What more to expect in the Philippine Daily Inquirer

(In response to PDI's Editorial, October 26, 2009)

With the recent declaration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s candidacy in the 2010 presidential elections, and with the Inquirer’s casual return to its tirade machine against the former President, one can’t help but expect which editorials will be published in this daily broadsheet for the next few months.

Initially, we expect the attacks will continue against President Erap’s image as corrupt, a murderer, a thief, and a gambler. The Inquirer proudly branded President Erap these images for the past 12 years. And it was not solely Erap who the paper set an attack dog against; the Inquirer too positioned a bunch of character attacks to the ex-chief executive’s friend, Fernando Poe, Jr. back in 2004.

Next would be the discreet mode of the Inquirer towards the Arroyo government, on which the paper was rumored to have conspired with to help depose President Erap in 2001. President Erap does not avenge as he did what’s best during the advertisement ban on the Inquirer back in 1999. He sat down and talked to each of the editors of the broadsheet. This memory should remain as a reminder for the Inquirer to maintain its fearless views along with fairness, accuracy and balance in the news stories they publish.

But ultimately, we expect more demolition job against our beloved President Erap in the upcoming days. Demolition write-ups, like this editorial, are obviously a series of effort to destroy the already crippled image of the former President. Why did the paper question President Corazon Aguino’s apology to President Erap for participating in the 2001 coup d’etat? It seems like President Erap can do nothing good. Could this be the editors’ way to show they are afraid of President Erap’s comeback in politics? We highly doubt that even all of their writers in PDI are anti-Erap.

Likewise, the huge turnout of the crowd in Tondo manifests how the masses still seek President Erap’s leadership. This, we must say, was another thing the Inquirer disregarded, as they decided to opine in another editorial that President Erap’s declaration was untimely due to the country’s reeling from the effects of the typhoons and that President Erap thinks the coming elections is all about him. Senator Loren Legarda announced her bid for VP also just recently, and yet it was only President Erap who was singled out to be criticized by the Inquirer. Those editorials only continue to prove that the anti-Erap forces are back to pull him down.

Yet why would the Inquirer bother demonizing President Erap if he really has no chance in winning the 2010 presidential elections? Is this a slip from the Inquirer editors that out of their overwhelming opposition against President Erap’s candidacy, emotions gave away in their editorials that they consider the former president a formidable and winnable candidate?

Our only unsolicited advice to the editors of PDI is to let them sit back, relax and observe how President Erap delivers his platforms to the Filipino people. Because maybe through deep reflection, the Inquirer editors someday may recognize President Erap’s good will and plans for our country.

Lloyd Ian Zaragoza, MyERAP National Chairman
Joseph Ginno Jaralve, MyERAP National Spokesperson

A Man Called ERAP

I submit, Joseph Ejercito – Estrada is the best choice for President for 2010 among the crop of aspirants for the presidency.

Erap as he is fondly called is the most experienced of all the probable candidates. Seventeen years as mayor; five years as senator; six years as Vice President and Cabinet member and 2 ½ years as President. This amounts to a total of 30 and half years of executive and legislative experience.

He is the only candidate who had the distinct privilege of serving as President of the Republic. His 2 ½ year stint as President will eliminate the learning curve that comes with those who are new to the job. This would ensure that Erap will be ready as President from Day One together with his Cabinet who are experts in their own field and were never tainted with anomalies.

He continues to retain the trust of his countrymen, as is proven in surveys, and even in elections despite the issues hurled against him. His political endorsement is constantly being sought by various politicians, his wife and sons were elected into different public offices. The level of trust by the people is something that is necessary to get people’s confidence in and cooperation with his administration.

Erap has proven his mantle of leadership. He has displayed his leadership prowess when as Mayor, he transformed the Municipality of San Juan into a buzzing suburban, when as a Senator, he stood his ground and voted against the US Bases in 1991, when as Vice President and Chairman of the Presidential Anti Crime Commission, he restored peace and order with the eradication of kidnapping and criminality and instilled discipline among judges and policemen, when as President, he rejected sovereign guarantees in government dealings.

He has remained transparent to the Filipino people even to the extent of his very private life.

I submit, that the foregoing attest the mantle by a true public servant, a true leader. A man called Erap.

RELOAD HOPE...RESTORE DIGNITY

Acting on an invitation from MyERAP Davao Chapter, I flew to Davao City to attend and witness their MyERAP launching in Davao.

It was my first time in Davao City.

The Davao experience filled me with much enthusiasm and excitement.

Davao is so nice and clean. Davao City is a testament of true leadership and progress.

I was also surprised to see almost a hundred student leaders declaring support for President Erap for the 2010 Presidential Elections. The outpouring of support for President Erap negates public perception that President Erap is not an acceptable candidate by the youth or students. The student leaders took turns expressing their support for President Erap. Some were in fact crying, while others teary eyed as they narrate their reactions upon viewing the bio-film of President Erap entitled, “Destiny.”

The students narrated that they were inspired by MyERAP and the activities that the group has undertaken since its inception. The students joined MyERAP and vowed to actively promote its cause. They themselves bonded to form MyERAP Davao Chapters in their own respective schools.

The formation of MyERAP Davao Chapters is a refreshing scenario. I am so glad that as a core organizer/founder of MyERAP, I have become an agent in awakening the spirit of the youth to take an active part in nation building.

Long live MyERAP, long live the Filipino youth!

The time has come to RELOAD HOPE and RESTORE DIGNITY!

Now Showing: Transformers

As I watched the movie, Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen during its opening day, I could not help but to notice some catchy quotes and parallelisms in our country today.

The Fallen could be attributed to no less than Gloria Arroyo herself who is surrounded by her own Decepticons, her ever loyal members of the House of Representatives.

To the Fallen and her loyal Decepticons, may you be reminded that Leadership is not found, rather it is earned. Certainly, you have not earned our trust to lead the nation. Your suspicious actions to amend the Constitution have given us enough reason not to put our trust on you to hold the might reigns of power. This goes without mentioning your ascension to the presidency in 2001 by a conspired military coup and your 2004 “victory” which could be attributed to Mr. Garci.

Certainly, the Fallen and the Decepticons will face defeat despite their devious Con-Ass moves as the Filipino people, particularly the youth will continue to fight against their evil ways and continue believing that GMA must never be allowed to stay beyond the end of her term in 2010.

Undoubtedly, GMA and her allies have picked the wrong generation. The transformers are here.

Con-Ass Reps

Below is the list of our Con-Ass Reps.
Now we know whom to vote for in 2010 if elections will push through and the Constitution will not be changed through Con-Ass mode.

According to the blogsite Filipino Voices, the representatives who signed House Resolution 1109 are:

Bienvenido Abante, Manila; Roque Ablan Jr., Ilocos Norte; Victor Aguedo Agbayani, Pangasinan; Manuel Ayago, Kalinga; Rodolfo Albano 3rd, Isabela; Felix Alfelor Jr., Camarines Sur; Thelma Almario, Davao Oriental; Antonio Alvarez, Palawan; Genaro Rafael Alvarez Jr., Negros Occidental; Edelmiro Amante, Agusan del Norte;

Rommel Amatong, Compostela Valley; Ma. Zenaida Angping, Manila; Rodolfo Antonino, Nueva Ecija; Trinidad Apostol, Leyte; Jose Aquino, Agusan del Norte; Ma. Evita Arago, Laguna; A. Munir Arbison, Sulu; Ma. Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan; Diosdado Arroyo, Camarines Sur; Ignacio Arroyo, Negros Occidental; Juan Miguel Arroyo, Pampanga;

Amado Bagatsing, Manila; Pangalian M. Balindong, Lanao del Sur; Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Cavite; Franklin Bautista, Davao del Sur; Vicente Belmonte Jr., Lanao del Norte; Al Francis Bichara, Albay; Ferjenel Biron, Iloilo; Anna York Bondoc, Pampanga; Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David, Manila; Narciso Bravo Jr., Masbate;

Nicanor Briones, Agap party list; Eileen Ermita Buhain, Batangas; Elias Bulut Jr., Apayao; Marc Douglas Cagas 4th, Davao del Sur; Mary Mitzi Cajayon, Caloocan; Roberto Cajes, Bohol; Carmen Cari, Leyte; Fredenil Castro, Capiz; Arthur Celeste, Pangasinan; Antonio Cerilles, Zamboanga del Sur; Edgardo Chatto, Bohol;

Glenn Chong, Biliran; Solomon Chunga-Lao, Ifugao; Marina Clarete, Misamis Occidental; Eufrocino Codilla, Leyte; Mark Cojuangco, Pangasinan; Teodulo Coquilla, Eastern Samar; Vincent Crisologo, Quezon City; Junie Cue, Quirino; Antonio Cuenco, Cebu City; Samuel Dangwa, Benguet; Simeon Datumanong, Maguindanao;

Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao Oriental; Nanette Daza, Quezon City; Paul Daza, Northern Samar; Del de Guzman, Marikina; Arthur Defensor Sr., Iloilo; Matias Defensor Jr., Quezon City; Raul del Mar, Cebu City; Carlo Oliver Diasnes, Batanes; Abdullah Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte; Mauricio Domogan, Baguio; Michael John Duavit, Rizal;

Henry Dueñas Jr., Taguig; Faysah MRP Dumarpa, Lanao del Sur; Thomas Dumpit Jr., La Union; Ramon Durano IV, Cebu; Glenda Ecleo, Dinagat Islands; Yevgeny Vicente Emano, Misamis Oriental; Wilfrifo Mark Enverga, Quezon; Conrado Estrella III, Pangasinan; Robert Raymund Estrella, Abono party list;

Jeffrey Ferrer, Negros Occidental; Florencio Garay, Surigao del Sur; Albert Garcia, Bataan; Pablo John Garcia, Cebu; Pablo Garcia, Cebu; Vincent Garcia, Davao City; Janette Garin, Iloilo; Rexlon Gatchalian, Valenzuela; Angelito Gatlabayan, Antipolo; Arnulfo Go, Sultan Kudarat; Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Pampanga;

Raul Gonzales Jr., Iloilo City; Eduardo Gullas, Cebu; Magtanggol Gunigundo, Valenzuela; Dulce Ann Hofer, Zamboanga Sibugay; Nur Jaafar, Tawi-Tawi; Adam Relson Jala, Bohol; Cesar Jalosjos, Zamboanga del Nrote; Cecilia Jalosjos-Carreon, Zamboanga del Nrote; Yusop Jikiri, Sulu;

Antonio Kho, Masbate; Rosen-do Labadlabad, Zamboanga del Nrote; Jose Carlos Lacson, Negros Occidental; Antonio Lagdameo, Davao del Norte; Jeci Lapus, Tarlac; Carmelo Lazatin, Pam-panga; Reno Lim, Albay; Jaime Lopez, Manila; Eleanora Jesus Madrona, Romblon; Ma. Milagros Magsaysay, Zambales; Oscar Malapitan, Caloocan;

Manuel Mamba, Cagayan; Datu Pakung Mangudadatu, Sultan Kudarat; Alfredo Marano III, Negros Occidental; Francisco Matugas, Surigao del Norte; Mark Leandro Mendoza, Batangas; Roger Mercado, Southern Leyte; Florencio Miraflores, Aklan; Joaquin C. R. Navas, Guimaras; Reylina Nicolas, Bulacan;

Prospero Nograles, Davao City; Arrel Olaños, Davao del Nrote; Emil Ong, Northern Samar; Victor Francisco Ortega, La Union; Ernesto Pablo, APEC party list; Pedro Pancho, Bulacan; Candido Pancrudo, Bukidnon; Philip Pichay, Surigao del Sur; Bernado Piñol Jr., North Cotabato; Roberto Puno, Antipolo;

Herminia Ramiro, Misamis Occidental; Jesus Crispin Remulla, Cavite; Carmelita Reyes, Marinduque; Victoria Reyes, Batangas; Arturo Robes, San Jose del Monte; Adelina Rodriguez-Zaldarriaga, Rizal; Herminia Roman, Bataan; Guillermo Romarate Jr., Surigao del Norte; Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Leyte;

Pedro Romualdo, Camiguin; Roman Romulo, Pasig; Jose Antonio Roxas, Pasay; Benhur Salimbangon, Cebu; Andres Salvacion Jr., Leyte; Edgar San Luis, Laguna; Alvin Sandoval, Malabon-Navotas; Joseph Santiago, Catanduanes; Narciso Santiago III, ARC party list; Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Masbate; Cecilia Seares-Luna, Abra;

Lorna Silverio, Bulacan; Eric Singson, Ilocos Sur; Ronald Singson, Ilocos Sur; Jose Solis, Sorsogon; Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, Cebu; Danilo Suarez, Quezon; Mary Ann Susano, Quezon City; Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan; Judy Syjuco, Iloilo; Emmylou Talino-Mendoza; Sharee Ann Tan, Samar;

Marcelino Teodoro, Marikina; Monica Louise Teodoro, Tarlac; Pryde Henry Teves, Negros Oriental; Neil Tupas, Iloilo; Isidro Ungab, Davao City; Edwin Uy, Isabela; Reynaldo Uy, Samar; Rolando Uy, Cagayan de Oro; Edgar Valdez, APEC party list; Rodolfo Valencia, Oriental Mindoro; Florencio Vargas, Oriental Mindoro;

Florencio Vargas, Cagayan; Luis Villafuerte, Camarines Sur; Ma. Amelita Villarosa, Occidental Mindoro; Joseph Gilbert Violago, Nueva Ecija; Jose Yap, Tarlac; Victor Yu, Zamboanga del Sur; Manuel Zamora, Compostela Valley; and Eduardo Zialcita, Parañaque.

Goodbye Gloria

Barely a year from now, Filipinos are expected to vote for the next President of the Republic of the Philippines to succeed Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo. Despite this however, efforts to amend the Consitution and possibly extend President Arroyo’s term still persist in the House of Representatives.

The Charter Change initiatives keep me wondering, will GMA really step down? Will elections be held in 2010? Will we ever bid goodbye Gloria?

With this in mind, a youth group called Movement of the Youth for Empowerment, Reform, Advocacy and Progress recently launched a website to watch over the Arroyo administration and ensure that it will step down next year. The website can be accessed at http://www.goodbyegloria.com/.

www.goodbyegloria.com is a timely effort for us members of the youth to actively take part in ensuring change and influence policy change especially on issues related to good governance and youth welfare. This will set a good example of youth involvement in making a peaceful democratic transition by ensuring that the 2010 elections will be held and the present administration will step down next year.

Let us all take part in goodbyegloria.com. Visit the website. Join its online social network in Facebook and be counted together with the growing number of supporters of the GOODBYEGLORIA cause.

Goodbye Gloria in 2010.


Related Link:

http://www.goodbyegloria.com/
https://abs-cbnnews.com/video/05/13/09/groups-launch-countdowns-end-arroyos-term
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9LD_mGZ-8
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tribune.net.ph%2Fheadlines%2F20090512hed6.html&h=3eb1529ea3f945b3a873bf6d7a34b8ef

Media Handlers in Play

The Pacquiao-Hatton fight was indeed a big hit! The fight not only drew millions of Filipino viewers but also politicians and their media handlers.

Anticipating the high density of viewers, the delayed broadcast in local television was frequented by advertisements of various products and kinds. Though quite distracting, the practice of flooding the airwaves is understandable given the commercial orientation of the media outfits broadcasting the highly anticipated event.

More distracting and annoying however is the “infomercials” of numerous government officials and government offices and agencies in an attempt to look good and acceptable to the Filipino electorate. Some even took the opportunity to launch their respective candidacies for national office. The timing is indeed a confirmation that election is drawing near and that media handlers are now again back in business and in play.

Equally disturbing is the question of funding for these infomercials both at its initial or preparatory stage and on its airing stage. I just hope that the funds did not come again from taxpayers’ money.

Congratulations to Manny Pacquiao in his victory. Congratulations too to the media outfits and handlers who both made enormous profits in the airing and conceptualization of these advertisements. Shame on the politicians who scrambled for media mileage to promote and/or launch their candidacies at the expense of taxpayers’ money.