Aquino may follow Obama path, warns think-tank

 US President Barack Obama lost big in the midterm elections by taking control of the House of Representatives and almost had the Senate, too. The reason: The babble of change that catapulted Obama to office is but a pure bubble which is sure to burst. According to Pacific Strategies and Assessments, a risk consulting firm, the Philippines' P-Noy may also follow Obama. Tikboy shares this view. Here is the report of the Inquirer.

Aquino may follow Obama path, warns think-tank

By Tony Bergonia

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III’s promise of change is likely to follow the same path as that of US President Barack Obama, according to a US-led multinational risk consultancy firm doing intelligence work for the world’s top corporations and embassies in Manila.
In a paper titled “Chasing a Legacy: Assessing Aquino’s Ability to Impact Change,” Pacific Strategies and Assessments (PSA) warned that like that of his US counterpart, Mr. Aquino’s change agenda appeared likely to fail to institute reforms for the great majority.

“Approximately 100 days into office, it appears that the bubble of expectations around Noynoy (Mr. Aquino’s nickname) is beginning to burst,” PSA said in the October 2010 paper that it had prepared for its clients, one of which furnished the Philippine Daily Inquirer a copy.

“The dynamics are not too dissimilar to the shared doubt being cast on US President Barack Obama because he simply has not lived up to the hype and soaring-oratory expectations of those who voted for him,” PSA said in reference to the losses suffered by the US President’s Democratic party in the midterm elections.

“Mr. Obama’s grace period has expired and eventually so will Noynoy’s,” it said, adding that while Mr. Aquino had “done a fair job acknowledging and framing the country’s major issues,” he had “not articulated any semblance of a strategy to address them.”

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Mislang and Misfit

What's the difference between P-Noy's ASec and speechwriter "Mai Mislang" and "behavioral misfit"? None. Nada.

Mislang's unbridled fingers especially on the social networking sites are doing the scratches on P-Noy's administration. Worse, this might even cost the Philippines the cordial relations with Vietnam... all because the latter's wine sucks and that there are no cute chaps in the speechwriter's taste.

Pero teka, are we paying Mislang to ridicule President Noynoy Aquino's hosts? Are we paying her to berate people just because it offered no sweet wine and no cute chap? Or are we paying her to be the wine taster and guy-hunter?

While we agree that the personal and the professional sides should not mix, one should also be aware where he or she is standing and what is the cap he or she is carrying. Human as she is, puwede naman siyang magreklamo but within the confines of her private life naman sana. Tikboy thought she's a tourism graduate and from UP at that? Bakit di niya alam ang simple common sense?

Well, this just show the weakness of appointment or hiring not based on merit but based on the relationship with the appointing officer. We thought things will change under PNoy but it seems that the same old style of recruiting the members of public office remains.

From Karitoon Classroom to Learning Center

After a year of having been declared as CNN hero of the year, awardee Efren Penaflorida is now into showbiz. He is hosting Ako Mismo program in TV5 and yesterday, was into pictorial for a CD album "For a Better World", PEP reports.

But he did not totally left his advocacies on education. From Karitoon Classrom in Cavite, Efren and his buddies are now building a learning center for the kids.

Buti naman at may improvement na. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito. Pero teka, di kaya naiinsulto dito si Gloria Macapagal Arrovo... err, Arroyo? Sabi niya before she left, kumpleto naman ang classroom for the education sector. Covering nga lang 120 students per classroom ... o class hall? Kasi ang alam kong classroom mga 30 max lang ang estudyante. Kung hall, puwedeng 120. Pasok din yun sa gymnasium o kaya coliseum.

Pero sabi primary concern daw ng P-Noy Administration ang education. Kaya nga dadagdagan ng 2 years ang basic education ng mga Pilipino. Sana dagdagan din ng classroom. Di ba Bro. Armin Luistro? Kasi kahit 10 years pa ang idagdag sa basic education kung lahat naman ay matututo sa ilalim ng punong mangga o kaya sa may kariton, dagdag-pahirap lang yun sa ating mga kababayan. Not unless.... gusto pa nating magkaroon ng marami pang Efren Penaflorida. Pero di ba insulto yun sa mga Pinoy at sa kasalukuyang administrasyon?

Half kudos for P-Noy Admin over Typhoon Juan

President Noynoy Aquino aired satisfaction over the handling of information and corresponding risk mitigation efforts over super typhoon Juan. As Yahoo's FTP reported:

“I am very pleased. Pagasa [Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration], with its accurate and timely predictions, enabled all other agencies to be ready,” Aquino said in a text message to reporters.

Photo courtesy of www.fox40.com

Well, we see really some difference and we are glad about it. Hence, Tikboy offers his "half" congratulations to the P-Noy Administration for that. The other half is reserved until after the administration has taught the local government officials on how to mitigate disaster-related risks. As Inquirer.net reported, 12 are dead and at least P1.5 billion of crops are lost along with hundreds of houses destroyed.

Amnesty is good but....

Palance is in a defensive mode after announcing that it is granting amnesty to the Magdalo members especially those who were involved in the Oakwood mutiny and the Manila Pen seige.

But while nobody is questioning the power of the President to issue amnesty, many are asking: Is this really the path to "matuwid na daan"?

P-Noy has been saying that one way to the "matuwid na daan" is to know the truth. But the truth will not come out if there are no efforts to seek it. And one way to seek it is by allowing the wheels of fortune... err, justice to proceed. So bakit di na lang hayaang litisin muna ang mga sundalo para lumabas ang katotohanan? Pag nilitis sila, lalabas ang mga ebidensiya at pag lumabas ang mga ebidensiya, makikita nang sambayanan saan nga ba talaga nagkamali at ano nga ba talaga ang mali?

Si Tikboy matagal nang naghahanap ng linaw sa akusasyon ni Sen. Trillanes tungkol sa korapsiyon sa militar. Lumabas na ang tip of the iceberg nang ma-kasuhan si Gen. Garcia. Hanggang sa tip na lang ba tayo magiging kuntento?

At any rate, sigurado naman na palalayain ang mga sundalo. Kung hindi man amnestiya, andiyan naman ang pardon sakaling mapatunayan silang may kasalanan. Kung sila nga ay may kasalanan. Di ba katotohanan ang hinahanap natin at ito rin ang isinisigaw ni P-Noy sa inauguration niya sa Quirino Grandstand?

Amnesty is good.... But we need TRUTH!

Rico Puno, puno ba nang bunga?

A Pilipino saying goes: Binabato ang puno na hitik sa bunga.

So it appears. Literally and figuratively as Undersecretary Rico Puno claims that "five groups including one led by Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo are working to have me ousted." The others are: the Balay group (those pushing for Noy-Mar tandem in the 2010 elections), the Samar group (those pushing for the Noynoy-Binay tandem in the May 2010), one composed of people interested in his post, and another affiliated with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Pero teka, mukhang hindi nga lang talaga binabato si Puno. People are out to get his head axed or at least his ass kicked out from the DILG. Paano ba naman, palpak na nga sa hostage-taking, ayaw pang manindigan laban sa jueteng. He even boasted na marami ang lumalapit sa kanya na jueteng lords para kausapin si P-Noy. Pero nang tinatanong sinu-sino ang mga ito, bigla ba namang kambiyo. Todo defense na sa mga kausap niya.

Kung sabagay, okay naman yung pag-defend niya kasi ibig sabihin, tunay nga siyang kaibigan. Ang kaibigan niya, pino-protektahan niya kahit pa siya ang madiin. Hindi tulad ni GMA na iiwanan na lang basta ang kaibigan huwag lang maipit. Kaya lang di ba dapat, the loyalty to one's self (or friends) should end when the loyalty to the country begins?

Pero since the loyalty of Puno to his friends never end despite the fact na kailangan na ang loyalty niya sa kanyang bansa, hanggang kaibigan material lang talaga siya. Hindi government material, di ba? At dahil hindi siya government material, di siya bagay sa kanyang puwesto at tama nga ang mga grupo na gusto siyang palayasin sa kanyang puwesto.

Pero USec, pag pinalayas ka, friends tayo ah? Kasi mas bagay ka na friend kesa government official. Tapos, hingi ako ng balato sa jueteng ah? Di ba, dapat nagsi-share and that's what are friends for?

Labh yeowhpoewh...
PEACE!

Quantity is not equal to quality

Minus the reproductive health bill, the bigger issue that is dividing the Philippines is the issue of adding two years in the basic education system of the Philippines. Multiply that with rallies and demonstrations and the result: Restlessness.


It appears that one problem with the present administration is its ability to package its messages. The honeymoon period might be an excuse but it should have been clear especially for those who accepted the post that corresponding with their seats are responsibilities and that includes communicating properly what needs to be communicated. The clarity is obvious as the present administration even hired a number of communication specialists and even had a number of departments to cater to that. But then, quantity does not automatically equal to quality.


Because of a problematic communication system, sectors and groups have been opposing the increase in the number of years of basic schooling from 10 to 12. They also argue that quantity is not equivalent to quality as the additional years in the basic education does not automatically mean better students or well-prepared graduates for tertiary schools. Even if the years are short compared with international standards, as long as there are sufficient books, teachers, school rooms conducive to learning and other facilities, the country can still produce quality graduates and globally competitive citizens. Pero kahit dagdagan mo ng 10 pang taon kung kulang pa rin ang mga aklat, guro, paaralan at iba pang facilities, ganun at ganun pa rin ang mangyayari. Palpak pa rin ang magiging resulta.

Sana, nag-iisip ang ating gobyerno. Sana, nag-iisip din ang mga kumokontra at sumasang-ayon sa mga issue. Quantity does not automatically translate to quality.

"Very Good" satisfaction ratings for a good start

There is no doubt, President Noynoy Aquino passed his first 100 days with a "Very Good" satisfaction ratings according to the Social Weather Stations. "The survey showed 71 percent of respondents were satisfied with Mr. Aquino’s performance, and 11 percent dissatisfied" or a net satisfaction ratings of 60 percent.

The palace is elated, of course, but this should not be a reason for them to rest on their laurels. As Joker Arroyo said, P-Noy's first 100 days was “not designed as a dry-run or on-the-job training period for the President.” Besides, P-Noy got the rating with "the shortcomings, the underperformance of his (advisers),”who, it seems, he doesn't want to replace especially the U-Sec in hotwater, Rico Puno.

But hopefully, things will change. P-Noy is a fast learner so it is impossible that he won't learn from ousted president, Joseph Estrada. Estrada also got 100 percent satisfaction ratings on his first 100 days but eventually was kicked out of the Palace for misgovernance and involvement in jueteng -- the illegal numbers game that is unfortunately dragging Puno down.

P-Noy and Estrada, however, did not top the satisfaction ratings for the first 100 days in office as Chief Executive. The title holder is Fidel "Tabako" Ramos with 66 percent. In the fourth place is Corazon Aquino, P-Noy's mother with 53 percent, and at the bottom is the infamous president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with 24 percent.

Civil Disobedience and Religious Obedience

It is said: Corollary with the freedom to believe is the freedom NOT to believe.

With the apparent collision between the Church and the State on the issue of reproductive health bill, the former threatened to call for a civil disobedience against the latter claiming it has the moral authority to do so. This simply means, the Church is framing its arguments on moral grounds.

But while the Church cannot cloak itself with moral framing based on what Snippets earlier raised, it can use the cloak of religious freedom to advance its arguments. That, we should respect as the Constitution clearly guarantees religious freedom for everyone.

Pero sana huwag namang bias ang Simbahan. If their freedom of religion is guaranteed and respected, they should also respect the freedom guaranteed to others. At any rate, religious freedom is not only given exclusively to the members of the Catholic faith.

Second, sana straight din sila mangatwiran. P-Noy clearly stated na he is supporting the freedom of the couples to choose which birth control method to use and he is NOT advocating preference over the other. The palpak na logic, for instance, makes the Church out of its wits. Isang miyembro, halimbawa, ng Catholic Women's League ang nagsabi na if there was a preference for condom ang Simbahan, sana wala si Sto. Nino. This kind of logic exposes the Church more to questions like:

• Teka, di ba immaculate conception si Sto. Nino? May di ba sinasabi ang Simbahan sa kanyang mga miyembro?
• Ang Holy Spirit ba nakikipagtalik the way ordinary humans do? 
• Alam ba ng Simbahan kelan naimbento ang condom? In tune nga ba sila sa mga pagbabago ng panahon?
• etc., etc.

Population Issue and the Wrong Premise

Even before warming his seat, President Noynoy Aquino already stirred the ire of the Catholic Church for expressing his support over the artificial birth control issue. Hence, what PNOY did is to blink and seek talk with the Church.

But while there is nothing wrong with consulting with the different sectors and talking with the latter on issues affecting the country, it is unsound to always sit down and talk and never come to a resolution. Kelan pa ba yan nagsimula na usapang yan? Bakit hindi natatapos?

The reason why nothing comes to a closure is because of the wrong assumptions both on the part of the government and the Catholic Church.

• First, the government thinks that the Church is all-powerful kaya maraming opisyal ang tiklop ang tuhod pag nagsalita na ito. Dahil ba sa sinasabing 80% ng mga Pilipino ay Katoliko? Even if sabihin na 100% ng mga Pilipino ay Katoliko, it is non-sequitor to say na powerful pa rin ang Simbahan. Numbers doesn't mean power dahil marami pa rin kasing Pilipino ang ayaw matawag na atheist kaya everytime na tinatanong sila kung ano ang relihiyon nila, sinasabi na Katoliko sila. Well, ang gobyerno naman kasi ang may kasalanan nito. Mantakin mo ba namang lagyan ng mga larawan ng Diyos (kuno) ang mga classrooms at i-emphasize ang panalangin sa pagbubukas ng klase sa mga public schools, and at the crucial stage kung saan nagsisimulang makipag-socialize ang mga bata? Siyempre, mapipilitang maki-ayon na lang ang mga bata para di sila ma-outcast sa kanilang mga klase.
• Second, the government believes that numbers mean power but doesn't conduct scientific studies to show which numbers are true. Dahil ba sinabi ng Simbahan na 80% ng mga Pilipino ay Katoliko, yung equivalent number na yun ay ayaw na sa contraceptives? If this is true then sana yung sinasabing "huwag makikiapid" na nasa 10 Commandments ay sinusunod din lalo na nang mga kaparian. Si Fr. Anton, napapabalitang anak daw yung bunso ni Aling Jenny na asawa ni Mang Mark na seaman. Ganun din si Fr. Marlon na maliban sa girlfriend na si Anggie, kinakalantare din ang asawa ni Charles. Okay lang siguro si Anggie kasi dalaga naman siya at binata naman ang pari. Pero yung asawa ng may asawa? Meron pang isa, si Fr. Dindo. Nagkaanak din sa isang dalaga pero sa halip na panagutan, nagpa-assign bilang misyonero sa Africa. Pero bago siya napunta sa Africa, may mga nagalaw din na kababaihan sa parokya nila pero di nagbuntis. Gumamit na daw ng condom dahil natuto na sa pagkakamali nila ni Lora, yung dalagang nabuntis. Isa lang ang naging anak ni Fr. Dindo, na ngayon ay happy na daw sa Africa. Si Fr. Anton naman, dinala na sa Roma. Yung mga kawawang mga anak nila, nasa pangangalaga ng kanilang mga ina na ni isang kusing na sentimo, walang natatanggap na suporta. Ibig sabihin, walang solid control ang Simbahan hindi lang sa mga miyembro nito kundi maging sa mga kaparian. Kaya ba't nagpapadala sa numero at moralidad ang mga taong-gobyerno eh bluff lang ang mga ito?
• Third, balik sa numero. Takot ang karamihan, lalo na ang mga pulitiko, na hindi sila mananalo kung lalabanan nila ang Simbahan. Me political clout nga ba ito eh brown bags lang nung panahon ni GMA at jueteng payola, bow na ang ilang pari? At si Bishop Cruz mismo ang nagsabi, di ba? Assuming na me political clout nga ang Simbahan, bakit natalo si Fr. Ed Panlilio sa Pampanga o kaya si Grace Padaca ng Isabela? At bakit nanalo si GMA bilang kongresista? Gayun din si Edcel Lagman na tahasang sumuporta at nagsulong sa Reproductive Health Bill noong nakaraang Kongreso? Kung ang Iglesiya ni Kristo siguro o kaya mga Muslim ang magsabi, baka puwede pang paniwalaan. Pag dating ng eleksiyon, nasa 64% ng mga miyembro ng Iglesia ang solid na bumoboto sa ini-endorso ng kanilang mga lider samantalang 48%-52% naman ng mga Muslim ang sumusunod sa ini-endorso ng kanilang mga Imam.
• Fourth, mukhang parehong nag-aasume lang ang Simbahan at Gobyerno. Di natin alam kung bopols silang pareho pero ni hindi nga nila kabisadong husto ang kanilang mga isyu. Mantakin ba naman na sabihin ng Simbahan na kasama sa artificial birth control ang abortion? Papaano mangyayari yun eh wala namang batas ang isinusulong para amyendahan ang Revised Penal Code na nagbabawal sa abortion? 

Malaki ang intelligence funds ng gobyerno. Malaki rin tong, este, ano nga yun, abuloy(?) na nakukuha ng Simbahan. Bakit di sila mag-invest sa research para me matino naman silang desisyon? 

The reason why this is happening is because of the wrong assumptions. Masyadong takot ang gobyerno at masyado namang nananakot ang Simbahan. Pero ano ba ang ginagawa ng gobyerno para ayusin ito once and for all?

Lapid and his School Bags Law

Mona Lisa senator, Lito Lapid, passed a bill prohibiting the overloading of the school children's bags. Numbered as Senate Bill 2179, the bill proposes to

limit the maximum load of schoolbags to 15 percent of a student’s body weight. Schools should provide weighing scales to implement this regulation. He also proposed that schools provide more lockers and buy thinner and lighter textbooks.

The reason: Lapid doesn't want other kids to experience what he did when he carried heavy woods and sugarcane in his younger years that instead of growing 5 feet 11 inches, he only grew 5' 9".

Lapid's bill was countered by DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro saying there is no need for a law on that. Nasa discretion na yan ng mga magulang at siyempre, ng school officials. Which is correct. Dahil sa kakulangan ng school buildings at teachers, kailangang wala nang uwian at tapusin na nang mga bata from 6AM to 12NN ang kanilang mga subjects na dapat ay from 8AM to 11AM, at 1PM to 5PM. Ibig sabihin, kailangang dalhin nila ang kanilang mga gamit at wala nang uwian para ma-maximize ang oras.

Sa halip sana na schoolbags overloading ang tinumbok ng kawawang senador, nagpasa na sana siya ng batas na mage-ensure ng quality education sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng: tamang oras at hindi long shifts, dagdag na school rooms at hindi lang lockers, matino at kumpletong mga textbooks hindi panipisan ngunit walang kalidad na laman, at de-kalidad na mga guro. Siyempre, dapat gumawa rin siya ng batas na nagtatakda ng dagdag na pondo para sa edukasyon.

At sana rin, sa halip na schoolbags ang tinumbok ng kawawang senador, sana yung batas na lang na nagtatakda ng matinong employee performance evaluation system at automatic kick out policy sa mga nagtatrabaho sa gobyerno na may poor performance. Lalong lalo na sa mga teacher sa rural areas na ang ginagawa sa mga estudyante nila ay pinapag-linis ng bakuran ng paaralan at pinapag-bunot ng damo. At ang pinakasimple, sana nagpasa rin siya sa ethics committee ng Senado ng resolution na ang mga Senador na kakaunti o kaya walang quality na naipasang bills ay bigyan ng parusa sa pamamagitan ng pagkaltas sa kanilang suweldo at pag-a-allocate ng pera para sa mga paaralan.


Kaso, kawawa talaga itong si Senador. Kung feeling niya kulang pa rin siya sa height, mas matindi ang kakulangan niya sa buhay: talino o kahit common sense para makagawa naman siya ng isang makabuluhang batas.

What are we jueteng for?

The frogs are croaking. Sec. Rico Puno is now in hot water while Senator Miriam Santiago had her well-thought jueteng equation. Of course, Mona Lisa senator, Lito Lapid, is to the rescue saying his kabalens Bong and Lilia Pineda are not jueteng operators. We heard this during the time of Gloria Arroyo and we are hearing it again. Anyway, the latest winning number combination according to whispering spirits is 11-23.

Chavit Singson is also on the limelight as Santiago said the governor is a jueteng operator. The problem is: Santiago is not offering evidences to pin Singson and the other names she dropped. Kaya nga tanong ni Sen. Cayetano (sino na nga yun? yung lalaki? Marami na kasi sila - 2 sa senado and earlier meron sa Kongreso): What are we jueteng for?

Ano na nga ba ang ginagawa natin? We have names, we conducted investigations, the police has a list .. and we are pissed. Sino na nga ba ang nakulong? Kahit si Erap na nasipa sa puwesto dahil sa jueteng kuno ay ayun, kumandidato pa at nag-ikot pa sa bansang Pilipinas. What are we jueteng for nga ba talaga?

Merci gets Mercy from SC

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, speedily gave an immediate relief to Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez by directing the committee headed by Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. to observe a status quo ante following Gutierrez’s petition for certiorari and prohibition. Gutierrez had been a subject of impeachment cases which she claims as “capricious and whimsical.” (See full report here.)

Sa wakas, bumilis din ang takbo ng Korte Suprema. Pero teka, preno, alto, halt, stop! Bakit sa kaso lang ni Gutierrez? Bakit sa ibang kaso, hindi? Dahil ba sa karamihang Supreme Court Justices ay appointee ni Gloria Arroyo at si Gutierrez ay ganun din? Ibig bang sabihin, ganito rin ang mangyayari sa mga kaso na ilalatag laban kay Arroyo? O revenge ito ng Korte dahil sa budget cuts nito for 2011?

If this is the case, then the high court should not be a hypocrite claiming that it is apolitical. And if this is the case then it should not expect to get the trust of the Filipinos. Pero sana naman hindi. Dangan kasi ay last resort dapat ng mga tao ang korte sa mga wrongs committed against them. Not unless isa itong recreational and leisure resort kung saan libre ang mga mayayamang may koneksiyon lalo na sa mga Arroyo?

Jueteng

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are rushing to conduct an investigation on the alleged recipients of jueteng payola. Are they serious on curbing the illegal numbers game or are they just curious on who gets how much?

Sabi ni Aling Munding, mukhang may ilang opisyal ang interesado sa congressional inquiry para malaman kung tama lang ang kanilang nakukuhang payola. Matapos daw kasi nung eleksiyon ay nasaid na ang kanilang mga bulsa. Ang iba nga, nagtatago na sa kanilang mga pinagkakautangan eh palapit na nang palapit ang pasko. Wala na ring choice kasi inubos na nang administrasyong Arroyo ang pera ng gobyerno. Totoo kaya ito?

Pero ang nakapagtataka, ayaw pang pangalanan ni Archbishop Oscar Cruz ang mga opisyal na tumatanggap ng payola. Ang sabi ni Archbishop, "Bakit ko sasabihin? Hindi ba nila alam? Eh, sila itong may malaking intelligence funds na ni hindi nga ina-audit?"

Sabagay, tama naman ang Arsobispo. Pero tanong lang: Saan pong intelligence funds: Yung galing sa gobyerno o galing sa jueteng payola?

Pero naniniwala si Chipipot. Kaya daw ayaw sabihin ni Archbishop yung mga pangalan ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno ay baka mapilitan din siyang sabihin yung pangalan ng mga taga-Simbahan na tumatanggap ng jueteng.

Nakowww!!!

P-Noy to let go of Robredo?

If the slogan before is "Goodbye, Gloria!", this time it appears to be "Goodbye, Robredo!" An interesting analysis is shared by Thoughts on the Loose a portion of which are as follows:

One of the loyal Liberals in the Bicol Region is former Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo. He was the one who kept the LP’s torch burning when the alleged last bastion of Liberal Party, the Alfelor Clan, jumped ship to Lakas-NUCD. But will he still hang on now that many wants his head axed and that the President he serves will not even recommend the confirmation of his appointment in the Interior and Local Government?

While we cannot read what’s in Robredo’s mind, it cannot be denied that he is on the brink of becoming a victim of power play. First, when Gloria Arroyo’s adviser, Joey Salceda, jumped ship from Lakas-NUCD to Liberal Party during the campaign period, something immediately started to boil in Noynoy Aquino’s camp. Chiz Escudero was already campaigning for NoyBi (Noynoy Aquino for President and Jojo Binay for Vice President) and it is often said that “two is a company and three is a crowd”. Worse, rumors spread in the grapevine that political stalwart Luis Villafuerte released on the last hour NoyBi ballots. Now, that means not just getting crowded but overcrowded and an overcrowded ship needs to reduce cargoes and even passengers. Since Robredo is the least of these Bicolano figures who can deliver votes is Robredo, definitely he will be the first to be left out.

 The complete post is found here.

Euro Generals suspended

Finally, after two long years and the death of 8 persons in a well-televised hostage-taking incident, the Ombudsman suspended six Euro-generals. The Inquirer reports:

MANILA, Philippines—The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered six Philippine National Police officials involved in a controversial trip to Russia in 2008 to be placed on preventive suspension for six months without pay pending its investigation of the case tagged in media as the “euro generals” scandal.

Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez, head of the anti-graft body, identified the PNP officials as Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. of the Directorate for Operations; Director German Doria of the Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development; Chief Supt. Orlando Pestaño, finance service director; Chief Supt. Tomas Rentoy III, budget division director; Supt. Samuel Rodriguez, special disbursing officer and Supt. Elmer Pelobello.

But three of them—Alarcio, Pestaño and Doria—have reportedly retired from the service. (More here)

 Interesting.  So kailangan lang palang me mga mangyari muna bago ang aksiyon. Di ba may kasabihan: Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?

Kung sabagay, it is better late than never. Ang Ombudsman kaya, kelan din mapapalitan? Mukhang ito rin ang dahilan bakit namatay ang mga Intsik sa Manila Hostage Crisis noong Agosto 23, di ba? Tanungin natin si Capt. Mendoza.

Maguindanao Massacre: Perfect Crime But...

The plan was perfect: Kill everyone and bury them including their cars and properties underground and announce to the world that a UFO (unidentified flying object) came and abducted them. The problem: Something went amiss as the media, indeed being a media, was able to report that the UFO is nothing but the private army linked to the Ampatuans.

Because of the mistake, and the information leak, a planning was done in front of the dinner table according to Lakmudin Saliao, a former household help of the Ampatuans who acted as a close-in aide of Andal Sr. The plan: Release Andal Jr., but only under the care of then President Gloria Arroyo.

Though outside the story of Saliao but the plan was slowly bared with the unfolding of the events. The suspects in the Maguindanao Massacre will be charged with rebellion and not 57 counts of murder plus illegal possession of firearms. Mahirap kasing palabasin kung murder unlike rebellion kung saan puwede agad bigyan ng amnesty ang mga akusado at pronto! Laya na. Kaya nga wala nang masyadong objections ang kampo ni Andal Jr., sa mga pinag-sasabi ng Department of Justice.

But while the plan was overtaken by events. When election was held, wala na silang nagawa. It was clear: Arroyo would step down then. So yung promise to take care of Andal Jr., was not realized. The Ampatuans naman kasi never read history. Whatever GMA says, she does otherwise. In simple terms, sorry na lang sila.

To salvage the situation, Andal Jr., started wearing yellow. He thought he can still court Noynoy Aquino, then the emerging winner of the presidential race. Pero he was disowned and it was a double blow. So ngayon, palpak ulit.

It was a perfect crime sana kaya lang ... palpak!

Inch by inch

Finally, the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is moving. Just today, the complaints filed by former Akbayan Representative Riza Hontiveros et. al., and the other one from the Bayan Muna camp have been declared sufficient in form and in substance.

Merci is unfazed, though. We should not be surprised. It's taking her long to internalize things or feel everything through her bones. Kaya nga usad-pagong ang mga kaso dahil sa sobrang bagal niya mag-internalize, di ba? At kaya nga nagwal rin si Capt. Rolando Mendoza.

But we should not blame Merci for her usad-pagong na galaw. Malay natin, nature na talaga yun. Pinag-iisipan niya lang na maigi. So kung mamatay na ang mga may kasalanan na hindi pa nasi-sintensiyahan, ayos lang. Whether or not sintensiyahan sila, mamatay din lang naman sila. Ganun din ang logic sa government service. Whether or not gawin nila ang trabaho nila sa Sandigan, sasahod din naman sila. O di ba?

PNP has no "Nego Team" but has "Euro Generals"

It's interesting to note that the Philippine National Police has no "Negotiating Team" organized or trained to handle situations like the Manila Hostage Crisis. This was disclosed by Supt. Orlando Yebra, the one who acted as a negotiator during last month's mismanaged hostage crisis. And worse, the PNP also has no TV or radio that could have assisted in monitoring the situation.

But on the contrary, the PNP has millions of pesos that can finance euro generals and their families to make "lamierda" in Europe. Interesting, isn't it? That's only here in the Philippines.

Magtibay: Just Once

Gen. Rodolfo Magtibay has a new theme song when he faced the National Bureau of Investigation probe on the Manila Hostage Crisis handling last August 23. The song: "Just Once" by James Ingram. It goes:

I did my best
But I guess my best wasn't good enough
'Cause here we are back where we were before
Seems nothing ever changes
We're back to being strangers
Wondering if we oughta stay
Or head on out the door

 We can't blame him naman. He really did his best as he claims and we can do nothing naman talaga kung yun lang ang kaya. Kung sabagay, nagpa-impluwensiya nga siya kay Mayor Alfredo Lim sa pag-handle ng sitwasyon kaya let's not blame him for the total wreck. Wala nga talaga siyang alam kahit ano'ng piga natin. Kahit nga yung kotong cops diyan sa may Lagusnilad di niya alam kung di pa na-"hindi ko kayo tatantanan" ni Mike Enriquez sa Imbestigador. Ano ka, P300 din yung nakuha kay Igme, ah! Buti si Tikboy nagtanong ano violation niya at lahat ng sabihin ng kotong cop, nabara. Si Igme kasi nagmamadali. Mantakin ba namang P500 ang pera niya binigyan pa nang sukli? (Teka, me share kaya dito si Gen. Magtibay? Papaano niya natustusan ang kanyang pagiging general kung ganun? Maliban na lang kung nakinabang siya sa Euro-general money.)

Pero dahil wala siyang alam, papaano ba siya naging heneral? Nagbayad din ba siya tulad nung mga driver na dumaan at nakotongan sa Lagusnilad? Posible. Kaya heto ang ebidensiya: Walo ang patay di pa kasama ang hostage-taker sa bilang kasama nang ilan pang sugatan. At mukhang naghihingalo na rin ang relasyong-pulitikal at pang-ekonomiya ng Tsina at Pilipinas. Lima ring OFW ang nakatakdang pugutan ng ulo dahil sa sentensiyang death penalty na posibleng revenge ng China sa 5 rin nilang national na napatay. Dahil dito, puwede pa ba tayong kumanta niyan ng "Just Once"?

Ewan.

The mysterious caller and the deterioration of the hostage-taking negotiations

After pointing at the media as a cause of the agitation of Capt. Rolando Mendoza to shoot his hostages, fingers are now being pointed at the mysterious caller or callers of the hostage-taker. According to government officials, Mendoza's cellphone was busy that the negotiatiors could not anymore contact him after he fired his gun.

While it may be true that the mysterious caller is a cause, we can trace the original problem to the intelligence of the ground commander. Nung na-lowbat ang cellphone ni Mendoza, bakit di na lang siya binigyan ng cellphone na ang mga negosyador lang ang nakakaalam ng number? Tingin ni Tikboy, nagbibigay ng opening si Mendoza para sa resolution ng problema kasi kung gusto nga talaga niya mag-charge, puwede naman sa bus. Sabi nga ng mga nabuhay na biktima, wala namang plano si Mendoza na patayin sila (mga hostages). Kaso, masyado nga lang talagang matalino at matibay si Gen. Magtibay. Siyempre, dahil nagpatong-patong na ang problema tapos gutom pa, siyempre kukulo ang tiyan at iinit ang ulo.

Sabi nga ni Aling Toyang na labandera ni Mam Alice na asawa ng pulis, kumukulo ang tiyan niya pag gutom siya kasama na ang ulo at dugo. Kaya dapat daw, pinadalhan na lang ng pinadalhan ng masasarap na pagkain si Mendoza at ang mga hostages. Imposible naman daw gumastos ng P300 thousand sa pagkain lang kesa naman gumastos ng halos P3 million para sa mga kabaong. Kung hindi nagutom si Mendoza at ang mga hostages, baka nagkaroon pa ng maayos na ending at ang drama baka maging komedi pa. Sa sabihin ng mga taga-Hongkong, "Punta ako ng Pinas para magpa-hostage kasi masarap ang buhay-hostage dun. Busog." O di ba, dadami pa ang turista?

Hostage-taker Mendoza and the HK racists: Is there a difference?

There are two touching and heart-warming incidents arising from the Manila hostage crisis: The tweets of Jackie Chan on Twitter, and the note of Hong Kong tourist Yik Siu Ling, a victim of the said hostage crisis.

But while Chan's and Yik's messages are products of intelligent thinking and open-mindedness, the case is otherwise with Hong Kong racists who detest Filipinos for the act of one man in the hostage-taking disaster last Monday, or mocks the Filipinos for being domestic helpers because of some 200 thousand workers in the former British colony. Or it could be that these racists are not aware that there is almost no difference between them and hostage takers? So it appears. Let us count the similarities:

1. Racists and hostage-takers are both morons. To drive a point, they usually commit the fallacy of hasty generalization. They would easily think that the act of one is the act of all. Manila hostage taker Rolando Mendoza, for instance, thought that if he kills his hostages, he can get even with those he thinks have wronged him. Similarly, Hong Kong racists think that since Mendoza is a Filipino, and that he is a hostage taker, then Filipinos are all hostage takers. If that is the case, can we say that Lucio Tan, the Gokongweis and other Chinese-blooded Filipino citizens are also hostage takers? Or shall we say that since copyright piracy is frequent in China and that Hongkong is in China, we shall charge all Hong Kong nationals for violations of copyright laws?
2. Racists and hostage-takers are short-sighted. They only look at the present and do not consider the implications of their actions. Hostage-taker Mendoza died. If there will be no domestic helpers in Hongkong, will the life of its citizens be convenient also? Well, we can excuse this short-sightedness. Racists and hostage-takers are both morons anyway. 
3. Aside from intellectual (and/or logic) deficiency, they both suffer from psychological problems. If their fellows -- that is, the radical perfectionists and the puritan cults -- are to be consulted, these flukes of the civilized world (hostage-takers and racists) will be recommended for extermination. But of course, doing so is another act of barbaric act. 
4. Racists and hostage-takers use other people to advance their cause. Hostage-taker Mendoza, for instance, used a bus-load of people to air his grievance while Hong Kong racists tried to trample on the dignity and even rights of the Filipinos just to show that they are a more superior race. 
5. Racists and hostage-takers are both barbaric and uncivillized. They both think that they still live in the primitive era. They forgot that the world has changed and that there are rules to deal with everything.
6. To some extent, they both use violence. Hostage-taker Mendoza's actions describes this best. On the part of the racists, these include the reports of house-help beating to the point of killing as what happened to the Jews during Hitler's era.

So, what is the difference between hostage-takers and racists? It's only the name, my friend.

Jinggoy on HK wrath: No big deal

At around 5 PM Thursday, Senator Jinggoy Estrada suffered China's wrath when his regular passport was thrown at him after it had been marked by a Hong Kong immigration officer. Jinggoy said the passport-throwing incident could have been triggered by the Manila hostage taking crisis last August 23 that killed eight Hong Kong nationals.

In a phone interview, however, the senator claimed that, “It was no big deal. I understand them.” The Inquirer added that Jinggoy also "opted not to make an issue out of the incident, acknowledging that the Chinese were still angered over the 11-hour hostage drama that had apparently exposed police inefficiency."

Tama naman si Jinggoy sa puntong huwag nang manggatong at huwag nang palakihin ang issue... pero teka. Di ba ang pagbabalita sa nangyari, lalo na sa media, ay pagpapalaki ng isyu? Ano ba talaga, Senator: Papalakihin ang isyu o hindi? Bakit niyo ibinalita? O baka na major major mistake din kayo sa di niyo alam na sinasabi ninyo?

Nakooowwww!!!!

Dirty Harry called the shots

According to Inquirer:

It was “Dirty Harry” who called the shots in Monday’s bungled hostage drama that left eight Chinese tourists dead, their captor riddled with bullets and the Philippine image overseas severely tarnished.

Chief Supt. Rodolfo Magtibay, who has been relieved as head of the Manila Police District, said Thursday during a nationally televised Senate hearing that Mayor Alfredo Lim led the crisis committee that handled Monday’s standoff.

Kaya pala mukhang wild, wild west ang resulta. If this is true, will he take responsibility? Kasama rin kaya siya sa sinasabi ni Pnoy na: May mananagot?

Aminiiiinnn!!!!

The twist of fate, Noynoy Aquino and Gloria Arroyo

 The twist of fate is such an interesting subject matter.

A few years ago, it is the administration of Gloria Arroyo that is being battered by a hostage crisis in a bus. That was the 2007 Manila hostage drama perpetrated by Jun Ducat. Now, it is the administration of Noynoy Aquino with the hostage crisis perpetrated by Capt. Rolando Mendoza. But because the handling of the crisis failed, some supporters of Arroyo are taunting Noynoy Aquino and his supporters.

A few months ago and earlier, it is Noynoy Aquino and his group that throw stones at Gloria Arroyo. Now, and with the disaster in the Manila hostage crisis, it is Arroyo and her group that is throwing stones at Aquino. This time, it is the supporters of Aquino taunting Arroyo and her supporters. Ang sagot ng mga kasalukuyang nakaupo sa palasyo through Secretary Herminio Coloma, "We just inherited the state of the Philippine National Police ...The previous administration should also answer for what they did [for the police]. Did they provide enough funds for the modernization of the PNP or did it waste funds for cases like the euro-generals and other corruption cases?''

Earlier, it is Gloria Arroyo who is giving the blessing for the release of pork barrels. She excludes, however, the release of the pork barrel for her critics including Noynoy Aquino. Now, it's the latter's turn. Whether he will bless the release of pork for his critics, only time can tell. But one clear fact is that Arroyo will also be expecting for her share.

Earlier, Gloria Arroyo is being hurled with accusations of benefiting from kickbacks from government projects. These are still unsubstantiated though one can see an increase of her assets from the time she occupied the presidential seat in 2001 to the last time she filed her statement of assets and liabilities. Now, she will be forced to wait on her congressional pork barrel -- barya lang kumpara sa kanyag pork barrel noong siya'y presidente pa.

But the most interesting is whether or not Gloria Arroyo will take her congressional pork. Sabi ni Speaker Sonny Belmonte, bibigyan din daw si Gloria. But wouldn't it be demeaning kung kukunin niya ang pork barrel na hindi niya ibinigay sa mga kritiko niya while she was Gloria in the Palace.

Tikboy's bet: Kukunin niya. Well, she got the guts and the face and took all the humility to run for a lower post despite the fact that she is the highest official of the country. Besides, sabi nga sa Bibliya, "even the dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs".

Lagman to PNoy: Ask Robredo ,others to resign or get axed

This morning at the GMA-7's Unang Hirit program, Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman calls on President Noynoy Aquino to axe DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and other top ranking officials if they will not resign for the fiasco committed during the Manila Hostage Crisis staged by Capt. Rolando Mendoza.

Sabi ni Lagman, si Frisco Nilo nga sinibak sa kapalpakan sa PAG-ASA, bakit hindi rin sibakin sa puwesto si Robredo at iba pang mataas na opisyal sa PNP? Dagdag ni Lagman, andun naman si Robredo sa lugar kung saan nangyayari ang hostage-taking, bakit di niya pinigilan ang live video feed nang pag-aresto sa kapatid ni Mendoza. Kaya dapat sa kanya, mag-resign din.

Pero dapat nga bang mag-resign si Robredo? Si J.A. Carizo ng Biklish ay may sinulat na sagot at ito ay mga sumusunod:

But while Lagman is right that heads should fall, maybe we should also look into the extent of control of those he wished to resign or get axed. If we do not establish standards, then maybe we can include the members of the Congress especially the senior members like him for failure to pass the necessary budget for the gears and training of the members of the police force.

We should also impeach the Ombudsman for its pace on acting resolutions is one of the complaints of the hostage-taker. The impeachment is not anymore in the realm of the executive but on the legislative department and that means the Congress where he, Lagman, is a member.

We should also remove the members of the Congress, including him, as they failed to strictly ensure that laws with appropriate remedies are available to those who feel wronged like Mendoza. Add to this the lack of appropriate laws on social services like education as had been the subject of the 2007 Manila Hostage Drama perpetrated by Jun Ducat.

Common Sense, not Live Video, is mistake No. 1

Assistant Professor John Harrison, a homeland security analyst at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, said that the Manila hostage crisis resulted into a tragedy because of the live video feed from media networks which was monitored by hostage-taker, Capt. Rolando Mendoza. “The fact that there was essentially live video was mistake No. 1,” Harrison said.

Frederic Gallois, former head of France's elite hostage rescue unit, the Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale, also noted that the tragedy resulted from the lack of “adequate equipment and tactical competence".

Tikboy begs to disagree. While these variables (or the lack of it) are present during the hostage drama, the No. 1 factor that triggered the tragedy is the lack of common sense of the ground commander, Gen. Rodolfo Magtibay, and the members of the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics now reduced to Sorry Wala Akong Training) who headed the assault. If they did, or at least exercised their mental faculties, they would have first requested for the blueprint or the diagram containing the specs of the bus while the negotiation was on-going, determined the possible entry points, the ways to access these entry points, and the possible equipments needed. If they also exercised their logic, they would have cut the video feed to isolate the hostage-taker from having an access to information, implemented strict crowd control thereby eradicating the chances of stray bullets hitting a kibitzer, or simply computed the cost-benefit-analysis of the situation. The hostage-taker couldn't have also seen the arrest of his brother, he wouldn't have been agitated, and deaths could have been minimized.

But of course, everything is not negative for the Philippine National Police. If they have one trait that Filipinos should be proud of, it is their bravery. Despite the lack of training, and despite the fact that they do not live up to the name of their unit, they still dare to follow the lack of common sense orders of their commanding officers.

Jackie Chan and the Manila Hostage Crisis

The Philippines is now back in the limelight. This is courtesy of the Manila hostage drama and the "major major mistake" of Maria Venus Raj which are the top searches in the Internet.

To further increase the intensity of the Philippines popularity and/or infamy, action superstar Jackie Chan issued on twitter a statement on the disaster created by Capt. Rolando Mendoza in the Quirino Grandstand hostage-taking. According to the superstar, "I come back to hk & I hear terrible news about what happened in filippines (sic)."

Magsaya na lang tayo at kahit si Jackie Chan ay nakakaintindi. He added, "this kind of things always happen around the world. It happened to hk's people, the whole hk is talking about it. Its really sad. HK is a nation built by a lot of different people..don't worry! We do not hate!"

Pero sana para di na magkaroon pa ng hatred at wala ng sumunod pang hostage taking, gumalaw naman sana nang maayos at mabilis ang hustisya. If a police could complain on the turtle-paced justice system, lalo na siguro ang mga ordinaryong tao.

The media, the major-major mistake, and the minor-minor detail

After the "Major Major" answer of Miss Philippines Maria Venus Raj in the Miss Universe beauty pageant held yesterday, the Philippine National Police also had their reply to the disaster on the Manila Hostage crisis last Monday. Their response: They may have committed mistakes but the media overdid their live reporting of the situation.

Seeing his brother arrested live in television, hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza was outraged leading him to kill some of his hostages. As the survivor, Mrs. Leung, said: [The gunman] did not want to kill us. He only shot us after the negotiation failed.

Neophyte Congressman Gabriel Luis Quisumbing of Cebu shared the sentiments of the PNP to the point that he filed House Bill No. 2737 stating that “media coverage should be contained as not to hinder or obstruct efforts to resolve the situation.” Situations, according to him, may include hostage taking, bomb threats, coup d’ etat, and kidnapping.

Pero teka. Wala namang ico-cover ang media kung wala namang news. Kung hindi naman ganun ang klase ng pag-aresto sa kapatid ng hostage-taker, di naman siguro yung maco-cover.

Ikalawa, tama naman si Mrs. Leung. The police should not have waited so long before taking action. So the police themselves are the ones making news.

Ikatlo, palpak naman talaga ang hostage-taking handling. Ni hindi nga inalam ng mga pulis ano ang features ng tourist bus, kung may TV ba, saan ang mga exit at entry points, at ang pinaka-"major major" sa lahat, ni hindi nga humingi ang pulis sa may-ari ng bus o kaya sa manufacturer ano ang specs nito. So kung ang mga pulis na "expert" hindi nga alam ang mga ganitong simpleng detalye, why would they expect the media to be knowledgeable sa ganitong aspeto?

The PNP, including Quisumbing, expect the media to be responsible. Tama naman yun. Pero paano naman magiging responsible kung wala ngang sinabi ang mga pulis na "Hoy! Bawal yan. Nakikita tayo sa loob ni Mendoza dahil sa live broadcast niyo at nako-compromise ang mga ginagawa natin."? At paano naman sila makakapagsabi ng ganun kung hindi nga nila kino-konsidera ang mga simpleng detalye like pag-alam kung me TV nga sa loob ng bus? And, lastly, paano naman sila makakapagsabi eh hindi nga nila alam paano ang tamang proseso sa "pag-imbita" sa kapatid ng hostage-taker?

Ang sabi ni Mohammad na kaibigan ni Banoy, ang mabuti pa ay panoorin na lang ng mga pulis at media ang pelikulang "Newsmakers". Ito ang kuwento ng live broadcast ng hostage-taking sa Russia. Baka sakaling may matutunan na sila, kumita pa. Ayusin lang nila ng konti ang sistema hindi tulad ng original na inisip ni Katya (Mariya Mashcova), ang female lead sa pelikula. Marami daw na kopya niyan sa Quipo.

*****

Ang lessons dito:

1. Wala po sanang ping-pongan sa mga kasalanan. Kung mali, mali. Kung" big mistake", big mistake dapat at hindi "major, major problem". Period.
2. Sometimes, ang "major, major mistake" ay resulta ng hindi pag-pansin sa "minor, minor problem". Sabi nga ni Rolando Mendoza na nakapaskil sa bus: Big Mistake to Correct Big Wrong Decision.
   

From Captain to "Major Major"

The Manila hostage crisis that Captain Rolando Mendoza created is the first disaster that the P-Noy Aquino Administration encountered. But there is also a consolation. From the "captain-created disaster" comes the "major major glory and pride" to the Philippines -- the winning of Ms. Philippines Maria Venus Raj in the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant.

An interesting major major article is published by MyKiru Isyusero reproduced as follows:

Venus Raj "Major Major" answer in the Ms Universe 2010 Q&A Portion is trending on Twitter

Miss Universe 2010 4th Runner Up Maria Venus Raj has been trending for hours already on Twitter along with Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete, the new Ms Universe titleholder.

But also trending is Venus Raj's "Major Major" answer during the Top 5 Q&A portion of the Miss Universe 2010 pageant.

"Major Major" has been trending there as some people making fun of Venus Raj's answer in the said pageant.

According to some, Venus made a major major mistake in answering the question: "What is one big mistake you've made and what did you do to make it right?" She could have been the Philippines' 3rd Miss Universe if she answered it right, they say.

Others suggest that Venus should have answered her mistake in not fixing the details on her birth certificate which brought major major problems to her.

Oh well, whatever they say, Venus Raj has definitely brought major major glory and pride to the Philippines 12 hours after the Manila hostage crisis that put the country into big shame.

It was just unfortunate that the 4 other ladies in Top 5 answered better but how do we know? 2 of them used translators and their answers sounded so good when translated.

And remember we were only hoping for a semifinal placement for Venus to end the 10-year drought of the Philippines in Miss Universe. Thus a 4th Runner Up honor is already a major major bonus. Let's just all be proud of her.

Link to the article, which copyrights are acknowledged to MyKiru, is found here.

So, let us be major major proud of Venus Raj. Her winning is a major major ad lib in this troubled times.

Mabuhay!

Manila Police: There are shortcomings in Manila hostage crisis handling

As expected, the Manila police defended the handling of yesterday's Manila hostage crisis. Inquirer reported that "Manila police commander Leocadio Santiago said his personnel had made the correct decision in allowing the stand-off to drag on for more than 10 hours before storming the bus on Monday."

Along with this, Santiago admitted "some obvious shortcomings in terms of capability and tactics used, or the procedure employed and we are now going to investigate this".

Pero nalimutan ni Santiago at ng ground commander na sa shortcomings, nakapusta ang buhay ng mga tao lalo na nang mga hostages. With their shortcomings, na-shorten din ang buhay ng mga nasa loob ng bus maliban sa ilang hostages na nakaligtas. The words of Santiago in an interview is very clear: "But when the driver escaped and reported that he (Rodolfo Mendoza, the hostage-taker) has started killing the hostages, that was the time that the ground commander decided to assault the bus." (Emphasis supplied.)

Malinaw. HE HAS STARTED KILLING THE HOSTAGES. Ibig sabihin, di pa patay lahat. Ibig ding sabihin, may mga buhay pa and storming the bus with bullets and flash bombs and teargas would certainly complicate the situation.

Ikalawa, magtatapon ng teargas eh wala nga silang gas mask? Siyempre di rin agad papasok ang assaulting team dahil aantayin nila na mawala muna ang bisa ng tear gas. Kung magkagayon, siyempre, makakarecover na rin si Mendoza.

Ikatlo, hindi ba nila tinanong muna o tinawagan ang may-ari ng tourist bus o kaya ang manufacturer nito para alamin ano ang mga features nito, saan mahina, saan ang mga bukasan, gaano kalakas ang salamin, at iba pa? Imagine, 10 hours tapos walang ganitong impormasyon? Well, di kataka-taka na palpak ang mga rumesponde lalo na ang ground commander na walang kontrol sa pangyayari. Kaya hayun, ang mga crude na gamit tulad ng maso at kable ay useless.

The PNP says na isa sa shortcomings ay ang kakulangan sa gamit. This may be hard to accept. Me pang-travel-travel nga ang mga Euro Generals sa Moscow at sa ibang bansa, at kasama pa ang kanilang mga pamilya courtesy of the PNP money, tapos walang pambili ng mga gamit kahit gas mask lang?

Sabi ni Von: Nakowww!

The Mendoza hostage handling: Problems, lessons and things to watch

So, the Philippines is again making world news. Former Manila Police Rolando Mendoza held hostage a total of 25 individuals in a tourist bus today, August 23, 2010. But something went wrong courtesy of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that handled the operations. As of this time, it is expected that at least 10 are killed and a number of others are wounded.

Pero saan nga ba nagkamali?

1. The arrest of Mendoza's brother, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, which was aired live on TV. The hostage-taker was shouting asking the release of his brother. Five minutes after the arrest, and with the continuous video footage, the hostage-taker panicked and sprayed bullets. Dati, everything was cool. May pa-cute pa ngang pagkaway-kaway ang mga negotiators at ang hostage taker at may goodwil "gifts" pa tulad ng pagre-release ng walo o siyam na hostages. At katunayan, pinapasok pa nga ang isang negotiator sa may paanan ng bus.
   
2. The snipers' shooting of the tire of the bus. This also created panic. Siyempre, di na "cool".
3. The lack of patience of the ground commanders. Nagmamadali eh. Haste makes waste, di ba? Ang problema, not just simple waste ang resulta kundi waste of life.
4. Failure of the ground commander to take control of the situation by giving into the demands of Rolando Mendoza yet maximizing the gains. Mapagbigay naman si Mendoza. If he asked for the media, puwede naman sigurong ibigay na lang ang camera at microphones sa loob dahil ito naman talaga ang kailangan niya samantalang nasa ibaba ang mga media persons.
5. Failure to maximize SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza. Puwede namang gamitin siyang negotiator and definitely, baka maging cool pa ang sitwasyon. They could have remove first Gregorio's gun, kung iyon ang ikinakatakot nila. There was a video footage with Gregorio saying to the hostage-taker over the phone "Wag mo munang gawin ang pinaplano mo. Ako na ang magsasabi sa media." But the police shut him off.
   
6. Of course, the lack of sufficient training and gears of the responding policemen.
   
7. We can add: The lack of efficient crowd control. What the heck was that? Filming of a movie?
   

Pero may mga dapat tayong abangan. Ito ang mga sumusunod:

1. The letter carried by the driver that fled the bus. Mukhang natabunan na ito ng istorya. As soon as makalabas ang driver, itinago agad ito ng PNP. Nang lumabas ang driver at nagkaroon ng presscon, ang balita ay patay na ang mga hostages. Kung patay, bakit may mga humihinga pa? In simple terms, gumagalaw ang PNP na hindi sigurado ang sitwasyon. I-subject ba naman sa trial and error ang buhay ng mga hostages?
   
2. Who killed the hostages? Consider: Gumalaw ang PNP na hindi sigurado, hindi ba? They are not sure if the hostages are really dead yet they made salakay sa bus, throw flash bombs and fired bullets. Baka ang ibang hostages, PNP rin ang nakapatay.
3. What is the content of the Ombudsman's letter?
   
4. What will happen to the brother? Sigaw ng mga pulis aakusahan si SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza as accessory to the crime.
   

Lessons:

• Baka aside from the additional training and gears, turuan din ang mga kapulisan paano magkaroon ng patience. Hindi lang dito sa hostage-taking na ito kundi kasama na rin sa ibang bagay. Just a few days ago, me tino-torture ang pulis na na-video. Nagmamadali ba ang nag-torture na makakuha ng impormasyon? O baka maliban sa pasensiya, turuan din ang mga kapulisan paano kontrolin ang kanilang mga sarili?
  
• Bigyan din ng training on crowd control ang mga pulis. Paano kung may granada pa dun na sumabog?
• Ituro din ang cost-benefit analysis sa mga sitwasyon. If they gave in to Rodolfo's demands na i-reinstate siya (pending review siyempre ng kanyang mga kaso), definitely walang patay. Di rin apektado ang tourism at economy ng bansa. Pero siyempre, di naman talaga totally makakaligtas si Rolando dahil kahit i-reinstate siya sa kanyang mga naunang ginawa, puwede pa rin siyang kasuhan ng kidnapping at serious illegal detention, grave threats, illegal possession of firearms (dahil di na siya pulis so bakit pa siya may armalite?), damage to property, and possibly a case on trying to influence the outcome of decisions. O di ba, napagbigyan mo si Rodolfo, napagulong pa rin ang batas?
  
• Leksiyon din sana sa Ombudsman at iba pang sangay ng gobyerno na bilisan nila ang pagresolba sa kaso. And this should be highlighted dahil hindi lang pala pulis ang natutulog sa pansitan. Very clear na ang Ombudsman, ganun din.
  
• Pero teka, ang pulis nga nagrereklamo sa mabagal na gulong ng hustisya, papaano pa kaya ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino?
  

Where's the big catch?

From the news:

The Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday ordered the preventive suspension of a Bureau of Customs (BOC) official who is being investigated for allegedly acquiring wealth beyond her lawful income.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez suspended Emelia Amansec Cervantes, Customs operations officer V assigned at the BOC's Manila International Container Port (MICP).

The alleged wealth of Cervantes? "Irrigated rice lands; a residential lot in Pangasinan; and a Mitsubishi Galant worth P377,580."

Earlier, a tax examiner, Andres Jusayan Gabagat Jr., was also ordered to be investigated for his P1 million house in Quezon City, jewelries worth P150 thousand; cash and bank deposits worth P645,304; a race horse worth P150 thousand, and a car worth P200 thousand.

Medyo nagsisipag ngayon si Aling Merced. Pero bakit mga dilis lang ang hinuhuli nila? Bakit di pinapaimbestigahan ang pinaka-mayamang sikyu at ang nanay nito super humble? Nahihiya ba siya?
Hm

The richest "sikyu"

A few years ago, a security guard appeared on Philippine television. He is said to be the richest security guard for rising from rags to riches. He was, he said, a security guard but grew wealthy for engaging in multi-level-marketing or the MLM.

But he is not anymore a sikyu when he grew rich.
If there is a real rich sikyu, that would be Mikey Arroyo. Arroyo is a millionaire owning real properties in the United States, a presidential son, a congressman, and an amnesiac for forgetting to declare the real worth of his assets and campaign contributions. The Commission on Elections declared him a representative of Ang Galing Pinoy -- the party-list of security guards.

But many are alarmed including leftist organizations. Papaano daw ba naging sikyu si Mikey eh ang yaman-yaman niya nga at congressman pa siya? Hmmnnn.... Oo nga no?
Pero teka, me kailangan pa bang ipagtaka? Ang nanay niya nga Presidente ng Pilipinas tapos ngayon Congressman lang ng Pampanga? At least si Vladimir Putin Prime Minister ng Russia pagkatapos na maging Presidente. At close-in adviser pa ng kanyang kapalit na si President Medvedev, di ba? So, ladies and gentlemen, wag na tayong magtaka. Like mother, like son.

(Image courtesy of Akbayan)

Afraid of the media?

In the country where the media practitioners are butchered, why be afraid of the media?

During the first day of the P-Noy Administration, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda had a negative encounter with the media. This was followed cabinet secretaries like DOH's Ona, etcetera, etcetera. The latest is Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo who got irked in his encounter with the press especially with veteran journalist, Ellen Tordesillas, on the issue of extending the term of the envoys.

Such press encounters are not rare -- the very reason why GMA was always evasive of the media. Though, allegedly, she also showed concern for the members of the press during her last few days in office. That was when the GMA was showcasing her PNR project south of Manila. But in general, GMA "hated" the media for the negative reports she herself did. As such, during the height of the "Hello Garci!" controversy, a number of media outfits were even raided, and only seven cases of media killings were solved out of 104. According to NUJP, a total of 137 media practitioners were killed since 1986 and 104 of these are committed during the nine years of Arroyo Administration.

Grabeehhh!!!!

Pero teka, kung puwedeng katayin ang mga miyembro ng media na parang manok, bakit kailangang matakot sa kanila? O may itinatago dahil takot? May nais itago? Numbers na kailangang taasan? 200 million ba? Hello?... Garci?

Siguro nga ganun. Sabi ng tatay ni Tikboy, "Kung wala kang ginagawang masama, makikipag eyes-to-eyes ka. Maliban na lang kung isa kang aswang".

Kung sabagay, puwede nga. Si P-Noy nga kahapon nakipag-biruan pa sa press. Casual lang. Hindi takot at walang "ismid". Minsan siya pa nga ang nagtatanong sa media imbes na ito ang magtanong ng magtanong sa kanya.

Kaya lang, hindi pa rin maubos maisip: Bakit nga ba talaga ang iba takot sa media? Aminin.....

A new concept of freedom?

This year's theme for the Philippines 112th Indepence Day celebration is "Kalayaan: Tagumpay ng Bayan." Among the activities include a wreath-laying in the monument of Rizal by, and the parade of accomplishments of, out-going president Gloria in the Palace.

Reports have it that the cost is a whooping P8 million just for the floats, and other activity expenses.

HUWAATT!????

Hindi pa diyan kabilang ang mga expenses sa TV lalo na ang mga advertisements showing Arroyo's accomplishments.

Kala ni Tikboy, malaya na tayo. Pero mukhang yung P8 million kasama pa ata sa utang na kailangang bayaran ng mga successors ni Gloria. Bakit floats at accomplishments ni Aling Gloria ang bida? Ito na rin ba ang bagong definition ng kalayaan?

Nakow, kahit definition, na-corrupt na rin!

Arroyo's Achievements

An interesting news from Inquirer.Net: Achievements of Arroyo to be paraded June 12

Unang tanong ni Tikboy: Meron ba?

Siyempre naman meron. Marami. Let us count them:

1. The Hello, Garci! scandal
2. The NBN-ZTE Scandal
3. The scandalous brown bags
4. The rise of distrust and dissatisfaction to the government
5. The ability of a president to produce negative dissatisfaction ratings
   
6. The increase in the number of poor and hungry Filipinos
7. The scandalous deals including the midnight deals
   
8. The midnight appointments
9. The enriching of the Arroyos
   
10. The consolidation to power of the Arroyos
11. The redefinition of several terms including "economy", "development", etc., including the meaning of "Sorry"
    
12. The idea of playing with law and the circumvention of the laws...

Ano pa ba? mukhang marami ata. Let's wait sa June 12.

Lagman's GAA Provision, why only now?

Cong. Edcel Lagman (Albay, 1st Dist.) is very proud to say that the incoming President will have lesser power over the pork barrel. Lagman, the vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and the one who introduced the provision proudly said that “The political party of the president-apparent cannot use the non-release of the PDAF as a threat to representatives coming from other parties who refuse to join the Liberal Party.”

While this is a welcome development to ensure that the power over budget remains with the Congress, the late action appears stained with political interest. Way ba ito to ensure na ang susunod na presidente ay hindi hahawakan sa leeg ang mga kaalyado ni GMA? And, way din ba ito to ensure na lame duck ang susunod na presidente considering the fact that he who holds the purse wields the sword?

So it seems considering that GMA is eyeing to be the House Speaker though she's pakipot sa ngayon. Otherwise, why did the people like Lagman act only now? Or, is he just sticking to his name: lag-man or the man who "fail to maintain a desired pace or to keep up" or "the man who fall or stay behind"?

Bossing Edcel, bilib na sana ako but your timing is spilling your intents.

Midnight Deals

The midnight deals are one of the reasons why Erap Estrada was ousted. The midnight deals are also one of the reasons why Gloria Arroyo was able to become the Philippine President starting 2001.

It appears, however, that Mrs. Arroyo forgot the reason why she became the sitting-President. She also had her midnight glass ... err, class ..., err, deals this time by appointing officials like Chief Justice Renato Corona near the end of her term.

Understandable naman bakit kailangan ni Mrs. Arroyo na mag-engage sa midnight appointments. May mga nilalang talaga na, sabi nga sa kanta, "don't wanna miss a thing". Kasama na diyan ang mga buwitre na kailangan talagang mag-take advantage ng situation otherwise baka sila magutom. Ganun din ang mga bampira na dahil pahirapan maghanap ng biktima, would not want to miss a droplet of blood from their victims. Malay natin, takot lang talaga si madam na maubusan din ng makakain pag dating ng panahon na sunod-sunod na ang kaso laban sa kanya. O kaya baka rice and noodles na lang ang makuha niya dahil nailit na ang kanilang mga ari-arian.

Buti kung nanalo si Erap. At least puwedeng sabihing reciprocal ang obligations. Binigyan niya si Erap ng pardon kaya ipa-pardon din siya. Sabi nga ni Aling Rosing: Kung ang sabi ni Erap ay weather-weather lang yan, iniisip ni GMA na pardon-pardon lang yan!

Teka, ano ba to, biru-biruan?