Sharing yet another of Alex Magno's columns...
Alex Magno is known to most of us as a Professor of Political Science in our very own UP. His columns are oftentimes incisive and objective. Sorry, but, I can't say the same for the other columnists (whom he also referred to in this column) who have praised Lozada to high heavens, accepted his testimonies hook, line and sinker as though they were gospel truth (this is not to say that there is no truth in what Lozada has said. I personally think there is SOME truth in his testimonies) and, continue to fan the flame of what borders on sedition. But, Magno writes about sobriety, objectivity and discernment. .. qualities that make for a politically mature society and people. He talks about preservation and strengthening of our institutions over desecration and weakening of the same. He warns against playing into the hands of the political opportunists. He writes about reason over emotion.
Read on...
Wrong forum
FIRST PERSON By Alex Magno
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
They speculate wildly. They bait witnesses. They offer patently false pieces of evidence. They pass intrigue. They are pompous and, at times, vacuous.
There is none of the disciplined inquiry here that one might see in a proper courtroom. There is no proper cross-examination of testimony. There is no clear resolution of contested statements.
What we have seen is an orgy of hearsay. It is a peepshow, trying hard to get at pornographic details that have little significance for the case at hand nor the issue at bar.
The Ping and Jamby Show, as the Senate hearing on the NBN deal might be now called, is the latest melodrama to hit town. Like its counterparts properly situated in the world of entertainment, it is interminable, meandering, alternately funny and outrageous.
It has roused the passions of those already predisposed against the present dispensation. It has been shamelessly exploited by those political groups aching for yet another episode of turbulence.
“The Senate may not really be the proper venue for seeking the truth,” concluded Archbishop Orlando Quevedo.
Amen.
Most of the senators seem to be more interested in playing up to a section of the media: that section vulnerable to sensationalism and muckraking. That section that has been outrageously partial to the noisemakers, grossly underplaying the more sober voices that have spoken through the course of this so-called “crisis.”
For instance, former CBCP president Archbishop Fernando Capalla points out that 90 of the 100 voting members of the religious hierarchy believe that participating in partisan politics is not within the scope of their pastoral duties. And yet, much of the sensationalist press has given “disproportionate media mileage” only on the handful of unreasonably agitated men of the cloth.
When Corazon Aquino and Rodolfo Lozada, in their bizarre, one-sided campus tour, visited the University of Santo Tomas , the crowd of half-informed students was dutifully covered. But what the rector of the university said during the assembly saw very little media light.
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa warned, in no uncertain terms, that another round of people power could only worsen the country’s problems. The two previous instances of “people power” tore down institutions but did not properly undertake the more difficult task of building new institutions that ensure leadership with integrity.
The rector’s wise words were a stinging rebuke to Cory Aquino and Jun Lozada, who were in the assembly, trying to peddle yet another round of institution- wrecking. Yet another dramatic quick-fix that is bound to fail.
Seditious talk is cheap. Solutions are more difficult to come by.
Was the rector’s wisdom properly conveyed by our favorite swashbuckling television channel or our favorite sensationalist newspaper? I don’t think so.
There is not much careful weighing of the options going on in mainstream media. All we get is an overdose of “he-said, she-said” superficial reporting, heavily tilted in favor of the scandal-mongers.
Our public is being short-changed here. The more reasonable points of view are virtually censored. The coverage is almost exclusively on the hysterical and the shrill.
An insidious form of group-think has descended upon us. Those who are most unreasonable claim moral superiority. Those who want a reasoned deliberation are condemned as running-dogs and paid hacks of the powers-that- be.
In another time, this sort of group-think was called fascism.
When a group of former senior government officials assembled at La Salle Greenhills, they agreed to issue a tempered statement calling for greater transparency. The statement was later advertised as calling for the President’s resignation.
Later, a much smaller section of this group got together and, in what seems to be an attempt to cover up the earlier dishonesty, called for several incumbent officials to be put on leave pending what they call the “search for truth.” They even imposed a tight deadline on the President of the Republic to comply with their demand.
What gives them the right to impose such a demand is a good question to ponder. Many of those in this self-righteous lot have their own truth issues to settle, left festering since they were last in office.
None of the testimonies offered in the Senate-induced melodrama appears ready to stand in court. And yet those smeared in the course of this excessive sideshow find themselves without an impartial forum to turn to.
It is always easy to vilify. Much more difficult to rectify.
But vilification, not rectification, is the point of this Senate-induced melodrama. It appeals to the banalities of public voyeurism, not to sharpening the public’s sense of perfecting policy and setting institutions aright.
Sure, we have lingering problems with corruption and institutional transparency. They are problems that have always been there, snowed under by the many orgies of demonization that our politicians indulge in, meant entirely to unsettle the power configuration and create opportunities for the politically marginalized.
These are problems that are not solved by repetitive political circuses — made intolerable by senators trying to be cute before the cameras and peppering us with their punning, the lowest form of humor.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
A Mortal Blow To a Mortal Crime
GLIMPSES
Jose Ma. Montelibano
In my last article, I wrote that the cancer of corruption pointed out by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or CBCP had been growing for a long time within their eyesight. Upon reading that, a revered friend who is also a Jesuit priest sent me the following comment and Scriptural verse:
There was great "visibility" of the human of bribery for at least 1,200 years before Christ was born. The earliest of the practice and its prohibition was mentioned in EXODUS 23:8, "you shall not take a bribe, for the bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just."
I think he was trying to tell me something, most probably to look upon bishops with more understanding and kindness. In truth, I look up to most bishops. In truth, too, I am scandalized by some of them. It is a bit judgmental, I know, and I should guard my heart, as brothers in my own renewal community would remind me.
Now a reluctant member of the senior citizens sector, and having had my own stint a long time ago with priesthood preparation, I do not like to say I know better than most, especially the bishops. But I can say that it is very easy for me to discern falsity, or hypocrisy, especially of the self-righteous who preach much more than they practice. All my mentors in life, religious and otherwise, always told me that, when I am in doubt, I should give more weight to how people behave more than how they talk.
Pastoral leaders always talk. Perhaps, by their function, they have to talk. Unfortunately for them, what they talk about is what also what we have been studying as Catholics from our Catholic schools. That makes their talks not as interesting, unless they are especially prepared and gifted as speakers. Actually, they can talk more to the poor because the poor mostly were not able to study the Catholic religion in the public schools or the slums. Unfortunately again, though, I do not see them much with the poor. Either priests are too few for the tens of millions who are poor, or the poor are too busy fighting for their lives, or their dignity, to listen.
When I was in Grade 1 and seven years old, I was introduced to the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. I was told that I had entered the age of reason, that I could already discern between right and wrong, between good and evil. Because of this, I could recognize sin - venial and mortal. Because of this, I could confess my sins. And because of this, I accepted the fact that I had to atone and do penance for my sins, even the small ones.
That was more than fifty years ago. I am happy to note that I was never confused about what was right or wrong, what was good or evil, and the awesome difference between them. What I had great difficulty with, and still have though at a lesser degree, is how to stay in the path of what is good and right, and to stay away from the path of evil and wrongdoing. But no matter what wrong I committed, I never for the life of me not recognize I had committed wrong. Perhaps, when I was in a temporary state of blindness, I could not. But who could be blind beyond a day or two except those who choose to be blind rather than accept being wrong.
Recognizing and admitting wrongdoing are two different things. Pride, or fear, can keep me from opening admitting my wrongdoing. But staying blind is simply refusing to know what one already knows. I had been taught from the very beginning that I can fool myself, but I know I am fooling myself. And even if we do fool ourselves at times, we surely can avoid fooling others, especially the young, the innocent and the helpless.
I do not understand why at this point in their adult lives, or even senior citizenship for many, the bishops in collectivity cannot seem to understand what they teach children who are to encounter their first confession and their first communion. They declare a cancer of corruption which is about the worst environment for their flock and fellow Filipino citizens, then do not know what to do or what to advice us. Can they not just tell the guilty parties to repent, confess and then do penance?
To be told to pray can, on the surface, sound so nice. But I would like to remind our good bishops that we are constantly praying for our leaders, for them to be true servant leaders, that we have these prayers for the faithful in every mass. Let us not stop praying for our public officials before, during and after mass. But when a cancer of corruption festers in the midst of these prayers, perhaps the bishops can propose an additional therapy.
Sins have been committed, not small sins, but horrible ones - plunder and murder, looting of the people's money and summary executions that have snuffed out lives.
Who is sorry? Who recognizes the sins and is truly repentant? Who confesses to God and those they victimized? Who promises not to sin anymore? What is the penance? Who complies with the penance?
It is so simple that a seven-year-old can understand. It is so sad that many adults, including the CBCP, appear at a loss on what to do, on how to define "communal action" or how to pursue the truth in the face of a orchestrated effort by the greedy and powerful to hide and pervert it. Why have minds that have had more time to study and mature become capable of rationalizing their non-compliance to the teachings of Jesus? Is not that rationalizing precisely the foundation for relativism which Pope Benedict XVI had to recently warn all Catholics about?
I should not have expected much from the CBCP. For several years now, I have been made aware of the incessant threat of involuntary hunger that afflicts the poor. During this same period, I had tried to monitor a commensurate effort by the Church to mitigate hunger – especially in Metro Manila which had suffered an acute increase last year. I am aware of a small initiative called Hapagasa but it can hardly be regarded as a counter measure to the scandalous reality of hunger in the center of Catholicism in Asia.
Why did I allow myself to hope that the CBCP would be a powerful light in a dark night of our nation? There is no difference between the crime of Catholics tolerating hunger in their midst when our faith says that what we do to the least among us is what we do to Christ. The consistent silence of the CBCP on this constant horrible existence of hunger should have warned me that there is little I can expect of them in the other constant horrible existence of cancer of corruption. Bishops in collectivity can point to hunger and corruption every so often but have no history of effectively leading the faithful to aggressively combating these.
At the risk of repeating myself in the same way the lessons of catechism were repeated and repeated to me, I ask why a mortal sin like a cancer of corruption cannot be dealt a mortal blow? Why can not the collective leadership of the Church tell their faithful in the Philippines to deal a mortal blow to a mortal crime?
In every mass, the prayer of the faithful asks for enlightenment for our public officials. I must assume that since this prayer is precisely in the mass, the CBCP knows about this prayer and may actually been responsible for its being there. But years of prayer have been matched with years of a growing cancer of corruption, sending a subliminal message that prayer may need its counterpart of action.
Pope Benedict XVI has been very consistent in reminding his flock about the primordial need for social justice. Not being a theologian, not being an expert on morals and dogma, I cannot say that social justice precedes the refinery of religious practices although I often get that sense when reading encyclicals from the Pope. He has also been very consistent in pushing both religious and laity to ensure the fullness of life, the dignity of man, and the obligation to lift the poor out of their misery.
It is corruption in governance that enslaves the poor, the young and the weak that is the worst enemy of life's fullness, the worst thief of man's dignity, the worst cause of poverty. It has taken us so long to react, but we must be grateful that we are now reacting strongly. And we must forgive those who were anointed to guide and protect us from the evil that has enslaved us for they probably know not what they do.***
Jose Ma. Montelibano
In my last article, I wrote that the cancer of corruption pointed out by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines or CBCP had been growing for a long time within their eyesight. Upon reading that, a revered friend who is also a Jesuit priest sent me the following comment and Scriptural verse:
There was great "visibility" of the human of bribery for at least 1,200 years before Christ was born. The earliest of the practice and its prohibition was mentioned in EXODUS 23:8, "you shall not take a bribe, for the bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just."
I think he was trying to tell me something, most probably to look upon bishops with more understanding and kindness. In truth, I look up to most bishops. In truth, too, I am scandalized by some of them. It is a bit judgmental, I know, and I should guard my heart, as brothers in my own renewal community would remind me.
Now a reluctant member of the senior citizens sector, and having had my own stint a long time ago with priesthood preparation, I do not like to say I know better than most, especially the bishops. But I can say that it is very easy for me to discern falsity, or hypocrisy, especially of the self-righteous who preach much more than they practice. All my mentors in life, religious and otherwise, always told me that, when I am in doubt, I should give more weight to how people behave more than how they talk.
Pastoral leaders always talk. Perhaps, by their function, they have to talk. Unfortunately for them, what they talk about is what also what we have been studying as Catholics from our Catholic schools. That makes their talks not as interesting, unless they are especially prepared and gifted as speakers. Actually, they can talk more to the poor because the poor mostly were not able to study the Catholic religion in the public schools or the slums. Unfortunately again, though, I do not see them much with the poor. Either priests are too few for the tens of millions who are poor, or the poor are too busy fighting for their lives, or their dignity, to listen.
When I was in Grade 1 and seven years old, I was introduced to the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion. I was told that I had entered the age of reason, that I could already discern between right and wrong, between good and evil. Because of this, I could recognize sin - venial and mortal. Because of this, I could confess my sins. And because of this, I accepted the fact that I had to atone and do penance for my sins, even the small ones.
That was more than fifty years ago. I am happy to note that I was never confused about what was right or wrong, what was good or evil, and the awesome difference between them. What I had great difficulty with, and still have though at a lesser degree, is how to stay in the path of what is good and right, and to stay away from the path of evil and wrongdoing. But no matter what wrong I committed, I never for the life of me not recognize I had committed wrong. Perhaps, when I was in a temporary state of blindness, I could not. But who could be blind beyond a day or two except those who choose to be blind rather than accept being wrong.
Recognizing and admitting wrongdoing are two different things. Pride, or fear, can keep me from opening admitting my wrongdoing. But staying blind is simply refusing to know what one already knows. I had been taught from the very beginning that I can fool myself, but I know I am fooling myself. And even if we do fool ourselves at times, we surely can avoid fooling others, especially the young, the innocent and the helpless.
I do not understand why at this point in their adult lives, or even senior citizenship for many, the bishops in collectivity cannot seem to understand what they teach children who are to encounter their first confession and their first communion. They declare a cancer of corruption which is about the worst environment for their flock and fellow Filipino citizens, then do not know what to do or what to advice us. Can they not just tell the guilty parties to repent, confess and then do penance?
To be told to pray can, on the surface, sound so nice. But I would like to remind our good bishops that we are constantly praying for our leaders, for them to be true servant leaders, that we have these prayers for the faithful in every mass. Let us not stop praying for our public officials before, during and after mass. But when a cancer of corruption festers in the midst of these prayers, perhaps the bishops can propose an additional therapy.
Sins have been committed, not small sins, but horrible ones - plunder and murder, looting of the people's money and summary executions that have snuffed out lives.
Who is sorry? Who recognizes the sins and is truly repentant? Who confesses to God and those they victimized? Who promises not to sin anymore? What is the penance? Who complies with the penance?
It is so simple that a seven-year-old can understand. It is so sad that many adults, including the CBCP, appear at a loss on what to do, on how to define "communal action" or how to pursue the truth in the face of a orchestrated effort by the greedy and powerful to hide and pervert it. Why have minds that have had more time to study and mature become capable of rationalizing their non-compliance to the teachings of Jesus? Is not that rationalizing precisely the foundation for relativism which Pope Benedict XVI had to recently warn all Catholics about?
I should not have expected much from the CBCP. For several years now, I have been made aware of the incessant threat of involuntary hunger that afflicts the poor. During this same period, I had tried to monitor a commensurate effort by the Church to mitigate hunger – especially in Metro Manila which had suffered an acute increase last year. I am aware of a small initiative called Hapagasa but it can hardly be regarded as a counter measure to the scandalous reality of hunger in the center of Catholicism in Asia.
Why did I allow myself to hope that the CBCP would be a powerful light in a dark night of our nation? There is no difference between the crime of Catholics tolerating hunger in their midst when our faith says that what we do to the least among us is what we do to Christ. The consistent silence of the CBCP on this constant horrible existence of hunger should have warned me that there is little I can expect of them in the other constant horrible existence of cancer of corruption. Bishops in collectivity can point to hunger and corruption every so often but have no history of effectively leading the faithful to aggressively combating these.
At the risk of repeating myself in the same way the lessons of catechism were repeated and repeated to me, I ask why a mortal sin like a cancer of corruption cannot be dealt a mortal blow? Why can not the collective leadership of the Church tell their faithful in the Philippines to deal a mortal blow to a mortal crime?
In every mass, the prayer of the faithful asks for enlightenment for our public officials. I must assume that since this prayer is precisely in the mass, the CBCP knows about this prayer and may actually been responsible for its being there. But years of prayer have been matched with years of a growing cancer of corruption, sending a subliminal message that prayer may need its counterpart of action.
Pope Benedict XVI has been very consistent in reminding his flock about the primordial need for social justice. Not being a theologian, not being an expert on morals and dogma, I cannot say that social justice precedes the refinery of religious practices although I often get that sense when reading encyclicals from the Pope. He has also been very consistent in pushing both religious and laity to ensure the fullness of life, the dignity of man, and the obligation to lift the poor out of their misery.
It is corruption in governance that enslaves the poor, the young and the weak that is the worst enemy of life's fullness, the worst thief of man's dignity, the worst cause of poverty. It has taken us so long to react, but we must be grateful that we are now reacting strongly. And we must forgive those who were anointed to guide and protect us from the evil that has enslaved us for they probably know not what they do.***
Do your worst
March 6, 2008 at 5:48 pm
This is the handwritten statement issued by detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV today:
I am supposed to testify as a defense witness today in connection with my coup d’etat case at the Makati RTC. However, after much reflection, I decided to forgo my testimony and write this letter instead.
“There are few undisputed facts in this case: 1) That on July 27, 2003, I, together with 300 other officers and men, spoke the TRUTH; 2) No person was harmed; 3) No property was damaged; and 4) Not a single shot was fired. Yet, after almost five years in detention, we still stand acused of committing a crime that could have us incarcerated for life. Is this just? No. Did I ever regret my actions? No.
“Now, the prosecutor have allowed themselves to be used as an instrument to further their injustice and the presiding judge may yet be pressured into convicting us, but everyone in this courtroom knows -deep in their hearts - that we are not criminals and definitely not a menace to society. On the contrary, we, the accused, hve rendered faithful service to our Motherland; we have lived by the ideals our alma mater, the Philippine Miltiary Academy, has taught us - COURAGE, INTEGRITY and LOYALTY. The physical and moral courage to stand up against what is wrong and to fight for what is right; the integrity to resist the lure and trappings of power and wealth, and the unbending loyalty to God, Country and People.
“The question now is, Why are we in prison? Indeed, why are we in prison when the TRUTH we spoke of on that fateful day has been validated time and again through their despicable revelations of crime and corruption committed by GMA and her cohorts? Why are we in prison when, through the recent elections, the Filipino people have affirmed the justness of our cause?
“In my search for the answer to these questions, I came across Henry David Thoreau’s essay on Civil Disobedience and I quote: ‘Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.’”
“Today, I refuse to participate any further in this travestry of justice just as the GMA administration has lost all moral authority to render any judgment over me and my companions. Do your worst, for we have already been acquitted by the people.”
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Joke of the Day: Another China contract missing
Dear Folks,
This is beginning to be a series of jokes -- missing multi million dollar contracts with China. This time it's the $932 million South Railway project. What these clowns in Malacanang should do is turn over the two "missing links" to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and testify on how much was the advance money they received from the Chinese Contractor.
Since Dante Madriaga testified that the Chinese gave the "Gang of Four++" $41 million (non-refundable) grease money for the $329 million ZTE-NBN deal, maybe they received three times that amount -- more than $120 million advance money for the South Railway. That's a lot of money, folks!!! It's not a joke anymore.
I wonder who the "++" are? It seems like each "+" would indicate a certain person. Does "++" then mean a couple? Hmmm...
Perry
This is beginning to be a series of jokes -- missing multi million dollar contracts with China. This time it's the $932 million South Railway project. What these clowns in Malacanang should do is turn over the two "missing links" to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and testify on how much was the advance money they received from the Chinese Contractor.
Since Dante Madriaga testified that the Chinese gave the "Gang of Four++" $41 million (non-refundable) grease money for the $329 million ZTE-NBN deal, maybe they received three times that amount -- more than $120 million advance money for the South Railway. That's a lot of money, folks!!! It's not a joke anymore.
I wonder who the "++" are? It seems like each "+" would indicate a certain person. Does "++" then mean a couple? Hmmm...
Perry
Another China contract missing
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:19:00 03/05/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Another China-funded government contract has been reported lost and Senator Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal is fuming.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Madrigal denounced the Philippine National Railways Corporation's claim that it could not find an agreement it signed on April 27, 2005 with China National Technical Import -Export Cooperation for the $932 million South Railway project.
The opposition senator charged that this was a "cover-up similar to the NBN-ZTE deal."
Government officials had also claimed the agreement with ZTE Corp. of China for the $329 million National Broadband Network project had been lost, or stolen.
In his reply to Madrigal's request, PNR General Manager Jose Ma. I. Sarasola II said: "We respectfully inform you that based on available records so far, we do not have such document. We shall continue, however, to go over files and should we find one, we will provide your office a copy."
Madrigal said this was a "flimsy excuse that I find hard to believe."
"I hope this is not a deliberate attempt to cover up ala-ZTE," said Madrigal, who filed Senate Resolution 316 seeking to censure Sarasola for hiding the project and compelling PNR to produce the document.
"Either our government is bad or stupid. How can you have a contract with China and each time we look for it, it gets lost."
Four senators are urging the blue ribbon committee to look into allegations by NBN star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. that the Southrail project had been overpriced by at least 22 percent or between $70 million and $180 million. Gil Cabacungan Jr.
First Posted 23:19:00 03/05/2008
MANILA, Philippines -- Another China-funded government contract has been reported lost and Senator Maria Ana Consuelo "Jamby" Madrigal is fuming.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Madrigal denounced the Philippine National Railways Corporation's claim that it could not find an agreement it signed on April 27, 2005 with China National Technical Import -Export Cooperation for the $932 million South Railway project.
The opposition senator charged that this was a "cover-up similar to the NBN-ZTE deal."
Government officials had also claimed the agreement with ZTE Corp. of China for the $329 million National Broadband Network project had been lost, or stolen.
In his reply to Madrigal's request, PNR General Manager Jose Ma. I. Sarasola II said: "We respectfully inform you that based on available records so far, we do not have such document. We shall continue, however, to go over files and should we find one, we will provide your office a copy."
Madrigal said this was a "flimsy excuse that I find hard to believe."
"I hope this is not a deliberate attempt to cover up ala-ZTE," said Madrigal, who filed Senate Resolution 316 seeking to censure Sarasola for hiding the project and compelling PNR to produce the document.
"Either our government is bad or stupid. How can you have a contract with China and each time we look for it, it gets lost."
Four senators are urging the blue ribbon committee to look into allegations by NBN star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. that the Southrail project had been overpriced by at least 22 percent or between $70 million and $180 million. Gil Cabacungan Jr.
Dear Folks,
Since I posted "To all Filipinos Everywhere" yesterday, I have received several responses claiming that the author was Gemma S. Dimaculangan and not Remedios C. Paningbatan. I checked my previous emails and realized that I have received the same article from several people. Some of them credited Ms. Dimaculangan, one credited the Bishop of Antipolo, and several did not credit an author.
The one I posted yesterday was sent by a regular reader (a different person from the "author") and has the following info, including a telephone number:
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
I deleted the telephone number for security reason. However, I did not credit her as the "author" or "by" since I wasn't sure who the real author was.
I posted the one I received yesterday on BALITA-USA and at www.PerryScope.org.
I received another response from a reader saying that the article was written by Ms. Dimaculangan and also gave me a link to a web page of ABS-CBN Online News (3-5-08) which showed the same article but with a different title, "Cry from the heart," and says "by Gemma S. Dimaculangan." The article is not copyrighted.
Below is the article, "Cry from the heart," as it appeared on ABS-CBN Online News. As to who the real author is, I'd leave it for the readers to discern. The link is
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=111036
Best,
Perry
Since I posted "To all Filipinos Everywhere" yesterday, I have received several responses claiming that the author was Gemma S. Dimaculangan and not Remedios C. Paningbatan. I checked my previous emails and realized that I have received the same article from several people. Some of them credited Ms. Dimaculangan, one credited the Bishop of Antipolo, and several did not credit an author.
The one I posted yesterday was sent by a regular reader (a different person from the "author") and has the following info, including a telephone number:
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
I deleted the telephone number for security reason. However, I did not credit her as the "author" or "by" since I wasn't sure who the real author was.
I posted the one I received yesterday on BALITA-USA and at www.PerryScope.org.
I received another response from a reader saying that the article was written by Ms. Dimaculangan and also gave me a link to a web page of ABS-CBN Online News (3-5-08) which showed the same article but with a different title, "Cry from the heart," and says "by Gemma S. Dimaculangan." The article is not copyrighted.
Below is the article, "Cry from the heart," as it appeared on ABS-CBN Online News. As to who the real author is, I'd leave it for the readers to discern. The link is
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=111036
Best,
Perry
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
To all Filipinos Everywhere:
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these 'honorable' crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like 'Honorable', 'Senator', 'Justice', 'General' and worse, 'President'. Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? 'Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich.'
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own 'pag bad ka, lagot ka!' slogan. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. 'Love (of power) is blind' takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did..
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these 'honorable' crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like 'Honorable', 'Senator', 'Justice', 'General' and worse, 'President'. Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? 'Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich.'
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own 'pag bad ka, lagot ka!' slogan. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. 'Love (of power) is blind' takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it.
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU! Let your voices be heard. Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage. Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good. Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience. Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves. You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did..
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country. You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater. We are tired of the old trapos. We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
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