Marcos Rule Victims Receive $1000 Each

Seventy five hundred Filipino victims of the brutal dictatorship start to receive roughly PHP 44, 000 as compensation to the trampling of their human rights. The amount is morsel but frankly; it tells that the Marcos dictatorship is guilty in abusing the rights of its citizens when in those dark nights, human life and dignity were taken for granted.

Political killings do still happen these days but they cannot absolve the cruelty of the dictatorship of Mr. Marcos nor it is logical to say that Marcos years were better than now.

How could Ilocano Marcos fanatics explain that when their idol was in power, Filipinos suffered vicious acts from the hands of the government instead of being protected? Mr. Marcos was the ruler with an iron fist and it is foolish to blame others in the commission of the atrocities that made a Filipino life cheap.

Now there are clamors that the former president deserves to be buried in the Libingan (National Heroes Cemetery).

Is that not an insult to the real heroes and heroines interred in there? If Mr. Marcos is buried at the Libingan, would it not desecrate the ground? Consider 7,500 victims of that brutal regime.

As one of the more opinionated men in the Senate, hopefully, in the days ahead, Sen. Bongbong Marcos gives his side on why a huge number of his countrymen were dehumanized during the reign of his Dad.

For sure, the nation is interested to listen.

Never Again to Martial Law ( A Repost)

Thirty eight years ago, Martial Law was declared throughout the Philippines “to save the Republic and to build a New Society” according to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.

On that momentous day, however, democracy was murdered. Right there and then, Marcos metamorphosed into a dictator. Not just an ordinary dictator but a brutal one!

We remember today and forever the victims of Martial Law: senators, lawyers, the intellectuals, members of the academe, students, activists, farmers, tribal leaders, the clergy, the religious and ordinary citizens regardless of sex, young and old; widows and orphans.

To those who survived and had the courage, strength, determination and will to fight an evil regime amidst the constant threat of imprisonment and death; “a job well done”! To those who did not survive the long and dark night of oppression and brutality; you who gave the ultimate sacrifice, your blood, sweat, tears and suffering fueled and inspired us in 1986 to say enough is enough to an unwanted and evil regime.

For some of us who literally hand in hand faced the tanks and the forces of the dictator ready to shed our blood for the country we love, let us never forget the critical days when we truly experienced the meaning of Filipino spirit and brotherhood. At the top of our voice, we asked for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law without resorting into violence. Oh yes, we cried together and we prayed together in a sea of people where there was no rich or poor. "Walang iwanan" (No one left the company of the other.) till we found victory.

We must not forget Martial Law and its brutality. Never again that we allow ourselves to be subjected to a dictator and never again that we will live in fear and be imprisoned in our country by a despot!-30-

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NB: Original post is found here.   -COR INVICTUS

Filipino People Power

This is not a movie scene and the shot is not scripted. It really happened. Filipinos willing  to die for their country demanding freedom are fighting the tank of the dictator with their bare arms.

Believe it or not!

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Photo Credit:  www.allvoices.com

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8207226-philippines-people-power-revolutions-25th-anniversary-1986-revolution-photos

The Powerful Rosary

"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!" -  Matthew 14:27

O Rosary, how small but powerful you are!

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Photo Credit:  www.allvoices.com

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/8207226-philippines-people-power-revolutions-25th-anniversary-1986-revolution-photos/content/73122887-1986-people-power-revolution

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos' Economic Record

Happy Silver Anniversary Philippines for the historic and patriotic EDSA People Power of 1986. A warm handshake and an embrace to all who survived the Marcos fascist dictatorship. To those who did not make it, rest peacefully. You and your efforts are not forgotten that indeed inspired us to go to the streets 25 years ago to demand change, freedom and democracy. We especially remember you today with fond memories acknowledging your heroism and your sufferings. Rest assured that your blood spilled on the same ground where our heroes of the past are spilled bore much fruit. I believe that we still have a lot of things to do if we want next generations to inherit a country that really works and serves the people’s need.

Okay, we read a lot about EDSA-1 these days not only from the dailies but comments from You Tube and social networking sites comparing Marcos’ Martial Law iron regime and the present or previous administrations. Some entries say that Filipinos were more disciplined during those years. (Disciplined or in tremendous fear of the possibility of being summarily executed or jailed without due process?) Another believes that Mr. Marcos is the best president this country had so far. (Best in what?) For sure the former president is smart but objective and honest Filipinos know that he used that  gift to oppress and dehumanize the country. Most of my fellow Ilocanos are very very proud (if I can use that phrase) in saying that when he delivers a speech, he speaks spontaneously without a script. Somebody should explain them what a teleprompter is.

Some say that the economy at that time was much better and that he had a lot of projects. I may agree with that but let me say that world economy during Martial Law is totally different from now or in the recent past. For the projects like the Cultural Center, the Philippine International Convention Center or San Juanico Bridge, Filipinos are very grateful but never on the kickbacks and  millions if not billions that disappeared during the Marcos regime.

Sen. Bongbong Marcos hints that if his father was not people-ousted, the Philippines today would be at par with our economically progressive neighbor Singapore.  The good senator is positive-minded.  On the darker side, I guess we are interested in knowing what would be the state of human rights, freedom, democracy and massive graft and corruption issue should the Marcoses remained in power and established a dynasty.

For the economic record of Pres. Marcos during the oppression and incarceration of Filipinos in their homeland under his tyranny, with a written permission and a favorable response from Mr. Manuel F. Almario, a fellow Ilocano and a Visayan, I am reprinting here in full his letter to the Philippine Daily Inquirer which tells the truth. I am sure that he extensively researched to support his facts.

I am thankful to Mr. Almario for giving me his valuable permission. 

___________________

Even as Filipinos commemorate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Marcos dictatorship, there seems to be a growing impression that despite gargantuan corruption and human rights abuses, Marcos’ 20-year rule, including 14 years of martial law, produced remarkable and unequalled economic and social gains for the nation. This impression has more and more assumed the semblance of truth as years pass and memories fade, and as post-Marcos administrations perform just as, or even more, badly.

To begin with, poverty drastically increased during the Marcos years. In his Pulitzer prize-winning book “In Our Image, America’s Empire in the Philippines,” Stanley Karnow wrote: “A World Bank study estimated that the proportion of people living below the poverty line in cities had risen from 24 percent in 1974 to 40 percent in 1986. The countryside was no better.”

This is explained by the regime’s pitiable economic growth. Penn World Tables reported that while real growth in GDP per capita averaged 3.5 percent from 1951 to 1965, under the Marcos regime (1966 to 1986) annual average growth was only 1.4 percent. Thus even as the population grew, national income shrunk.

Between 1982 and 1986, the real wages of unskilled labor in Metro Manila declined annually at 5.8 percent, and those of skilled laborers at 5.2 percent. Agricultural wages also declined at the same rate, according to James K. Boyce, associate professor of economics at the University of Massachusetts in his book, “The Political Economy of Growth and Impoverishment in the Marcos Era.”

Income inequality worsened. In “The Marcos File,” Charles C. McDougald noted that in 1980 the top 12.9 percent of the Filipino population received 22.1 percent of total income, while the bottom 11 percent just received 16.6 percent. In 1983, the top 12.9 percent received 45.5 percent of total income, while the bottom 11 percent received only 6.4 percent. Hence the Marcos regime made the rich richer and the poor poorer.

The financial situation deteriorated. The peso-dollar official exchange rate was P3.90 to the dollar in 1966 when Marcos became president. It fell to P20.53 to the dollar in 1986. The Philippines’ foreign debt rose from $360 million in 1962 to $28.3 billion in 1986, said Boyce.

The insurgency under Marcos significantly increased. Not only did the communist insurgency strengthen, the Muslim insurgency erupted and a protracted war forced the Marcos government to sign the humiliating Tripoli Agreement, giving concessions to the Moro National Liberation Front.

By all standards—economic, political and social—it is crystal clear that the Marcos 20-year regime from 1966 to 1986 was a total disaster for the nation. It showed definitely that dictatorship is not the path to progress, a lesson now being learned by the Arab nations. For the Marcos family, it raised a great fortune that now finances a flourishing political dynasty, which could have another stab at the presidency in six years’ time.

Well said!   -COR INVICTUS

Rep. Ronald Singson is Jailed for 18 Months

Knowing that our congressman in the first district goes to jail, I cover my face with shame! How would I react if told from the busy streets that my congressman is locked up for 18 months in a Hong Kong jail because of drugs?

In a movie scene after the verdict, the found guilty is led away by guards to immediately start serving jail term.

It looks like Rep. Singson played the role of the guilty live!

So, do we expect the drug trafficking-convicted congressman to resign in the House or we expect him to be expelled by his colleagues?

We hope that while Rep. Singson is in prison, like his uncle Bingbong Crisologo, he will find God. God for sure has already found him but Ronald is “good in hiding”.  I pray hard that my governor Chavit  during these difficult times also encounters God.  If the encounter is similar to what Saul experienced while on his way to persecute in a Damascus road, so much the better.

Any piece of mind worth sharing to the youth of Ilocos Sur and the entire country and elsewhere?

“Don’t follow the example of Rep. Ronald Singson. He is a drug user and convicted because of drugs.”

Ligot Has No Condo in Taguig; Wife Soon to Appear in a Hearing

If a 5th grader reads the story and understands the right against self-incrimination, an immediate answer that Mr. Ligot is lying is expected when asked if the former military comptroller is telling the truth or not.

Sen. Drilon’s icing of the cake “Why are you selling it (the property in question) to the principal? If he is the owner, he should not have paid P25 million?” is enough for Mr. Ligot to look like a steamed crab. He thinks that the public buys what he says although I believe, deep in him; he knows that he is lying and he knows that he is cornered by Sen. Drilon’s jab.

I keep on wondering if professional soldiers are still role models for the youth. In the elementary grades, we were taught that a soldier is a person of courage and integrity and is ready to shed his/her blood for the welfare of the country in time of war or in time of peace and youth should look at them as a model of patriotism. I don’t talk in general terms but it seems that some of our military officers are an insult to the military profession. Are they there to serve the country or to enrich themselves at the expense of the people?

oOo

Mrs. Ligot is in the hospital because of headache if what I heard from her husband is accurate. She has a high blood.

When I was in high school and prefer to sleep the whole day instead, I used to tell my Dad that I have a headache. After all, who can tell or what doctor can diagnose a headache? If it is true that Mrs. Ligot has a high blood, what a coincidence that when she is needed in the hearing, she forgot to take in a dosage of garlic not only to lower his blood pressure but to drive away the "aswang" (evil) as well.

Is she reluctant to appear in the hearing as a matter of fact?

But why is she reluctant if she did not do wrong? As a multimillionaire, there is no reason for her not to appear in the next hearing bringing along with her her nurse, doctor and hire an ambulance if not helicopter should her health worsen in the course of the hearing for a quick hospital transport.

In the hearing, I can guarantee 100 per cent that she will also invoke her right against self-incrimination many times and selective in her forgetfulness.  She will try her acute luck to avoid questions. 

If I were one of the senate inquirers, I only have one question.

“How and where did you get the resources in buying your houses in the States when you did not have income per Bureau of Internal Revenue records?"

That would be enough to make her nurse and doctor busy and the ignition switches ready for a hospital trip.

Handog ng Filipino sa Mundo: Kabayanihan!

Gusto ko po lamang pugayan ang ating mga kababayan, yumaong o buhay na dumalo sa EDSA People's Power noong 1986.  Isa rin pugay na paggalang kina  Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile, Gen. Fidel Ramos, Col. Gringo Honasan para sa kanilang makabayaning gawa sa pagsulong ng isang makasaysayan pagkalas upang maibalik ang tunay na demokrasia sa ating bansa at muli, taas-noo na naman ang Filipino kahit saan sa mundo.  Ikinalulongkot kong sabihin na sa kasalukoyan, nangangailangan pa po tayo  ng mga lideres na maghamon sa atin na gumawa para sa kabutihan ng ating bansa at para sa mga kababayan natin.

Taos pusong pasasalamat din kay yumaong na Cardinal Sin sa kanyang paghimuk ng mga ordinariong mamamayan upang bigyan suporta ang "ating mga kaibigan" sa Aguinaldo.

Tayo po lahat na umayaw sa diktadura at marahas na regimen at lumahok sa EDSA ay bayani rin.  Kung wala ang sambayanan Filipino, lalong-lalo na ang tulong mula sa itaas, hindi po nagtagumpay ang EDSA.  Sa ganitong  panahon na naglalabasan ang mga katiwalian, sana maging bayani po tayo ulit na magkaisa at magkaroon muli tayo ng pag-asa at lubos na pagmahal sa atin bansa sa pamamagitan ng isip, salita at gawa.

Wag po natin walain ang ating tiwala sa Panginoon at wag po itigil ang mga panalangin natin para sa isang maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa mga susunod na henerasion.

Sa pamamagitan ng video, gusto ko po gunitain ang mga araw na iyon noong sama-sama po tayo sa mga kalsada na lumaban maski wala po tayong sandata  kundi matindi lamang na pagmahal sa ating bansa. Di ba umiyak tayo?  Di ba mano mano tayo?  Di ba iisa tayo sa hirap at panganib?  Di ba iisa tayo sa panalangin?  At di ba iisa tayo na handang mamatay para sa inang bayan?

Huwag po natin kalimutan ang mga makasaysayan na araw na iyon at huwag po natin kalimutan ang pagkakapatid na binuo natin --- walang mahirap, walang mayaman.

Masarap talaga ang maging Filipino!

ANG BAYAN KO
Tikik at Musika:  Freddie Aguilar


Ang bayan kong Pilipinas
Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak
Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad
Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag


At sa kanyang yumi at ganda
Dayuhan ay nahalina
Bayan ko, binihag ka
Nasadlak sa dusa

KORO

Ibon mang may layang lumipad
Kulungin mo at umiiyak
Bayan pa kayang sakdal-dilag
Ang 'di magnasang makaalpas


Pilipinas kong minumutya
Pugad ng luha at dalita
Aking adhika
Makita kang sakdal laya

Enrile, Honasan and Ramos: “No Regrets”

That’s the voice of the three key heroes who started to liberate the chained Philippines in 1986. Without them, the grip strangling this nation would still be tight and we would still be under a Marcos.

The trio, the Reformed Armed Movement (RAM) and Cardinal Sin are not the only heroes of the revolt although they played pivotal roles but the citizenry as well. Without the rich and poor supporting and ironically defending the soldiers fighting for liberty and justice, the uprising was not successful. Millions of Filipinos who faced the tanks and possible violent death are co-heroes. They risked their lives confronting an unwanted and brutal regime but in the end gallantly bagged victory in an almost totally non-violent means.

As Sen. Honasan says, it was our shining moment. It is us who taught the world to resort into people’s power when an elected regime no longer serves the interests of the citizenry; when that same regime that’s supposed to serve the people is itself the one who persecutes and oppresses where it owes its mandate.

What should made the three regret is it took them too long before saying enough is enough without regrets and without looking back.

Sadly, the spirit of EDSA-I is tremendously weakened. The vibrant hope and ambitious dreams we used to have now sing a melancholic tune in the wilderness pondering if there is still hope for a better tomorrow this country and its people deserve.

EDSA-I was an excellent opportunity for us to move on but we prefer not to otherwise, we as a nation should have already metamorphosed into what we expected to become. EDSA-I did not fail us. It is us who failed EDSA-I and now, with deep regrets . . .

Philippines, quo vadis?

Bongbong Marcos: “We Were Kidnapped”

The senator is referring to the sudden flight of the Marcoses in 1986 when angry Filipinos demanding freedom and democracy inched to the Malacanang Palace.

I think the senator from Ilocos Norte should be thankful that they were kidnapped otherwise, who knows what happened to them when the oppressed people imprisoned in their country caught them in the Palace?

On the second hand, why didn’t they stand on their ground to remain in the country during those critical moments?  It could have been an excellent opportunity for them to face the dehumanized people and thresh out the differences dividing them although it is believed that the Marcoses at that time were not ready to face the people.  There was also no guarantee that if that meeting took place, blood did not flow.  FM had all the chance to sneak out from Malacanang and fly to Batac or Sarrat by helicopter but why did he allow themselves to be kidnapped as the senator said?

Sen. Marcos also mentions that they were not allowed to return after his father was people-ousted.

But now they are back and even back to power.  What took them too long to return to the Philippines?  Why didn’t they come back after one or two months?  A citizen of any country as far as I know can always return to his/her motherland any time.

Anyway, that was 25 years ago. 

Sen. Enrile is said to be writing a book on what really transpired during those historical days which he played a pivotal role.  Sen. Marcos has the floor to write his own account about EDSA-I and in case he pursues that we hope that he is honest in saying why his father was ousted.

Macli-ing Dulag, Ninoy Aquino, Pepe Diokno, Gerry Roxas, Raul Manglapus, Ed Jopson, the imprisoned without due process, survivors of the fascist dictatorship and the salvaged or summarily executed will surely be happy in their graves or in the privacy of their homes.

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Photo Credit:

http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/bmarcos_bio.asp

We Remember EDSA

We remember EDSA 25 years ago when Filipinos looked fool in fighting the tanks and modern weaponry with their rosaries and religious icons --- and prayers of course.

Today, it is about time to brandish again our rosaries and religious icons in our own way for the Philippines to be free from the chains of corruption, lawlessness, apathy and elitism.

In the video I attached, that’s the way we were. Let us again be together as ONE  if we want this country to survive and in good health for the younger generations to inherit.

Hindi kita malilimutan
Hindi kita pababayaan
Nakaukit magpakailanman
Sa 'king palad ang 'yong pangalan

That is the message of Christ to the Philippines and the Filipino people.

Sen. Trillanes is "Makatao"

I have no clue on the kind of atmosphere the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) has during the recently held Alumni Homecoming. The current investigation of alleged military corruption and the death of Sec. Angelo Reyes surely colded the gathering.

What could be in the minds of the PMA alumni/ae and what subjects of conversation they had during the event?

We don’t know but I hope they come to their senses admitting that some of our military officers are corrupt. With our justice system, it is  difficult to believe that one general, active or retired, sees prison in the distant or near future. Yet, how could one explain how some military officers procure unexplained wealth when  their take home pay is not enough to pay for the properties? When confronted in a useless hearing we hear litany of invocation against self-incrimination and selective amnesia defense form those in the hot chair. I say "useless" because nothing happens anyway.  How productive so far was the jueteng Senate hearing in the past?

Whom are these military personnel fooling? The Filipino people or themselves?

During the homecoming, some alumni’s t-shirt are emblazoned with “Arrogance is not part of my discipline.” --- bashing obviously Trillanes. When the senator and Sec. Reyes crossed their paths in the Senate, Trillanes was combative.

What then is a part of the discipline of these soldiers? Procuring unexplained wealth?  I don't think so. While it is true that the late Secretary is more senior than Trillanes in the academy, the latter is a senator while the former  was a  private citizen.

Was Trillanes wrong in his words to Reyes?   Indeed he was harsh  but if the senator, a PMAer was arrogant, I prefer arrogant military personnel than  the corrupt. Arrogance is a burst of emotion which can be corrected while corruption, a virus easily acquired and difficult to be cured induces the people into a slow and painful death.

Personally, I salute the curt Trillanes in sacrificing his military ethics in favor of  trying to dig the truth that may somehow unshackle the poor from their suffering.  The poor are produced by an apathetic government and  some corrupt officials. That's the most logical explanation I readily have.

It is Trillanes who is "makatao".  His vision is focused on the suffering Filipinos who are victims of a government run by some opportunistic officials whose sight are glued at our national coffers slyly waiting for the time to devour.

Other side of the shirt reads “Be One; Be Makatao” (Pro-people).

“Be one” in what? To cover up anomalies?  How could some soldiers be “makatao” when they have roles in making the lives of the people harder by being corrupt?  Pure and simple, that is by enriching themselves at the expense of the citizenry and the government they are supposed to serve and protect.

Millions of us are in poverty while these military people are fantastically rich but what does profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?  Not a single nail of the coffin can be brought to heaven or hell. 

Why not “magbago” (change of heart or conversion)?

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Photo Credit:
www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/trillanes_antonio_bio.asp

Honorable Death

I may have a different view on what an honorable death is compared with what is read today in our daily papers.

For me it simply means a heroic death when one dies for a just or noble cause or in death they achieved feats for the common good. Some who died an honorable death among my list include Muelmar Magallanes, PVT Venancio Ancheta --- both died in the murky flood water at the height of Ondoy while saving dozens of lives. Ninoy Aquino freed a captive and oppressed nation. The Franciscan Fr. Maximillian Kolbe took the place of a father to die in the gas chamber. Mahatma Gandhi, a non-violence teacher ironically died through violence. Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador died fighting for the rights of the poor and the oppressed. Polish Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko died fighting an atheistic regime and siding his people. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta dedicated her life to love the most unloved.

May I add the great Christian martyrs centuries ago who did not fear the sword, wild animals and Emperors instead of recanting their faith.

As a Catholic, committing suicide is a dishonorable death at its best for life is a gift no one has the right to extinguish except its giver, the Almighty! It is an outright refusal of the love of the all-loving God to take one’s own life.

Death cannot save or embellish reputation. What one has done in life is spelled out by the small line separating the year s/he was born to the year s/he dies in the tombstone.

These days, it seems that the more wealth and power one has in this country, the more that they are believed to live or die an honorable death. The truth is, those who die because of human neglect and dehumanization on the part of government officials die a more meaningful death than the death of their “executioners”.  Oh, yes, there are rich and powerful who are upright but in five, I doubt if there is one!  We should not forget that this is a graft and corruption infested country.

As a nation and as a people we are gifted with rich natural resources and talents but we remain to live this kind of life because we do not really know or refuse to know the meaning of an honorable death.

Our focus is a life of greed and a good life at the expense of the suffering most.

Egypt Is Finally Free

Congratulations to Egypt and the Egyptian people in your victory fighting for a better government. One of our newspapers today mentions that your people’s revolt is likened to our EDSA-I in 1986.

Although I was not in the streets of Cairo during those critical days, I have the universal aspiration for a better government and a better set of leaders. Not only for this country but to all nations of the world.

That fire of desire is still aflame in me and indeed millions of  Filipinos and peoples throughout the world for freedom, justice and a better way of life are graces all people deserve.

Egypt has now a new beginning and a golden opportunity to move forward and join the family of nations living in democracy, justice, prosperity and especially peace.

Your victory has come but the defining moment is still to come when the fruit of your hardship in the streets bear fruit. For us in this country, after toppling a dictator, I thought that there was no looking back but move forward constantly although may be slowly.

The luster of our EDSA-I to my personal assessment dimmed for what we fought against such as graft, corruption and misgovernment are still around. However, Pres. Aquino is doing his best to clean the government he inherited. I pray that he succeeds and your new government also succeeds.

Democracy and freedom can only be won if there is eternal vigilance and unity.

May the Almighty be with you in your transition period.  There are a lot to be done and a reason to be optimistic. 

Corruption and Overpopulation

As Senate hearing on corruption takes its pace, the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill issue hibernates. The prevailing opinion lawmakers sell as “lesser population, better life”  is more than ever important for us to  think  of these days.  When the bill is enacted into law, officials are certain that Filipinos soon start having a better life.

Well, dreaming dreams is not a bad dream.

There was a time when this country was second to Japan in economic growth.  By now, we are second to the last in economic prosperity in the Far East.

Our coffers started to dwindle when corruption flourished. Our way of living deteriorated. That was in the 60’s and continues up to these days. Of course our population swelled and continues to dense and multiply. It seems that “working at night” is the only job Filipinos can afford or is available to them partly because skyrocketing tuition fees prevented them to earn a diploma and exacerbated by “it’s not what you know but whom you know system.”

In a period of half a century, how much was pocketed by corrupt officials and how much are still to be unaccounted for?

I don’t have the official figure but it must be in billions. Had a government free from graft and corruption invested properly the lost amount, we would still be second to Japan in Asia. Well, corruption is everywhere but we mean a tolerable level.

Now comes military corruption.

We read how the wife of a retired general is able to purchase several houses in the US with an average cost of $175,000 or roughly PHP 7.6 million. Multiply that by eight gives roughly PHP 61 million. The late Angelo Reyes is said to have been given a PHP 50 million send off gift when he retired. That accusation literally sent him to the grave where he failed to defend himself in court.

If the trend is like this for "X" length of time involving "X" numbers of military personnel aside from other crooks in the government, do our elected officials mean that what is pocketed would not mean anything to our treasury? When we still have a penny in our currency parents used to say that without it there can be no peso. How much more if we are talking about millions in pesos or in dollars?  In a third world country likes ours, no amount of money is small to augment government wealth.

The sad truth: we still have to see one big fish convicted and sent to prison.

What I hope to read is a result of a scientific study done by private sectors telling how much is saved when our population is reduced and how much is lost from graft and corruption. What if corruption is minimized (if elimination is impossible) but the rate of our population growth remains constant. How would Filipinos and the government fare?

If the RH Bill becomes a law but massive military and government corruption remain unchecked, I believe that we will not be better off. By that time, people will realize that reducing our number is not the answer but . . .

Stopping graft and corruption; prosecuting the corrupt under a credible legal system make a big difference.

Gen. Angelo Reyes, Adios!

The former AFP Chief of Staff brought to his grave tales and even secrets on the alleged multi-million military fund scam in which he is accused of. Congress badly needed Reyes’s testimony to shed light on the truth of the scam. Now he is gone.

Upon hearing the news of his suicide, my jaw dropped with a raised eye brow wondering why a former top and multi-degreed soldier took his own life. Soldiers are supposed to be tough and strong and only die in the battlefield defending the country but Gen. Reyes faded away before his Mom’s grave.

No one knows yet the truth about the multi-million scam and other military corruption issues or what was in the mind of Reyes before squeezing his trigger.

But he was accused.

Personally, Gen. Reyes, despite his government service and positions he held, did not love the Philippines. If he loved his country, as a former Chief of Staff, he should have helped Congress in its quest to find the truth about military anomalies by telling what he knows which could be crucial in the investigation.

He said that he can no longer handle the smear campaign against himself and his family. If alive, he has all the opportunity to clear his family's name and his. I condole with his family but his death closing part of the story tickles one to have wild speculations on why he preferred to “leave” than to talk.

Probably, Reyes wanted to be in a better off position but does anyone think that he is better off now?

Reyes is just a tip of the iceberg as we continue to read military corruption issues. Not only those who were in the service are accused but their family members as well, i. e. wife.

Pres. Aquino said that he is not surprised with the corruption in the military.

Retired soldiers say that monkey business in the military has been there for a long time.

I knew that the Armed Forces of the Philippines was corrupted by Marcos but I also thought that after the EDSA-I Revolution, the military was disciplined.

I was wrong.

Now it is up to us to believe or not what the military says. Not all Filipinos though are stupid to buy right away what they say without reading first what is in between their lines.

Incidents like these could be so-called isolated issues but what if there was no Rabusa who opened the can of worms?

In the end, Sen. Trillanes and his cohorts were right in the past when disgusted by their superiors.

Corruption in the military is real. You better believe it.

_______________
Photo Credit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Secretary_Angelo_Reyes.jpg

Rep. Singson Sings

The tune is not good but as expected, he pleads guilty to drug trafficking charges in Hong Kong.

Now, what’s next?

Singson has asked the presiding judge for leniency in giving him sentence although in another daily, the Ilocos Sur solon prayed that the court give him a sentence in accordance with the provision of the law.

Under Hong Kong law, the Inquirer defines drug trafficking:

“[T]he mere act of bringing drugs to the territory is defined as trafficking, regardless of whether the drugs are intended for personal use or for sale or distribution.” 

The same article mentions that the maximum penalty of convicted drug traffickers is life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.

Rep. Singson’s brutal honesty in court giving details of his personal life is really appreciated although it is not expected that the judge is carried with it. I wish that our public officials be like him.

I don’t mean that they have to wash their linen in public or be drug users but rather, honest (and dedicated ) in discharging their official functions. I understand that that is said easier than done otherwise; this country no longer suffers from the disease of endemic graft and corruption.

Personally, I never thought that my Congressman has a rough life. Despite his name, title and possessions, he is not happy.

The strong are also lonely.

His story should serve as a lesson that mundane possessions cannot guarantee a blissful life or that money can buy happiness as they say. In comparison, someone who has barely enough to live is much happier for he has nothing to lose and nothing to fear.

Now that Singson is totally under the mercy of the judge, we look forward for a fair and speedy end of his case.

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Additional reading material:

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=653320&publicationSubCategoryId=63