Wednesday, February 28, 2007

THE REAL BATTLEGROUND IN THE 2007 ELECTIONS (OR A VIEW FROM A DOOMSDAY SAYER)

In one of the TV shows, interviews were conducted on how common folks react to the incoming 2007 elections. An ominous trend among the answers evidently shows that in the simple minds of our people, all politicians are practically the same. Whoever may be elected will not yield any positive results in their lives. “Kahit na sinong piliin nyo, pare-pareho lang yan sila!”


For that same reason, our countrymen choose those who are popular and not those who present themselves to be real statesmen. Thus, we end up with basketball players, actors, husbands of actresses, radio and TV announcers in the senate, congress and even in local governments.


The observation of many appears valid if not to be considered profound. They are now benumbed by what they perceive as a useless exercise every three years, election after election.


However, the scenario these days in the Halls of Congress, particularly the Lower House, may spell the gravity of the role a congressman has to delicately take if voted upon in his district.


The incoming year in Congress will be most crucial in the history of Philippine politics. The situation is extremely volatile. Should there be a drastic change in the balance of countervailing powers in Congress, our government will take a radical turn, either for better or for worse.


If 80 congressmen or 1/3 of the opposition will win, the impeachment proceedings will be revived, and if approved, it will be passed on to the House of Senate for trial.


However, if impeachment proceedings are prolonged or snuffed out and GMA decides to declare Martial Rule, putting an end to our democratic life, Congress will need about 130 congressmen together with the senators to stop such a menace.


The constitutional provision, Art. VII, Section 18, states:


In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, (s)he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President….


The Supreme Court cannot curtail the President from further continuing with Martial Rule, thereby putting us back to where we belonged during the Marcos era. Martial Law would take its toll on democratic life, dimming out the lights of freedom.


The question now is who among those who presented themselves and are posturing to become Congressmen in the two districts of Cagayan de Oro City will be considered consistently under the opposition or independent minded enough not to kowtow with GMA.


A cursory look at them may shed more light.


BENJO BENALDO: He could never be with the opposition and will run under the administration. He is a godson of GMA. He is also a good friend, a fratmate and a classmate of Mikee Arroyo before they were kicked out from Ateneo de Manila Law School. He will now “graduate” as a Councilor. His connection with MalacaƱang has been enormously displayed during the visit of GMA in our fiesta celebration. He presently violates election laws by putting his face together with the mayor in tarpaulins around the city.


EDGAR CABANLAS: The number one bootlicker of Dongkoy. Known to be the man behind the implementation of the illegal piso-piso project and assigned in the purchase of lands from the coffers of the local government. As his master is at the side of the administration, he too will take such side.


ALVIN CALINGIN: The erstwhile deep penetration agent (DPA) of Dongkoy who took an oath to be in the ranks of PDP-Laban knowing that Dongkoy will not be supporting him for any elective office. He is also a cousin of the former Governor Antonio “Bong” Calingin who caught the ire of Dongkoy when he was sitting as Governor of Misamis Oriental. He can neither be considered as a consistent oppositionist nor an independent minded person.


TONY SORIANO: He stood as an opposition and even ran for mayoralty position but all the while was a lawyer of UKC, the contractor of the city allegedly owned by Dongkoy but operated by Dodong Uy. He is a member of the Black and White Movement. Yet, he appears to be neither black nor white and could hardly take a stand against GMA.


ROLANDO UY: The Barangay Captain of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City is now posturing to run in the camp of Dongkoy and is also under the administration.


MONCHING TABOR: He declared that he will run for Congressman and nothing else. While he has shown himself to be independent minded, he finally gave in and joined Dongkoy. He has taken his oath under the banner of PaDayon Pilipino.


We are then left practically without any choice at all for the House of Congress. If people like Justice Alfredo Lagamon, Roderico Villaroya and some other independent minds will not take the cudgels for the City of Cagayan de Oro as a prominent voice in Congress, no one will speak the truth for us.


No one will try to prevent GMA from pursuing her evil designs if only to remain in power. We will be back with another Tinnex, who, after nine years of kowtowing with the President and betraying us, built a castle in Indahag complete with swimming pool, basking in the warmth of his wealth.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

PIT OF SNAKES

The entrance of Intramuros in Manila is grandiose. Turning right upon reaching the first road stands the Manila Cathedral and to your right is the renovated Palacio del Gobernador. A few meters away from the back of the Manila Cathedral is a worn-out wooden building painted with white, the edges of which are beginning to worn-out showing the various coats of other paints.


There are about four steps going up in the building. I needed to pass through narrow corridors as you get deep inside the halls. And I felt like I am inside a dungeon as I get through a room with a signage, LEGAL OFFICE.


The faces inside the office did not seem to welcome anyone. They don’t care nor bother. This is the COMELEC office. After getting out, it feels like I had just freed myself from the pit of a snake.


This is the office that proclaims victory for all leaders of the land. An office that refuses to modernize our electoral process. An office that refuses computerization of balloting and counting of the will of the people.


The big debate rages on either to computerize election or not.


In a country where dishonesty thrives and cheating as the means to assume power, the people are held hostage by the leaders who find it convenient to deliberately curtail any electoral reform that may come at hand.


Well-meaning persons who aspire to become leaders often think twice in presenting themselves as they know they will be subjected to dirty tricks that may along the way.