DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
5/1/2006
A wonderful slogan was crafted by advocates of the Edsa Tres movement: “Remember Edsa Tres, People Power will not rest.” Heretofore, the most distinctive catchphrase for Edsa Tres has been “Poor is Power”, which the group UMDJ (United Masses for Democracy and Justice) stakes claim to having authored and is featured prominently in the videos of the May 1, 2001 Edsa Tres which it on a streamer as backdrop to centerstage at the Edsa Shrine. It was a serendipitous to find that slogan akin to President Hugo Chavez’s battlecry in his Venezuela revolution “Power to the Poor”
The Edsa Tres in the Philippines is a phenomenon that has not been seen in recent Asian history, but in Latin America this has been the pattern of the last five years. The phenomenon of “poor people power’ and not just the generic and much abused “People Power” which has been used by every shade of political manipulators, especially the CIA funded “civil society” which more often than not represent special interest groups. In Venezuela the urban poor marched in the hundreds of thousands to support Hugo Chavez in the pre and post coup struggle against oligarch Pedro Carmona backed by the police.
In Bolivia the indigenous people joined the street marches and siege of the last government to demand nationalization of the country’s wealth of natural gas, and eventually install Evo Morales in a legitimate election. That was genuine poor people’s power and not bourgeois or middle class power disguised as popular uprising which is what Edsa Uno and Edsa Dos was in the Philippines. The middle or bourgeois class may think it is “class”, pious and reighteous but it actually is extremely submissive to its big bosses which in a neo-colonial economy are the transitional institutions and corporations.
Edsa Uno and Dos resulted in deeper enslavement of the Philippines to the Western neo-colonial superstructure euphemistically called “globalization”, unlike the genuine popular upheavals in Venezuela, Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay and the popular electoral upsets in Brazil, Chile and Peru which resulted in shaking of Western domination. The Philippines had its popular electoral revolt in 1998 electing the masa’s man, President Joseph E. Estrada but the elite, corrupt theocratic and military cliques, using the middle class as canon fodder, subverted it with “bourgeois people power”.
Authentic people power finally rose up after the Edsa Dos sham: Edsa Tres showed its massive people muscle as the unshod, unwashed trooped to the Edsa Shrine to demand the restoration of their democratic will – but the guardians of the people, as the Constitution describes them, i.e. the armed forces were hoodwinked by a handful of corrupt generals led by Angelo Reyes and gunned down the swarm of Filipino poor protesting before the entire stretch of road in front of Malacañang’s Gate 7 (which is said to have been cemented shut now) killing at least 17 and leaving many unaccounted for.
The shock and violence at Edsa Tres and the fascism, obfuscation, deception, election cheating that followed in the years since has stunted the debate on the issues of Edsa Tres delaying the maturation of the popular or masa’s political awareness. Otherwise the nation’s poor would have consolidated its consciousness in step with the Latin America nations. FPJ’s candidacy in 2004 helped advance popular awareness of the ruling powers’ depravity, particularly the FPJ birth certificate forgery committed by the Jesuits’ and “civil society” protégé Ricardo Manapat.
Successive electoral and corruption scandals exposed by Edsa Tres force in the aftermath of FPJ’s death demolished Gloria’s credibility and legitimacy such that “civil society” had to dissociate itself from her in order to salvage their own credibility. FVR minions tried to set up their “leaders” to form coalitions against Gloria. The Black and White group emerged to divide the public’s attention and create new and oligarch-controlled anti-Gloria groups. Politicians claiming to be opposition have proposed “snap elections” without requiring a Comelec revamp (who’re they fooling?).
Edsa Dos forces pooh-poohed Edsa Tres as a fluke and Erap Estrada as a political “has been”. I faced off with California-“disbarred” lawyer Leonardo de Vera in 2001 on Bam Aquino’s morning TV program on Erap’s “political non-entity.”, that’s what they wanted to rub in; but today that obviously was wishful thinking. Some of us pledged never to allow the Edsa Dos lies to get away, and the more we fought the more evidence emerged to make the case of Edsa Tres: that Estrada’s removal was not only unconstitutional but that vile, evil, exploitative and profit-seeking forces were behind it.
The corporatocratic machinations were confirmed by the predatory laws like EPIRA and water privatization that ushered in exorbitant public utility rates, while Gloria’s corruption was allowed unabated so long as the Makati Business Club got its share of the looting. Poverty increased, and even the middle class suffered. Namfrel’s “trend setting” for Gloria’s cheating was eventually exposed, “Hello Garci” came and Abalos discredited, the fertilizer fund scandal exploded (as we exposed even in 2004), ad nausea.
Edsa Tres’ has been vindicated but it’s gains still is far from Latin American people power’s achievements. Three forces are now vying for the post-Gloria era: the CPP-NDF, Cory-Drilon, and the Estrada-Edsa Tres forces. Given the lessons of Latin America, it is the masses’ turn to triumph.
(Tune in M-W-F 6-7pm to 1098AM, T-Th 7:30-8:30am to 1242AM dwBL)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Right actions
DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
4/21/2006
This is going to turn out to be a splendid week for all Filipinos. First we saw a truly magnificent display of personal integrity and character in the person of Bishop Tobias. His apology for the Church’s past actions against President Joseph Estrada washes away much of its pertinent transgressions even if the CBCP says it’s only his own personal view. Bishop Tobias was at the forefront of Edsa Dos and as much its symbol as its other leading lights, his humble mea culpa lights another candle in our march to discernment. Tobias will march again today, in KME’s rally at the Plaza Miranda.
“Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.”, and Bishop Tobias continues with the right actions. Aside from saying the mass for Estrada’s birthday last Wednesday, he will march with the Kilusan ng Makabansang Ekonomiya on April 21 to denounce Arroyo’s economic policies that exploit and oppress the people –particularly on the issue of the national debt which Tobias and the KME wants to repudiate. Bishop Labayen will be with them and no doubt will talk on the “Filipino First Policy” again, as he always does, to help resurrect the Philippine economy.
President Estrada said in his speech at the St. Peter’s Basilica that he considers his experience through the five years of persecution as a blessing. Indeed, the five years of trials and tribulations has given him the forum to show the people what he truly is: god fearing, law-abiding, humble, peace loving, steadfast, persevering, magnanimous, forgiving yet firmly resolved to serve the poor. At the very least, he is seen as a changed man; in the very best light he is seen to be the grievously wronged party who was best chance for the poor and for peace, before his term was rudely cut short.
It seems that more and more people are looking as Chavit as the one under scrutiny and trial now. As President Estrada disposes of the accusations against him one- after-the-other in the succession of Wednesday testimonies, the questions arises now: Who really got the jueteng and Tobacco Fund moneys through the years? The plain and simple answer is – Chavit Singson. The families of murder victims pointing accusing fingers at Chavit have served to focus on who the real suspect should be, but their quest for justice will never be pursued with Chavit’s protector Gloria and the FG are in power.
Right Actions for the people seems to be rolling, and maybe this is part of the turning of the tide for truth. While I would not lift the mantle of suspicion we have hung on the Gloria Supreme Court, we will celebrate its declaration of E.O. 464 as unconstitutional. I suppose the Supreme Court members know that it would be a declaration of suicide of the SC if they decided otherwise, or of self-debasement if (as some thought it would) declare it constitutional but criticize only its implementation. Others thought they’d just sit on it.
The Gloria Supreme Court has many sins to its name and this one Right Action reduces it historic crimes against the Constitution by only a scintilla because it’s past bad actions, like declaring “constructive resignation” and suspending indefinitely Atty. Alan Paguia from practicing law for challenging the SC, cumulatively forms a cesspool of violations that have poisoned the wellspring of our jurisprudence.
A decision on E.O. 464 was Erap’s expressed wish for the country which he said in his speech just last Wednesday. Is this providence? Gloria’s reaction is that the SC judgment declaring E.O. 464 should not be used for “harassment”, but harassment is irrelevant as those innocent of wrongdoing have nothing to fear. We simply want factual information from government officials! All public officials should be ready to face public examination for their deeds or misdeeds. I can’t dismiss the feeling that Carpio has coordinated this with Gloria; what their plan is we have to wait to see.
Joc-Joc Bolante, Adm. Mayuga, Gen. Esperon, et al, here come the public to get the truth out of you all. We hope the opposition senators and congressmen do not fail us, the public, in this quest for truth that can finally set this nation free. The pressure, internal and external, is turned on Gloria and ratcheting up now. The rightwing U.S. think tank Heritage Foundation has added its voice to the condemnation of Gloria’s fascist proclivity; coming after the New York Times warning this seems ominous for Gloria’s relations with the U.S. What will she give again to appease the U.S. vultures?
Oil prices are rising once again, and the War on Iran is certainly another oil oligarchy maneuver using Bush’s war plans to up their profits. What is the Right Action for the Philippines to cushion the impact of rising oil prices. So-called Consumer Watch honcho Raul Concepcion says reduce oil tariff from 3% to half of that of even less; but reduced tariff will increase the deficit which will necessitate raising taxes on other fronts! So, you see, Raul Concepcion is not really protecting the consumers. He’s protecting the oil company profits because the Right Action should be to regulate, reduce and limit the oil companies’ profits which have been increasing by 40-70% every year!
(Tune in to 1098AM, 2-3pm T-Th; 6-7pm M-W-F)
Herman Tiu Laurel
4/21/2006
This is going to turn out to be a splendid week for all Filipinos. First we saw a truly magnificent display of personal integrity and character in the person of Bishop Tobias. His apology for the Church’s past actions against President Joseph Estrada washes away much of its pertinent transgressions even if the CBCP says it’s only his own personal view. Bishop Tobias was at the forefront of Edsa Dos and as much its symbol as its other leading lights, his humble mea culpa lights another candle in our march to discernment. Tobias will march again today, in KME’s rally at the Plaza Miranda.
“Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.”, and Bishop Tobias continues with the right actions. Aside from saying the mass for Estrada’s birthday last Wednesday, he will march with the Kilusan ng Makabansang Ekonomiya on April 21 to denounce Arroyo’s economic policies that exploit and oppress the people –particularly on the issue of the national debt which Tobias and the KME wants to repudiate. Bishop Labayen will be with them and no doubt will talk on the “Filipino First Policy” again, as he always does, to help resurrect the Philippine economy.
President Estrada said in his speech at the St. Peter’s Basilica that he considers his experience through the five years of persecution as a blessing. Indeed, the five years of trials and tribulations has given him the forum to show the people what he truly is: god fearing, law-abiding, humble, peace loving, steadfast, persevering, magnanimous, forgiving yet firmly resolved to serve the poor. At the very least, he is seen as a changed man; in the very best light he is seen to be the grievously wronged party who was best chance for the poor and for peace, before his term was rudely cut short.
It seems that more and more people are looking as Chavit as the one under scrutiny and trial now. As President Estrada disposes of the accusations against him one- after-the-other in the succession of Wednesday testimonies, the questions arises now: Who really got the jueteng and Tobacco Fund moneys through the years? The plain and simple answer is – Chavit Singson. The families of murder victims pointing accusing fingers at Chavit have served to focus on who the real suspect should be, but their quest for justice will never be pursued with Chavit’s protector Gloria and the FG are in power.
Right Actions for the people seems to be rolling, and maybe this is part of the turning of the tide for truth. While I would not lift the mantle of suspicion we have hung on the Gloria Supreme Court, we will celebrate its declaration of E.O. 464 as unconstitutional. I suppose the Supreme Court members know that it would be a declaration of suicide of the SC if they decided otherwise, or of self-debasement if (as some thought it would) declare it constitutional but criticize only its implementation. Others thought they’d just sit on it.
The Gloria Supreme Court has many sins to its name and this one Right Action reduces it historic crimes against the Constitution by only a scintilla because it’s past bad actions, like declaring “constructive resignation” and suspending indefinitely Atty. Alan Paguia from practicing law for challenging the SC, cumulatively forms a cesspool of violations that have poisoned the wellspring of our jurisprudence.
A decision on E.O. 464 was Erap’s expressed wish for the country which he said in his speech just last Wednesday. Is this providence? Gloria’s reaction is that the SC judgment declaring E.O. 464 should not be used for “harassment”, but harassment is irrelevant as those innocent of wrongdoing have nothing to fear. We simply want factual information from government officials! All public officials should be ready to face public examination for their deeds or misdeeds. I can’t dismiss the feeling that Carpio has coordinated this with Gloria; what their plan is we have to wait to see.
Joc-Joc Bolante, Adm. Mayuga, Gen. Esperon, et al, here come the public to get the truth out of you all. We hope the opposition senators and congressmen do not fail us, the public, in this quest for truth that can finally set this nation free. The pressure, internal and external, is turned on Gloria and ratcheting up now. The rightwing U.S. think tank Heritage Foundation has added its voice to the condemnation of Gloria’s fascist proclivity; coming after the New York Times warning this seems ominous for Gloria’s relations with the U.S. What will she give again to appease the U.S. vultures?
Oil prices are rising once again, and the War on Iran is certainly another oil oligarchy maneuver using Bush’s war plans to up their profits. What is the Right Action for the Philippines to cushion the impact of rising oil prices. So-called Consumer Watch honcho Raul Concepcion says reduce oil tariff from 3% to half of that of even less; but reduced tariff will increase the deficit which will necessitate raising taxes on other fronts! So, you see, Raul Concepcion is not really protecting the consumers. He’s protecting the oil company profits because the Right Action should be to regulate, reduce and limit the oil companies’ profits which have been increasing by 40-70% every year!
(Tune in to 1098AM, 2-3pm T-Th; 6-7pm M-W-F)
Celebration of honesty
DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
4/19/2006
Five birthdays ago President Joseph E. Estrada was at the nadir of his life. That was 2001, April 19 and just a little under three months from the day his mandate to lead the nation was stolen from him. He was under detention and defamed as the most evil man in the Philippines. About a week after that lonely and troubled birthday the Edsa Tres “true people power” rising occurred and ended with the bloody massacre at the gates of Malacañang and Gloria declared a “state of rebellion” that exist nowhere in the country’s statutes. This year, it is a totally different birthday celebration for Estrada.
April 19, 2006 sees a happy President Estrada enjoying a resurrection of his once unparalleled popularity amongst the people. Maybe the best birthday present for Erap was already delivered weeks in advance of his birthday, when the most relied upon public opinion polls reported the restoration of his pre-eminent place in the eye of the people which he tops again amongst the nation’s political leaders. Tops in trust ratings and tops in the people’s choice to lead the country after the detested Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is taken away from the post of presidency she once stole and later cheated to keep.
Unlike the forlorn celebration of five years ago, Erap in his birthday this year will be greeted by over 300 VIP’s who’ve confirmed attendance to his birthday mass celebration at the St. Peter’s Basilica on Commonwealth Avenue. At least three bishops have accepted to say mass, as well as about a dozen priests. Many of the VIP’s are former sworn enemies of President Estrada who have seen the true Erap through these five years of broken promises of Gloria Arroyo and uplifting revelations of the power of Estrada integrity, dignity and magnanimity in suffering.
There are but a few incorrigible fanatical anti-Estrada elements who continue to hold out against the overwhelming truth surfacing from Erap’s Sandiganbayan trial. I just read one of them, that Juan Mercado who in his most recent Inquirer column repeated the tired old black propaganda against Estrada that have been debunked by time and evidence. They can not come up with anything new anymore. It’s the same with one e-mail writer to us who insists that Estrada is as decrepit as the media once painted him to be; but obviously these people are behind the times.
The overwhelming majority of Filipinos are honest people ready to see truth when time and evidence present them. These are the regular Juan de la Cruzes who have no vested interest in keeping the jaundiced view of Estrada and nothing to gain by having an innocent man perpetually condemned by lies. In the eyes of the sincere and honest Filipino it is clear that Estrada has already been gifted with the blessings of innocence, such that a number enough to put his trust rating above even a Santa Tita has already emerged to register this fact on the political Richter scale.
On the eve of Estrada’s birthday, that will already be last night by the time this is read, thousands would already be joining “torch lighting” celebration to light the start of the way for Estrada’s inevitable march to freedom. This will be conducted out side the St. Peter’s Basilica on Commonwealth, where an outdoor mass will also be said. A late eveing “Jam for Justice” with six or seven bands of alternative cultural groups will play for the crowd through the night. This was organized by lead groups KMLG and MARE to start the celebration for Estrada’s birthday.
Early on the morning of the 19th there should be even more people lined up outside the St. Peter’s Basilica to greet President Estrada as he arrives for his birthday mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Tobias, Bishop Labayen, Bishop Gregoria among others. The celebrities and personalities we don’t have to mention here as the news media will certainly report them. The symbolic events will be Estrada’s breaking of bread with leaders of the masa, balloons “liberated”, a poem by Ronald Lumbao read, and then off to the fourth testimony day at the Sandiganbayan.
Estrada’s birthday rites will be scrutinized for its political significance can not be avoided. The growing presence of former anti-Estrada politicians side-by-side those who have kept the faith with Estrada will be statement and a challenge to the current regime in Malacañang as well as to the Asean and international community that the pressure for regime change is escalating, not waning. The Gloria regime, beleaguered by the unending failures of its deceptions and machinations like the Mayuga report cover-up and the “death penalty” Church-bribery for Cha-cha, will be put on the defensive again.
One of the factors in Estrada’s political resurrection has been the publics’ turnabout on Estrada’s “what you see is what you get” honesty in contrast to the inveterate and irredeemable lying of Gloria. Estrada never hid his true self and it took time for some, especially among the middle and upper classes, to appreciate naked honesty rather than hypocritical peek-a-boo games the “respectable” crowd plays. The shock from Gloria’s betrayal of the image and promises she made people expect at Edsa Dos, now it should be clear – honesty is the best policy.
(Tune in to 1098AM, 2-3pm T-Th; 6-7pam M-W-F)
Herman Tiu Laurel
4/19/2006
Five birthdays ago President Joseph E. Estrada was at the nadir of his life. That was 2001, April 19 and just a little under three months from the day his mandate to lead the nation was stolen from him. He was under detention and defamed as the most evil man in the Philippines. About a week after that lonely and troubled birthday the Edsa Tres “true people power” rising occurred and ended with the bloody massacre at the gates of Malacañang and Gloria declared a “state of rebellion” that exist nowhere in the country’s statutes. This year, it is a totally different birthday celebration for Estrada.
April 19, 2006 sees a happy President Estrada enjoying a resurrection of his once unparalleled popularity amongst the people. Maybe the best birthday present for Erap was already delivered weeks in advance of his birthday, when the most relied upon public opinion polls reported the restoration of his pre-eminent place in the eye of the people which he tops again amongst the nation’s political leaders. Tops in trust ratings and tops in the people’s choice to lead the country after the detested Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is taken away from the post of presidency she once stole and later cheated to keep.
Unlike the forlorn celebration of five years ago, Erap in his birthday this year will be greeted by over 300 VIP’s who’ve confirmed attendance to his birthday mass celebration at the St. Peter’s Basilica on Commonwealth Avenue. At least three bishops have accepted to say mass, as well as about a dozen priests. Many of the VIP’s are former sworn enemies of President Estrada who have seen the true Erap through these five years of broken promises of Gloria Arroyo and uplifting revelations of the power of Estrada integrity, dignity and magnanimity in suffering.
There are but a few incorrigible fanatical anti-Estrada elements who continue to hold out against the overwhelming truth surfacing from Erap’s Sandiganbayan trial. I just read one of them, that Juan Mercado who in his most recent Inquirer column repeated the tired old black propaganda against Estrada that have been debunked by time and evidence. They can not come up with anything new anymore. It’s the same with one e-mail writer to us who insists that Estrada is as decrepit as the media once painted him to be; but obviously these people are behind the times.
The overwhelming majority of Filipinos are honest people ready to see truth when time and evidence present them. These are the regular Juan de la Cruzes who have no vested interest in keeping the jaundiced view of Estrada and nothing to gain by having an innocent man perpetually condemned by lies. In the eyes of the sincere and honest Filipino it is clear that Estrada has already been gifted with the blessings of innocence, such that a number enough to put his trust rating above even a Santa Tita has already emerged to register this fact on the political Richter scale.
On the eve of Estrada’s birthday, that will already be last night by the time this is read, thousands would already be joining “torch lighting” celebration to light the start of the way for Estrada’s inevitable march to freedom. This will be conducted out side the St. Peter’s Basilica on Commonwealth, where an outdoor mass will also be said. A late eveing “Jam for Justice” with six or seven bands of alternative cultural groups will play for the crowd through the night. This was organized by lead groups KMLG and MARE to start the celebration for Estrada’s birthday.
Early on the morning of the 19th there should be even more people lined up outside the St. Peter’s Basilica to greet President Estrada as he arrives for his birthday mass which will be celebrated by Bishop Tobias, Bishop Labayen, Bishop Gregoria among others. The celebrities and personalities we don’t have to mention here as the news media will certainly report them. The symbolic events will be Estrada’s breaking of bread with leaders of the masa, balloons “liberated”, a poem by Ronald Lumbao read, and then off to the fourth testimony day at the Sandiganbayan.
Estrada’s birthday rites will be scrutinized for its political significance can not be avoided. The growing presence of former anti-Estrada politicians side-by-side those who have kept the faith with Estrada will be statement and a challenge to the current regime in Malacañang as well as to the Asean and international community that the pressure for regime change is escalating, not waning. The Gloria regime, beleaguered by the unending failures of its deceptions and machinations like the Mayuga report cover-up and the “death penalty” Church-bribery for Cha-cha, will be put on the defensive again.
One of the factors in Estrada’s political resurrection has been the publics’ turnabout on Estrada’s “what you see is what you get” honesty in contrast to the inveterate and irredeemable lying of Gloria. Estrada never hid his true self and it took time for some, especially among the middle and upper classes, to appreciate naked honesty rather than hypocritical peek-a-boo games the “respectable” crowd plays. The shock from Gloria’s betrayal of the image and promises she made people expect at Edsa Dos, now it should be clear – honesty is the best policy.
(Tune in to 1098AM, 2-3pm T-Th; 6-7pam M-W-F)
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