Answers

Funny, quite a few people missed the sarcasm of Enteng's latest post. He received texts from friends exhorting him to continue the fight. He, along with everyone else in the Black & White Movement, is in this struggle for the long haul. Enteng wrote the letter with a large dose of sarcasm out of great frustration with deadly serious messages - if people weighing in on the current burning issues continue to keep to their "politically safe" and ambiguous messaging to gain support, they are actually supporting Gloria and aiding her in her plan to stay in office forever. Why? These people are easier to compromise and co-opt due to their refusal to call a spade a spade because to do so would take them out of their "comfort zone". Forget the need for transparency and accountability, the need for justice.

Anti Charter Change is a "safe" issue. It doesn't bother with the issues of legitimacy and electoral cheating, and is far removed from graft and corruption matters. The Impeachment is an "unsafe" issue - forget the people who wish to get at the truth through constitutional means, they're "not our class, dear", and even it some of the complainants are from "our" class, they'll never get to the truth anyway. Because if it fails, instead of spawning outrage within these groups, they'll just "move on".

And what is Gloria doing now? Gloria first tried bribing the bishops, thinking her largesse could keep them on the sidelines. Now that some of them have let the proverbial cat out of the bag by coming clean about the envelopes of money and MOAs promising food and meds, she includes them in the anti Gloria bag, calling them rebel coddlers and using her money to pay off people like the erstwhile jueteng witnesses to sing a song written by her henchmen. In answer, a few more bishops have signified their intent to sign the Impeachment Complaint, and the Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF) has thrown its support behind the embattled bishops.

She's currently trying to scare the business community into submission by "outing" a few as rebel supporters. Gloria and her henchmen have gone fishing, thinking thier muro-ami, "strike anywhere and you might get a few dead fish to surface" style will work.

Meanwhile, Esperon comes out swinging, saying he'll "batter" the opposition. Why? Because he's a part of all the lying, cheating, and stealing. He has to keep the dogs of truth at bay as well.

This woman will stop at nothing to keep herself safe from justice. Remember that saying. "first they came for the Jews. etc"? Well, they're coming after all of us now. Bishops, businessmen, well-meaning citizens, the military.

And what shall we do? Keep to the sidelines as our "kind" are carted off? For as long as it ain't "us", by all means! Ha!

--oOo--

Have you read the Inquirer yet? Fr. Advincula, the only Filipino priest in Beirut, along with outgoing Sentate President Drilon decry the lame efforts of the government regarding the stranded and frightened OFWs in Lebanon. It is clear that this administration really doesn't give two centavos for the millions of OFWs that are keeping this economy afloat. Want proof? Read the Tribune.

We are in real trouble when our economy depends on other economies to keep it alive through OFW remittances. We are in even more trouble when this regime concentrates on its survival and not the survival of our people. And we will get ourselves into deeper trouble if we do nothing about all that.

A Call for Unity and Sacrifice

It’s been a year after the Garci tapes first surfaced, and we are still hopelessly divided as ever. Each side appeal to the other to join their cause, both claim to represent the majority. The anti-GMA forces base their claim on survey results which consistently show that a vast majority believe GMA cheated. Pro-GMA forces claim the people have spoken – they have not responded to the opposition calls for protest. They conveniently forget that neither have the people responded to their call to move on.

The truth is we are in a political gridlock. And the situation will continue to worsen unless we see a breakthrough in the current impasse.

It is unreasonable to expect GMA and her allies to budge. Therefore, the only option left is for us within the anti-GMA camp, who claims to be motivated by love of country, to make the supreme sacrifice by abandoning our quest for the truth. After all, truth is a small price to pay for progress.

Let us heed the admonition of the bishops. They discourage us from pursuing impeachment, convinced that it will fail, and will only dismay every citizen. Besides, they question the motivation of some groups in our rank. In effect, they’re saying we might inadvertently abet the return of Erap, the succession of Noli (whom they probably see as incompetent), or worse, the ascendancy of the communists. So, let’s not waste our time and energy on impeachment.

While at it, let’s ask the poor to stop filing cases in court. They will only be dismayed since we all know it takes money to win a case. They will do all of us a favor by unclogging the dockets in our court system. The wheels of justice will finally grind faster, especially for those with enough money to influence the court decisions.

And what’s all this talk about asking the US government to deport Bolante so he can finally testify at the Senate hearing? We all know that he will simply deny all allegations, just like Garci did, and nothing much will happen. We will only be dismayed. Let’s not waste any more taxpayers’ money on all these Senate inquiries in aid of legislation.

On the other hand, the bishops want us to continue denouncing the palace-led people’s initiative for charter change. They find the haste by which Malacanang is pushing this rather alarming. I wonder why they do not find the alleged cheating and the subsequent cover-up efforts by the palace equally alarming.

I also wonder why they have decided to fight this one when the very same groups whose motivation they question are fighting this one, too. I guess it’s because non-partisan groups like One Voice and Kapatiran, are endorsing it. They have no agenda (just like many of us in the anti-GMA camp, anyway) and they know what’s best for this country. Let us join them and speak with one voice on this issue.

While at it, let’s also heed the repeated appeals of the “top 600 women” and businessmen like Donald Dee for us to stop all forms of protest. They only scare investors away and imperil the economy. Let’s not nitpick on the issue of cheating. Everybody cheats anyway. Some of them even expect us to be thankful for GMA’s cheating, because it saved us from an FPJ presidency. The end justifies the means.

Let’s not bother to have elections in 2007 and 2010. In fact, let’s not have elections ever. Everybody will cheat, anyway. And we run the risk of our mindless masa voting another incompetent movie personality into office. Let’s just leave the future of this nation to these all-knowing non-partisan groups. Never mind that the rest of our people do not agree with them. They know better.

Some of them actually believe that what this nation needs at this time is a benevolent dictator. And they cite Singapore’s success under Lee Kwan Yu as the best example. No wonder they eagerly embrace GMA’s all-out war against the leftists. Never mind the unabated killings (they’re all communists, anyway) and escalating human rights violations. They are but small sacrifices that we can offer in the altar of national progress.

Of course, GMA supporters will not openly admit that she is a dictator, even though she has repeatedly violated the constitution with CPR, EO 464, and PP 1017. But we can all agree that she is benevolent. Just ask the Comelec officials who met at her house and the congressmen who voted down impeachment last year. But then again, the bishops may not agree. P20,000 in an envelope can hardly be considered benevolent.

I call on my colleagues in the anti-GMA movement to stand down and join the majority of our people who believe she cheated but have decided not to do anything about it. That is the most patriotic thing to do.

Never mind that we are breeding a new generation of Filipinos lacking in moral scruples, where lying, stealing and cheating abound. You cannot eat morality. Never mind that our rights are curtailed and our basic liberties trampled. You cannot drink democracy. National unity, at whatever cost, is our only hope for a better future and a strong republic.

How times have changed. I remember, right after EDSA 1, people proclaimed, “Never again!” Now, all we can say is “Never mind!”

Enteng Romano III
Convenor, Black and White Movement

P.S. – please pass this on to everyone you know who are actively involved in or even remotely supportive of the anti-GMA movement that they may be enlightened and do the right thing for the sake of our nation.

Some Good News For A Change

As explained earlier, apart from signing on to the Impeachment Complaint, the Black & White Movement's been neck-deep involved in the STOP Cha Cha Campaign. We have been conducting forums all over the country on a shoe-string budget, with the help of our partner CSOs, engaging our people on the perils of Gloria's Charter Change. Some of you have seen us on television, on the streets as well. It's been grueling, but none of us regrets being exhausted.

The government hasn't been sleeping, its henchmen have been everywhere as well, spreading their bogus word, "collecting" signatures for their bogus initiative. Their coffers are deep, their message persuasive to some. Palace power is formidable, and rumor has it that another government institution may fold under Palace pressure and reverse itself to allow PIG (People's Initiative of Gloria) to prosper. Which one? When will shameless behavior end?

Meanwhile, our people remain deeply divided, a consensus doesn't seem near. No matter, we continue to press our case, despite the formidable odds. And hard work can pay off. After the disappointment over the CBCP's latest Pastoral Letter, we were due for some upliftment. Here are the latest SWS Survey results on Charter Change:


SWS Media Release / 13 July 2006

June 2006 Social Weather Survey:

“NO” VOTE IN CHA-CHA PLEBISCITE RISES TO 67%; ONLY 6.8% HAVE SIGNED AN INITIATIVE-PETITION

Mahar Mangahas, Social Weather Stations

The Social Weather Survey of June 22-28, 2006 finds that those intending to vote “No,” if a plebiscite to approve constitutional amendments were held today, have grown to a solid majority of 67% of all Filipino adults, compared to a small majority of 56% in the previous SWS national survey of March 8-14, 2006.

Among those surveyed, only 15% had been approached to sign a petition favoring constitutional amendments. Among them there were 6.8 percentage points who signed, 7.2 percentage points who did not sign, and a one-point balance who would not say if they signed or not. [Table 1]

Below the required 12%

The roughly 7% proportion of signatories in the survey, as well as the total of 8% in case the No-Answers are assumed to be signatories also, are statistically below the constitutional minimum requirement of 12% of the national electorate in order for an amendment to be directly proposed by popular initiative.

Six of every ten of those approached on a petition said that they were not shown the amendments which they were asked to sign. Less than half of those who signed, and one-fourth of those who did not sign although approached to do so, were shown amendments to read. [Table 2]

“No” leads in all areas

Those saying they will vote “No” in a plebiscite for a new constitution described as “what the President wants” (“sa bagong Konstitusyon na gusto ng Pangulo”) are 83% in Metro Manila, 64% in the Balance of Luzon, 60% in the Visayas, and 68% in Mindanao. [Table 3]

The “No” vote is 60% in the middle-to-upper ABC classes, 68% in the masa or D class, and 66% in the very poor E class.

Even among those who said they signed a petition, the “No” vote outscores the “Yes” vote by 48% to 46%, with the balance saying Don’t Know/No Answer.

Among those who were approached to sign a petition but did not do so, 84% said they would vote “No.”

Distribution of the petition

The movement for the petition appears strongest in the Visayas, where 21% of the respondents said that their signatures were solicited. The solicitation rate was 16% in both Mindanao and Metro Manila, and 12% in the Balance of Luzon.

Among those solicited, the rate of signing was 51% in Mindanao, 46% in the Visayas, 43% in Metro Manila, and 41% in the Balance of Luzon.

Relevance of Presidential performance

Public opinion about the performance of the President is relevant, but is not a deciding factor, in the dominance of the “No” vote in case of a plebiscite on constitutional amendments.

The “No” vote in the SWS survey got 54% from those satisfied, 67% from those neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 76% from those dissatisfied, with the President. [Table 4]

The “Yes” vote has a majority only among those few (9%) who are Very Satisfied with the President. It is a minority among those who are Somewhat Satisfied with her.

Mixed feelings about Comelec

As of June 2006, feelings about the Commission on Elections are still mixed, with 34% of those surveyed agreeing, versus 37% disagreeing, that “The Comelec can be trusted to honestly count the votes of the people in a plebiscite to ratify a new Constitution.” [Table 5]

This is statistically unchanged from the March 2006 SWS survey’s finding of 30% agreeing and 34% disagreeing with the same statement.

Survey background

The Social Weather Survey for the Second Quarter of 2006 was done over June 22 to 28, 2006, using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults divided into random samples of 300 each in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (sampling error margins of ±3% for national percentages and ±6% for area percentages). The area estimates were weighted by National Statistics Office medium-population projections for 2006 to obtain the national estimates.

The survey items on charter change were not commissioned, but were done on SWS's own initiative and are being released immediately as a public service. The Social Weather Surveys are supported by subscribers, who have no proprietary rights over non-commissioned data.


Link: http://www.sws.org.ph/

A Response to Conrad - In the Interest of Clarity 2

Better late than never. Have been too busy to update our blog, apologies for the nth time. Black & White's been very involved in the STOP Cha Cha Campaign and Impeachment Complaint, so most of our time's been eaten up along with personal concerns.

Although we believe our press statements and blog posts can speak for us, just to be sure, here is our FAQ, which we think answers most of the questions raised by Conrad De Quiros. If you have the time and patience, plus the interest, please read through our posts for an even clearer picture of what we're all about.

What is the Black & White Movement? What does it stand for?

Formed on August 5, 2005 and formally launched on August 21, 2005 at the La Salle Greenhills Auditorium, the Black & White Movement is composed of groups and individuals who have sought the truth about the allegations that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections since June 2005, and have reached the conclusion, based on the available evidence and the actuations of Ms. Macapagal-Arroyo, and her close allies that the President committed electoral fraud. This is a conclusion already shared by a majority of Filipinos, as shown by SWS and Pulse Asia opinion surveys.

Thus, members of the Black & White Movement are committed to actively campaign, through democratic and non-violent means, for the resignation, impeachment or ouster of PGMA.

What are bases for the Black & White Movement’s conclusion that PGMA cheated?

Our conclusion is based on the following grounds:

1. Enough (in fact, two) independent verifications by internationally reputable voice experts confirming the authenticity of the “Hello Garci” recording have been made. Said experts have verified the voices in the recording as those of PGMA and Garcillano. These experts have also verified that the recordings had not been spliced or tampered. This is in addition to verifications by former Comelec Chairman Christian Monsod and several other Comelec staff and officials that indeed it was Garcillano’s voice in the tapes and to the context of the conversations.

2. The conversations between PGMA and Elections Commissioner Virgilio “Garci” Garcillano in the “Hello Garci” recording clearly implicate the President in committing electoral fraud during the May 2004 elections.

3. It took PGMA three weeks to react to the “Hello, Garci” tapes. This is quite unusual since the normal reaction for an innocent person being accused of such a serious issue would be to immediately and strongly deny such allegations.

4. Malacanang attempted to cover-up the issue. On June 6, 2005, Secretary Bunye released to the media two 16-minute reproductions of the “Hello, Garci” tapes. The one claimed by Bunye as the “original” turned out to have been tampered, as it substituted Garcillano’s voice with that of an Arroyo campaign operative, Edgardo Ruado, who is referred to in the tape as “Gary.” Actually, Ruado’s nickname is Bong, not Gary. “Gary” was actually the code name of the ISAFP wiretappers for Garcillano, and Malacanang annotated their recording using this code name.

5. Refusal of the President to convene an independent and credible Truth Commission or fact-finding body to investigate the issue also points towards her hiding the truth.

6. President Arroyo’s June 27, 2005 “I am sorry” speech has been worded in such a way as to deceive the majority of the people (who have not yet really scrutinized the “Hello, Garci” tapes) into thinking that the conversations in the tapes were merely about protecting her votes and not about her committing electoral fraud. And that with her humble admission to her “lapse in judgment” the issue should already be put to rest. In essence, the speech was a half-admission and half-denial by the President.

7. Her strong and even hands-on lobby to “kill” the impeachment process at the House of Representatives even before the substance of the impeachment complaint has been discussed only strengthens our belief that she is hiding something.

So, is the Black & White Movement denying the President due process by already concluding that she cheated during the May 2004 elections? But what else can the people do when all the legal venues for determining the facts on the issue have been shut down?

Why does the Black & White Movement say that it focuses on the middle forces?

The Black & White Movement was convened by representatives from NGOs, business, and professional groups who are mostly from the middle class with moderate or middle-of-the-road political ideologies. We call this particular sector the “middle forces”.

All surveys consistently show that a majority of Filipinos believe that PGMA cheated during the May 2004 elections. Yet, they remain indifferent. This, we believe, is mainly due to the absence of an acceptable and viable “alternative” to PGMA and the lack of a “vehicle” for less extreme protest actions where the middle forces can participate. The Black & White Movement seeks to provide this “vehicle” for the middle forces. It also aims to further organize, expand and mobilize middle forces within the ranks of the anti- GMA movement.

What is the alternative of the Black & White Movement to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?

The Black & White Movement stands by constitutional succession as the main viable option for resolving the current leadership crisis of the country. That option is a Special Election as provided in our Constitution. We also believe that a Snap Election is also possible via a Bullet Amendment by Congress. However, we believe that whoever succeeds PGMA should immediately institute basic reforms, including electoral, judicial, economic and political reforms.

To ensure that all these reforms are implemented and institutionalized, the Black & White Movement also demands that a “council of advisers” coming from a broad cross section of Philippine society be established by the constitutional successor to pave the way for the political and economic recovery of the country.

Why the colors black & white?

The choice of black and white as the movement’s colors is to emphasize that the specific issue we now face is as clear as “black and white” – that the issue is about GMA committing electoral fraud during the May 2004 elections to win the Presidency. It is not about labeling individuals or groups as either representing the sides of good or evil.

However, having been convinced that she did cheat during the recent elections, the question now is, should GMA be allowed to continue to govern the nation? And, our answer to this is a “clear as black and white” - NO!

We also believe that the issue of cheating, being a moral issue, has no gray area. It is either right or wrong. It’s either black or white. No justifications. No rationalization. Only admission, penance and acceptance of sin’s consequences are acceptable. There can be no compromise solution that will keep her in office. The colors black and white are in contrast to attempts by GMA and Malacanang to muddle the issue by raising the matters of her credentials or the lack of it by her successor or her detractors. We cannot justify the act of cheating by invoking the need to make a choice on behalf of the lesser evil.

It’s about cheating. It’s as simple as black and white.

What are the plans of Black & White Movement?

The movement is convinced that PGMA must vacate her office immediately, either by voluntary resignation or ouster through peaceful, non-violent means. This will require the participation of the people, especially the middle forces.

To engage the people, we need to:

1. Focus on the core issue: Did she cheat or not? We believe, as do majority of our people, that she did. But we have to keep reminding our people.

2. Sensitize a seared national conscience that has lost its sense of morality. Most believe that PGMA cheated, yet are not doing anything to remove her from office, or are so indifferent that they are willing to let her stay.

The Black & White Movement plans to undertake a wide-scale information and dissemination campaign to expose the truth revealed in the Garci tapes. It will organize truth forums nationwide to reach out to the youth, businessmen, young professionals, and other concerned citizens. Not only will it be a venue to expose the truth, it will also be the means to organize people for future concerted action. The movement will also use traditional and non-traditional media – print, broadcast, SMS text messaging, Internet, blogging and other technologies, to deliver its core message: GMA cheated… she should go. NOW!

How do I join? How can I help?

You can be involved several ways. You can start your own chapter (with at least 10 initial members) or enlist in an existing one. You can do both through our website or call our Secretariat to find a chapter near your area.

As a member, you will be updated of the various activities of the movement and you can participate in areas where your skills can best be used.

You can also help by providing financial support. Please contact our Secretariat for details.

Contact Information:

BLACK & WHITE MOVEMENT WEBSITE: www.blacknwhite-movement.com

BLACK & WHITE MOVEMENT BLOG: www.blacknwhitemovement.blogspot.com

BLACK & WHITE MOVEMENT EMAIL: info@blacknwhite-movement.com

BLACK & WHITE MOVEMENT CEL: 0917-88GARCI (42724)

B&W OFFICE ADDRESS & NUMBERS: 2nd Floor, Hoffner Building, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, QC
Tel/Fax (632) 426-6064, Tel. (632) 426 6001 local 4826

B&W CONVENORS:

Bangon Pilipinas · Citizens for Truth (C4T) · DLSU Brothers · Manindigan! · The Moral Majority · People's Campaign for Agrarian Reform Network (AR Now!) Caucus of Development NGO Networks (CODE-NGO) · Citizens for ConCon (C4CC) · Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute (GZOPI) · Local Governance Citizens Network (LGCNet) · National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS) · National Peace Conference (NPC) · People's Alternative Study Center for Research and Education on Social Development (PASCRES) · Philippine Community Organizers Society (PhilCOS) · Social Democratic Caucus (SDC) · Women's Action Network For Development (WAND)

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?