VP Robredo would lead a weak LP opposition
Senator Hontiveros [Photo source: Inquirer]
By Joe America
Well, to be sure, VP Robredo is and always will be strong, but the idea that LP can form a resistance to the deadly and autocratic ways of the Duterte Administration is an idea that is weak.
The Philippines is stuck in a nightmare of death, disunity and economic drift. Influential people see this but are in the predicament that, if they object, they accomplish nothing . . . yet they risk losing much. So they join a surreal “support for the President” coalition while hoping someone else does something to stop the damage . . . and they walk into church now and then to seek forgiveness.
The Duterte populist government is just that, popular. So it is politically powerful.
LP as an opponent represents the perfect foil, the dog to be kicked, the villain to be whipped, because the popular perception is that the “yellows” have been arrogant, corrupt, and incompetent, and are now being obstructionist, disloyal, or even treasonous. They represent the elite that has failed to take care of the the people’s specific needs, from transportation to food and housing to reduction of crime.
The whole idea is mainly propaganda, but it sells to the needful.
Many want the Liberal Party (LP) to oppose . . . not the President, necessarily . . . but the DEEDS they consider damaging to the nation, like the PNP orchestrating a cleansing of drugs that is killing thousands of innocent Filipinos, burying a grand thief as a hero, aligning with China, and coddling a killer PNP chief.
That opposition is hard to generate. LP is a group of politicians whose own power and fate is determined by popularity, so they go where they personally can be assured of continuing to be effective in office. They stay with the Duterte majority . . . and visit church now and then to salve their conscience.
VP Robredo, in seeking to build a strong opposition on the backs of LP legislators, would likely aggravate divisions within LP by pushing to make a decision that LP legislators don’t yet see as adding to their power. Opposition . . . if it is to be forceful . . . should be a willing, passionate, personal decision, not a reluctant, forced, political decision.
And she would just make the LP a big target, a big, big dog to be kicked by Presidential spokesmen, backers, and trolls.
Coalition Partners
But let’s think about it. If we look around, we see that there are several major groups other than LP that have major, major concerns. THEY are already outspoken. They are already passionate:
- Leftists who waged war against Marcos and can’t stand to see him buried as a hero, or his son next in line for the presidency.
- Mindanao residents who were victims of several huge slaughters under Marcos and share the leftist distaste for his burial as a hero. There are also Muslims who want a real voice in national policy, not crumbs.
- The Catholic Church whose leaders do not like killings or the proposed death penalty.
- University professors and students who are shamed by the relentless human rights violations they are incapable of stopping.
- Politicians outside LP (Senators Hontiveros, Trillanes, Poe, etc.) who are fundamentally for democracy and earnest, productive governance.
- OFWs, BPO workers, miners, and others whose jobs are put at stake by wild Duterte threats, insults, and policies.
- The oligarchs and businessmen who have already lost millions and see economic collapse as a real possibility.
United as a coalition, the above groups could stop the Duterte juggernaut on a ten-peso coin and deliver 9 pesos change.
Citizens would see such a coalition as “fresh” and not more of the same. Genuine. Forceful. They’d see it as as a diverse group of people who want to give Filipinos their pride back.
Politicians would have a real choice as well, a real political force to join. They’d be released from being enablers of death and economic ruin, and they’d be able to go to church to praise God for a change.
Coalition Policies
Well, forming a coalition among groups that are not natural partners would for sure be a challenge in the tribal Philippines. The coalition leadership would have to be able to articulate a set of policy priorities that all groups could support. Here’s a quick check-list of policy ideas:
- Remove the remains of President Marcos from the Heroes’ Cemetery and return them to the family.
- Discontinue state-sponsored propaganda and internet trolling activities. Promote a real FOI frame of mind in all state agencies. Welcome the popular press as important players in bridging between Government and the people.
- Reinstate and accelerate passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, adjusted for more inclusiveness (recollect that it was Senator Marcos who blocked passage of the law).
- Free all political prisoners except those charged with murder or heinous crimes. Accelerate peace negotiations between various “peoples’ organizations” and the national government. Adopt a conciliatory policy in dealing with leftist and Muslim separatist groups, but a hard line against Abu Sayaff and ISIS. The latter represent foreign interference.
- Return the PNP to a “protect and serve” role; remove leaders who ordered and abetted extra-judicial killings. Hold top officials responsible for murder charges.
- Endorse the standing Constitution as the correct law of the land. Mandate that constitutional revisions be handled by a Constitutional Convention rather than Constituent Assembly.
- Stop consideration of the death penalty and reduced age for criminal liability.
- Form a President’s Economic Council comprised of CEO’s from large and middle-sized corporations. Include Senator Bam Aquino on the Council to represent small businesses.
- Re-affirm the nation’s peace charter and partnerships with the US, China, Europe, ASEAN states, and United Nations. Re-affirm Philippine adherence to the UN arbitration court’s legal finding on sea boundaries.
- Re-affirm the nation’s endorsement of human rights laws, climate change initiatives, and free and fair trade.
- Re-orient the drug war to focus efforts on supply channels, dealers, education, and rehabilitation.
- Take swift, purposeful measures to speed the delivery of justice through the nation’s courts, and fund the program appropriately.
The policy agenda would not preclude discussion of federalism, but would take it out of a rushed political timeline and give it thorough consideration looking at economic as well as political impacts. The policy agenda would also be open to new ideas from coalition leaders.
Coalition Organization
We can imagine how such a coalition might organize. Perhaps a Coalition Steering Committee would be formed under the leadership of a designated Coalition President. Perhaps one representative from each of seven coalition partners mentioned above would sit on the Steering Committee.
They would be responsible for refining the policy statement and implementing programs to fund and build a strong organization.
The selection of a Coalition President would make or break the organization. It would have to be someone who is unquestionably a principled Filipino patriot, someone who by act and idea represents PRINCIPLES over politics.
I would offer Senator Risa Hontiveros as an example of the kind of leader who might be sought. She is unquestionably a woman of principle and patriotism. She belongs to the Akbayan Party, has been clear and forceful in opposing extra-judicial killings, the Marcos burial, the death penalty, and criminal responsibility reduced to age 9. She is pro-people. She does not think “politics first”, but “principles first”. She thinks fast, and she thinks clearly.
She was one of three senators who did NOT vote for Philippine membership in the China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Her vote was held back on the PRINCIPLE that a condition precedent to approval should be an audit of the nation’s debt portfolio and policies. Here’s a link to her statement on the matter.
She makes up her own mind and is indebted to no one.
I’m sure there are other candidates to consider, and you can offer up ideas about that. Do remember that the more independent and less attached they are to this ideology or that, the better. The more “star power” they have, the better.
The Next Step
In my fertile imagination, VP Robredo reads this post, gives Senator Hontiveros a call, and says “Let’s do this. You have point. Who else can we bring aboard, outside of LP?”
Then Waldo Bello dials in, a strong leftist voice for sense and protection of the people. And Mohagher Iqbal, a key architect of the BBL. Ramon R del Rosario, Jr., Chairman of the Makati Business Club. Senator Sonny Trillanes, a principled politician. Senator Poe, too, to prove that she has the courage and commitment to be president some day. Archbishop Socrates Villegas representing the CBCP. Ateneo President Jose Ramon Villarin. Darwin Japheth L. Eusebio, President of the De La Salle Student Council.
And many, many other Filipinos of courage and conviction who want a civil, modern, sovereign, productive Philippines.
And soon, those who belong to the surreal coalition that is enabling President Duterte would start to feel awkward and uncomfortable. They don’t want to be attached to all those murders, to all those other damaging deeds. They are afraid of being outside the new political force that will end the killings and bring integrity back to the Philippines. They break. Voluntarily.
Well, that is all in my imagination, and I can for sure imagine big. And I can imagine that the Philippines actually has a LOT of good people of courage and conviction. And compassion. That’s all I am allowed to do.
Imagine. Think. Write. Dream.
My dream sees my family living in a civil, modern, free, diverse, fair, safe Philippines where my son can thrive on his honest abilities and good mind. And be proud to be Filipino.
My writing contribution to Philippine well-being for this topic ends here, but that dream lives on.
The Society of Honor by Joe America 
Some more orthodox leftists do not want her purportedly because she may perpetuate the status quo they hated, but asides at having no Lean Alejandro who can connect with anyone, their ideas are rather archaic, unpalatable to the current generation of the masses who were supposed to identify with them, and belong in the middle of the 20th century.
If I were a leftist, I would look at this as an opportunity to move into leadership by shifting to a more moderate stance. Do they really have one with Duterte? Or are they just another tool?
Many leftists see even Bello as ‘too liberal’.
Who would make the best representative of a ‘people/workers’ group in a coalition?
hard to say.. real union folks maybe who aren’t communists?
There needs to be an element of popular acceptance. I don’t know leftists I find to be worth reading other than Bello. That reflects their failure, I suppose, in using extremists like Reyes for the public front. The left will only succeed in populist driven PH by being more popular, I think.
The last thing the local socialists need to be called are being referred to as useful fools. Already they’re being shaken from their stupor, and the NPA may soon be at the business end of Chinese-made assault rifles.
Agree. They are already making statements condemning the alleged power grab of the LP, which ironically is the same BS Mocha Uson is mouthing.
I agree with your suggested coalition team with a new, but forceful organizational name (like “Sulong Pilipinas”, a pro Pilipinas name and organization that I reserved at Facebook since 2013) and should NOT be seen as an alter ego of LP that has earned a “dilawan stigma” associated with inefficiency (below par mass tranportation and tanim bala way of extorting money in airport terminals). The coalition should also not include any Aquino clan and people that are “too identified” with the Aquinos. Also, the BBL’s name should be changed as the name itself gives “suspicion” for its spinning off to be “another sovereign state” outside of the Philippines in the future. The rest of your proposals seems that be viable to many Filipinos.
On Mon, 12 Dec 2016 at 8:17 AM The Society of Honor: the Philippines wrote:
The Society of Honor posted: ”
By Joe America
Well, to be sure, VP Robredo is and always will be strong, but the idea that LP can form a resistance to the deadly and autocratic ways of the Duterte Administration is an idea that is weak.
The Philippines is stuck in a nightmare of “
just watched a video on Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels..
much of LP was ‘Laputan’ – technocrats lacking feel for ground-level reality.
nice plans, but not enough ground-level monitoring – on very difficult ground to be fair.
Interesting observation, Manuel. I agree that top LP at the forefront is not advisable, but don’t agree with harsh lines of exclusion. If anyone wants to support the coalition, they should receive a thankful welcome. Diversity, inclusion, respect. Not those gawdawful lines of exclusion.
*******
I would add Senator Pangilinan to the list of vocal senators.
*****
I think there could be even more if the coalition were not of any party spectrum.
It is always astonishing to see the overwhelming amount of OFW’s on flights back to the Philippines. Traveling back alone and with a lot of delays I had the opportunity to overhear many conversations and have discussions with seatmates. It got me realizing how much in a bubble I live. Some thoughts.
Filipinos experience daily how criminal organizations pray on their meager possessions. The latest are the (police?) gangs asking for protection money against drug related incarceration or violence. They experienced too the drugs pushers, the illegal gambling agents, the fixers for whatever legal document, the “side line” activities of many government agents as a survival necessity to augment their meager salaries. Those in any business know of the smugglers and tax evaders. All above activities are not individual initiatives but part of organized criminal gangs.
Many want to belief that DU30 is the ultimate answer to clean up once and for all this cancerous tumors in society. Others are not so naïve to believe that the police can change overnight from the most corrupt government agency to the most trusted crime busters with drugs as priority, but they choose to play it safe and keep their heads low.
For an opposition to get traction they’ll have to address these issues with equal strength but add clear factual information, more people involvement on a grassroots level and assemble around some charismatic, straight people (celebrities?).
Filipinos have 2 faces, one of anger and frustration because of a feeling of inferiority and another of caring and kindness. DU30 is appealing on this first face, an opposition should build on the second while recognizing the anger.
Well put. Crime and ethics go hand in hand, it seems to me. Hard to clean the police or people up when House reps and some Senators have zero ethical conscience. Does Duterte project following the rules or breaking them?
Most of the politicians live in their own bubble, I guess, and some are plain evil, some too tired to (re)launch a decent fight. For most keeping their bubbles thriving is their first or only priority. They are either blind or looking away, or just as me enjoying the comfort and security of a gated community, good mall, good school… the outside world is just a juicy story in the PDI or an emotional newscast on ANC. Experiencing daily reality as 95% of the Filipinos do is too scary, let’s just build some theoretical or imaginary scenarios of improvements to appease or conscience.
This is the ideal substrate for criminal groups to flourish. Not a single vulture scavenges alone they all work in packs. Traffic officers and drug peddlers work in hierarchic structures as Mafiosi with powerful godfathers at the very top. I have the feeling that DU30 acts more as (unaware?) puppet of the unified Triad societies and gangs, more than as a powerful crime-buster.
True!
One example is the NHA can not throw away the illegal occupants of NHA land.
Another is a ppp projectbecause a Meralco property is blocking the way and won’t budge.
Another ideal substrate is the often “hands-off” mentality of the ruling classes. At home they let the maids do stuff, in the office they have their clerical staff, and their drivers… Since the ruling groups grow up insulated, the groups that do things for them can use their position.. Now even if it is unlikely that De Lima was ordering her driver to do the bagman for her, it IS possible that he used his influence with De Lima to make some his own “diskarte”… my impression is that the old ruling classes knew these kind of games and often just asked for their cut indirectly and acted as if they knew nothing, some new representatives may not know the old games anymore (I really wonder) so it is believable for many, even if I consider it very very far-fetched, that Honrado, Pnoy’s cousin, covered up for tanim-bala… there is an old, deeply rooted tradition of everybody making do in some way, at all levels.
That is what is different with our brand of cirruption, it is at all levels.
If we maintain a prifessional rank and file, then no matter how unbecoming the top is, things would continue if the head is thrown out.
There is an inquirer report that says that many are cheering Duterte’s war on drugs.
Whether those are trolled induced inflated results.
If they make it appear that people cheer for the war on drugs, then why would they stop?
I suggest adding Solita Monsod to that coaltion.
If Irineo thinks Walden Bello is not a good choice then the economic back ground of Monsod would help, I think.
Ms Monsod has a good brain, and values, for sure. I don’t know if she is seen as independent of LP or not.
I just mentioned that the far left does not like Bello – but since they probably won’t be part of any kind of coalition anyway, who cares? Possibly the way to go is for groups to form on social media first – there are some people around whom the present discussions are centering on Facebook with regulars just like here, and then for them to look for who represents them best. Somewhat like the idea of “Liquid Democracy” propagated by the Pirate Party, which is now the ruling party in Iceland – causes first then the representatives.
Then it would be like any partylist where you nominate your representatives after naming your partylists.Usually the founding members are not the representatives if the party list is huge.
ps. Sorry if I misunderstood your comment.
Political parties in Europe are a bit like partylists and a bit like homeowner’s associations. Yes you have the principle of delegates at all levels – but there is also a very broad base of membership into every neighborhood, with voting members that pay membership fees…
In a paper titled “Essential Attributes of the Barangay,” Manny Valdehuesa, aka Mr. Barangay and head of the Gising Barangay Movement, notes that:
The barangay has the essential elements of a republic—a defined territory, population, government, and, though limited, sovereignty. And the Big Philippine Republic draws its life force, direction and political will from these small barangay republics—42,029 of them as of last year. Valdehuesa warns: “It takes only one barangay to form a band of terrorists who can hold the nation hostage or place it in the grip of terror.”
The barangay has a full-fledged government. It has the power to tax and to police, even the power of eminent domain. And like the Big Philippine Republic, it has three branches of government—executive (barangay chair and his/her office), legislative (Sangguniang Barangay), and judicial (Lupon Tagapayapa).
But here’s where the differences with the Big Philippine Republic begin, because in a barangay, there are no separation of powers. The barangay has a parliamentary form of government, because all three branches are headed by the barangay chair.
The second major difference (the people power part) is that it has a legislative governing body, the Barangay Assembly, which is a parliament except in name. This, in fact, is the barangay’s supreme governing body, consisting of the entire constituency (ages 15 and above who have been residents for at least six months). And since it consists of all voting constituents, it is literally a constituent assembly—i.e., it is superior to the Sangguniang Barangay since its acts, decisions and resolutions express the sovereign will of the people of the community.
Moreover, because every constituent participates in its deliberations directly (or ought to), its governing process is a direct democracy like in ancient Athens, or in the modern-day villages of Israel and Switzerland.
How’s that for people power? To wit: The Barangay Assembly can discipline or recall the chair and kagawad for loss of confidence (Sec. 69-75, Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code). It may also initiate legislation, propose, enact, or amend ordinances, approve or disapprove official acts, undertake the process of initiative or referendum with respect to local policies or ordinances, and approve or disapprove the barangay’s annual budget (Ch. VI of RA 7160).
The barangay, like other local government units, is a public corporation, with the Sangguniang Barangay as its board of directors.
But the Barangay Assembly serves also as its stockholders meeting, with the stockholders’ certificates being the voter IDs. Like any corporation, the barangay can increase its resources by investing, lending, or borrowing, by creating enterprises, by establishing revenue-generating projects, etc., and the Barangay Assembly can participate in these developmental aspects.
Beautiful, isn’t it? That was the plan. The reality is quite different, making a mockery of people power. Why? Two reasons, according to Mr. Barangay: First, “It doesn’t occur to people (meaning us) that like congress or any collegial or corporate body, the Barangay Assembly is powerless unless it is in session, deliberating formally. Only if they do can they initiate policies, make decisions, or approve/disapprove acts of their government. By doing so, they can they initiate/legislate reforms from the grassroots up!”
And second, “The government’s failure to introduce, explain, or implement these barangay processes (per the Local Government Code) explains why, instead of being our Big Republic’s firm foundation, the barangays are its soft underbelly—dominated as they are by traditional politicians (trapos) who corrupt it with patronage and manipulate its voters as an electoral machine. Weak barangays cannot produce a strong republic!”
Read more: http://opinion.inquirer.net/97809/taking-back-power#ixzz4Sh5degtA
Follow us: @inquirerdotnet on Twitter | inquirerdotnet on Facebook
Though we were talking about parties,your mention of homeowners association reminded me of a conversation a few blogs back where you mentioned, townhall meetings and the barangay which may only be good for operation tokhang.
I have blogged about the barangay here and your blog.
Been disappointed with Lacson lately, but I still have some admiration left unlike my admiration of Gordon which is close to nil.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/852832/lacson-alarmed-by-daily-executions-urges-govt-action
Hope his statements would fall into the right ears.
Only such a principled coalition can crush the imminent dictatorship: Du30 resigning for health reasons to give way to Bongbong Marcos (since the 9 justices will rule in his favor).
Yes, I believer you are right, Sir Jimmy.
I like the whole article except the inclusion of Poe as potential champion to be part of the new opposition. I see her as part of the conspiracy to put the marcoses back into power.
That is the advantage of a coalition that has neutrality and power. It will reveal Senator Poe for whatever she chooses to be. The players will be identified.
Nightmare of death, disunity and economic drift?? Where are you getting these grim situations? Unless these can be proven you are fabricating things. Last time I check the Senate said there was no state sponsored killings. No disunity except the opposing LP. The economy growth is same or better than previous year.
I do not enjoy living in a bubble, and so are my friends who are mostly living in a slum.
The overriding focus on eradicating anyone even merely holding a sachet of shabu makes me wonder if they are also focused on genuine economic and agricultural reform. Or providing lasting education and employment.
Since you already made a choice, you’ll have to live with it as if this leadership is a blessing to you, or the rest will have to put up with this leadership’s daily haranguing on media, to emphasize itself being omnipotent as Big Brother on telescreens.
If your assumption that anyone holding a sachet of shabu should be eradicated is correct, those 700,000+ should be already dead by now.
If you think you are living in a bubble, I would like you to evaluate the risk on you or your family or your friends of living in the current Philippines and compared it to the past. I’m telling you this so as for you not to fear the unknown and to have a clearer picture.
Speaking of genuine reformation other than war on drugs, mining firms in Palawan are now facing closures because of many violations which was not stricktly address previously. There is an ongoing talks with the communist to address them. Scarborough issue was close. A tweak in various regulatory processes was implemented to ease citizens’ burden.
If you say that I am manipulating or trolling or anything, well, not really. I just want everyone not to focus solely on negative things. What was that again? EJKs, dictatorship, economic collapse?
> to have a clearer picture
I’ve seen enough. Standing in the middle of a slum, all five senses taking in the uncomfortable humid world, feeling the total misery emanating from the shantytown. The want, the need, but broken dreams or desperation to claw out of the morass. Now fear dominates the shantytown, dwellers secretly hoping not to become the next victim of who comes in the night — a gangster, a hitman or… an off-duty cop.
BTW, I may not like Trillianes, but he said it right: the President is prone to self-destruction.
I could not argue more since it is your personal experience. One more question, in the slum you are in did the fear, the broken dreams, the desperation never existed before?
You know the answer to your question, Andres. Tell us what you think.
10.5
Their problems as I said earlier already existed for years, but then came *your* President and he amplified their fears to a thousandfold. Now, are the downtrodden going to feel the wealth trickling down as you have claimed earlier? Or are they going to experience the same-old-same-old where nothing happens?
You are feeding us the propaganda instead of international media reports, and not acknowledging the many photos of the dead bodies and stacked bodies at the morgue. You deny that the body count is a horror. You persist in spinning select excerpts as if the Gordon Committee finding were a legitimate inquiry that actually sought to discover anything but De Lima’s role. You say LP is the only opposition and ignore the critical comments by the left, Lacson, Hontiveros, UN, human rights groups, and others. The decline in stocks, the retreat of foreign investors, the weak peso. Why do you do this, this edited reporting of facts meant to mislead and hide the truth? Why? Are you afraid of the truth, or paid for what you report, or what?
BSP: September foreign direct investments slid to a 3-month low at $469 million from $1.53 billion a year ago.
GDP growth this 3rd quarter of 2016 is 7.1, fastest since 2nd Quarter of 2013. How’s that? I don’t think a decrease in foreign investment is a complete negative, it could suggest that our economy is getting independent. A weak peso like right now is generally bad, but if our economy is growing as suggested by our GDP, that is tollerable.
There was an accelerated infrastructure spending during August.
Money may have been released, but the pace spending may not be necessarily be pace of the building with the rainy season and la niña.
Exports were down, thanks or no thanks to the peso dollar exchange rate, the lack of exports were somewhat masked.
But we all know most of our exports have lots of inputs which are imported in semi-con and electronics.
Consumer spending may again be thanks to the OFW remmittances and the peso exchange rate.
Can’t be that negative, but can not be that totally positive either.
Some of the economic metrics do not reflect in actual current status due to time lags and some soecific influences, like the sudden release of substantial infra funds or election spending or inventories to be replenished. It needs some time for the data to nornalise. But mark my words. Economic pain is coming. A 10% weakening of the peso will have it’s impact felt soon. Latest inflation has gone up to 2.5% highest for quite a while. Petrol pump prices are beginning to revise up pretty fast due to new inventories at weakened peso. A further bad news is OPEC has reached agreement to cut production, so expect further higher pump prices.
It’s still the economy stupid. If the country’s focus is still on drug war, 9 year olds, death penalties, federalism, senate and congress inquiry showmanship, Marcos burial, who is watching the economy? An economic slap in the face is what will waken the country.
Understood.
His approach of reaching out to China Russia and the middle east (investments)might be good if only he won’t throw away the US alliance.
The pronouncement by the DND sec that virtually undermines EDCA by saying that the US has bases in Okinawa and Guam and to better just use them,means he is really undermining the US.
That threat against offshoring by Trump, may hurt us eventually.
http://www.rappler.com/business/155328-duterte-bpo-companies-forget-fears
So everything remains to be seen.
The Americans are worried with Trump’s China stance,where Automotive and Food and beverage companies will potentially lose their biggest market.
My basis of saying that there was no state sponsored EJKs is the Senate, a body equal to that of the President. Its not my own, I don’t think this one is a propaganda. Rather, a picture of stacked dead bodies could be a propaganda, depending on how you present them. How can I put my trust on international media, did the even send their own probes on the field? Or just recycled what was fed to them? LP is a political party, thats why they are the real opposition. The rest you mentioned, left, human rights, etc are just commentators and have power than like that of the real opposition.
The Senate investigation leaves more questions open than it answers.
The recent New York Times report was by a war and catastrophe zone professional who spent 35 days in the country doing real research. At the very least things are unclear.
@Andres 10k,
My job as editor of the blog is to promote discussion that is enriching to those who visit. Enrichment has several qualities. It means discussion is based on knowledge-sharing, teaching and learning. It is honest and it is respectful of differences, for where would we be if we did not respect that people arrive here on unique . . . that is, different . . . paths? It strives for a special kind of integrity.
Experience has taught that there are two kinds of visitors here. One are the truth-seekers (knowledge seekers) and the other are those who seek the win. Those who seek the win may be pushing an agenda or defending their face, compensating for insecurities. They inject a kind of anti-knowledge into the discussion, and therefore are like weeds in a beautiful garden.
6,000 innocents dead are a lot of pain, for kids and wives and parents. And yet you put sugar on it and smile.
Consider yourself plucked. Kindly refrain from visiting here under any name. For you are weed by any name.
1.
Andres 10k just enjoys pressing the wrong button to get a sure reply. Definitely a weed challenging to be plucked forever.
Yes. I gave him lots of latitude, and at times he actually reached for lucid comments trying to represent the President’s agenda. And we do need that. But when I know I could represent it better in honest terms than all his fanatics do with their moralisms and fake truths, it is time to do some hoe work.
You gave him 10,000 chances.Even more.
I try not to sound like a hater,but some comments that down plays human rights violations,ejk and sell the idea of safety,that really gets on my nerve.
Yes, same here. His writings did inspire the current article, the part about lies and advocating weakness, so his visit made an ironic contribution . . .
Agree ako na magkaroon ng bagong koalisyon ng mga makabayang Piipino. Walang kulay, hindi ideological (pero nakakaintindi nito),.. alam ang kasaysayang ngamga oligarchy sa Piipinas, ng mga kilusan – kaliwa o kanan papel ng simbahan edukasyon, media, Kano, China, Russia at iba pa, pati pamilya, OFW sa kawalannatin ng pambansang kamalayn. Nobaody is into nation-building. Puro pera. agawan sa kapangyarihan, media exposure, etcetrea. Nasaan ang tungkol sa pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa? Power o bayan? Negosyo o bayan? Oslo pece o bayan? at iba pa!
I would definitely not include the CCP, NDF or most if not all the leftist factions whether they fought militarily against dictator Marcos or not. Politically they sided with him or stood on the sidelines during the EDSA revolution and now they see Duterte as a means of temporarily gathering political power and rebuilding their military alarm Their goal is not to oppose or overthrow the Duterte regime and its not clear that the others on the list have such an agenda. At first glance, it may be okay to follow the old saw that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. But a ROT (rules of thumb) like this has to take careful cognizance of the deeper motivations these potential allies have when considering who to coalesce as core members of an opposition movement.
My thoughts too. LP(yellow) and EDSA 1 are too distant in the past now. VP Leni Robredo must think out of the (yellow) box. I believe there is a majority out there who are willing to support her. Not all who are against what the current administration are doing belong to the so-called ‘yellow’. They’re looking for someone who can lead them. The admin propagandists are framing the issues between the Aquinos vs. Marcoses. Between the ‘ destabilizing yellow’ vs. ‘people who want change’.
Thus, beclouding the real and future-threatening economic and political issues.
Yes, indeed. If VP Robredo is to lead, and succeed, she must get out of the yellow box.
Thanks joeamrrica for all your comments, I hope and pray and want to share it to bring enlightenment to people now being blinded of what is the truth my prayers that God take control.God bless us all.
Thanks, Amelia. Best to you, too.
Leni fights back… after holding back patiently for almost too long..