Where Do We Go When Our Keepers Are Our Enemies?

"The title ascribed to it as keeper of law and order should be a comfort and refuge for those who seek them but is slowly becoming a travesty of the institution it stands for."

Fifty-eight innocent civilians murdered and another one still unaccounted. All died mercilessly at the hands of habitual criminals. Five months of agonizing wait for justice to take hold seem to be eternity. And yet, that tiny shred of  hope for the victims and their families abruptly dashed. The hope that in this age of moral decadence, unheard of greed and lust for power is seldom a virtue worth-keeping. Such can be said  when justice seems elusive to those who have less in life. Where do we go when our own keepers are our enemies? Who will protect the oppressed when their oppressors are those who vowed to protect them?

Words are not in abundant to best describe how savage, repressive and immoral this present administration can be. When tons of evidences against the murderers are being blindly and deliberately ignored, it is hard to decipher what kind of human being is this DOJ Acting Secretary Alberto Agra. His order to drop charges against two of the major suspects in the Maguindanao massacre came as a shock that sent waves of anger and frustration across all sectors of the society. This decision did not only effectively jeopardize the mass murder case but also insulted the dignity of the victims and their families.

This resolution by the DOJ chief to exonerate Zaldy and Akmad Ampatuan from the mass murder in Maguindanao is the latest blow to the integrity of the judiciary. Despite piles of evidences that would directly implicate the two, Agra is just adamant to review the evidences on his table and insists that his was the right decision. His decision however came just a day after he assured families of the victims that he is painstakingly reviewing the case. His quick judgment on the case is strangely a thing to do and  implies stinking conspiracy in the works. Let us be reminded that Agra served as lawyer for Gloria Arroyo in her election fraud cases involving the massive cheating in Maguindanao that delivered 12-0 for Gloria's senatoriables, and the same that egged FPJ in the preceding election.

Despite government prosecutors' protestation on Agra's decision, the Acting DOJ Secretary is proud to boast of his arrogance that, "when others' turn to become DOJ secretary, they can do what they want but since I am at the helm, I can do what I want." This unheard of arrogance and cockiness devoid of reason, by a lawyer and  justice secretary, is utterly contemptible and disgusting. This is an ominous manifestation of how this moron can ruin the integrity of a justice system of a country if he is allowed to continue serving in the judiciary. His words echo his real motives of not serving for the interest of many but for his own selfish agenda. And the cost is so dear - justice for the fifty eight victims. How much was the plunder? The criminal Ampatuans are awash with cash, billions of them, and Agra is just perfectly aware of it.

The silence of Gloria on this issue however, is expected and it would be sounding strange if she orders a careful review of his decision. This is the kind of conspiracy, a criminal conspiracy in Gloria's administration that had already the nation subjected to a complete betrayal and feeling of dissent. Why would she not speak up on the matter if she thinks there were lapses committed by her subordinate? Doesn't she feel for the families of the victims? Doesn't she believe that due process should be given its chance? And if not, doesn't she think that any repercussion from this so-called judicial sacrilege could lead to her precipitous and untimely demise from Malacañan? Now, anything is possible given the anger and faithlessness by the people in her government.

If in the judiciary itself, there now exist a growing dissent and a growing spirit of rebellion, it is not far-fetched that this unprecedented degree of abomination towards the government could lead to a civil war. All things considered and this is entirely becoming a possible scenario. All because of greed, greed and more greed.It is nice to say in words that the Department of Justice is the sword and shield of law and order. The title ascribed to it as keeper of law and order should be a comfort and refuge for those who seek them but is slowly becoming a travesty of the institution it stands for.

Many had hoped including myself, that the gravity of Maguindanao massacre with which the culture of impunity that existed was laid bare, was strong enough to ignore that could prompt the government to get its act together and bring the criminals to justice. The president did  the expected, expressed her condolences to the victims' families, and preached justice as the only way forward. Five months since the massacre, rumors of imminent acquittal of the murder suspects were a thin possibility, based on incriminating evidences available. But what started as a fervent hope and faith to our justice system suddenly crumbled on the announcement by the Justice Secretary that two of the major suspects are innocent.

Being a Filipino, there are zillion hosts of reasons to be proud as one. But with the advent of Gloria Arroyo and her crooked ilks, I am fully equipped with reasons to think otherwise. I was once fond of her. Her intellectual exploits behind that tiny frame that impressed Bill Clinton at Georgetown are no-nonsense. But the emergence of Hello Garci, massive election fraud, Fertilizer Scam, ABN-ZTE deal, inexplicable wealth gain, human rights violations, midnight appointments prior to elections, large-scale graft and corruption in every government agency, and countless other graft and corrupt practices done with impunity under her watch, words do not satisfy my description of this immoral, greedy and unjust government.

As for this creature called Agra, your day will come Sir. You are a travesty of the institution you were called to safeguard. You are a disgrace to every human being called Filipino. Your gross defiance of every logical and legal assertion, and deliberate show of arrogance is proof of your gutter-drawn origin, where power and fortune do not equate with honesty and humanity. Where has your conscience gone? You certainly know for a fact that you are having a time of your life. And you are smart enough to realize that it will not be for long. While it is understandable of a starving croc to grab every ounce of meat and shred offered to it, the sight of your bloated frame letting out a burp, feasting on a kill is beyond one's grasp. You preyed on the pains of those who lost their loved ones. All because of greed, greed and more greed.

No one has asked for your compassion and favor. You may not have them because you did not experience grief of any kind. What is only asked of you is for true justice to be administered. But all the pleadings went to naught, nary a word of remorse. The very institution you were tasked to protect now stinks with injustice, its stench has reached the sphere beyond. Your utter disregard for justice to take its course is your ticket to perdition. Yes, certainly you will have your day, the day of reckoning, when the blood of those murdered will be upon your head for  conspiring with the murderers and partaking with their loot - the precious lives snatched from them without mercy. Plunderers and murderers, that day is drawing nigh!

Gibo Teodoro: A Clueless Or A Willing Victim?

"Did he make himself a willing sacrifice? Did he do it or will he do it for a price and a prize? This question remains a paradox till it is stripped of its mystery by the discerning."

If anything, Gibo has every right to take up his armor and revolt against his 'former' patroness. The latest announcement by Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar, that the president will not campaign for Gilbert Teodoro, already amounted to her repudiating the latter for another one obvious candidate. Well, this amphibious wizard (kapit tuko) of Malacañan, will have not been president for ten years for naught. Her surreptitious workings, done when one is utterly clueless, in this case the bar topnotcher Gibo himself, has been her trademark.

Most pundits and ordinary folks would decry the infamous 'Villaroyo marriage', as one desperate act and an unfounded allegation, woven by the rift-prone-insecure yellow brigade. But as things heat up by the day, it is getting sunnier and crystal clear that Gloria Arroyo is backing Manny Villar. Gibo she decided is no longer viable as a candidate. And so thinks everybody. Gibo does not owe the nation a dime and so if he loses, opportunities could still come in abundance. But Gloria? She owes the nation her entire existence. She could be offered a guillotine trip for her sins against the nation she misruled. And under  Noynoy Aquino's probable presidency, the hauntings do not seem to lack its horror - for her and her equally crooked allies.

When she smells danger slowly creeping down her path, it is primordial instinct to effuse defence mechanism. Such is Gloria Arroyo in all her notoriety, being no stranger to clear and present danger - coup attempts, impeachment, among others. She will be brutally and honestly equipped with sense of entitlement, that this war is only hers to lose. She had once indulged herself in the realm of never-ending enthronement, but could only watch it dissipate, as guardians of the Charter would later wake her up from disillusionment. Hers is infectious that her young granddaughter would even hail her to be president for life.

It is not conclusive though whether Gibo is a sore victim of Gloria's cunning scheme (of self-survival), or perhaps he himself is a willing major participant, in her much broader and sinister plot to avoid prosecution, if not to stay in power. She is fully aware that a Noynoy presidency would be too much to handle. Her survival is at stake politically, and to a larger extent economically. Her wealth that has gone to an astronomic proportion needs some explaining, and deservedly needs some space in the courts of law. The Maguindanao massacre that has remained unresolved due to a contrived government intervention. The exponential graft and corruption scandals that till date, remain a fodder for media but largely ignored by her government.

Thirty three days left before election day, only two presidentiables remain in the fray. Surveys would indicate that only Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino remain as viable candidates. And surveys  offer the real pulse of the voters. Teodoro, though an administration candidate (on paper) and a standard bearer of the biggest political party, with the most powerful machineries to boot, miserably trails in surveys, his ranking showing no progress. His political episode, despite the claims (and belief) that he is the 'ordained one', lacks vibrance and stamina, financial capabilities, and notably a sitting president declaring she is not campaigning for her protege. Surely she knows his destiny is sealed this early.

Is the Villaroyo thing a genius born out of desperation? At this juncture, it doesn't seem like. If there is anyone to scream of its unholy alliance - it is the administration. It is blatantly loud. Administration candidate Atty. Raul Lambino himself, has voiced out his resentment toward the party, for its lack of financial support to its candidates. He seems to be ready to jump the gun and pull the trigger with his seemingly conclusive innuendos, that the so-called Villaroyo thing is very much in existent. Former House Speaker Joe de Venecia, the founding chairman of Lakas party himself, has acknowledged that Gibo obviously is not the real candidate by the administration, culling from the indifference by the  Malacañan towards his candidacy.

Now there is no denying of the harlot from her emergence onstage, to flaunt her wares and invite the 'sheepish' wolf to drink in her cup, as they celebrate their marriage. She believes he alone could save her from perdition. And so the pact from both power-hungry howlers was inked by the blood of its sacrificial lamb, Gibo Teodoro. Did he make himself a willing sacrifice? Did he do it or will he do it for a price and a prize? This question remains a paradox till it is stripped of its mystery by the discerning.

Granting for the sake of argument, that he did willingly oblige her patroness and offered himself to be used for her ends, what sort of man is Gilbert Teodoro? That despite the raves and praises he gained from various forums and debates, was it all for a show? Did he deliberately mislead the people? Did he play with their emotions when he reached for their  hands, patted their shoulders and touched their hearts with his 'authenticity'? What if it was the flipside? Does he deserve an ounce of sympathy and empathy? What is now in store for Gilbert Teodoro?

I however, do not see a sweet revenge in the offing. He is a fine and brilliant gentleman with a lot of promise ahead in his career. Understandably, he must be shaken by this seismic turn of events. I, much less do not see him a defeated confrontational act. He had once beamed to the world of his gratitude to her, for putting her trust in him, by giving him a chance and privilege to serve in her government. And perhaps strangely,  he would even be apologetic to her, given the circumstances they are both in. Why is it so? His poor showing in surveys did not bode well with her plan, to efficiently avoid future prosecution, and so the forced marriage of convenience  as remedy.

"In politics, there are no permanent friends and enemies, only permanent interests", goes the saying. Every politician from president down to the barangay councilor, has his own self-serving agenda in mind upon their venture in politics. A real selfless and noble intent to serve a constituency, plays only second fiddle albeit in a non-altruistic agenda. It is all about exponential personal benefits that deluge their minds upon assuming office. What is new then? This culture of corruption has been etched in every mindset. This is a political norm that doesn't get outdated through ages. Some smart thinkers could be credited with ryhming up the 'Corrupt' and 'Mahirap' monotone, to the delight of their paying client. But do they really mean it? Or did its invention prove to have subtly come when prompted by necessity? Or is this just another empty slogan?

Barely four days left  before voting begins here in the Middle East,  I am yet to decide who fills my ballot. As I said before, to me it is an agonizing process of choosing and weighing, who really deserves to occupy the mantle of saying he is the 'right one'. If I had picked one to be the best but is not gaining ground, will I be rewarded for satisfying my conscience? Or others would aptly say, it is just another wasted ballot? Or if I ultimately chose the winnable of the lesser evil, did I desecrate my right of suffrage? To go on a 'stampede' on the first day of voting will not be an option though, as anything can factor with my decision in the days ahead, and  hopefully this 'self-inflicted agony' gets to stop before I find myself trooping towards the line to cast my vote.   

To My Dear President Gloria

"For you were once privileged to be steward of your people, and you're bound to uphold their well-being, but you chose to indulge in the bounty of your plunder ."

You've reached the pinnacle of your political career. You've been president for a decade. You held the highest office in the land, longer than any other president apart from Marcos. You have had ten long years to prove that you're committed to serve the Filipino nation.

Ten years as president is deemed long to effect change in your government. We waited for a decade for that change you vowed to deliver for us. We the poor who felt betrayed by the one who came before you. And also ten years that you repeatedly failed us.

You would have not become president had you not cheated. Your cowardice to face rejection from the Filipino people made you brave to commit the unthinkable. Your tremendous resolve to hold on to your powerful domain even made you believe, that the presidency is what you are made for. You dreaded to think that you've been repudiated at the polls. For the Filipino electorate had their voice affirmed yet the truth stolen from them.

The genius in Garci was something that you should boast of --the inconceivable number of votes he was able to secure for you. The astonishing margin of victory you gained in Maguindanao warranted record worthy of Guinness entry -- delivered by the equally trusted and righteous ally in the Ampatuans. But as the proverbial adage would forewarn -- " there is a time for everything and a season for everything".

And then the time has come for your evil scheme to be revealed; and your harvest came at the right season. You reaped the scorn of the Filipino nation -- a reward for your audacious attempt to rob democracy from us. Notwithstanding the indignation you reaped, you still succeeded and prevailed. And the only consolation we got -- when you said 'sorry' on national television -- with your face looking stupid.

Scandals after scandals have plagued your administration. Graft and corruption prevailed under your leadership. ABN-ZTE and Fertilizer Scams are but few of your monumental exploits. Promises were made to stamp out corruption in your government. But to vindicate oneself from blame is one thing, and punishing the culprit is another. How you can reign in the evil elements in your government when it is your family that wields that three-pronged power?

When you took oath as president in 2001, to assume the place of the humongous corrupt Joseph Estrada, you were awed at the prospect of sitting at the summit of national leadership. You captured every Filipino's imagination of a strong and corrupt-free governance. Every Filipino's hope that you will be a redemption from the plunderer, became a testimony to the magnitude of support you obtained from opposite ends of the political spectrum. Rich, poor, the academe, the sidewalk vendors, even snatchers-- all put their trust in you -- in your capability to heal the ' terminally sick man of Asia', as you did boastfully flaunt in your credentials. But it is also the same hope that was shattered, when you put yourself and your family above the collective whole's interest.

Allegations of bribery, rampant graft and corruption and evidences of nepotism, thrive unabatedly in an arrogant fashion. You took pains in combating those accusations, shielding your husband from appearing in the Senate hearing, as what his favorite doctors would have advised -- but his jet setting to Las Vegas for every Pacquiao's fight is entirely what his doctors would have prescribed. And more impressively were your successes at shaking off several attempts to impeach you from office. You are really one astute president.

Your astronomical feats did not end there. Your government did not hold back from engaging in wholesale corruption. Day after day, new revelation of inexplicable assets acquired by your family surfaces. Details of assets acquired by your oldest son were invariably concealed from public. And you Madame President wanting not to be outdone, your assets increased by more than 1000 per cent in the course of your glorious presidency. Don't you feel the urgency to substantiate the acquisition of this breathtaking wealth?

You had also been delusional to cling to power beyond your term. You explored all legal means just to advance your own personal agenda. Pork barrels, special favours, privileges to travel abroad, and cold cash in the bags have been your leverages for winning the perpetual support of your equally crooked worshippers in Congress. But thanks to the collective social awareness of every Filipino -- your fabled ten-year fairy tale will certainly end half a year from now.

In what a seemingly blissful elections ahead, the prospect of a brand new president gives a glimmer of hope to every Filipino like myself. The thought of a new beginning revives our hope of a better Philippines. As the saying goes, 'new is always nice'. But new position in the government for our beloved future former president, is a square pill hard to swallow! Have you had not enough?

Every Filipino gets his appeasement from the fact that you will certainly step down. You might have not succeeded in your grand scheme of a Charter Change, (to pave way for your premiership), but your obvious intentions remain clear, that your eyes had been set on the same. And one easiest way is to get to the halls of Congress. This has been expected of you Madame President as your deafening silence on this question was apparent.

When you braved controversies and gleefully filled up your certificate of candidacy for Congresswoman, you have already accomplished your first step forward. Then, it's only a matter of time before we see a probable Speaker of the House and if fortunate as you have always been -- a new Prime Minister. And the fairy tale its end revised, and another long chapter reemerges.

I have only two questions to raise my dear President. Do the collective sentiments of the Filipino people matter to you? Don't you hear their clamor for change? The change every Filipino screams that could get you banished! As time goes, the wounds heal. We Filipinos can easily forgive, as ingrained in our virtues. But forgiveness for the unremorseful is one divine virtue unexpected of any man, much less a weary Filipino.

Leaders be good or not are still leaders. We are obligated to obey them. And how many leaders had been privileged to serve this great nation? This sounds very fulfilling, but only few lived to its essence to be servants of the people, and not masters of them. Leaders who not only enriched themselves and their kins, but also squandered the residue meant for the poor and the needy. Leaders who salivated at the sight of fame and fortune that beckons them at their throne. Machiavellian leaders who could make their subjects tremble and annihilate foes at a swagger of their hand.

Madame President, the Philippines is a bastion of democracy. Communism thrived for a time and so did Socialism. But there is nothing like democracy. And in democracy, there is no place for dynasty. Apart from five of you in the family, whom pundits would announce as the modern-day dynasty, who else remain in diaspora awaiting ordainment?

The shame that this repulsive government has gifted to the Filipino nation is beyond redemption. How many more days, weeks or months, should we be holding the scepter passed on to us as the most dangerous country for journalists? Is this latest coronation something that a Filipino like me should be proud of? It is a shame that a Pacquiao and a Penaflorida feat would pale in comparison to this worldwide recognition.

And what has your government been doing to punish the criminals of the grisliest massacre in recent memory? Would you be brave enough to accept part of the blame and therefore admit a failed leadership? You know and the Filipino people know, who created the monsters in Maguindanao. You might have exonerated yourself from the shame of election 2004, but the repercussion of your cheating is here to haunt you. The election result that paved the way for the resurrection of the cloned monster -- the Frankenstein that gobbled up the bloods of the innocent victims of Maguindanao massacre. Its design and perfection all happened under your watch, and may I say your pampering hand.

In conclusion, I would like to thank you Madame President for being an instrument for a new wave of self-sacrifice, selflessness and social consciousness, being felt around every dimension of society. This average citizen is no longer indifferent to every issue he is entangled into. He is no longer oblivious to the fact that his future and his children's future is in jeopardy. He now acts forthrightly and with a sense of urgency. And the lessons he learned became his powerful tool to rectify his mistakes.

For no government on earth is without reproach, but certainly and collectively we can triumph over the bondage of greed in our government -- this curse that no one dared resist. For you were once privileged to be steward of your people, and you're bound to uphold their well-being, but you chose to indulge in the bounty of your plunder . As the adage goes, "for where the carcass is, the vultures abound."

Thank you Madame President for stirring up in me, the resolve to muster my unusual self to put my thoughts down in writing, as I would not be able to speak them. Thank you for compelling me to do the right thing and be a voice to the reserved few.

From an OFW

Hillary's Silent Rebuke - "Get Your Acts Together!"

"Corruption is corrosive in any society with leaders enriching themselves..."

While these are very strong words from the US Secretary of State, the message is quite clear. It may be a generalization, but judging from the corruption scandals this government is embroiled in, it is presumed as a direct reference to the Arroyo government.

If Gloria was in attendance, what would have been her reactions to that? I just can guess, everyone in the audience might have given her a cold stare. For it is a universal knowledge, that corruption thrives under the Gloria administration, not negligible in scale but its magnitude historical.

Those were stern words not to be ignored. Hillary is certainly no cerebral minnow. She's well-informed. But behind the curtains, could she be tough enough to whisper to this rogue little being, that her explicit exploits are being monitored? I wonder what the conversations would sound like. Or is Hillary so mean enough to be that unreasonably candid? Oh, I really don't think this scenario is forthcoming!

The last time Gloria visited the US upon the invitation of Obama, she was greeted with demonstrations and protests by the Filipino community there. Prior to her visit, a handful of prestigious newspapers in the US, were already screaming loud of her purported involvement in corruption scandals. If my history was correct, she earned the distinction of being the first Southeast Asian leader to have been invited to the White House. Being a gifted peacemaker and a gentleman himself, Obama did not intend to be accused of breach of protocol, by shutting the White House door to the Philippine contingent.

Forget about rebukes from Hillary! Our protagonist nonetheless, has been quietly busy working her way to yet another stage of political immortality. When one has tasted power that comes with unimaginable gains, it is a normal human reaction to get addicted to it. And as Sen. Miriam Santiago would have described it, the stampede of vultures with the epidermis of a pachyderm, has become a cultural phenomenon in the Philippines.

There is however little time to make amends, from the stench of corruption so flagrant to conceal. What had been laid bare could just be a fraction of the real deal. We have had enough of them. Different styles of leadership from different personalities, but with synonymous records. But do we need to be reminded all over again? I think the electorate is no longer gullible to this deception...at least in earlier polls. But the fact still remains to be seen...