Immature. Self-centered.
What? The people? No-way.
Money. Greed. Power. Struggle. Mine.
Economy? Peso? Appreciating? No-way! US. Dollar. Depreciating. Lies. Power. Greed. Money.
Back-biting. Party? Weak. Personality-driven. Of-course.
Expose. Scandals. Fertilizer. Election. ZTE. Cover up.
GMA. FG. JDV. Senators. Congressmen.
I’d like to be honest: I respect our president, but I’m no PGMA fan. I think the Philippines deserves a better president.
I would also like to say that I do believe in surveys. Most surveys does reflect the sentiments of the people. The pre-election surveys are almost always perfect.
* * *
This week, a survey commissioned by a former opposition senator threw the a disturbing question to 1,200 respondents. The question was, “Who is the most corrupt president since the martial law era?”
The results: Gloria Arroyo came in first, Marcos second and Erap third. I have a couple of problems with the result of this survey:
1. Where did the respondents based their opinion? Media reports? While the media is one of the most basic element of a democratic society, it is not the the most accurate source of information.
2. Did the respondents really know all the presidents that well? I mean, do they really know who President Marcos was? Or President Cory? My guess is if the respondent aged 30 to 40, at this very moment the presidency that we can still picture in our mind is that of Ramos’. I remember Cory’s, but because of the coup de etat. And because Gloria is the present, everyone knows about the alleged corruption happening in the government right now. So, who’s the default choice for the most corrupt then?
* * *
This survey is flawed and biased. If the opposition wants to win in 2010 — and I know they can — they should stop these dirty tactics and start doing great things for the nation. I’m sure the people will recognize and see it.
As of writing, General Lim and Senator and former military Antonio Trillianes have occupied the Manila Peninsula. With them are their military guards who apparently has joined them instead of guard them. (Trillianes and Lim are on trial for coup charges).
I’m not sure if I’m getting this right, but are they really thinking? I mean, they’ve done this before and they know it, at the end of the day, they’ll surrender because the reality is, they are on their own. The majority of the Armed Forces are not with them. The people, while disgusted with the current political situation and the corruption in the government are less likely to join.
Oh, well.
Expect these: peso dipping (which is I like, by the way *grin*), business slowing down and the country on CNN again. When can we ever reach the international media because of a good news (other than a Manny Pacquiao boxing match victory)?
On a lighter note, here are some interesting Twitter posts from my Twitter friends.
* Updates, updates! Is there a coup?? Should I not go to Sbarro for lunch?
* The ongoing coup is orchestrated. They even have a Web site
* gosh, another coup.no wonder people don’t trust our doctor
* They always choose five star locations for coups nowadays. I guess Peninsula has better suites than Oakwood. The buffet’s pretty good too.
* Watching pnp set up a tent hq, makati ave cor paseo.
* We’re being sent home from work. Me, I’m staying so I can finish my service description.
* Watching from 6f peninsula court makati ave cor paseo. I’m not sticking around though!* LOL, the rebel website is on Bravenet. So 90′s. They should get a Multiply
* deadline is 230 now, not 3
* they are interviewing an american cop who was in the hotel for the wedding
* 15 more mins…i predict gunshots
* from my friend:”OMG it’s not like im soooo pro GMA but another coup?it’s kinda pissing me off”
* Love makes people… lunatic. Grr. (Ok, that one’s from a Twitter friend who seems to be broken hearted these days)
I wrote about the weakening dollar a couple of days ago.
Just so it is clear, a strong peso does not mean improving economy. It simply means dollar is weakening. Weak dollar means strong peso. That’s simple.
New York Times:
Stock markets plummeted and the dollar sank to a record low against the euro yesterday as investors worldwide grew skittish over rising oil prices and the prospect of a substantial economic slowdown in the United States…
…“We are experiencing among our clients an awakening that the United States is in big trouble,” said Erik Nielsen, chief Europe economist at Goldman Sachs.