Another Battle Front

Forgive the long silence. Have been overworked, tired, tense, and irritable lately. Didn't think it would do anyone good to spout vitriol like an overturned kettle. Although exhausted, none of us are sick enough to require hospitalization. We have developed pretty good coping mechanisms through the friends and supporters that buoy us. The latest invigorating shot is from Justice Isagani Cruz (http://opinion.inq7.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=6308) and we are all grateful for his encouragement in regard to filing the Impeachment Complaint against Ate Glue.

Some have likened this endeavor to scaling a mountain that can't be climbed. Others say, why bother, when we'll never get the numbers in the House to elevate the Impeachment to the Senate because we don't have the influence nor the money of Ate Glue. We don't stand a chance in hell, they claim, because the odds are against us.

Well, none of us have said we were doing this because we're sure of a "win". This is no stacked shell game. For us, there is no choice, no other alternative more just, more constitutional. We're filing this Impeachment Complaint, whether or not we succeed. Gloria Arroyo once claimed she could defend herself and we hope to provide her the means with which to do just that.

We must ask her to explain and defend her reasons for violating our Human Rights through illegal proclamations like EO464, CPR and PP1017, not to mention illegal arrests and raids. She should stand up to the allegations of bribery, graft and corruption and defend the Fertilizer Scam, the North Rail Project and the Piatco controversy. Gloria Arroyo should also answers questions pertaining to the gross inactivity of the government in regard to the growing number of extra-judicial killings of media and activists. And although not mentioned in our new charges, let us not forget what began this terrible rollercoaster ride - Hello, Garci?

There is sadness at how unmoved and unbothered our fellow countrymen are, disappointment at their lack of outrage and their willingness to accept mediocrity. How can we claim high standards when we hold our leaders to such low benchmarks?

Prof. Randy David says we need closure - impeachment can provide that. He goes on to say, "The impeachment of an unworthy leader is always a correct starting point for a nation’s political rebirth". He's right, but not only do we need political rebirth, but GMA's impeachment may resurrect belief in ourselves as a proud and honest people.

Tomorrow evening, Sunday, beginning at 6pm, many of us are spending the night outside the gates of the Batasan. We will pray, sing and make joyful noise. We will be vigilant, and hope to peacefully ensure that it is our complaint that is filed first come Monday morning. Bring an ID and your CTC (sedula). Like Justice Cruz, all of us pray you will join us.

We all have to link and expand our ranks till the entire country is bound together with the strength and the ardor of our resolve. I do not exaggerate when I say this could be our last chance to save democracy in the Philippines. The darkness thickens and we have to move. - Joaquin "Chino" Roces

The Day After Hello Garci

It's been a year since those incriminating Garci tapes came to national attention. At the end of August 2005, the Black & White Movement hosted a forum featuring the Hyatt 10. We prepared a timeline of events as part of our presentation. Here is that timeline. We share it in the hope that your memories remain fresh:

TIMELINE – THESE ARE THE FACTS, IN BLACK AND WHITE

June 5 - Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye announces existence of wiretappedconversations between PGMA and unnamed COMELEC official in which the two allegedly talk about rigging the 2004 elections. Sec. Bunye says tape will be released by the Opposition.

"Obviously, this news story about election fraud is pure concoction." - Sec. Ignacio Bunye, Press Secretary

June 6 - Sec. Bunye plays two CDs for Palace reporters. He says one is authentic and is spliced. He also acknowledges that the voice of the woman on the tape is the President’s.

June 7 - Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano denies it’s his voice on the tape. COMELEC Chairman says tapes did not contain the voice of any COMELEC official.

June 8 - Edgar Ruado, a former administration political advisor and now staff member to Congressman Iggy Arroyo, goes to the NBI to say the man’s voice (Gary) in the wiretapped conversation “sounded like his”. Meanwhile, ISAFP Chief Brig. Gen. Marlou Quevedo is relieved from his post.

June 9 - Sec. Bunye now says he is not 100% sure that it is GMA’s voice on the tape; just 80% sure now.

June 10 - Former NBI Deputy Director Samuel Ong surfaces and claims he has the “mother of all tapes”. He challenges government authorities to check inventory of ISAFP files because he says four tapes are missing. ISAFP denies the charge. Ong seeks refuge in San Carlos Seminary. Military intelligence agent T/Sgt. Vidal Doble also goes to San Carlos. After three days, Ong and Doble leave the seminary.

June 15 - Congress begins investigation into the tapes in an executive session.

“There are underlying issues – the right of people to know the truth and whether the [anti-wiretapping law] prohibits a legislative inquiry from accepting the tapes, maybe not as evidence, but even for reference.” - Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano

June 27 - Oliver Lozano files first impeachment complaint at 10:50 am in the House of Representatives.

June - The President finally breaks her silence on the issue and speaks on national television at 7:00 pm.

“I was anxious to protect my votes and during that time had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official. My intent was not to influence the outcome of the election, and it did not…

…I recognize that making any such call was a lapse in judgment. I’m sorry…I take full responsibility for my actions and to you and to all those good citizens who may have had their faith shaken by these events…

…I want to close this chapter and move on with the business of governance.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

July 7 - The President speaks again.

“When I first entered politics in 1992, little did I know that within a decade I will become President of our country. And little did I expect that within five years, there would be calls from civil society for my resignation in office or for the formation of a ‘Truth Commission’ regarding some of my political actuations.

“When I spoke before the nation some two weeks ago, I did so against the advice of my legal counsel.

“I am not resigning my office.

“…I will restructure and strengthen the Cabinet, giving a free hand to meanwhile reform and manage our day to day governance with as little political interference as possible, even from me…I am asking my entire Cabinet to tender their resignation in order to give the Executive a free hand to reorganize itself.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

July 8 - Ten Cabinet Secretaries resign from the Arroyo administration

“With deep concern and firm resolve, and after a long period of reflection, debate and consultations, we the undersigned, are hereby submitting our collective irrevocable resignation.

“…This preemption does not change our conviction that her decisions as of late are guided mainly by her determination to survive as President. We believe she will continue to make her decisions according to this norm.

“…At the core of these concerns are the issues of leadership and credibility – the ability of our President to continue to lead and govern our country with the trust and confidence of our people.

“The longer the President stays in office under a cloud of doubt and mistrust, and with her style of decision-making, the greater the damage on the economy and the more vulnerable to fragile political situation becomes…the poor will suffer the most.” - Hyatt 10

July 8 - former President Corazon C. Aquino calls on Mrs. Arroyo to resign. Meanwhile, former President Fidel V. Ramos spends the day playing golf then hies off to the Palace to throw support behind Mrs. Arroyo.

“…I cannot escape the conclusion that is plain for all to see: the country cannot continue in its present tumulutous state; good and effective governance has become an impossible undertaking.

“Without this sacrifice, our country faces only a future of danger to its freedom and progress. That sacrifice must be made by the President as soon as possible.

“At this juncture, only two constitutional paths remain open for the peaceful and democratic resolution of the present crisis crippling the government and endangering the nation…The first is the President’s voluntary resignation for a smooth transition…The second is the long and inherently contentious process of congressional impeachment that can only generate more divisions in society and cast more suspicions on the threatened institutions of our democracy.” - Former President Corazon C. Aquino

July 8

“…take your grievances to Congress where I’m very willing to submit to due process as called for by our Constitution.” - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a radio address

July 10

“…we recognize that nonviolent appeals for her resignation, the demand for a Truth Commission and the filing of an impeachment case are not against the Gospel.

“In all these we remind ourselves that a just political and moral order is best promoted under the present circumstances by a clear and courageous preference for constitutional processes that flow from moral values and the natural law…We also appeal to people, especially their representatives and leaders, to discern their decisions not in terms of political loyalties but in the light of the Gospel values of truth, justice, and the common good.” - Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines

July 10

“I give thanks to the bishops for their statement of guidance and wisdom…I will read every line and everything between the lines…” -President Arroyo’s reaction to the CBCP statement

July 14 - Former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano reportedly leaves for Singapore on board an chartered Learjet. He is said to have proceeded to London.

July 14 - Chavit Singson presents his X-tape.

July 15

“We thus urge her [PGMA] to initiate the formation and operation of a Truth Commission, with members to be selected by and among a group of eminent persons held in high public esteem.

“We urge the President to announce the formation of the Truth Commission during, if not before, her State of the Nation Address.” - Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC)

July 18

“In all humility, I took to heart the admonition that I should not simply dismiss calls for my resignation from office, and that through prayer, we can arrive at decisions for the common good that are based on moral precepts.

“…I have initiated the creation of a commission or a similar body to look into the truth behind issues recently raised against me.” - President Arroyo’s letter to the CBCP

July 18 - President Arroyo’s counsel, Atty. Pedro Ferrer, files answer to Lozano complaint.

July 25

“Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean.” - President Arroyo in State of the Nation Address

August 1 - Michael Angelo Zuce surfaces.

“I am coming out today with what I know about the fraud and cheating committed in the 2004 National Elections that have put my family and myself in danger since the time the ‘Gloriagate’ tape came out…

“What I know is that Pres. Arroyo is not merely the beneficiary of the cheating in the 2004 National Elections contained and talked about in the ‘Gloriagate’ tape conversations with COMELEC Comm. Garcillano. She had knowledge and direct participation in it.

“The conspiracy to cheat and rig the 2004 National Elections began as early as October 2002 when our Office presented to Pres. Arroyo a Special Project on the NATIONWIDE CONSULTATION OF ELECTION OFFICERS UNDER THE STEWARDSHIP OF ATTY. GARCILLANO.” - Michaelangelo Zuce, former staff member with the Office of the Presidential Liaison Officer for Political Affairs, Malacanang under then-Secretary Joey Rufino

Zuce releases photocopies of letters between Sec. Rufino, PGMA, and Atty. Garcillano dating back to October 2002.

August 3 - Speaker Jose de Venecia tells media that he and Antipolo City Congressman Ronaldo Puno have 189 firm commitments to prevent complaint from reaching the Senate for trial, whatever the evidence against Mrs. Arroyo. Impeachment Hearings are not scheduled to start until August 10.

August 10 - First day of Impeachment Hearings in the House. Session suspended in less than an hour.

August 12 - DENR Secretary Mike Defensor holds a press conference to debunk the Garci Tapes.

“That was her (GMA’s) voice, but she was not the one talking.” - Secretary Mike Defensor

August 18 - President Arroyo reportedly talks with Marcos family over FM burial in Libingan ng mga Bayani.

August 19 - President Arroyo signs EO 453 to create consultative commission on Constitutional Amendments; still no Truth Commission as promised in letter to CBCP on July 18.

August 20 - President Arroyo speaks at the El Shaddai anniversary. Former President Estrada also allowed by the government to speak before the El Shaddai.

August 21 - President Arroyo attends memorial mass service for Ninoy Aquino.

August 26 - President Arroyo cancels engagement in Malabon to speak with 12 Congressmen in Malacanang. Sorsogon Congressman Jose Solis confirms that she asked about the status of the impeachment complaint.

Hello Garci? Happy Anniversary!

Well, it's been a year. A year since the infamous "Garci Tapes" surfaced like black bile in the throat. A year since our country was thrown into a political maelstrom that continues to spiral like a flushing toilet.


But like feces floating in a clogged commode, Garci, Gloria and their ilk can't seem to rid themselves of the stink. The malodorous coverups hang in the air. In a year, they've tried all kinds of toilet paper strategies to cleanse themselves. Admittedly, some of their tactics have had some effect. "Let's move on", they say, frantically pouring in the Sosa (Cha Cha, Con-Ass, pork barrel, "I am sorry", Singaw ng Bayan). After a year of floating in detritus, the middle class remains apathetic, spraying themselves with perfume, seemingly unmindful. Is it because they're also sitting on the john?

But the marginalized, downtrodden masses that have been drowning in the excrement that this administration heaps on them by the ton, aren't as easily convinced - they're tired of being assaulted by the stench. Don't for a moment think that they're happy to be floating in it.

And what of us, the plumbers that hope to de-clog the toilet and send Glo and her kind down the drain? After a year, we continue to pour in the solvents, uncovering one foul scam after another. Do not think for a moment that we're tired, thinking of calling it a day and exiting the bathroom. We refuse to live in a home that stinks. We continue to do the dirty work, because a clean bathroom makes for a clean home. Well, doesn't it?

The Latest on the Baywalk Hearings

Last May 17th, Enteng and Dinky appeared before Fiscal Richard Lee in the RTC of Manila regarding their infamous Baywalk arrest. Enteng was ably represented by our Black & White Movement Counsel, Edwin Lacierda. Dinky's lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, sent Atty. Percy Flores. Both complainants, Col. Pedrozo and Capt. Sy of the WPD were present as well. We noted Col. Pedrozo's attire, a barong in black and white.

This was the third preliminary hearing into the case. The complainants were supposed to make available the intelligence report cited by Col. Pedrozo as the reason to "nip in the bud" our planned stroll on Baywalk. At the last hearing, we were told intelligence reported plans for a Black & White "lighting (sic) rally" on Baywalk.

Well, at this hearing, we were in for a small surprise. The latest version of the intelligence report states that Enteng, Dinky, a two year old boy named John, his pregnant Mom and about 15 other Black & White supporters were about to launch, get this, a COUP!

Yes, boys and girls, this administration thinks, actually believes, that 22 people planning to stroll along Roxas Boulevard on a Friday night wearing "Patalsikin Na! Now Na!" tees were about to get a coup d'etat going. Everyone in the tightly packed office of Fiscal Lee (including the fiscal himself) could hardly keep in their laughter. Even Col. Pedrozo had difficulty in defending the report. When asked by the fiscal if the police had seen any of us carrying firearms, he had to admit that none of us had any weapons.

In a word, the whole proceeding was ludicrous.

A Busy 17 May - The 1st STOP Cha Cha Kapihan

The first STOP Cha Cha Kapihan was held today at the Metro Club in Makati. Put together in only two days, it was very well attended by the media and concerned groups. The Black & White Movement is proud to be part of this campaign, and has lent its support as part of the steering committee and via media coordination.

Today's guests were Senate President Franklin Drilon, former Senator and ConCom Delegate Vicente Paterno, Cong. Nereus Acosta, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, and Makati Business Club Exec. Dir. Guillermo Luz. It was moderated by Narzalina Lim. The topic of today's Kapihan was "Gloria's Cha Cha - the Anatomy of Deception".

This is the press statement as released today:

STOP CHA-CHA Kapihan launched; Paterno warns GMA could to pack Parliament with her cronies

The STOP (Sa Tamang Oras at Paraan) CHA CHA Campaign launched its first public forum on Charter Change this morning with former Senator and Constitutional Commission Delegate Vicente Paterno warning that President Macapagal Arroyo could “pack the proposed Parliament with tried and proven allies who would be ready to do her bidding” in the event Malacanang succeeds in its current designs to amend the 1987 Constitution.

Also present as guests in the first STOP Cha-Cha Kapihan, held at the Metro Club in Makati City, were Senate President and Liberal Party head Franklin Drilon, Makati Business Club Executive Director Bill Luz and other political and civic leaders opposed to the plan of President Arroyo and House Speaker Jose de Venecia to amend the Constitution and shift to a parliamentary form of government. Narzilina Lim served as the kapihan moderator.

In his brief talk, Paterno warned that the Malacanang Cha-Cha plans included a so-called NO-EL provision which would “assure that the interim Parliament (2007-2010) will be filled with tried and proven allies who would be ready to do President Arroyo’s bidding.”

The other less widely-known sections in Malacanang’s proposed amendments to the Constitution were more disturbing, Paterno said.

“In a normal parliamentary system, the head of Government is the Prime Minister. He is elected to that post by his peers, the members of Parliament. Members of the cabinet are MP’s elected by the people. The President’s duties are ceremonial such as to open Parliament, dissolve it upon advice of the Prime Minister, greet new ambassadors, be the symbol of national unity as Head of State,” Paterno said.

However, Paterno noted, under the proposed amendments being pushed by Malacanang, “the members of President Arroyo’s cabinet will not be elected as MPs but will be appointed by her.” He explained that according to Section Nine of the proposed amendments, “one-third of them shall become MP’s by her appointment. Thirty other persons shall also be appointed MPs by the President.”

“The interim Parliament will elect an interim Prime Minister,” Paterno explained. “But Section 11 says he will not be the head of government but just a cabinet member. Section 12 makes clear, he is a mere cabinet member as the interim prime minister and the cabinet shall function under the direction and supervision of the incumbent president.”

“Section 13 of the proposed amendments to the Constitution states that ‘in the interim Parliament, the incumbent President shall exercise the powers vested in the Head of State and the Head of government under this Constitution,’” Paterno pointed out.

“In my interpellation to oppose these provisions in ConCom, I asked if these were not the same powers that former dictator Ferdinand Marcos gave himself. The spontaneous answer by Raul Lambino, the sponsor of the provision, was a clear yes,” he recalled.

For his part, MBC’s Luz warned the Filipino people against falling for the “false promises” of Malacanang that PGMA’s Charter-Change will bring economic prosperity to the country.

The solution to the country’s present economic problems is not the shift to a new form of government as designed by President Arroyo and her cronies, Luz added.

Leah Navarro, media liaison officer of the STOP CHA-CHA Campaign, said the movement is the result of initiatives from leaders of 2,500 civic organizations across the country opposed to Malacanang’s drive to change the Constitution through the unconstitutional people’s initiative or the self-serving scheme of Congress convening as a Constituent Assembly.


And here is the Senate Public Relations & Information Bureau's statement:

Senate, multi-sectoral groups to launch nationwide info drive vs. people’s initiative

The Senate has joined with 2,500 organizations across the country to launch a massive information blitz against changing the Constitution through the obviously unconstitutional Malacanang-backed people’s initiative.

Lawyer Antonio Gallardo, head of the Senate Coordinating Council against People’s Initiative, said yesterday the move was in response to a Senate resolution signed by 21 senators declaring the people’s initiative illegal.

He said the Senate, key groups and prominent personalities from various sectors have agreed that there should be a more organized information drive against charter change and the people’s initiative, especially in the provinces. Part of the campaign is a series of anti-Cha-cha events like road shows, education campaigns, and forums, all leading up to what they said will be the “Big Event” in June.

Gallardo, chief of staff of the Office of the Senate President, said some senators will fan out in the provinces and join road shows to educate the public that the people’s initiative resorted to by the administration is illegal and immoral.

In key urban centers in the provinces, the anti-Chacha coalition has scheduled a series of activities, including rallies, to drum up support for their cause. Coalition members will also distribute leaflets and primers explaining GMA’s illegal and deceptive political exercise.

“We will bring to the grassroots the issue of Cha-cha and explain to the people how the untimely and hurried revision of our Constitution will affect them,” said Gallardo, adding that the issue of Cha-cha needs extensive study, analysis and widespread discussion among the various sectors of the society.

Gallardo said that based on information reaching the Senate and the anti-Charter Change organizations, the proposed revision to the Constitution has not been intelligently explained to the people during the gathering of their signatures.

Proponents of Charter change, Gallardo said, have deceptively led the people to believe that saying yes to Charter change and affixing their signatures would eventually lead to the ouster of President Arroyo. “We are mobilizing the media relations officers of all senators allied with the anti-people’s initiative campaign to help in disseminating information on the position of their principals,” said the former governor of Camiguin province.

According to Gallardo, among the known groups and personalities that coalesced under the “STOP Chacha” slogan (Sa Tamang Oras at Paraan) include the Black and White Movement, Akbayan, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Finex, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Citizens for Constitutional Convention, Laban sa Masa, United Opposition, Hyatt 10 and senators and opposition congressmen.

As the anti-Chacha snowballs, the Senate will also host a weekly gathering dubbed “Kapihan sa Senado” starting on May 25 to better inform the people about the issues surrounding the proposed constitutional change and the real intent of those advocating it.

Seminars and forums on Chacha issue will also be held in the Senate for its employees and the public.

Gallardo said the Kapihan is designed to thresh out major issues relative to charter change, raise relevant questions and to freely interact with knowledgeable resource speakers invited by the Senate.

He said the 21 senators who are against the Palace-initiated people’s initiative saw the need “for more in-depth studies and intelligent debates” on Charter change, as no concrete proposal on how the country should go about the shift from presidential to unicameral system has ever been presented.

The anti-Chacha coalition has also scheduled a rally, led by the Black & White Movement, dubbed “Tango (Tanggalin si Gloria) Muna bago Mag-ChaCha” in front of the Commission on Elections building in Intramuros from 3 to 6 p.m. on May 19.

Crumbling Resolve?

Wasn't it just a couple of months ago that 21 of 24 Senators united against the convening of a Constitutional Assembly, firm in the belief that Congress is a bicameral body, the House and Senate separate even in voting? This resolution was applauded by the Stop Cha Cha Campaign, an ad in honor of this resolve was published a day before the campaign had an Assembly of Leaders.

Yesterday, Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago seems to have had a change of heart. That free trip to Saudi casbahs and souks with Gloria must have helped sway her. Again. There are also rumors that two more Senators may be getting off this bandwagon. Which Senators? Why, we wonder? Is it because they are confident of winning seats in their respective districts should the possibility of change to a parliamentary government? Do they have information confirming the scuttlebutt about the Supreme Court's positive ruling on the People's Initiative? Whose interests do they really have at heart?

Magiting 51 - Will They Stay the Course?

Here they are, folks. The 51 Representatives that signed a House Resolution against a Constitutional Assembly. We continue to have faith in that they will all stay the course, despite rumors that at least 17 of them are being courted to take back their signatures. You see, Joe De Venecia still thinks Gloria hasn't abandoned him, that his road to the Prime Ministership is paved with her promises. So he continues to woo the Congressmen, the ones he believes will cave in to the bait - No-El and no term limits courtesy of Cha Cha. Not to mention the millions that Gloria promises by way of pork and possible under the table goodies.

Tempting, indeed. Do take note, not all the pro-Impeachment Congressmen are pictured above. Where are Fuentebella, Roman and Paras? Edmund Reyes, Ace Barbers, Teddy Locsin? Seneres and Pingoy are nowhere to be found. Why didn't they sign the Resolution? And will they still be on the same side when it comes to counting heads for the upcoming Impeachment?