that voting for Roxas/Robredo is the patriotic thing to do.
Hard to be that confident or optimistic when you read the youth mouthing the Marcos propaganda. They are legions of them, and attack like a swarm and retreat like cowards.
I wonder how much of the voting is in fact influenced by strategic voting – I don’t like X, but he’s certainly better than top candidate Y, so although I like Z, I’ll vote for X because X has a better chance at beating Y.
On an unrelated note, it seems to me that there has been some UP-bashing in social media forums these days because UP produces corrupt people, is a breeding ground for communism etc. Their arguments are that some of the most notorious traditional politicians (whatever that means, names that are being thrown around are Binay, Marcos) have graduated from the university, as well as those who fight against the Philippine state (Nur Misuari, Joma Sison). If anything, these people are of two different stripes entirely.
It’s rather unfortunate that it has come to this – apparently some people seem to think that a four-year university sojourn is enough to brainwash people into being corrupt – ignoring how children were raised by their parents, the effect of the political system and culture, and all their other years of schooling. I think that’s too much credit to give anyone, and if UP has found the perfect brainwashing system, I believe it should’ve sold it to North Korea a long time ago (maybe it’d have more money then).
🙂 Don’t go giving North Korea any ideas. I think the rant against UP is rather like mine against the Inquirer, we take little slices we don’t like and generalize it to the whole (them to UP, me to the Inquirer). The method is a little dirty, but the goal is not, to nudge UP to focus more on graduating people with a deep sense of ethics and right and wrong, and to nudge the Inquirer to stop editorializing the news and MAKING the news by pitting one person against another in alternate day’s headlines. When Harry Roque (since retired) is teaching law, and is himself ethically challenged, then what kind of output will that produce?
But for sure, UP critics and I are not being fair to the quality people the University does put out, and the good work the Inquirer does do. But push, we must . . .
I passed the UPCAT but only took advanced credits, enrolled at U.P. to pretend I was going to start as a Physics major – and did not attend the first day of class… because by June 1982 we were in Germany via HK and SG, so by MRPs definition I am not a crook. 🙂
I’d guess that 99% are not crooks, but the one’s who are are humdingers.
It would be the fault of an American named Mariano Renato Pacifico if UP got an influx of North Korean enrolled to UP open university or they will pretend to be from South Korea and move here.
🙂
http://www.hss.de/fileadmin/suedostasien/philippines/downloads/2014/HSF-Philippinen-EN__Oct_2014_.pdf – Off-topic Hanns-Seidel Foundation – Work in the Philippines.
Please note the GOOD GOVERNANCE Item on the PDF brochure – at LGU level! 🙂
Will start by not voting them comes election. I will campaign against, so that these two will not win. Though I am torn between Roxas or Poe, and Leni or Trillanes
Hi Joe Am, Please have someone translate this article to Pilipino and other dialects then post it under different dailies. You may even have to ask a honest to goodness radio commentator to summarize your points and air it. Even the TV can help. We need your logic in the mass media.
A volunteer has to offer to do the translation. I write’em and publish ’em. I have no budget and do not seek to impose on others.
I would note that this one has been translated: https://joeam.com/2015/10/24/binay-at-marcos-ginagago-ang-pilipinas/