PROTECTING THE FILIPINO TAX MONEY

Fake Philippine President wants to be a legit congresswoman

2009-11-30T06:30:00.000-08:00

The problem with political power is the addiction and the fear of losing it.

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the matriarch of the worst presidential family in history, has confirmed plans eyeing for the Pampanga congressional seat. Serve your constituents, madam? We want to see you in jail for a decade of lies, cheats, treason and evil.

The Arroyo family in my entire recollection, is a symbol of a failed government and a dark part of the Filipino's history. Her failure to curb corruption led by her family and cohorts, the billions of debt she left the country and the coddling of the worst criminals in Maguindanao are just a few of the reasons why she should end up in stinky jail with her husband and thick skinned actor-liar-son. Not in Batasan, i pray not.

And who said Marcos was really gone? She's worse.

OVER-CORRUPTION, not over-population

2009-10-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

OVER-CORRUPTED, NOT OVERPOPULATED

National Population Growth has slowed down to 2.1% from 2.36% from previous year as per report from the National Statistics Office. Also, interesting to note that only 5 out of 17 regions have posted population growth rate more than 2.0%. Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao posted the biggest Growth rate of 5.46%.

It is also noted that highly urbanized areas such as NCR, Western Visayas (Bacolod, Iloilo, Roxas), Central Visayas (Cebu, Dumaguete), Cagayan De Oro and Davao have posted growth rates lower than the National Average. Meanwhile, Calabarzon, Soccsksargen and ARMM posted very high growth rates.

Please visit www.nso.gov.ph for more info.

We clamor for change in our governance. We wish for transparency and decency from our government leaders but it remains elusive.

Over-population is a lame excuse from our leaders. It’s their way to pass on guilt to the people, not to their failure to move this country up.

We are OVER-corrupted not over-populated.

The Philippines will remain to be one of the biggest suppliers of quality workers that fuel the world economy. The population is our biggest resource. WHY REDUCE IT?

We just need to look at the right solutions and Reproductive Health, the fox in sheep’s cloth, is a sinister plot. RH Bill is abortion. Just ask Cong. Edcel Lagman, if he can swear to death that he didn’t gain anything for pushing this poison in our society.

Again, if we are over-populated, who are the excess people? You, me, our children?

One things is for sure, we are over-populated with incompetent, corrupt, useless and hell-they-go political leaders.

Mabuhay ang Diwa ni Tita Cory!

2009-08-05T20:26:00.000-07:00

Tita Cory, sa iyong pamamahinga, akin ring inaalay ang isang panata na gagawin ko araw araw.

Ang panatang bantayan ang kalayaan na pinagkaloob mo sa amin. Bantayan ang kalayaan na di kayang bilhin ninuman.

Maraming tiwali at mapagsamantala sa kapangyarihan pero hindi kami matatakot Tita Cory. Dahil sa iyong kabayanihan, magiging malakas at matuwid kami para sa kapwa naming Pilipino.

Salamat sa inyo ni Ninoy. Dahil sa inyo, nakakapagsulat ako ng mga pahayag ko sa internet. Dahil sa inyo, ipinagmamalaki kong ako ay Pilipino. Pilipinong nagmamahal sa kapwa Pilipino.

Salamat at paalam, bayaning pinakamamahal...

ATONG ANG - FINALLY FREE? Hangal na nga ba talaga tayo?

2009-06-22T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pilipinas,

Wala na ba talaga tayong pag-asa? Ang mga taong pahirap sa atin ang syang nakakalaya.

http://ph.news.yahoo.com/abs/20090622/tph-atong-ang-regains-freedom-8061bf7.html

Tanong ko, hangal na ba talaga tayo?

Naniniwala pa ba ako sa bulok na sistema ng hustisya? Ang hirap maniwala pero yun ang batas at kailngang sundin.

Kawawa, kawawang Pilipino.

Ano na, Juan?

CONASS AND TRAITORS IN THE GOVERNMENT

2009-06-08T02:51:00.000-07:00

Wendell Phillips, an American anti-slavery abolitionist, once said, “Mark my grave with INFIDEL and TRAITOR. I am an infidel to a church that compromises with wrong and a traitor to a government that oppresses the people.” Our erring congressmen are just plainly infidels and traitors to the people.

Most of us probably feel betrayed with the blatant disregard of the law by our elected politicians. We feel betrayed of this Con Ass circus because we elected them to carry our sentiments in the seats of government and not to disregard and trample on our rights.

These traitors must be entombed 100 feet below the ground and marked as TRAITORS for the next generation to remember. We should hang these traitors and awaken the ever-forgiving and naïve Filipino people that we deserve a change in governance and scrap these polluted, stinking cycle in ill-governance.

If a fake president, who admitted to cheating her way into election victory, leads a cast of clowns and traitors in Congress, what now Filipinos? Shall we take this sitting down?

Let’s build the legal guillotines to kill these traitors. We had enough of these betrayals. Let’s take up arms to make them realize that being a leader is not a privilege but a responsibility to your constituents. Let’s do what the Katipuneros did with their cedulas, forget status quo and demand for change, change for good.

If the State fails to protect its people from the same leaders that abuses their position, we the sovereign people of the Philippines, should stand up and correct this nonsense.

Let’s hurt the purse of our politicians. Let’s send them to jail. As long as they have the money, they will continue to oppress not just the poor but the silent middle class. The struggle for change does not entirely lie on the hands of the oppressed but the silent majority who are indifferent with the abuses in our community.

Civil disobedience is a right that a sovereign people possess when law enforcement is futile and leadership is hostile.

LUMABAN TAYO PILIPINO. IKULONG ANG MGA TRAIDOR SA BAYAN.

Namamayagpag ang mga tiwali at walang konsensyang mga kongresista sa pagpasa ng isang panukala na nagpapakita lamang na kayang kaya nilang abusuhin ang kanilang tungkulin. Ang pagbabago sa ating saligang batas para ang isang huwad na president ay manatili sa pwesto ay isang malaking kahangalan.

TRAIDOR. Yan ang itawag natin sa ating mga pinuno na walang inisip kungdi ang magpakayaman sa pwesto. TRAIDOR ang itawag natin sa mga kongresista na pinagkatiwalaan natin ng ating boto. TRAIDOR ang itawag natin sa mga lintek na politico na naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng isang pekeng presidente.

Maging abala sa bayan!

OBAMA and ABORTION

2009-01-24T17:59:00.000-08:00

Strange enough, US President Barack Obama just signed a law allowing US funds to be directed to the support of international abortion campaign.

He's not happy with the idea that he kills millions of babies in the US and he now wants to kill more babies worldwide.

And starnger as it is, is the play of words. Try to write OBAMA in reverse and you will have AMABO. Could it mean AM ABOrtion happy?

I like the new US President for what he represents for most of us but being a pro-abortion leader makes him a questionable character. I hope that he would realize that someday, her daughters will also bear children and I hope they dont experience the pain of losing a defenseless baby.

This is a sad day for the world, a horrific day for unborn babies all over the world.

PHILIPPINES, be the light of the world and don't give in to the ABORTION programs that we are facing right now!

EURO Generals and their Evil Masters

2008-11-04T17:23:00.000-08:00

The scandal caused by the so called Euro Generals is another blatant disregard of the law from law-enforcers themselves.

Honestly, I couldn't blame it all on the generals. I think they started as clean, idealistic and service-oriented individuals but were engulfed by the stinking corruption of our government system. These generals look up to their masters and if the masters are evil, amassing public wealth on their own without getting caught, that gives the generals their "inspiration".

Not all police officers are corrupt. I know a few good people who serve our country so well and I am proud to know them.

But if we see these generals as bad examples to our police force, would we stil trust them? When I was younger, i was taught that when you are lost, ask the policeman (patrolman pa yata nun). I believe that we deserve to honor the service of our policemen and let's continue to be thankful to their dedication, even when their generals follow evil masters.

And here's one prediction by 2010. The Arroyo couple will suffer a much bitter fate than that of Erap Estrada. I guess, 80 million Filipino people deserves justice. (Or it might not happen, after all Imelda Marcos is still out and free, like we just forgot what they did to this country.)

As a hopeless friend of mine said, "Who cares now?"

And I said,"I care."

The Taxprotector

ANTI-OBAMA, PRO-LIFE

2008-09-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

I was relieved that McCain and Palin were able to take over Obama in the recent US Polls. Obama is anti-life, pro-abortion and believer of same sex marriage.

If Obama wins, I will not be surprised that the Population bill of Edcel Lagman will be enacted into law. I hope you realize that Philippines is teh remainign bastion of conscience among the Catholic countries.

If Obama can't care for an innocent life of a fetus, how much more caring for the world?

Our "experts" from UP, supported by our tax money, are giving in to the Population bill. They are saying that the economy is suffering due to over-population.

What about over-corruption? Just trim down down corruption by ten percent and you will not even worry about over-population.

COMMON SENSE IS NOT SO COMMON AFTER ALL and for a lot of people, Money is more fun than principle.

Most CORRUPT GOVERNMENT

2008-09-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Our Government is the most corrupt government system in the world. The only people that will tell me I am wrong are our shameless government leaders who can swallow to see our people suffer.

Have you heard of the family that committed suicide because of poverty? Have you heard about the C5 mess, the Court of Appeals Fiasco, the Meralco-GSIS stinking mess, the NBN-ZTE big time cover-up? Have you heard Ex Soc-Gen Frank Chavez say that 90% of the judiciary is stinkingly corrupt? Have you heard that GMA vetoed and pushed the contract for the Northrail with the Chinese? Have you heard that it takes 52 days to start a business here in the Philippines? Amazingly shameful.

President Arroyo, isn't this government the most corrupt government in the world?

This country will only see progress when we see politicians languish in jail for STEALING OUR TAX MONEY!!! Unfortunately, not in GMA's watch.

Inquirer Article - The Filipino Engineer

2008-08-27T15:43:00.000-07:00

I am overwhlemed by the reaction of our countrymen to my post in Inquirer.net about our government's policies in doing national infrastructure projects. To those who believed that the Filipino can do it, here's to you.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=151275

Philippines has enough means to build new railroads

Philippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 00:57am (Mla time) 07/29/2008
This is a reaction to the news story “Gov’t scrambles to save NorthRail.” (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 7/14/08)

The Philippines is a very rich country in terms of natural and human resources. Metals, natural energy, marine life and technical know-how are abundant and readily available in our country. It’s just a matter of having a policy ensuring that the Filipino people as a whole gain from and enjoy these natural resources.

We don’t need the Chinese to do our railroads. The United Kingdom, Australia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai and several other countries import our engineers to build their roadways. We must believe in our homegrown talents. We don’t need Chinese money to line the pockets of the robbers in our government.

The government just has to intensify its campaign against corruption and I am sure we can build three more railroad systems.

We don’t need to act like beggars before Chinese government officials. If President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo really means to lead this country well, she should show some decency and give us Filipinos some reasons to be proud. Yes, we can build our country a better future. With a little help from Malacañang.

My salute to the few good people in our government.

RYNOR G. JAMANDRE (via email)

Supporting Life, Condemning Corruption

2008-07-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

SUPPORTING LIFE, CONDEMNING CORRUPTION AND ABORTION

I admire the courage and fidelity of our church and non-government leaders for standing up against the threat to the unborn human life. (Obama is a pro-abortion leader, so watch out.)

The biggest problem of the country is not overpopulation. I believe that corruption and ill governance account for the problem on peace and order, sluggish economy, higher taxes and poor infrastructures.

The best way to solve population issues is through education and empowerment. If we can educate our people that bearing more children is a bigger responsibility, then we will have a good start. Giving them condoms, access to artificial birth control and sex education in school are just like “band-aid” solution. We will give this country some decency to solve problems by our inherent trait for love of life, and the beauty of it.

Filipinos who are enlightened / educated have the awareness of the responsibilities of pregnancies, wanted or unwanted as it may be. Their education provided them tools to fend for themselves and their families.

90 million Filipinos doesn’t make the Philippines crowded. It only crowds Manila. Go to the nearby provinces and you would see that life transpires 100 times slower than Metro Manila.

90 million Filipinos are the human resource than will change the history of the Philippines in the next decade. You just have to empower these 90 million and make them work for a better Philippines.

Have you heard about Ramon Revilla Jr running for VP? Have you heard about the Northrail Chinese fiasco? Have we seen the end of the NBN Scandal? Have we seen the incarceration of corrupt Comelec officials like Abalos, Garcillano and Lintang Bedol?

It is up for you, Filipino, to stand up and condemn these mistakes. You are part of the “over-population” that the government leaders are ranting about. They are too.

Isn’t it that the Philippine Government is OVER-POPULATED with crocodiles, sharks, liars, murderers, plunderers and tyrants of the Filipino people?

Are you one of them?

- Tax Protector

PACQUIAO-DIAZ FIGHT PREDICTION

2008-06-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

Below are my predictions in today's Pacquiao vs Diaz fight (June 29, 2008):

1. Pacquiao will win by an impressive knock-out
2. Filipinos around the world will feel proud
3. Arroyo men led by the big bellied crocodile will raise Pacquiao's hands in victory.
4. Chavit will be in the background with Nograles.
5. Cowards standing on the shoulder of a giant hero.

Go Pacquiao!

Filipino Taxprotector

Do we have an honest President?

2008-05-21T18:52:00.000-07:00

Questions that I want the President to answer honestly:

Why hire General Hermogenes Esperon again for a government job? Isn’t Esperon worthy of a real retirement?

What happened to Lintang Bedol, Virgilio Garcillano and Benjamin Abalos Sr’s election fraud case? Can election cheating be just ignored by this country?

How was Philippines sold to China?

How can you sleep when millions are suffering all over the country?

Are you aware that you could be a real heroine of this country if you just really stick on the role of a Philippine President?

Help me get my proposed Citizen Action Bill to Congress

2008-04-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

Who can sponsor my proposed Bill, the Citizen Action Bill?

Corruption in the government is rampant yet only a few, and often small culprits, are put into justice. It is because the only agency in the government assigned to hunt them is the Sandiganbayan. I am not happy with their performance. I believe that there is still space for corrupt government officials in Muntinlupa’s Bilibid grounds.

I propose a bill that empowers our citizenry to file corruption charges against our government officials, both elected and appointed. I propose that corruption charges be accepted for filing in lower courts such as municipal and regional trial courts. I believe that a lot of us are aware of corruption but we don’t know how to speak it out and in the process, also protect ourselves from retribution.

This bill will be coordinated with the Witness Protection Program.

Can you imagine if the government will be watched by the 90 million people all over the country? We can eradicate corruption!

The bill aims to achieve the following:

deglamorize the politics in the country
help provide transparency in government dealings
deter anomalous deals within the government
promote nationalism
and lastly, plant a seed of change in our people’s hearts

I am looking for support for this bill. If you are a lawyer, a concerned citizen, a businessman or just an ordinary Juan Dela Cruz who’s tired of all the backward growth of the Philippines, please email me at taxprotector@yahoo.com. or visit http://taxprotector.blogspot.com.

Let’s join our hands together and make this possible!

Haay, Pilipinas!

2008-04-11T04:01:00.000-07:00

Sandiganbayan, kayo ba ang tagapagtanggol ng bayan o tagapagtanggol ng naka-iilan?

Nakakahiya basahin ang nasa pahayagan araw araw. Meron tayong Sandiganbayan na dapat ay tagapagbantay ng kaban ng bayan. Pero puno ng katiwalian na lumalagpas lang at hindi man lang nalilitis. Sana mabasa ito ng mga taga Sandiganbayan lalo na dun sa naglilitis ng mga bigating manloloko sa gobyerno.

Naniniwala pa rin ako sa kakayahan ng gobyerno natin pero kailangan nang magwalis sa bakuran nito at tanggalin ang mga basura na nagpapadumi sa gobyerno.

Maniwala ka kababayan, maganda ang Pilipinas. Ipinagmamalaki ko ito pero hindi ang karamihan sa gobyerno.

Lacson, Madrigal, Roxas, Trillanes, Pangilinan at buong senado : isang hakbang na lang kayo para maging tunay na bayani. Sana marinig nyo ang hinaing ng mga tao na naghahangad ng tunay ba pagbabago sa pamahalaan. Sana simulan nyo ang pagbabago sa bayan natin.

Mayor, Gobernador, Kongresista: isang pakiusap lang, sana maalala nyo na ang posisyon nyo ay para sa paglilingkod sa bayan at malaki ang maitutulong nyo sa bayan natin.

Militar at Pulis : Sa inyo nakasalalay ang kaayusan at malaki ang paghanga ko sa inyong paglilingkod. Syempre, maliban sa ilan nating kapatid sa serbisyo na nawawala sa landas.

Mga kababayan, wala mang bigas…tuloy ang laban para sa maunlad at mapayapang Pilipinas!

What do you think, my friend?

2008-04-11T03:32:00.000-07:00

What do you think of General Garcia’s, the ex-military comptroller, recent Sandiganbayan acquittal?

What do you think of Captain Gambala’s, the brave military-rebel officer, conviction?

What do you think of the Sandiganbayan?

What do you think we can do?

Ano sa tingin mo, kaibigan? May pag-asa pa ang bayan na ito?

Makikita ba natin ang araw na ang mga magnanakaw ng kaban ng bayan ay nasa piitan at ang mga matitino nasa gobyerno?

Sana, darating ang araw na yun na di kalayuan.

Congratulations and God Bless, Mr. Manny Pacquiao!

2008-03-15T23:03:00.000-07:00

My heartfelt congratulations to Manny Pacquiao and his team for proving once again that Filipinos can be the best in the world. Finally, a world champion for a true Filipino hero.

I have two pictures above courtesy of AP Photo (Isaac Brekken and Ric Jamison). These are two contrasting pictures of Manny Pacquiao being butchered and "humiliated” by an equally gifted Mexican JM Marquez and a picture in triumph but in a company of a politician with questionable character.

Manny bet his life on the line to unite the Filipino nation once again, at least for a couple of hours. It is difficult being battered in the middle of the ring and with millions of viewers all over the world but I know Manny has taken pride in bringing a corrupt nation together for a glimpse of hope. But I don’t think people like Chavit Singson should be in the picture. (Nice to say that the First Gentleman wasn’t there to raise Manny’s victorious fists. I could have turned off the TV.) He is like a rotten tomato trying to get some ride from real champion.

Thank you Manny for doing this sacrifice once again and job well done in putting a great fight.

But I would really suggest that if you can, try to land some punch on the conscience of your supposedly “government supporters” that ruin your victory.

God Bless Manny Pacquiao!

10 Questions for a Filipino

2008-03-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Please answer with sincerity:

1. Have you ever paid a MMDA or a police officer some “lagay” to avoid driver’s license confiscation?

2. Have you paid a fixer to process your legal documents such as driver’s license, business permit, building permit, police clearance, etc?

3. Do you know of a known corrupt official and yet, you never bothered to correct?

4. Have you bought pirated DVDs and software?

5. Do you keep a government official’s or police officer’s calling card in your wallet that you would show when apprehended by police?

6. Have you voted for a public official that is corrupt?

7. Did you believe Abalos with all his lies?

8. Do you actually prefer imported products than locally produced?

9. Have you used government resources for personal interest?

10. Do you think Jose De Venecia is a big help to the country?

If you answered yes to all of the questions, then you are the biggest shame of this country.

If you answered 7to 9 yes, you are a blight and disgrace to this country.

If you answered 4 to 6 yes, you need to get more dose of patriotism.

If you answered 1 to 3 yes, you are still a blight but you are not hopeless.

If you answered yes to question number 7, then you are like Abalos.

If you answered yes to question # 10, then you are still stupid to believe such fallacies.

If you answered yes to question # 1, then you are exactly the same as 80% of our corruption supporting countrymen.

If you answered yes to question # 4, then you are actually stealing people’s right for their work.

If you never said yes to any of the questions above, then you are the HERO that I am looking for. You are a rare breed. We should have more people like you. Who knows, you are the 100th monkey that will change the Philippines from the “sick man of Asia” to the “Pride of the brown race”.

My prayer for my country

2008-03-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

I hope God will not come to a point to say, “Give me one honest Filipino politician, and I will spare the Philippines.” It is obvious that the continuous despair of our country is a by-product of our government’s ever insatiable appetite for corruption. I said “government” collectively because I have seen corruption with my own eyes from the building officials office, LTO, Airport Customs, PNP, MMDA and even one of the highest elected official of this country.

I loathe these people. As I have mentioned it is our tax money that’s giving our government offices their budget to operate. We have the right to demand for quality and honest service. .

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was able to collect 712 billion Pesos of tax money. Good but not good enough if the national budget is at 1.1 trillion pesos. International Herald Tribune carried the UN Development Program report in 2004 that mentioned 13% of our national budget goes to corruption and mainly to public works contracts, government supplies and equipments. The figure seems not include kickbacks from government loans like ZTE-NBN, North rail, etc. (Can’t we just put honest and brave guys on top of the DPWH, Dep Ed and Customs, to name a few?) No wonder why the Philippines still ranks as one the most filthy places for government corruption.

Corruption is addictive and just like a dreaded disease, it is contagious.

It was also in 2004 that the GMA government hired the services of Tony Kwok, the guy that cleaned up Hongkong’s government of corruption. Our President gladly pronounced that corruption will be gone in 3 years. What do we have now? After 3 years, the First Couple are under fire for corruption. Sorry Tony Kwok, we’ll have to wait a little bit longer.

If the Sandiganbayan can only prosecute 6% small time crooks in the government, does it serve us Filipinos? Sandiganbayan, which means Pillar of the Society in English, is actually a disgrace. I can openly say, cowards fill the Sandiganbayan office.

Help me pray. Let’s pray for at least one honest, brave and patriotic Filipino Politician who can stir change. Help me pray ‘cause people are losing hope.

And help me stand with you on our fight to make Philippines a country that we can truly be proud of.

My 80,000 Pesos Tax

2008-03-09T01:52:00.000-08:00

I was lucky to find work in the country's biggest real estate company and the pay was good. It was after I decided to go back to Manila after working abroad.

I landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with the NAIA 3 Building at a distance, standing like a dark ghost. I wonder that if the new Airport would actually bring some pride to us OFWs unlike the existing airport that is leaking with water when it rains.

So, I worked in my beloved homeland again. I was very passionate and hardworking, being able to work on multi-million peso construction projects such as the beautiful Serendra in Fort Bonifacio. I also have to accept the fact that I have to contribute to the society by paying my income tax, on top of the daily 12% EVat that we pay for purchased goods.

So, I paid 80,000 pesos as tax to the government. It is not so big but is higher compared to a common taxpayer. What can an 80,000 tax do? Well, for a fact that it can actually light up EDSA for two weeks or pay 4 police captains for a month, .

You now ask yourself, is your tax lighting EDSA or paying policemen to keep our roads safe?

Or the one that you voted last May stealing your tax money?

Ironic.

How proud are you to be a Filipino?

2008-02-21T04:11:00.000-08:00

The mistakes of the past are being vulgarly displayed once again in the ZTE-NBN deal mess. Haven’t we learned a single truth about corruption? Haven’t we stood up and took up several revolutions to denounce corruption?

This stinking political mess is a big shame. From my point of view, I’ll approach this in a very simple way of putting justice where it is due. Support the truth, condemn the evil deed and penalize the wrong-doers.

Let’s face it. The Philippines is a corrupt place. With the exception of a chosen few, who I revered as real public servants, the political scenario in the Philippines is still in Dark Ages. People get away with corruption easily, as if it is normal for them to do it since they are supposedly the people’s representative.

True progress in this country can not just be shown in economic numbers. True progress can be shown in how the country deals with issues like ZTE-NBN scams. It should really take place from the roots and not from the invented-painted-look so good economic numbers of our government leaders. There is truth to the growth rate but we never matured politically. Or maybe, I would say, we are regressing politically.

Our OFWs have sent 14.5 billion US dollars to fuel our economy. There are just so many poor Filipino souls that sacrifice a lot of their personal joys just to keep their family in good position. Those sacrifices are keeping this country afloat. It is not the people in the government who are doing the sacrifices to make this country, once and for all, an identity to be proud of.

What happened to the beautiful Philippines? The world has grown so fast leaving us at the bottom of the heap, a disgrace to our neighbors, making us an ever struggling identity trying to survive.

How many of us wanted to migrate to better countries that provide opportunities? How many of us wanted to work abroad so that our family can have their education, food and security? How of us wanted to wave the Filipino flag on top of the world and showcase our ingenious resolve and natural talents?

With people like Abalos, Arroyo and other “below the radar” thieves in the government, HOW MANY OF US ARE TRULY PROUD TO BE FILIPINOS?

A book in the making: Part 1

2008-02-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

A book in the making : If I am the Philippine President – Part 1

I admit that among my incredible dreams, to become the president of our ailing country is one of them. Not because I wanted to ride around freely on traffic jams with black, flashing muscle cars nor dine with the famous and powerful people around the world. Not because I want to stay in Malacanang Palace and enjoy the lavish benefits of a chief executive nor fly around the world for free.

I can’t even understand why I want to be a president when in fact I never admired any of them. Not one. They were never my heroes. No exception. No one came close to my idea of what a president should be. No one displayed the heroism of a real Filipino president, a person who will consume all his life for the service of the country.

I grew up watching my father serve our neighborhood as a barangay councilman. 20 years of unwavering public service, 20 years of humble, dedicated and selfless service to a community mainly composed of workers for the country’s biggest sugar mill. The job was thankless. The government allowance was not even enough for him to buy a pair of shoes that he wore out while attending to various concerns of the community. I looked up to him, sensed the pride in his effort to make a difference in our society. He was my first hero and I am sure that along the way, with all the service he gave, he was a real hero to a few more individuals in our community.

I tried to take a dip into politics at the age of 16. The local Sangunniang Kabataan (SK) election was up and with the same willingness and desire to serve the youth in our community, I ran as chairman and lost by less than ten votes to a lady that remained as a close friend.

It was a devastating blow to me and my party. At that young age, I felt bitter but consoled by the presence of friends around me. It might have affected my self-esteem for a while but the most remarkable thing that happened to me was how it opened my eyes to politics even at a small scale. I still thank God that I lost that election ‘cause I never trusted myself to be a good public servant at such a young age when material things and lust for higher government position is a big temptation.

I went to study Civil Engineering in a local university and really enjoyed my college years. I started as a vice-president of a religious organization, Student Catholic Action, on my third year and became a fraternity president the next year of Delta Phi Omega. My last year in college was dedicated as president of the Association of Civil Engineering Students. I joined 5 school organizations, joined school competitions where I won, together with a friend, for the provincial wide contest on original song composition. I played in a band, walked the streets of Bacolod city drunk, fed the malnourished kids at the city outskirts, collared by the city police for having too much fun with friends, shared a good 4 years relationship with a girlfriend, graduated on time and landed as one of the topnotchers of the national civil engineering board exams. My college years can always be replayed over and over again, and I will never be tired of reliving it.

When I was still in school, I made it a point to attend my classes and make sure that I understand the lesson. Once I think that I already understood, I would go out with friends and hang around the campus. But I was also a library client. I don’t just borrow books regarding my class but I also borrow books of special interests. I think my mind is just too restless to settle what’s in front of me. I always wanted to learn more, experience new things, meet good people, extend myself in anyway. I learned to exhaust myself.

During one of the periodic exams, I accidentally left my textbook open under the armchair. The exam was easy not because the questions were simple but I just happened to study the right things that came out of the exams. The proctor watching the exam room was in his mid fifties, military haircut, strict and corny male professor who would sometimes splatter some frothy concoctions in front of the class. He was watching me intently, just waiting for me to look down and look at the open book. I never intended to look since I didn’t really know that the book was open. He was there ten feet away from me, moved his chair across the room so that he can watch me carefully. One little peek and I fail the subject for cheating. I am not sure if I was the earliest to turn over my test papers but just right after he receives my paper, he said, “I was really expecting that you would look down to see your notebook. Next time, don’t put yourself in suspicious situation.”

That incident was the most profound and most valuable piece of advice I still hold dear up to the moment. “Never put yourself under suspicion.” The truth to those words remained to be my guiding principle both at work and play. I always show people my clean intentions to a point sometimes that it becomes a wasted effort. Intentions can be observed in several angles, often, in ways you don’t expect.

End of Part 1

Justice, where art thou?

2008-02-21T03:43:00.000-08:00

FILIPINOS are entitled to one vote each. It represents the heart and soul of a person who is longing that his voice will be heard, though faint in the millions of votes.

Shave a vote and you kill entirely that faint voice and literally, the essence of that person’s right to suffrage. The Philippines, Mindanao in particular, has become a graveyard of honest election watchers, teachers and volunteers. It has also become a stinking place of dishonest government appointees like Lintang Bedol.

Justice, strike where you need to strike and I will be there to believe in your name. Justice, hear the last breath of heroes that died looking for you.

Filipinos, wake up from your slumber!!!

2008-02-21T03:23:00.000-08:00

Filipinos, Wake Up!!!

The uproar on the ZTE-NBN scan is a proof that Filipinos are trying to mature politically and are not tolerating more corruption in our government. Our people have stood up to fight for the truth and I pray that it fall into good grounds to start roots of good governance.

GMA is not the government. She’s just on top of it, the lord of the messed ring of cohorts. I respect a duly elected president and I respect her right to clean up her own mess, even if it includes an erring husband or close friends in her Cabinet. The President must respect her people and put her erring government officials into the light of justice.

I give her the credit she’s due but all of that credit is thrown into obscurity if she can’t handle people big liars like Abalos in her cabinet. I expect my president to be the top patriot for this country. I would die for a patriotic president who would only think of the best for this country and not conceal thieves and robbers of the people’s money. I don’t think she’s worthy of that right now.

Lozada, De Venecia and countless brave souls may not be the cleanest government people we knew but I admire them for standing up for their country.

Madame President, don’t let wolves ruin your well laid plan for the country. I still believe you can clean up your own mess. And by then, maybe you would earn my respect and die for your cause.

By the way, why is Abalos still out there free with Garcillano and Lintang Bedol? Is our justice system that hopeless?