Are there a true (sic) Patriots in our midst?
I ask this question in the wake of the naked assault on the integrity of the Philippines’ republican democracy as manifested by the attempt of the House of Representatives to force the enactment of changes in the 1987 Constitution without the Senate’s participation in the convening of a Constituent Assembly.
To be fair, tyrannical as it was, the midnight action remained within that chamber’s legislative prerogatives.
But the shameful action must end there.
Outside the massive citizens’ protests now unfolding to thwart the evil design of changing either the form of government or the transitory provisions to extend the term of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the only way to prevent full blown national turmoil is for the Senate to keep the faith.
Keeping the faith means our Senators must consign House Resolution 1109 to the dustbin of unlamented history.
What Patriot Senators must do when the legislature returns from its recess in July is to simply withhold action on 1109 after it is reported by the chamber secretariat as having been transmitted by the House of Representatives.
When it is referred for First Reading by the Committee on Revision of Laws and Constitutional Amendments they must muster the courage, the integrity to sit on it, to withhold action after it is reported out for Second Reading where it should lie and die there through to the end of 2009 and after Filipinos go to the polls on May 10, 2010 to democratically elect a REAL President.
We challenge Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to be true to his word that they will not become the bedfellows of GMA’s congressional lapdogs.
Let this be the legacy of Enrile and his colleagues: the preservation and protection of the integrity of the Republic and the sanctity of the Constitution.
ERRATUM:
Are there a true Patriots in our midst? SHOULD READ:
Are there true Patriots in our midst?
My apologies for the typo.
Popularity: 1% [?]
you mean the corrupt SEnate must consign? these are the same people with relatives and family in the lower house who have enjoyed the pork barrel that was intended for mang juan and pedro. Faith in them? hmnnnn.
That’s the challenge, po.
Note how the post opens.
Patriotism is a confusing sentiment in a country that gets most of its resources–financial, technological, intellectual–from outside. What I’m hoping for are true humanists who realize that a good government has always been sought after and never had.
Sadly, tragically, yes Brian.
excellent gem of a thought Brian.. I hope for the same..
I thought the following statement from US President Obama’s address in Cairo, Egypt yesterday was quite profound.
“America does not presume to know what is best for everyone. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: The ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice, government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people, the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.”
I read the constitution. Public trust it says. Can the people challenge the proceedings as a violation of the constitution, and the public trust? No committee discussion. No floor discussion. The process cut off the people’s representation.
Joe
Joe you will note that from a purely legal standout lawyers will tell us the resolution passage itself is NOT illegal. But it will become so when that chamber attempts to go it alone.
One of the framers of the 1987 Constitution is warning against the congressmen gang-raping the fundamental law.
Ding, I suppose from a procedural standpoint, the law is in order. The House is allowed under the law and its rules to limit discussion in committee and on the floor, and to limit comment from those opposed, and approve matters in the dead of night by voice vote.
I’m not a student of law, but I can recognize WRONG when I see it. Law SHOULD be able to fix wrongs. And the Philippine Constitution is impeccably clear about Public Trust.
It is amazing to me that the legislators are so obtuse as to push this to the breaking point.
In a way, the Philippines is both Nicole, the victim of others, and Alice in Wonderland, the good girl who has blundered innocently and helplessly into a rather mad mad world. Oh, and other characteristics, too, good ones and bad . . . but my mind just grabbed that.
And the US is a big arrogant bad ass consumer of the world’s resources, a thug if ever there were one, hypocritical, self-serving and unbearably righteous (that is for Primer, who does not like the color of my lenses, if I address Philippine matters [even if in the interest of my young son who is not able to speak or type yet, but is smart and very Filipino]).
Joe
What faith are you talking about, Ding! I have faith of my representative like you have faith in your unseen vindictive God!
Who are these people? Huh? If I want to be poored by GMA’s extension of term is because that’s the way I want it.
Because I believe that I’ts better for a poor man to pass thru the eye of the needle than a rich man. I WANT TO BE POOR!
GMA and the representatiives are the instrument of god to bring us to the road of heavenly gates!
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR RELIGION? :)
Hey, Joe! Public Trust can be redefined by Flips anytime to suit their needs and fancy …..
Flips are ingenius …. THAT IS WHY WE ARE SOOO LEFT BEHIND BY OTHER 3RDWORLD ASIANS … While Flips are still arguing when rule-of-law becomes rule-of-law ….
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!Ha!
Hey, Joe. Get the hang of it … POLITICS FILIPINO STYLE!!!!
HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA1HA!
If Bush or Obama or Clinton or Lincoln were in the PHilippines they’d be ex-communicated by mob-rule-of-lo !!!! HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!HA!
WELCOME TO THE PHILIPPINES, JOE!!!!!!
the tongressmen mock flipland’s constitutional democrazy.
there’s no other way to spin it!
I want GMA all the way forever. The poorer the Filipinos get the richer I get relatively.
KASI, MY PARENTS ARE OFWs.
MAGKANO NA BA ANG FOREX? :)
Renato ikaw ba yan. Ganda naman ng alias mo
The dogs are out.
The constitution is a living document, a work in progress that reflects society’s collective wisdom (or lack thereof).
While HB 1109 is a flawed resolution, it does not make the need to amend the constitution any less vital.
I wonder how work ever gets done in the LA County Mayor’s Office.
ding:
that’s the beauty of Windows and multi-tasking – sabay pindot ng Alt-Tab :lol: or click on Minimize
LOL Bong. :)
to bongV: You in LA? I thought you’re in the Jacksonville area.
PS: I wouldn’t mind if Orlando wins (Howard is one exciting player, with him just so enjoying himself and basketball), but I’m betting Kobe.
UP:
uh uh uh.. not in LAX.
So is that a new game by Pinoys in Pinas —- stalking others to where their desks are? Cute!
Is there money in this game? :mrgreen:
disclosure to BongV: I made a guess about Jacksonville in one of your blogcomment that provided the number of Starbucks (within miles of a florida zipcode).
Test: I have another blogpost (now under moderation) and I want to see if the other shows up eventually
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 5, 2009 at 11:48 pm)
Ding:
You mean Renato is not the typical Pinoy who does well abroad therefore he’s typical Pinoy-do-nothing anywhere? heheheh.
Well, I’m not the Pinoy-tago-Pinoy-turo type of person so I hope the LA Mayor don’t catch Renato doing his thingie.
Bert,
Did I say that (wink)? :)
I’m sorry but your message lost its impact when your entry preview already had its first (and very laughable grammatical error). The fact that you did not even bother to correct this only further weakens your opinion.
Are there a[WTF is this singular-use article doing in a plural sentence?] true Patriots in our midst?
For crying out loud, man, this is Filipino Voices! If you’re not comfortable with English stop trying and write in Filipino.
Patriotism – m. Combustible rubbish ready to the torch of any one ambitious to illuminate his name.
In Dr. Johnson’s famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first.
- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary
You have my apologies. Thanks for pointing out the error.
Would you care to address the point of the post?
I agree with most of it except for the patriotism part. I’m not a keen believer of that idea. On the other hand, Juan Ponce Enrile did dismiss the filing of HR 1109 as nothing if it did not have the support of the senate.
I hope, and I goddamn hope with my every goddamned fiber of my existence, that he be true to his word and rally his allies to kill this thing.
If not, I’m getting my ass off the bed and I’ll do my best to participate in any movement that will make the French Revolution look like a tea party by comparison.
Mein gott. Now even I am making typographical errors.
First paragraph, first sentence: move “)” to just after the word “laughable.”
“m.” should be “n.”
The perils of typing in bed.
Hehehe :) Will correct that.
But yes, if Enrile doesn’t than he’ll confirm early suspicions that he’s a Trojan horse.
See you at the barricades.
I can’t imagine someone who has
would be joining a popular anti-1109 rush against against any gates. But who really knows what lurks behind the brains of a masked someone who had been into Typing Tutor. Que sera sera.
@UP n grad – you didn’t bother reading the entry that came after that. I do like a parliamentary form of government, I just do not like the means that they used which was distracting us with a circus initiated by Revilla with his cohorts, Kho and Halili, while our most vulnerable parts were violated.
Patriots or bagong bayani? I had scars from rallies and demonstrations back then. I think another form of civil disobedience would be more potent – non-payment and avoidance of taxes and business slowdown. The weapon that our government feared most.
ding, what constitutional law “expert” did you consult for this article, djb? are you sure a senate approval is needed to pass a house resolution? by what authority do you presume that the senate can “junk the con ass” simply by sitting on it?
Two, Atty. Ben.
Sorry to disappoint you. Haven’t spoken to DJB in a while.
Would you like me to call him for you?
You may also know that a congressional resolutions passes through both chambers in the same way that a law is enacted.
Incidentally you may also care to check the online reports.
BTW, I take it, of course that you are among the ayes in this railroaded measure.
In spirit I mean.
thanks, ding. would you be kind enough to cite to me the particular provision of the constitution requiring a house resolution to be approved by the senate, or vice versa? i don’t care about “on-line reports”. let’s go to the ultimate source.
You may care to review FV’s Comment Policy.
and what about it? is there a policy about asking questions, mr. ding?
This comment was not directed at you Atty. Ben, you know that.
Re your directive for me to cite where it says a House reso has to pass the Senate… you know it’s legislative procedure, us having a bicameral Congress – the very system in your adopted good ‘ol U.S. of A ‘gifted’ RP with.
Claro po ba.?
Try the shoe on the other foot, Atty. Ben.
no ding, it’s not “claro”. the constitution talks about “bills”, not resolutions of either house. i thought you had a specific constitutional provision, or at least a judicial precedent, as basis for this post. relying solely on commentaries and opinions of “experts” is dangerous. see how you are feeding the hysteria with inflammatory rhetoric about “naked assault” and “full blown national turmoil”. we have to be a little more RESPONSIBLE here.
Oh Atty Ben, Atty. Ben,
You’ve been away from Manila too long in the comfort of the US East Coast.
If you must know, I’ve consulted two former deans of colleges of law, a former ConCon delegate, a sitting Congressman, a former Secretary of Justice, and oh yes, a former Vice President.
Incidentally, if your legal opinion is something that enlightens me, can I not “rely” on YOUR expert opinion, too?
Further Atty. Ben, witness below Prime’s accurate paraphrase to 1987 Constitution framer Fr. Joaquin Bernas, Dean Emeritus of the Ateneo Law School:
“…Bernas rightly pointed out, HR 1109 must pass like any other bill under a bicameral legislature.”
i told you, relying on “opinions”, other than that of the supreme court, or the provision of the constitution itself, is dangerous. i think i have an idea of these 2 deans, 1 congressman and an ex doj sec. that you said you have consulted. i also have an idea about their politics. anyway, let them be counsels or amici curia and file their briefs when a proper case is brought in court. meanwhile, the situation calls for extreme sobriety, not bellicose rhetoric.
and what else can you expect from the ex con con delegate and the ex vice president? as to fr. bernas, i know he is a jesuit priest from ateneo who is supposed to be learned in the law. but still, his words, like yours and mine, are not law.
Are you worried ding?
As Bernas rightly pointed out, HR 1109 must pass like any other bill under a bicameral legislature. No one else can refute that to be otherwise.
But always, democracy as we always know it, can be a victim of backchanneling.
Fact is, democracy can be bastardized, as it has always been, bastardized. That is even an understatement.
Just to remind you ding, barking dogs seldom bite.
Chances, they have become toothless in crushing all bones they see around.
Joe,
Which constitution did you read?
It is not quite correct to say that HR 1109 did not go through hearing, discussion, debate. Maybe, you should look at developments in RP not from your ‘colored lenses’.
Philippine.
I admit my knowledge is “cursory”, but I have read that it lacked committee discussion; maybe it is the procedure to advance the measure rather than the bill itself . . . please do enlighten me as to why the people are so upset then . . .
You sound like you don’t welcome views that are from a “colored lense”. Are you afraid you might gain new perspectives?
My lenses are my lenses, and you ought really to respect them.
Joe
It is not quite correct to say that HR 1109 did not go through hearing, discussion, debate.
The issue is substance, NOT form.
Primner is a paid Spokeman of Gloria Arroyo, Bayani Fernando, and
others. His opinions are FOR SALE. Sex is for sale, Now Opinions.
what is next?
Me worried?
See you on the other side of the barricades.
“it is not quite correct to say that HR 1109 did not go through hearing, discussion, debate.”
Did I say so? They discussed it, yes, then proceeded to railroad it.
You DID NOT WITNESS that? You claim you were at the session.
House Res. 1109 is a Bill to amend the Constitution. The present
Constituion was writen by the bloods of Ninoy Aquino, and all
those who struggled against all forms of Dictatorships. It is a
SACRED DOCUMENT. They are afraid to the Anti Plunders Law written
by the distinguished Former Senator Jovito Salonga.
The Anti Plunder Law is like a Sword hanging over the head of any
President who will commit illegals acts during their terms. This
Law is a nightmare to them. They just want to neutralize it.
Joe,
I can be very conversant on HR 1109 in so far as the first 2 committee hearings were held (there were 3) prior to the consideration at the Plenary.
It is clear that there had been committee hearings on the resolution. That is the only and only point I am trying to drive at. To say otherwise, is to say that people must be somewhere else those days of the week.
Speaking of colored lenses, I take it to mean that sometimes we may have to remove them to see more clearly, I said sometimes.
how many committee hearing were conducted?
which committee conducted the hearing?
who were present during the committee hearings?
are these committee hearings able to claim that their recommendations are representative in conformance with recommendations of all congressional districts in the Philippines?
Bong,
I spoke to Rep. Golez today at the FB Bloggers Eyeball on the campaign vs Con-Ass.
He says 3 hearing were held by Re. Victor Ortega but up until HR 1109 was railroaded NO committee report had actually been released nor was thetre are proper floor sponsorship of the Reso!
Susme.
This can shed light:
http://filipinovoices.com/comment-policy
Bong,
Found the YouTube vid on the Committee hearing were 1109 was approved on 1st reading but over objections of Golez who was objecting to the absence of a Committee on Rules report.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R-TD_W65E0&feature=related
Cut you where you’re wrong kalabog, para di ka kumalabog.
A resolution is a resolution, a bill is a bill.
They are not the same. Copy or choose not to?
Babatukan na kita? he e
elections is one of any individuals right to express their vote and be counted in a democratic form of government. con-ass only speaks of democracy in the relm of a particular corrupt group who wishes to extend and prolong power.
CON-ASS PARLIAMENT form of government is but NUMBERS GAME. even if they say its democratic as well. lakas and kampi merger is but a move to even increase their numbers…
its like bad against good (lakas/kampi vs. opposition (a numbered few)
speaker nograles may deny that extending gma’s term is not an issue but once it gets approved they will ofcourse tho all what it takes to make it happen… THEY HAVE THE NUMBERS RIGHT. SO WHO CAN STOP THEM NOW!!!!
am sad….PERSONAL MOTIVES DO HAVE FAST WAY INTO GETTING APPROVED…while priority bills and laws for the poor and the masses and for the country becomes last priority… another proof of HOW WRONG MALADJUSTED CORRUPT OUR COUNTRY IS.. CONSIDERING ITS THE ONLY CHRISTIAN NATION IN THE WHOLE OF ASIA THAT IS CATHOLIC.
their selfish acts have eaten them……
i admire the oppositiion (not all some just want publicity for the upcoming elections if there will be)
there is no more hope for the philippines… same people rule…
bayani fernando and some others may be our last hope for change… but knowing the ulterior motives of this corrupt people…. BF doesnt have the chance to win… his good intentions and the light he has may not be enough to diminish the spread of evil in our government…..
the poor had been overly abused by politicians … and they are misused as well….
even if gma steps down.. her alies are all there… same people same faces… her evil remnants are still there… so this so called cancer of corruption and evil will still continue….
POOR 3RD WORLD COUNTRY… a thrashy government we have…
renato, go by your old handle. We miss chuckie.
UP n, BrianB:
click here to see the WP Dashboard.
Any post that has the name of HE WHO MUST NOT BE MENTIONED will be moderated and tagged as Pending – highlighted in yellow :lol:
Voldemort ka na ngayon men :lol:
i speculate his handles are banned, thus, the continuous change in handles
Tumbok mo, dude.
Blogpost comments are disappearing from FilipinoVoice. Either FV’s software/database encounters problems or FV has gone to implementing its “property-rights” policies about deleting comments to “sanitize” the commentaries. Cool!!!
The thing is – when Not [xyz] is flagged – [xyz] is flagged too – thus when all [xyz]s are used up – nearly all the commenters will not be able to comment as well.
IP ban will not work with IP spoofers
I suppose this is akin to the right of the USA to select who to accept into the country as immigrants, tourists, students, etc so Homeland Security checks for passport-holders with name “Laden” or single-female tourist-applicants with less than $1,000 in their bank-account.
http://filipinovoices.com/comment-policy
Hmmmmm…. who moved the cheese? :mrgreen:
Similar, yes, how to use a computer and fixed (often stupid) criteria to scan lots of people. If you get to the bottom of it (ask why 5 times), you see that the US does that because so many Filipinos violate the terms of their visa and remain illegally in the US; if they did not do that, then the stupid screening criteria would not exist. Similarly, if certain bloggists did not fill the blogging space with incessant smart remarks, FV would not have to start deleting to protect the integrity of the site.
Joe
cat-and-mouse… now you see it, now you don’t. cool!!
to Joe America: I like property rights. And above that, I believe in blind justice. I suppose many years from now, I will become a dyed-in-the-wool REPUBLICAN.
—————————–
kRAUTHAMMER(Washington Post) wrote:
…people have been asking what conservatism stands for. Well, if nothing else, it stands unequivocally against justice as empathy — and unequivocally for the principle of blind justice.
Empathy is a vital virtue to be exercised in private life — through charity, respect and loving kindness — and in the legislative life of a society where the consequences of any law matter greatly, which is why income taxes are progressive and safety nets are built for the poor and disadvantaged.
But all that stops at the courthouse door. Figuratively and literally, justice wears a blindfold. It cannot be a respecter of persons. Everyone must stand equally before the law, black or white, rich or poor, advantaged or not.
and the oath that every justice of the USA Supreme Court takes:
“I do solemnly swear that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich. . . . So help me God.”
Yes, UP n,
I like property rights, too. I also believe in Republican concepts of free enterprise, but Democrat concepts of caring for the disadvantaged. The places where they collide are most interesting — often “how much of the taxpayer’s money should we spend for this or that”.
Joe
Taxpayers’money going to social programs is the legitimate approach. (This is among the points of Krauthammer above, I thought — with Congress (elected representatives of the people) arguing and screaming and negotiating and finally agreeing on policies re TAXATION and government budgets.)
The problem is “Robin Hood”-ism……… expropriation, not by the government, but by goons.