Fidel Valdez Ramos has been there and has done that.
He jumped for joy at the climax of the original bloodless People Power revolt that ended the Marcos dictatorship, he was elected President on his own steam and presided over unprecedented post-war economic growth and political stability spoiled only by the Asian financial crisis, tried and failed at his own end-term charter change maneuver, and propped up the Arroyo regime as it faced severe threats of being overthrown by military adventurists.
But is FVR now at his patience and wit’s end over the naked machinations of his prodigy to prolong her immunity-clothed stay at the helm of our deeply polarized society?
Mr. Ramos, who remains internationally admired as an elder Asian statesman, was more than peeved when the political party he himself created was hijacked with Mrs. Arroyo forming PaLaKa.
FVR was placated by being named Chairman Emeritus of Palaka.
But no he’s visibly annoyed again, this time over the all-too-obvious signs that apart from the Con-Ass machinations, GMA ‘s other trump card is to run for Congress.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090619-211302/Stop-titillating-nation
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=478992&publicationSubCategoryId=63
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2009/june/19/yehey/top_stories/20090619top1.html
If push comes to shove, will FVR will the audacity to do what Nevada senator Paul Laxalt did to Ferdinand Marcos as his regime was teetering: tell GMA “to cut and cut cleanly.”
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960859,00.html
On opposite sides, Arroyo loyalists are saying the anti Con-Ass protests will amount to nothing while militants are warning about the return of a police state.
Fidel Valdez Ramos may have to cross his Rubicon for a second time.
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My personal “policy” on this, Ding, is to watch with great interest. Thanks for the updates and insights.
Joe
Yes, Joe. Do watch.
ramos should leave her alone. i think he is irrelevant. nobody, but nobody, should second-guess her as to what she wants to do. meddlers turn me off.
FVR will be one of Everybody. Everybody (to include Joma Sison, Barack Obama, Stephen Harper, Mong Palatino, Gordon Brown) will be telling GMA to leave Malacanang come 2010, and “cut cleanly”, as per Pinas 1987 Constitution.
UP n grad,
Excellent point. I think the US would find a backward slide of the Philippines into martial law or any government outside the Constitution as highly dismaying; it is as if the Philippines were a (democratic) teenage who, left to her own devices, prefers bars (Erap) and partying over responsibility and commitment to a career (career = constitutional process). Yes, I think Ms. Arroyo would receive a phone call or two.
Joe
phone call or two? what a chauvinistic, arrogant, presumptuous thing to say for a foreigner. mrs. arrpyo, the president of the philippines, is no subordinate of anyone in america and is not subject to castigation by the latter in any manner, shape or form.
Ah, Ayatollah Ben, good to see you out policing the morality of FV writings. I was worried I had slipped out of your sight.
From your brief commentary, rich with your knowledge of the English language, I draw off several points:
1.You don’t believe in free speech. Opinions – which are often nothing more than hot air typed at the spur of the moment — are not allowed if they don’t fit your guidelines. You don’t trust readers to sort out the dung from the Shinola. You have to do it for them. On the other hand, your words, in all their inelegant refinery, are always allowed, even if they rarely deal with the issue being discussed and are frequently insultingly personal.
2.As an American living in the Philippines, I am not entitled to the same liberties you are, a Filipino living in America. I am not permitted to add my voice to the voices on FV. I must keep my random thoughts inside my head. On the other hand, you may participate freely, and, indeed, question the character of a distinguished American such as, say . . . Colin Powell . . . and warrant no such condemnation. You may use the crudest language, get personal, and that is quite all right. You are Ayatollah, the ONE who stands above all the rest.
3.You believe the US should end the “ideological imperialism” under which it inserts itself into the business of other states to defend the rights of the people in those states . . . as to be free from abuse, corruption, intimidation, and abrogation of rights of assembly and free speech.
4.From other blogs, I know you don’t think very highly of Barak Obama. Yet Mr. Obama won in part because Americans agree with you, that the US should temper its interference in the affairs of other countries, and do more talking and less war mongering. Your support of the warmongers is surprisingly, ummm . . . inconsistent? Ironic?
5.You believe the President of the Philippines should stand independent, on par with the leaders of other countries. I agree, wholeheartedly. Indeed, Ms. Arroyo does now, and is empowered not to answer Mr. Obama’s call. She also bears responsibility for exercising that right, as Mr. Obama bears responsibility for the fact that he is hesitant to include her in his circle of Asian confidants (he is elevated for refusing to mollycoddle the head of a government at the unenviable end of the list of the most corrupt countries in the world; as Ms. Arroyo is diminished by association with certain Amusement park owners).
I remain optimistic there will be a day soon – in 2010, I hope — when the President of the Philippines has a platform of respect to stand on, and will be able to call the President of the United States, who will gladly receive the call, directly. And the Philippine President will be able to urge the US toward some action that benefits the Philippines.
To be frank, I think there are some among the Presidential aspirants who would not command that standing.
But, as other FILIPINO writers on FV point out, the Philippine people must take responsibility for their choices.
Joe
joe america,
i have no reason to doubt that your are of average intelligence so i think you can comprehend the following:
1. i am not an “ayatollah” of anything nor a morality police here. i just call your writings for what i see them to be. don’t i have a right to that in my OWN country?
2. when i criticize what you say, or how you say it, i speak for myself. afterall, i’m a “reader” too. i do not impede anyone from sorting out the “dung” from “shinola” (whatever the latter word means). whatever i say, it’s my own, unless otherwise indicated. i simply find your tone of rhetoric a little patronizing and condescending.
3. when i say something “insulting” or personal, it is only for the purpose of dishing out what is given me. i must admit that i do react in proportion to the insult thrown at me – perhaps a tad more.
4. when i comment on american politics, i do so as an american and a voter who believes that obama’s political beliefs and programs are wrong for america. as a republican, i don’t appreciate colin powell’s duplicity and open disloyalty to the republican cause. unlike you, i speak my mind on american affairs without air of self-righteousness or superiority of intellect, nor any pretense of knowing what’s on people’s mind, e.g., obama vis a vis pgma, which is presumptuous.
lastly, what have i said to make you assume that i support “warmongering”? sorry, but resorting to strawman arguments will not get you anywhere, buddy.
Okay, Ben,
Clear explanation, and I understand your viewpoint better.
As you are engaged in America, I pursue engagement in the Philippines, the place I will live for the rest of my life, and the place where my son will either thrive or suffer. I agitate for a place where a person can work hard and smart, and not be blocked by cheating or those who gain by who they know.
I respect your dedication to Republican values. They are good in many respects. I do note that Senator McCain yesterday gave Mr. Obama a “good” evaluation on how he is handling the president. He dinged him for not following through on his promise of bipartisan workings, and for not being firm with Iran.
Myself, I fear I am Mr. Obama’s twin brother, shaded differently, so we will have no lack of things to discuss as things unfold. Hopefully constructively.
Regards,
Joe
Fidel Ramos was a Political Opportunist of the late Dictator Marcos.
I dont believe the guy is real. He served, together with Enrile,
their master: the late Dictator Marcos. Then, when their Master
Marcos was dying. When, his regime was kicking the dying kicks.
They overthrew him, made themselve Heroes and were elected. What a
suckers, we were.
A real man who believes in his ideals would not do that kind of
things.
If Ramos does not believe in Dictatorship. He should not had served
the Dictator in protest for Dictatorship. He is there again trying
to teach another probable Dictator, Gloria Arroyo. The man has no
conscience. I see no good in any of his bones.
Jump of joy?
Relief that allowed FVR to overcome his fear just like the many officers and enlisted personnel who defected to EDSA in Camp Crame.
There is supposed to be a living document in the records of the AFP on who these officers and men are. And yet, not a single congressional measure has been passed to give due recogition to them as they ought to be the ‘true military veterans’ in some future time – the heroes of the EDSA revolution.
Both JPE and FVR are not the real heroes, are they? They sought help and the officers and men who came to their rescue ought only to be properly ‘rewarded’ – at least, in some future time. For instance, a law should pass giving scholarships to their children, free hospitalizations to them and any member of their family, and lifetime pension.
Congressmen, anyone?
This thread is still young so I am chewing on it.
Funny is I don’t disagree with any of the views.
The only question I have is what are the parameters, Atty. Ben, for political relevance with regard GMA’s ‘infallibility’?
Being Filipino is not enough? :)
but what can he do, ding? lead another “people power” or manugbat’s “revolution”? or maybe he can do a cory and dissipate whatever vestige of goodwill he still has with the people that count. as hayden toro suggests, people who live in glass houses should not be throwing stones.
Another Gloria Arroyo pekeng blogista…
no such thing as “pekeng blogista” , toro. not even you.
Atty. Ben,
You may me misreading the post. It is not in any way intended to accord FVR any ‘persuasive influence over your idol.
If fact you will realize that Sen. Laxalt himself bore nothing but a message from The Gipper.
Now with regard Washington thinking it can hector the Philippine head of state YOU are past master at ‘hectoring’. FVR can learn from you.
As you may note above…”I don’t disagree with any of the views.”
give me an example of me “hectoring” (whatever you mean by that), just one, and i will tell you the real meaning of the word.
We can speak out. We can hold protest actions.
In our own way.
But always within the bounds of law.
This affort at Facebook while belittled by GMA apologists, is plodding on:
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/293075/33094279?m=c20bb5a8
I am a firm believer in the rule of law no matter how despots use the law to chart, and implement their self-serving agendas.
Here’s how the PDI is reporting it:
http://technology.inquirer.net/infotech/infotech/view/20090620-211568/Facebook-campaign-vs-con-ass-gains-strength
80,000 out of 80-90 million population? what “success” is binay talking about? an accused rebel army general on top of the “honor roll” for recruiters? what gives? opposing “con-ass” just for the sake of opposing, without understanding why it should be opposed, is boneheaded and insane.
Talk. Let’s talk. Everyone is talking. Everyone do say a lie. And look who’s talking…huh. Thanks Ding G.
“opposing “con-ass” just for the sake of opposing, without understanding why it should be opposed, is boneheaded and insane.”
Erroneous.
If you care to:
http://www.onevoice.org.ph/
Here’s a challenge to onevoice:
* Exercise “People’s Initiative” to nullify HR 1109. Earn your stripes, get organized, and pass genuine people’s legislation. Enough with the premature drama on the streets.
Will pass your message on, Bong.
Ding,
The HoR dished out HR 1109 using the rule book.
If One Voice uses the same rule book to nullify HR 1109, that sends a very strong message to the legislators – shape up or we will do the job ourselves and you will be out on the streets, by the book
Tumbok mo.