The Band-Aid Administration: 525,600 Minutes Under the PNOY Administration

The first year of President Aquino III’s administration is a struggle of some sorts. On one hand, the government that they would take over is predictable and consistent – if you talking about corruption and public anomalies. On the other hand, it is mandated to govern a mix of people who have lost faith in government, who wanted to go against the thieving government officials, or who simply wants to have a better life. Essentially, this dynamics created a ‘Band-Aid Administration’ out of a government trying to put a sense of closure to the entire decades of looting public coffers and twisting realities.

Back to 1989: The Implications of a Presidential Amnesty

On October 11, 2010, President Noynoy Aquino signed Proclamation No. 50. This proclamation grants amnesty to uniformed personnel and civilians implicated in the Oakwood Mutiny, the Marines Standoff, the Manila Peninsula Hotel Incident and other related events. However, would this act by the President result to the intended end-state? Would the move be consistent with the Daang Matuwid advocacy, or would it circumvent it?

General Bangit: Beyond Mere Words

In the light of every issue thrown upon him and in the light of everything he has done for us as a superior, as a mentor and as a servant of the people, I dare stand up for the person who made me change my mind about the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I think the accusations and invectives are arrogant, ignorant and totally uncalled for, especially for an officer who has spent so much of his life trying to do his best on duties given to him.

Yes, this is about GEN DELFIN N BANGIT AFP.

Our paths first crossed when I was a struggling researcher, fresh out of Diliman.  Even during that time we see a potential CSAFP in our midst. Not because he is a Gloria lapdog, but because he has the vision, the uncanny intellect, the capability and the heart to serve as the Chief of Staff of the AFP.  We believe in him because unlike many able officers of the AFP, he DELIVERS and he DELIVERS WELL.

An Open Letter to President-Elect Aquino

Mr. President-elect:

I have been critical of your candidacy because I don’t believe that you can deliver your promise. I have my reservation, and my moments of self-outrage over what you and your cohorts are doing in front of the television. But the people have spoken, and they want you in Malacañan: a decision that I whole-heartedly accept. But before you start your business as the 15^th Philippine President, let me have some words of advice for you.

GMA’s Queen Gambit

During the past few weeks leading to 2010 Elections, an ordinary newspaper reader would probably see the continuous line of news pointing to the alleged “defection” of a number of candidates from LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD to Liberal Party. Some claimed that over 100 administration executives and legislators have taken their oath as Liberals, including prominent administration names like Sonny Belmonte, Herbert Bautista, Vilma Santos, Ralph Recto, Jonjon Mendoza, Cesar Montano, Jerry Treñas, Hernani Braganza and others. The alleged exodus also spanned the entire country, focusing on key voter’s areas, like Pangasinan, Bulacan, Cebu, Iloilo and others.  All of these signs seem to point to something: that LAKAS-KAMPI-CMD is losing steam and LP is emerging as the major political party this 2010. Or is it?

Opening Malacañang’s Pandora’s Box

The recent news of GMA filing Certificate of Candidacy to run as Representative of Pampanga in 2010 Election has catalyzed so much uproar from anti-administration Filipinos. The move has been seen as an attempt of the sitting President to hold on to power, finding her way through the legislative loophole provided by the 1987 Constitution.  While it is true that doing so gives Arroyo a chance to put the Putin Formula at work, this explanation is too obvious. Given the way the Malacañang work, this issue looks more like a smokescreen to hide vulnerability and to hype impunity. This paper presents an alternative theory on why the Chief Executive decided to leave all pretenses and filed her certificate of candidacy to run as a legislative representative in Pampanga.

Beyond the Amber Ribbons: A NO for Noynoy in 2010 Elections

It has been a while before I wrote this article, and quite a while before I got this posted. I have done so intentionally so as to prevent the Cory fever from making rabid dogs out of otherwise perceptive people. I used simple reasoning in advancing my proposition: that Noynoy doesn’t deserve the level of trust many Filipinos deliberately or unwittingly gave him.