I am angry!!
Gloria the Midget has just pardoned Estrada.
My friend Danny texted me and even if I am thousands of miles in Sydney, it did not cushion the insult to my sensibilities, and my sense of justice.
The man STOLE billions, and we spent 6 years and MILLIONS to convict him and he gets off without serving a day in jail, or saying sorry or even returning the money. Where is justice there?
Ah but Gloria the Manipulative says she is doing it out of compassion for a 70 year old man whose mother is sick, and who has been in ‘jail’ in his lavish Tanay Mansion for years now. Kawawa naman daw. I call it ‘idiot cmpassion’ and I am being kind.
More accurately, what Gloria the Megalomaniac has done is to isolate herself and the political class from the rest of the Filipinos. THEY are different. THEY are the exceptions to ANY rule. THEY can and do lord it over anyone and everything including the whole nation. THEY can do whatever the f___ they want—- cash in on ZTE, give out illegal cash dole outs, cheat elections, kill their enemies– you name it.
Don’t be surprised if the Marcoses will probably follow suit and be cleared of all the crimes eventually. Besides, even if they are found guilty, the government will rush to pardon them anyway. That’s the way it is. So be it.
ERAP is pardoned. That’s the way the cards have been laid. If we are to live in a society where government is unable to deliver justice, I have suggestion.
If government can’t muster political will to enforce justice, then let’s accept it and make the whole disaster official.
But to be fair, let’s allow the same right given to Erap to every Filipino. That’s right. Let the Republic of the Philippines allow all Filipino citizens to enjoy the right to unlawfullness equally. If we can’t be equal in the eyes of the law, let’s bend the rules. Plainly, we should all be allowed at least one crime and a guaranteed pardon that we can ‘legally’ commit. Let’s make this official. Calling Mar Roxas, Villar, the Catholic Bishops and all who supported the pardon and are ‘happy for Erap”, give a litsen. This new idea could be your legislative coup d’ grace. It is the only way to save the joke we call ‘democracy’ and ‘rule of law’ since we refuse to do the right thing.
Here’s a list of crimes all Filipinos should be allowed to do even just once.
a) steal billions from the government (like the Marcoses, Erap Estrada and many others)
b) do not pay taxes and behest loans (like so many we know, JDV, et al)
c) subvert the government through coups, armed rebellion, etc. (like Honasan, Enrile, CPP-NPA, MILF, Trillanes and all who have done so and are still scott free)
d) murder (like what some congressmen and senators, and other public officials have done). But to be fair, government officials should not be exempt targets by regular citizens, since they do same to each other anyway.
If we can’t be strong and do what needs to be done to enforce justice, let’s at least be honest and say we are hopelessly weak, spineless and too morally challenged to see justice done all the way through. Throw away moral outrage. It’s too tiring. Besides, all that is alien to Gloria the Moral Cretin, and her ilk and does not move them one bit anyway. Let’s just all lobby for equal unlawfullness and enjoy the joy and benefits of moral decay and corruption.
Jim,
So what’s next? Edsa 4?
I say not. It looks like we are a bunch of people with 64kb of memories – i.e., we forget so soon.
I think we Filipinos should get a spanking. Just like kids we got used to answering back our parents knowing that when they hit us back they’ll going to pay for it. That’s what too much democracy has turned us into.
Like you, I know you are, I’m irritated and angry at this succession of events. So I’ll be violating also the rule that says, “Do not write (or reply) when you’re angry”.
So by spanking, I mean (opinyon lang) that we should experience far harsher things than the onion-skinned Edsa Series. Bloodless revolutions aren’t what we need after all. Go figure.
I’m tired of seeing on TV a cliche of events that would humble even the plot of the telenovelas:
1. People gets angry at the president.
2. TRAPOs gather people.
3. People + TRAPOs oust the president.
4. TRAPOs hug and attends mass with Bishops.
5. New President.
6. (Repeat # 1 if necessary)
Only in the Philippines.
Hi Jim,
I think this pardon is a diversion tactic by the current administration. There are other issues left unanswered: ZTE and the cash gifts to name a few.
I don’t really blog about politics, but I don’t want to pass up this chance even if you already beat me to it. I’m going to blog about general politics in the next couple of days.
I broke my own rule about not writing about politic.s Sometimes, a blog is for venting out such things.
I have my rule about Politics too. Don’t care. I do understand though that even when I’m trying hard to be apathetic to anything that has to do with our government that I long lost trust in, one can’t help but feel sad and angry for such obvious disregard to the common Filipino’s right to justice.
Sana hinde na tayo nagsayang ng oras at pera in the trial kung ganun lang…
Jim,
My family and I just survived the San Diego fires – we live in Rancho Bernardo – and I was looking forward to an inspirational write-up from you. Any topic – any write-up – anything coming from you, I had hoped, would have lifted my spirits. This however was a disappointment – understandable – but a disappointment nonetheless.
Gloria the Midget.
Name callings is not I would expect from a man like you.
a fan
I am venting out in my own blog. I am allowed to be angry, yes? If that upsets you, too bad.
Besides, I don’t live for the expectations of others. Sorry anonymous. And if you will criticise me, state your name. That’s being fair.
Believe me, I could have used worse names.
Hi Mr. Jim,
Im 20 yrs old and have never practice my right to vote.. And now that Gloria pardoned Erap I’m becoming more sick with the status of politics here in the Philippines. My hopes in our country’s government is diminishing gravely by the minute. I don’t know, but I think I would not practice my right to vote anymore, ever. It’s useless. All those people in the government are the same. Opposition or administration– they’re all the same corrupt & mindless officials. It’s really disappointing.
By giving Joseph Estrada this pardon, Gloria spit in the faces of the stewards of the Justice system. She said she did it out of pity. Who’s other cheek did she turn? Did she think that this magnanimous gesture will persuade Joseph to return the stolen millions?
I am not saying you are not allowed to be angry. Of course you are and you have the right to write whatever you heart desires. It is your blog after all.
It’s just that, as I’ve said before, I didn’t expected it to come from you. I am a big fan of yours and more so whenever I read your stories about spiritualities, Zen living, meditations etc. You are one of the very few people I know (not personally) who seemed so enlightened about life.
I apologize if I upset you, it wasn’t my intention.
My name is Carmela de Jesus by the way. Again, I’m sorry.
Jim,
nice post….huwag mo pansinin yung post ni anonymous…..baka parte pa ng internet brigade nila yan.
continue writing.
Stephanny– I hope you do not miss out n using your right to votse. The real problem is not too many thinking people vote. If you don’t vote, we will lose another quality voter.
It is frustrating I know. BUt it’s the only country we have, and so must be patient. This will be a long haul.
To everyone else who commented, thanks. I do not normally write about certain topics. In fact, this blog entry is a ‘violation’ of my rule not to write about politics as much as possible. But I do believe we live in abnormal times and so I must break my own rule from time to time.
carmela de jesus–no need to apologize. I don’t hold grudges, or at least that’s what I try to do.
I know people will question ‘unzen’ like behaviour with the name calling I did. I try not to get attached to issues like the Gloria pardon, but it merits a comment and if I said it in anger, so be it.
My anger, like GMA (though she seems to not believe it), shall also pass. That’s the way of the world.
Anonymous– sorry to hear about the harrowing experience you went through with the California fires.
you said erap is corrupt f.y.i. jueteng money not corruption…
I was likewise verry angr-r-ry when I saw/heard the news on TFC, finding myself wishing I didn’t have it installed na lang para di ko na nakita at napanood ang latest na kabaliwan sa bayan natin. Ayun, nakapagsulat din ako tungkol sa politics (na ayaw ko rin ngang gawin)at tuloy nakapagmura sa blog ko. Nakakasakit ng dibdib!:-<
Anonymous,
Suggest you read up on the case once more. It’s not just jueteng money. There’s also SSS/GSIS funds diverted among others…
And yes, it is corruption.
Hi Jim,
I very strongly share your sentiments about Erap’s pardon.
Nakakadire! Nakakahiya!
How true – it’s an insult to the intelligence of many Filipinos!
Tess
The Nobel Peace Prize 2008:Proposed Awardees from the Philippines
We respectfully propose to The Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008, in alphabetical order, to Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Joseph “Erap” Ejercito Estrada and Ronaldo Puno for their efforts to create peace and national reconciliation in the Republic of the Philippines.The three nominees have worked hard to establish a political democratic atmosphere and firm respect for majesty of the Law (following the dictum of “justice delayed is justice denied”)
For the past decade, the conflict the “Pro Erap” forces, the “masa” and the “Pro Gloria” (the ruling elite), has been among the most irreconcilable and menacing in Philippine politics. The parties have caused each other great suffering.
By negotiating the The Presidential Pardon For Erap , and subsequently following it up with the quick pardon after six (6) weeks from the conviction of Erap by the Sandigan Bayan, Arroyo,Estrada and Puno have made substantial contributions to a historic process through which peace and cooperation can replace a bitter political feud and possibly a dangerous civil war and hate among Filipinos.
In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel wrote that the Peace Prize could be awarded to the person who, in the preceding year, “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations”.
The proposed award of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Arroyo, Puno and Estrada is intended to honor a political act which called for great courage on both sides, and which has opened up opportunities for a new development towards fraternity in the Philippines.
It is our hope that the Committee will give the award to these great Filipinos to serve as an encouragement to all the Filipinos of different political persuasions who are working to establish lasting peace in this important country in the strategic ASEAN region.
The Profiles of the Proposed Nobel Peace Prize Awards for 2008
1) President Gloria Arroyo: She has declared the Philippines as the most democratic country in our region. “We have no tolerance for human rights violations at home or abroad.” GMA Speech in the UN General Assembly;Sept.28,2007
2)Ex- President Joseph Estrada:He served more than six years in detention — six years and six months to be exact. First in an air-conditioned suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, and then at his own well-appointed rest house in Tanay town, outside Manila .
3)Secretary Ronaldo D’ Puno :The”Master Spin Doctor” who acted as the principal negotiator between President Gloria Arroyo and President Joseph Estrada in the presidential pardon “deal”. He is arguably one of the most successful campaign managers in Philippine politics (for Marcos, Ramos,Erap and gloria).
P.S. Joke only
This is the best!!! ha ha
jim:check my blog:I quoted you on the poor memory of the Pinoy.see Musings(or “mousings”)
JIM:I posted this in my other blog on “synchronicity” (http://synchronicitytoall.blogspot.com/)
Tuesday (November27) :
I really believe there is an invisible “connection” in the little events in our lives.Last weekend, an article entitled “About Time” caught my attention.The gist of the article is that “time is something we either have too much or never enough of”. The author is a famous artist now based in Sydney.
Here’s is the funny part about the “connection of little events” .I didn’t finish reading the article for one reason or another.Later that day,I wanted to read the article again but the household help had a “better use” for the paper.In other words,it was gone.
Being a little on the”OC”side,I had to check the website of the author to see if the said article was posted on his site.
Eureka! I did not only find that article in his website but I also found so many other very interesting articles which I had not read before.
Here’s the real bonus,I posted some comments on his website and the author and I have exchanged quite a few views regarding what’s happening to our country.
See what a lost newspaper can do…