What’s this?
Just three days ago President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo used the installation of the new AFP Chief of Staff that she’s “committed to a smooth transition to the next government” after the May 10 elections.”
Minutes before, Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit went out to say he respects President Arroyo so much because “she never gave me any illegal order,” adding “I will allow only God to use me.”
The next day his counterpart at the Philippine National Police, Director General Jesus Versoza beat his chest to say “I will not support General Bangit if he tried “to keep President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in power if the May elections failed.”
Now comes Vice President Noli De Castro ‘appealing’ to Mrs. Arroyo to step down from office upon her term’s end on June 30, 2010.
Where’s all this smoke coming from?
Is there a fire somewhere that’s being fanned by coup plotters?
Months ago there had been vigorous denials of a supposed ‘Blue Moon’ power grab plot by ranking military officers with General Bangit rumoured to be among those in on the plot.
I now wonder why Bangit felt he needed to use his installation speech to lash out at unnamed critics he said were questioning the merit of his selection.
He even quoted the great French leader Charles De Gaulle as having said how deeply patriotic soldiers are ready ‘to sacrifice their lives, and souls’ for their country.
Why are these political and military leaders taking pains to give us these assurances with the elections just 60 days away?
The feared August Moon plot having having passed should we instead be watchful for the Ides of March?
To these men and women we say: you are bound by solemn oaths to abide by and defend the Constitution.
Just do it.
Popularity: 1% [?]
The AFP, has always been a fickle institution.
It may not have the populist appeal as Leftists do. Their specialty is impromptu coups.
KABATAAN sa PL
What if the general considers Gloria as God?
There you go. Exactly. And the lingering fear is that Ms. Arroyo herself holds to that same religion.
Ah my, trust, when lost, leads to all sorts of suspicions.
Joe
Does this mean Mikey Arroyo is the son of god? (He is made in the image and likeness though…)
BlackShama,
I noticed that you spelled god with a capital “G”. I wouldn’t even spell gloria with a capital “G”.
At the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City where congressmen love to go during lunch and whenever they can (which is anytime they please), mostly because the women who wait on tables are statuesque and in mini-skirts, I noticed that the waiters refer to the solons as “diyos”.
While the etymology is obviously from “deo” from which “deity” is derived, in some of our dialects, “dyos” is used in place of the lower-ranked “lord”.
In the AFP, gloria may indeed be a god…and not a godess.
Godammit!!! Naku, diyos ko pu at nalintikan na tayo!
Dean
Manong just an update:
The mini skirts are gone from Sulo and migrated to Rembrandt after the traditional haunt of politico changed hands from the Enriquezes to an INK group.
But quite interestingly the male waiters are not necessarily INK.
The politicos go where the mini skirts are. An added ‘attraction’ as Rembrandt, which is owned by the family of Cong. Eric Singzon, is the second floor lounge where there’s an OT :)
Well not a few in our military do have expensive taste like that ‘Euro General’ Eliseo Dela Paz and his designer watches. You’ll prolly be ‘pleased’ to know the guy is even running for Congress via a party list!!!
then mikey is the brother of quiboloy?
Watch what they do. Not listen to what they say. Adolf Hitler of Germany
spoke about Peace. The, he waged wars and occupied other countries.
Do not trust people who had been used by Politicians before.
Ding,
What’s an OT?
Dean
An Off Track horserace betting station Manong. :)
Ding,
Is there a sign on the door saying “Your Taxes at Work”?
Dean
Kuya Ding,
I’ve been hearing that somewhere there’s something being fanned. You hear that in all of the media coffee speak-easies and fora all around Manila and because of its constancy, one gets the feeling that it’s more smoke than fire and the smoke is comprised of wishful thinking more than anything else.
The Nike tag is good advice for those who go to these coffee conferences with fans.
The woman is just asking for it.
Dean
“I will allow only God to use me.”
this is dangerous. whatever he do will be charge on God. unless he is joking.
GMA missed a great opportunity to order both the AFP and the PNP — in full view of the public — to do their duty to protect the Constitution at Camp Aguinaldo. Instead of attempting to recapture the AFP’s loyalty and recover public trust, all we saw was a lackadaisical affair with Gen Bangit, who is, at best, controversial.
Given the collective anxiety about power failures, unfamiliarity with electronic ballots and general electoral fraud, an Executive Order demanding no cheating on pain of imprisonment would have gone a long way. Once again, the president has failed to step up. But then again such an order might have contradicted her own intentions.
L,
Am thinking the little lady is actually enjoying the palpable public disquiet that’s rippling just blow the surface.
I wish I were in Manila so we could go have coffee or a drink with y’all. Alas, I am three islands away. Can we get in to that mini-skirt place?
hahaha
Joe
Visit Manila, Joe and we’ll take a couple of swigs :)
Can I join u guys? I’m cool about mini-skirt places. Would love to meet u, Joe. U could teach everyone a thing or two about the fine art of disagreeing agreeably. ;-)
Me too Lila. Would it be nice to see the faces of the FV writers? BTW I met your uncle FVR when he visited Calgary. He got a very warm reception here and I had a chance to talk to him about charter change which was the big topic last July. Hope to have coffee with a lot of interesting people here at FV when I go home for a reunion come April next year.
Rosa, we should definitely have coffee when u come home. U can tell me then what he said about charter change… And since it’s April na pala, maybe i can interview u for my OFW piece?
Deal…
I am planning to go home next year to coincide with my high school reunion. Unfortunately this year, still busy with some business that I am taking care of plus other commitments. Lila, sure if there is anything I can contribute to your OFW research, I will participate. Since the Filipino OFW and permanent residents are increasing in Calgary, if you need any sampling or get some research questions answered, I can help you out.
Well, if Lila promise to be there in a mini and Joe promise not to mention BongV and benigz, I sure want to be there too with you guys,:).
Hahaha, sira — manunuod ng mga naka-mini skirt, hindi magsusuot! :D Of course, everything’s negotiable… ;-)
Hahaha careful what you wish for Bert. Lila in a mini skirt… not a bad thought at all :)
Whooo Hoooo,
Ahahahaha, I first read this and it said Bert would join us for coffee in a mini-skirt. Made my day . . .
Joe
Joe, remember I’m a guitarist, and you said I love singing love songs. That’s true. I would sure love it immensely, to sing my best love song to/for Lila. Not for you, Joe, :(.
‘Aubry’. Oh, how I love singing that song!
Goes something like this (with slight modification):
‘And Aubry (Lila) was her name
I never knew her but I love her just the same
But who’s to blame
For a love that wouldn’t bloom?
For the hearts that never played in tune,
Like a lovely melody that everyone can sing
Take away the words that rhyme,
It doesn’t mean a thing, hmmmn…….
Aww. Thanks, Bert! :-)
Dont believe what they say. Watch what they do.
Pwede Eq.
But don’t forget the adage ‘Ang isda sa bibig nahuhli’.