The Death of Cory Aquino

By Eye Opener, Sunday Post

Cory is dead but her spirit is still alive  

 Now that Cory is dead, her death lost a major critic of the Arroyo administration. It is least worry for President Gloria Macapagal.

 To the ordinary observer, it might be so. But to the many deep bench analysts, the death of Cory Aquino was a reincarnation  of the very strong ideals and visions that the Aquino couple left as a legacy to this country.

 The tremendous and spontaneous turnout of people (hindi hakot ha) during her burial, estimated at about 500,000 common people was a very firm demonstration that the ideals of Ninoy and Cory are still very much alive in this country, something that can easily be utilized in the event some people may think to prolong their rule in this country.

 People obviously are getting sick and tired of this Arroyo administration. But what is more sickening even are the attempts of a big number of congressmen to change the Constitution so that from the present presidential form it will be converted into a parliamentary form of government and under this scenario, President Gloria Arroyo will run as a member of Parliament in Pampanga and could easily become Prime Minister Gloria. What a fine plan.

 But there are roadblocks along the way. Once the ConAss is called or assembled, the Senators who are not participants will raise the issue to the Supreme Court, Let us assume that the Supreme Court which is now loaded with Arroyo appointees will declare the Assembly constitutional and let us say that they will finish the work, what about the plebiscite this will need money to fund it. The money measure will pass thru the House of Representatives and the Senate. Of course, the Senate will not pass the measure. So the proposed changes will stall and it will be an exercise in futility

 Even with Cory's death, there some fresh developments

 At the Aquino residence, all the flowers, streamers, candles and bouquet have been removed. Traffic has normalized again.

 The old house will give way to a new edifice. The new house will be built by Kris the more affluent sibling of Cory Aquino for Noynoy and it would appear that they would start building this month.

 Now, a group has also endorsed Ninoy Aquino as president 

The Death and Martyrdom of Ninoy Aquino Jr

      On Friday, it will be 26 years after the shameless killing of Ninoy Aquino at the tarmac. More than anything else, Ninoy's assassination is the fuse that lit the people's collective anger against the Marcos dictatorship.

      To this day, there are many questions that remain – chief among them the brains behind the killing. From a legal viewpoint, all those who could be charged with the crime had been convicted and served their respective sentences, the biggest part of the puzzle continues to be elusive.

      One reason why Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino refuses to break bread with the convicts is his contention that they have not been forthright as far as the mastermind of the killing is concerned. It is amazing how they continue to profess innocence to this day not only as far as the actual shooting is concerned but what they knew of the murder.

      Indeed, if admission of guilt is the first step to repentance, then they continue to be unrepentant to this day. Aside from the guilt arising from the commission of the crime, they continue to be liable for the wholesale deception of a nation.

      The unanswered question notwithstanding, the killing was the one single answer to the quest for democracy then. Although democracy did not come on a silver platter, and certainly not in the days after the crime, it came less than six years later.

      It should be worthy to note that the nation marks the 26th anniversary of the killing just as the fears of another dictatorship loom large and real. In spite of Malacañang's denial to the contrary, there are fresh revelations of the present tenant's expressed intention to resort to military rule.

      This administration's flirtation with dictatorship is not difficult to believe given its propensity to disregard legal, moral and ethical rules whenever it fears for its survival. Power is always an attractive proposition to those who wield it.

      If there is any lesson that the Aquino assassination taught the power-mad, it is the frightening fury of a people who have had enough. It should be a constant reminder to all those who entertain illusions that they can be the exceptions.

      At the same time however, Ninoy's assassination should likewise be a reminder that lessons need to be learned not only by those who went through the experience but all those who are in danger of going through it all over again.

      The tragedy of learning from experience is never learning from it at all. In this regard, it should serve Filipinos in good stead to revisit the lesson lest we forget.

      Yesterday's ghosts are just as real today as they were then. - Editorial, Bohol Sunday Post

Bohol Philippines and ABS-CBN Commitment for Environmental Protection

SOME 30,000 hectares in two major watersheds in Bohol stand to be rehabilitated with the signing Friday of a memorandum of agreement by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc. Bantay Kalikasan and the provincial government.

  Environment Secretary Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr., Managing Director Regina Paz Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation, Inc.  and Gov. Erico Aumentado signed the MOA in rites held at the Loboc Children's Theater in that town's Tourism Center.

  Aumentado says he has a bias for trees and forests because these are carbon sinks and therefore climate change and global warming mitigators.

  He puts a premium on the Abatan Watershed as it sustains the Abatan River that has given the residents therein livelihood from eco-tourism, food, water for irrigation and household use and forest products.

  On the other hand, the Loboc watershed sustains the eco-tourism on the Loboc River, provides irrigation, household and potable water as well as forest products and hydroelectric power.

  Aumentado who had taken part in planting mahogany and endemic trees in what is now known as the man-made forest near the boundary of Loboc and Bilar towns observed that people now realize that the more they protect the environment, the more they can expect to get resources from it, and that as long as they do not abuse these resources, they can get sustainable livelihood from them.

  He thanked Atienza for designating him chair of Task Force Kabukiran that runs after violators of environmental, mining, quarrying and similar laws penalizing those who mutilate, abuse and destroy the environment, as well as for designating lawyers to prosecute environmental cases in so-called "green courts" in the province.

  For his part, Atienza said Bohol has gone a long way in protecting its environment which is a testimony of what the unity of local leaders can do.

  He congratulated the Boholanos, saying that the success in protecting the environment spells the success of the local economy and better livelihood opportunities which means improved income, thereby licking poverty.

  By protecting the environment, eco-tourism has boomed, he observed.

  But Loboc is not the whole watershed, such that he vowed support for the massive reforestation project. The trees are sparse in some areas as checked by a team headed by Mendoza aboard a helicopter.

  Aside from DENR's funds, he said he will look for funding – even Official Development Assistance (ODA) and from non-government organizations to make the rehabilitation of the 11,000 hectares of the Abatan Watershed and the 26,000 hectares of the Loboc Watershed "a success."

  For having done so much for Bohol, Aumentado presented Atienza with a plaque declaring him an adopted son of the province in recognition of his sustained support for Bohol's development and environmental initiatives through the Land Administration Management Project (LAMP 2) Bohol-2 for the security of land titles, a component of Bohol's poverty reduction strategy;

  For rehabilitating the Wahig-Inabanga, Loboc and Abatan Watershed, as well as preserving and protecting Bohol's environment from "ridge to reefs" by empowering Bohol's Task Force Kabukiran as effective instrument to curb, if not, stop previous illegal cutting of trees, mining and destructive ventures in the forest reserves, mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries – all of which contribute much to Bohol's eco-tourism and the general welfare of its people.

  Atienza apparently relished the adoption – he and his wife Beng performed a kuradang or jivy native Boholano courtship dance aboard a raft that was one of the floating restaurant's stops.

  Meanwhile, it was the third time that Lopez visited Bohol, but it was only her first to take lunch al fresco while on board a floating restaurant cruising along the Loboc River. The daytime cruise allowed her to observe the pristine state of the jade-green waters of the river and the cleanliness of the surroundings of houses on both banks.

  "Totally spectacular and beautiful!" she gushed, commending the governor, the local officials and residents themselves for making cleanliness and beautification parts of their culture, and wishing that Pasig – one of her advocacies – could be like Loboc River.

  Bantay Kalikasan is the environment arm of ABS-CBN Foundation. In rehabilitating the La Mesa Watershed, Lopez said the going was tough – one of Project Manager Valerio Mendoza's men was beheaded.

  But somehow they managed – growing from mere three exotic tree species found in the watershed at the satart, to the current 84 endemic species.

  The air is cleaner, the birds have returned because of the trees, and the watershed has become a venue not only for hikers, bikers and picnickers but for educational tours as well, she said.

  "ABS-CBN Foundation will support you all the way because you are doing the right thing," she told the stakeholders at the Children's Theater.  

A Former Marcos Propagandist: A Memoir

By Boy Guingguing

Sunday Post Publisher

When it was fashionable to be a Marcos boy, the opportunity offered was irresistible that our personification was more of a rule than the exception. 

At least we are man enough to admit that once upon a time we were part of the Marcos coterie in the local level. Unlike some people we know who were easily afflicted with selective amnesia when their Marcos connection became the subject of conversation. 

Simply put, being a Marcos loyalist during its heydays was more of a badge of honor rather than a yardstick of opportunism. 

If we were part of the chosen few who belonged to the Marcos cabal, it was not because of political connection or whatever, but of plain and simple talent. 

In our time with the Marcos partisans, our talent in broadcast media (that was the prime of Inyong Alagad over Station DYRD where luckily for this BGlante catapulted him to the pinnacle of top anchor) was exploited to maximum impact. But of course. In fact, many were called but only few were chosen. 

So, it was no wonder that we were offered the top plum to handle the Marcos speaker's bureau in programs aired over the two city radio stations. 

It may be worth recollecting that our broadcast contemporaries at that time were such opposition heavyweights the likes of lawyers Victor de la Serna and Dan Lim, to name a few radio luminaries. Although we where in opposite sides of the equation, we still maintained our friendship.   

Against this backdrop, it was a rare privilege for this BGlante to have tangled the best and the brightest in the annals of radio broadcasting in paid radio programs which came after the other in prime radio time. We handled the 12:00-1:00 PM slot while de la Serna followed handling the succeeding one hour block. 

It came to pass then that we were caught in a spirited seesaw battle to rule the air lanes of listeners with this BGlante selling Marcos like a product while de la Serna was rooting for Cory. 

We decided to refresh our memories of the Marcos-Cory epic election showdown in February 1986 after the euphoria of the former lady President reached its peak when she was buried last August 5. 

Besides, it was our way of paying tribute to the freedom we enjoyed after Cory clobbered the dictator Marcos in a snap election in 1986. 

What actually happened after Marcos was chased out of Malacañang as a result of Cory's people power? The fact is, it actually was the meat of this brief on how Cory made this BGlante a balimbing and got away with it. 

The most interesting part of this true confession was how we reacted when Marcos was brought to Hawaii feet first and therefore against his will. He begged off to be brought to Paoay in Ilocus only to be dumped in Hawaii. What a way to end a colorful political career. 

Back home, the local Marcos stooges were caught in a quandary and were asking what went wrong. Left like orphans, they had nowhere to go after the product they were selling left the country without any ceremony. 

The hardest part was how to convince our listeners that in selling Marcos like a product there was no warranty that we were obligated to explain that if it broke down it was our duty to replace. 

True, a replacement did come in earnest, but it was in the form of Cory. 

In the case of the Marcos followers like us, what now, was the big question.  

Finding no recourse at the moment, we likened ourselves to dogs left by the master and holding the proverbial empty bag. 

Then, the division of spoils began. Our arch nemesis in the noontime program (de la Serna) was rewarded OIC governor. 

Stereotyped as a white knight in a shining armor, the combative de la Serna ruled Capitol as OIC like a whiff of fresh out to clean the dust and grime of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) domination. 

While de la Serna ruled the Capitol roost, this BGlante slowly inched back to becoming a "civilian". This time, back as hard-boiled staffer of the Bohol Chronicle. 

Since our KBL contract was co-terminus with Marcos who ran away for good, we were back in the Inyong Alagad saddle with a vengeance. Our usual repartee then when asked about our Marcos stigma,  was that our being a product endorser was not contingent to its behavior in the free market of  competing product lines. 

It did not take so long for the welter of events that followed given the triumph of people power. With our Marcos connection on the block, the next question was how can it easily be buried in the ash heap of history?

The answer was in de la Serna's treatment of political enemies this BGlante included.

But now it can be told. Although adversarial at best, our consolation was that he was not vindictive. In the aftermath therefore of his OIC appointment, this BGlante was easily assimilated in the mainstream media as if our Marcos link was just a bad dream out to ruin a good night sleep of this former Marcos propagandist. 

If truth is to be told, there's no other plausible explanation except to admit that the reason why our Marcos bias was easily erased at the onslaught of the OIC regime was that people indeed have short memories. 

Another factor was the fruit in season then was the balimbing and admittedly it also helped that we converted our self as one and voila! back in the waiting arms of the powers-that-be at the Capitol. 

Meantime, while de la Serna was enjoying the power and prestige of OIC-governor, Dan Lim was subsequently appointed OIC- city mayor. 

To this BGlante, the Lim appointment likened me to a turtle being thrown to a swimming pool. Being a friend from way, way back, it was not hard to imagine that I was readily accommodated as part of the city hall tenants.  Our friendship dated back when I taught him the nuances of a commentary program which we titled Checkpoint. That started a long term relationship that lasted even now.     

Tribute to Cory Aquino

   There was little left to the imagination as far as the Filipino's love for Cory Aquino is concerned. It is difficult to describe the mammoth crowd that accompanied her to the grave such that one journalist said it made Ninoy's burial attendance look like an ordinary one. 

    So what was it that endeared Cory Aquino to a people that many had written off for their skepticism and cynicism? 

    No one can really say considering that no one has been appointed spokesperson of the entire mass that converged since her wake and until she was put to rest beside Ninoy. 

    The word that was either on the mouths of those who knew what it was or those who meant it if their definition was made the basis was sincerity. It was sincerity that made Cory stand heads and shoulders over the rest. 

    It was her sincerity that disarmed otherwise sophisticated and hard-to-please veterans of the corridors of power. It was her sincerity that endeared her to the masa even though she was never one of them or pretended to be so. 

    Sincerity it was that saved the day for her whenever she committed errors in judgment and procedural lapses during her stint in Malacañang. And this was the same factor that made her voice credible long after she had bowed out of power. 

    It would be the understatement of the year to say that she is the most admired woman and Filipino of this generation. The stampede that nearly crushed the frail among the mourners near her burial ground is enough proof of that. 

    Now that she has become larger than life in her death, it would not be far-fetch to think that the Cory wannabes among the present and future crop of politicians are legion. For every original copy, there would thousands of counterfeits all hoping to pass off as the real McCoy. 

    Sincerity however is not merely seen. It is felt because it comes from the heart. It has no need for expert PR consultants to come up with clever machinations that capture a moment's notice but requires a fortune to put up with it. 

    The fascinating thing about sincerity is that more often than not, those who exude it never gave it much thought. Sincerity is not a conscious by-product but a natural consequence of a heart given over to honesty and purity. 

    Sincerity does not pay immediate dividends, the reason why those who want quick fixes frown on it. And yet, Cory's life has taught the Filipino one valuable lesson that should tide him over in this age of cynicism and skepticism.  

    Without a doubt, sincerity has its own rewards. 

Philippine Death Penalty to be Revived?

Catanduanes Rep. Joseph Santiago (NPC) has played down the fresh initiative to revive the death penalty, calling it "a pipe dream."

"There is no way Congress will reinstate the death penalty, not during our watch," Santiago said.

He also expressed confidence that President Macapagal-Arroyo, whom he described as "pro-life at heart," would never push for the return of capital punishment.

Mrs. Arroyo voted against the restoration of the death penalty in 1993, when she was still a senator.

As President, Mrs. Arroyo also did not carry out any executions, until she ordered the mass commutation to life imprisonment of the death sentences meted out to 1,200 convicts in April 2006, a move that prompted Congress to abolish capital punishment two months later.

"We maintain that the death penalty, as a potential deterrence to crime, serves no purpose that cannot be achieved by life imprisonment. This was one of the compelling reasons why we abolished it only three years ago," Santiago said.

"The death penalty is cruel, inhuman and immoral punishment that violates the sanctity of human life," he added.

Santiago criticized a number of his colleagues in the House "for playing with the passion of the public" following the supposed abduction and rape by drug traffickers of a minor daughter of an anti-narcotics agents, a report that later turned out to be a hoax.

"Whether or not the supposed abduction and rape happened is beside the point. Congress already established the death penalty as totally ineffective and unnecessary," he said.

Santiago described the country's drug problem as "a growing law enforcement issue."

"The only way we can suppress it is through a sweeping strategy to effectively reduce both the supply of and demand for illegal drugs," he said.

"We have to destroy more shabu laboratories and put more traffickers behind bars, while we send more (drug) users to treatment and detoxification centers. And we have to do this while purging our criminal justice system of rotten individuals that coddle traffickers," Santiago said.

Since the Philippines abolished the death penalty in June 2006, Santiago said seven other countries -- Albania, Cook Islands, Rwanda, Uzbekistan, Argentina, Burundi and Tago -- have abolished the punishment for all crimes. Two others -- Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan -- abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes. 

Makati Mayor Binay

By Sunday Post

    In his speech before the city audience, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay elaborated about his much-talked about MBP and what does it mean. 

    His casual reply about MBP was that it means "May Bukas Pa", his favorite slogan to deliver his message of hope in these difficult times. 

     Mayor Lim, his host, however, sees it differently – "Mayor Binay President". 

    Lim made the revelation in the concluding part of his speech during the covenant signing of the sisterhood agreement between the cities of Makati and Tagbilaran. 

        Binay, who spoke ahead of Lim, said he recalled the Tagbilaran mayor's commitment to his political aspirations during a gathering of local officials in Makati several years earlier. 

    In his recollections, Binay said Lim had expressed his unequivocal support then, which he appreciates. 

    "Ako namay isang tao na may utang na loob (I am a man who values debt of gratitude)," he declared.  

    He expressed satisfaction that many of Makati's pro-people programs are also being implemented in Tagbilaran notwithstanding its size. 

    Binay did not directly discuss his own political plans but everything pointed to a bid for a national office. 

    "Handa Na Para Sa Bansa", screamed the bold letterings on the Makati service bus that was brought in for Binay's visit which included similar sisterhood agreement signings with the towns of San Miguel, Carmen and Baclayon. 

    A yellow multicab-type vehicle which was turned over to the Tagbilaran City government was less assertive: "Handog Kapatid ng Makati-Jojo Binay Mayor". 

    During his speech, Binay could not resist taking potshots at the Arroyo administration saying that he admires the courage of the Tagbilaran local officials for coming out in the open for the ceremony. 

    "We will give copies of the videos taken here today to Malacañang to show them the warm reception that we got from you," Binay told his audience in Pilipino, eliciting laughter and mild applause. 

    Binay said many local government officials do not want to court the ire of Malacañang because they are dependent on the internal revenue allotments.  

    He also dismissed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's response to the snipings of former President Fidel Ramos. 

    "She said there will be elections in 2010 but until (Friday) she never said it will be a presidential election," he added. 

    Binay, who is also president of the United Opposition, had previously declared he is available for the presidency but has lately skirted any direct references to it.  

    Lim said that it is not for him to say that Binay is running for president, vice president, senator or open for appointment as Cabinet secretary. 

    "I can only say that while MBP can mean 'May Bukas Pa', I see 'Mayor Binay, President," he declared. 

First Gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo

By ROGER BALAMAD 

The nation is anticipating with bated breath the situation where the First Gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo  is joining the delegation headed by his wife, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, regarding the much-publicized audience with US President Barack Obama on July 30. 

The disclosure was made by Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in an exclusive interview yesterday  over station DYTR during the weekly program "Ang Mayor sa Dakbayan". 

In the same radio appearance, the Makati mayor who is now very open of his presidential ambition, recalled an incident with Mr. Arroyo when he joined a US delegation also headed by his wife. 

Before the plane that would bring the couple to the US could land in American soil, Mr. Arroyo suddenly developed illness forcing the aircraft to divert its flight to Tokyo, Japan.

Binay added that the ailing  husband was whisked the following days aboard a private plane and in the process back to the country of origin. 

According to Mayor Binay, the rumor floated around that time was that the President's husband was tipped off that he would be arrested the moment his plane would touch down in US soil. 

According to news reports that came out in the column of Ramon Rulfo in the Philippine Daily Inquirer in yesterday's issue, like Binay, the popular columnist was also keen of Mr. Arroyo's presence in the US along with his wife. 

The same Tulfo column mentioned about alleged anti-money laundering charges involving the FG in a US court.  

The negative revelation by the Makati mayor on the coming GMA visit to the US

was part of his diatribes he unleashed on the frequent President's junkets to foreign shores. The mayor counted 56 visits costing the taxpayers P6 billion. 

On a positive note, however, the Makati mayor was here to fulfill a sisterhood covenants with several municipalities including Cortes, Maribojoc, Dauis, Panglao, Baclayon, carmen Sab Miguel and Carmen. 

He ended his town-sorties with the signing of another elaborate signing ceremonies yesterday with City Mayor Dan Neri Lim at the city hall atrium.

Sin Taxes in the Philippines

Revenue increase of P19 billion in the first year of implementation alone puts the Department of Finance (DOF) into lobbying for both houses of Congress to pass a law to correct the weaknesses of the excise tax on alcohol and tobacco products law. 

Otherwise known as Republic Act 9334, the excise tax law needs to be restructured to keep tax rates at par with Asian neighbors, sources at the finance department said. 

The Philippines has the lowest excise tax rates among Asian countries and still loses more revenues with its implementation of lower corporate income tax, high personal exemptions and tax incentives, DOF said 

DOF also points out that the law is prone to downshifting or misreporting of consumption from high-priced and high-taxed brands to low-priced and low-taxed brands resulting in lower revenues.  

"The current excise tax structure also needs to classify brands which create discretion for the taxing authority.  The law is likewise eroded by inflation due to lack of automatic tax rate adjustment, the government agency said.    

Over these, the agency is proposing for the adoption of a unitary tax rate for each category of alcohol and tobacco products, which will also lapse in time.

Under the scheme, a unitary rate will be indexed using a relevant price index for tobacco and alcohol. 

With the revenues from the excise tax, DOF proposes to allocate a portion of the excise tax revenues to a trust fund for the transitional guaranteed income of farmers who are shifting to other crops. 

DOF says, the country needs to raise revenues now to strengthen its fiscal position amidst continuing pressure from the global recession.  

With the threat of economic recession in the country, the DOF explains that the government has to have more revenues to pump-prime the economy. (PIA)

Insurgents and Rebels in Bohol Island, Philippines

Insurgents in Bohol have become insignificant that authorities have downgraded the "single fighting front" into a section level, a high-ranking military officer said.

Considered then as a formidable force of three guerilla fronts gripping Boholanos in reign of fear, the local members of the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines New People's Army (CPP-NPA) were forced to regroup outside the province following effective convergent anti-insurgency efforts by the civilian and military authorities here.

The remaining rebels who could not leave Bohol disbanded, while 13 insurgents are now being processed for the government's integration back to the mainstream, army's Major Eduardo Malig-on said.

 "At least in the whole area under the military jurisdiction of the 802nd Brigade led by Col. Alan Luga, I can say that they [rebels] have been left ineffective due to our joint efforts with local governments, the private sector and the communities," he said.

"Rebels have become insignificant they could not successfully put up a tactical offensive", he adds.

At the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, the army officer recounted how insurgents' attacks on vital installations: cell site towers in Carmen and Candijay towns ended up.

Quick action and coordination among private security guards and the immediate community helped foil the attempt, Maj. Malig-on shared.

Himself the 802nd Brigade's Civil Military Operations (CMO) Officer, Maj. Malig-on said the military now, armed with their best CMO tool; their discipline takes over the vacuum.

The government forces then cements communities and empowers people to defend from themselves and withstand the possible return of the rebels, while introducing more livelihood opportunities to supplement family income.

Romeo Teruel, a peace advocate formerly handling Capitol's poverty reduction program believed ousting communities from poverty deters rebels from instigating the community to hurl anti-government sentiments, this he continuously stresses in his talks with the people here.

Now left filling in the vacuum left by the insurgents, the army's special action forces metamorphosed from fighting into machines bringing in community development through infrastructure building and livelihood training assistance, the civil military operations chief added.

Bohol has become a national model for it's anti-insurgency efforts: one that showed two prongs: the government's strong and soft hands.

In fact, with Bohol model being replicated all over the country, no less than 67th Infantry Batallion Commander Maj. Gen Reynaldo Mapagu who said the CPP-NPA is losing in every front, losing their mass support in the barangays and struggling with issues from within. (PIA)