I was able to withstand the hour long acceptance speech by Erap yesterday at UNO’s convention. A couple of ironies I noticed:
1. He keeps on beating up “this administration” and “Gloria Arroyo” for corruption, poverty and the elitist rule. He’s standing on an anti-GMA platform. The irony is, during campaign period, he’s not going to go against GMA. He’s going to go head to head with Noynoy Aquino, Manny Villar and Chiz Escudero. Not with GMA, or even GMA’s bet Gibo Teodoro. Talking about barking on the wrong tree.
2. He keeps on telling the Cory Aquino anecdote — when, according to the story, Tita Cory apologized to him for joining force with GMA in the 2001 ouster. As to the context and of how it was said and meant to mean by Cory, it’s another story. The irony is, Noynoy Aquino, Cory’s son is up against him. I wonder what his “mahal na Pangulong Cory” would say about that?
This is going to be a fun Philippine election ride ahead of us!
Former president and convicted plunderer Joseph Estrada a.k.a Erap is announcing his candidacy for the up coming 2010 presidential elections.
However, when he files his formal candidacy on November 30, people will take this case in Supreme Court for sure. There is a legitimacy question for him running again since he once was president but was ousted on his third year. He argues that he is still legitimate to run because he did not finish his term, others think otherwise.
If I would be the one asked, we might just need to let it go. Let him go through the process without controversy whatsoever. In fact, let him do that movie with Ai-ai delas Alas. I’d like him to run again. Here are the reasons why -
1. Contrary to his 1998 land slide victory against Joe de Venecia, he has more than 1 formidable opponent this time. His perceived popularity will be up against even more popular and able candidates in Noynoy Aquino and Manny Villar. Heck, even Chiz Escudero will kick his behind.
2. The arrogant old guy thinks he’s the savior of mankind. Or at least of the Filipino people. Let the Filipino people tell him he’s not even close to any of Mars Ravelo’s comics characters.
3. The movie star turned politician thought that the Philippines is a huge movie production. He said he wants to just finish the last 3 years of his term then pass the presidency to the Vice President. Why, are we suppose to feed his ego?
4. The convicted plunderer thinks he still has the support of the people. He never imagined that during the campaign period, the voters will be reminded that:
He is convicted by the crime of plunder. That he even thanked Gloria Arroyo for giving him pardon
That his presidency was filled with controversy, midnight drinking spree with his buddies, a plunging economy, a shaking market and a corrupt government.
Let him run again for president. Let his butt be whipped off by other opposition candidates. And after the elections, let us all tell him to forever shut his big mouth up.
So, what do you think, do you still want him to run for president unopposed at the supreme court?
I don’t normally watch Willie Revillame’s Wowowee, or any noontime show for that matter. I had a couple of minutes at lunch today, though.
He caught my attention when he was “preaching” on how a good politician should act. Then claiming he would do the same if he decides to run.
What intrigues me the most is on how they played the game. The game includes different colored boxes. The contestant will choose a colored box that he will open later to know what’s inside the box.
The contestant chose yellow. Then Revillame commented, “Sigurado na kayo? Bahala kayo, kayo naman bahala kung sinong pinuno ang ilalagay nyo”.
To cut the other 10 minutes of “bidding” short — colored yellow box has a candle inside it. The contestant lost the game. Then he went to the box colored orange. Before he opened, he commented, “Kung ito lang sana ang pinili nyo…”, then an evil grin, “ito sana!” P525,000 — the jackpot price.
If you are familiar with Philippine politics and the colors the politicians use, you’ll know that Yellow is Noynoy Aquino and Orange is Manny Villar — his rumored partner in the coming elections.
For the longest time, Filipinos here and around the world are one again. Typhoon Ondoy brought us together through generosity. Churches, NGOs, Media outfits — they all received donations all throughout the country and even from around the world. ABS-CBN, for one reported:
@ANCALERTS: Update on Donations ABS CBN Sagip Kapamilya: P30.2 million cash and P72 million in goods & service
This is just one of the non-government institutions that received and distributed the cash and in-kind donations. I personally gave through Red Cross. Our church collected and gave to VCF Greenhills.
The president, however, delivered this message. Notice how she stresses the words “… sa DSWD”.
I have the impression that the government wants the funds to go through them and not through the NGO. So, when somebody asks you on how and where to give (as a client of mine from the US just asked me), what will you tell them? Are you going to ask them to send your funds to DSWD? Or will you direct them somewhere else?
Let me give my opinion as a citizen of this country under the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: I will NEVER ask people to give to DSWD for these reasons:
1. Effectiveness – as shown in the past days after the tragedy, the non-government instritutions – Red Cross, media, the church – they are all way more effective in delivering the services and the good to the shelters than the government. They are more organized and have more volunteers. In fact, it even looked like these institutions are our government these past few days!
2. Corruption – no need to explain here. But I can’t help it, can I just say some more? Remember the “Calamity fund” that’s supposed to be used for — well, as the name implies — calamity? It’s been used up for GMA’s travel abroad. This is a verifiable fact. This issue was discussed over and over even before the Saturday flood. You used up the calamity fund now you want to horde the donations to the government? I just wouldn’t trust my money on corrupt hands. I’d rather give my donations to some place where I’m sure it will be directly given to where it is intended to be.
Someone at Facebook has been asking to repost this message:
URGENT REPOST from Monica Payumo: IF ANYONE HAS A MOTORIZED RUBBER BOAT it is needed for ongoing rescue operations led by Red Cross Rizal Chapter. They need to go to Cainta and Manggahan, Pasig, Asap! People are reportedly dying in some areas. The water has not gone down at all. Please contact Cielo @ 0918-8824356
I know it’s wrong to impose. But in times of desperation, you just need to.
Here’s my challenge to Willie Revillame and people like him who have means to be used for rescue mission like this. You see, I highly suspect that his advertised generosity towards the needy is just confined in the 4 corners of his TV show. Then a friend of mine commented:
baka pweding may tumawag kay willie r. i remember meron yung speed boats at yate at helicopters na bagong bili at nang mabinyagan.
I’d like to be proven wrong even humiliated for my wrong perception of him. Show us your advertised generosity and love to the needy. Lend your expensive boats to the rescue teams.
nag-donate daw 1M si willie, sabi ni gina lopez sa wowowee kanina
That’s great! Sure, we need all the financial help. I guess I have to qualify, though. This challenge is for him to lend his motorized boat(s) as it is what is needed for the rescue and is very scarce. Not to discount financial donations — very important — but if you have millions, you’ve got to give something that will hurt you to really exercise generosity. I maybe asking too much, but hey, this is my way to help.
Arnold Gamboa. Jesus' follower. Joyce' lover. Johann's and Arwen's playmate. Team Sparrow leader. LifeChurch Makati's servant. Know more about this blog here.
