Letter to President Obama
July 30th, 2009 by benign0Apologies, boss (and BongV for cross-commenting) for non-compliance to our two-article-per-week limit, but I just have to highlight this latest and most groundbreaking instance of Filipino stupidity for which we as a people have become renowned. This indeed is something for the books — a new milestone breached on our on-going effort to plumb the depths of tackiness and vacuousness.
One other thing that HASN’T CHANGED as we commemorate this momentous twenty-second anniversary of the publication of James Fallows’s seminal piece, Damaged Culture: A New Philippines? is on-going PROOF that Filipinos should never have asserted their independence of the United States in the first place.
Look no further than this “Letter to President Obama” sent supposedly by these bozos (source: where else but in JOLOG CENTRAL):
Teofisto Guingona Jr. former vice president;
Jovito R. Salonga, former Senate president;
Franklin Drilon, former Senate president;
Camilo D. Quiason, former SC Justice;
Former senators Wigberto Tañada, Sergio Osmeña III, Vicente T. Paterno, Agapito A. Aquino;
Josefina T. Lichauco, former cabinet secretary, Concerned Citizens Movement;
Francisco I. Chavez, former Solicitor General;
Corazon J. Soliman, former cabinet secretary;
Juan Santos, former cabinet secretary;
Jejomar C. Binay, mayor, Makati City;
Bro. Eddie C. Villanueva, national chairman, PJM;
Sr. Mary John Mananza, OSB, co-chairperson, AMRSP;
Harry L. Roque, Jr., UP Law, Concerned Citizens Movement;
Jun I. Lozada, state witness, ZTE/NBN
Following letter was sent to Obama through House Speaker Nancy Pelosi:
His Excellency President Barack Obama
Washington District of Columbia
United States of AmericaDear Mr. President,
We shared the wonderful jubilation of the American people during your historic election triumph. When you assumed office early this year, we rejoiced at the audacious hope that you inspired, and on your promise of change for the common good.
We joined all freedom loving people of the world who exulted when you declared that “those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent…are on the wrong side of history.”
The Filipino people share the same morals, ideals and aspirations that define the envied way of life of the American people. Filipinos yearn for the same kind of leaders that the American people yearn for themselves; leaders who are imbued with the right values, lead principled lives, and govern withn the highest ethical standards. The ideals of justice, democracy and the upliftment of human rights animate the Filipino people’s dreams of a better world in much the same way that these ideals animate the dreams of the American people.
Upon your invitation, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will have the chance to meet with you on July 30, 2009. In your meeting with Ms Arroyo, it may serve you well to be mindful of Ms Arroyo’s legacy of corruption, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, bribery, election cheating, among others. We do not wish to belabor you with details of these high crimes which have surely been documented and reported by the U.S. State Department to your Office.
The Filipino people also yearn for change from the effrontery of hopelessness and the curse of decadence that Ms Arroyo represents. In your meeting with Ms Arroyo, we feel confident that you will make clear to her that a Government that does not comply with the Principles of Democracy and respect for Human Rights cannot have the approval and support of your administration. We implore you Mr. President to inspire hope and be an instrument of change for the common good of the long suffering Filipino people.
(Signed by the people listed above)
You have got to be kidding! 
I find it pathetic that those signatories would take their grievances to the President of the United States. It demonstrates that the Philippines should never have asserted its independence from the United States in the first place!!
That such a message would be sent to a foreign head of state by people who themselves are IN POSITIONS of influence says A LOT about the utter impotence of Pinoys in this whole business of looking after themselves.
- Pathetic.
- Uncool.
- Full of shit.
That’s The Filipino for you — after 63 years of “Independence”, and most likely for the NEXT 63 years.
Dear President Obama,
Do us a favour and mount a Rice Paddy Storm on our pathetic volcanic island nation and rescue us from our own people. Back in 1935 (or whatever the hell that year was), some asshole decided on behalf of subsequent generations of Filipinos (to be fair, this bozo had no way of consulting with us), that we would rather our nation be run like hell by ourselves than like heaven by you guys.
Consider, Mr. President, that a bunch of ex-senators, a mayor, and some nun now come to you presumably under the notion that the words of the Leader of the Free World pack a bit more horsepower than that of the people who otherwise wield the vote in this old colonial outpost of ours. This demonstrates a rather atrophied will to step up to the ideals — indeed, the whole point — of a form of government and way of life that many American soldiers have fought and died for.
It would seem that the words of admonition that the “signatories” of the above open letter hope you would direct to our president, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would be more effective if addressed to them instead.
Hoping for your kind consideration, Mr. President.
Signed,
benign0
GetRealPhilippines.COM
It’s simple, really™ — though not for the small-minded.
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July 30, 2009 at 8:46 am
benigno, you may read my comments at bongv’s “damged culture”, in reaction to yours.
July 30, 2009 at 9:11 am
good one benigs… at least this time… it’s not the ordinary juan de la cruz. now we are on the same page…
July 30, 2009 at 9:38 am
I could not believe what I was hearing and seeing on the news when I heard about this so called “Letter to President Obama”. Have they gone mad?!!! It’s like they are still school kids and were dubbing in a bully to the principal. What a disgrace to the rest of the population!
July 30, 2009 at 9:47 am
hmmm… i’m curious… “That such a message would be sent to a foreign head of state by people who themselves are IN POSITIONS of influence says A LOT about the utter impotence of Pinoys in this whole business of looking after themselves.”
IF the letter had been written by me (zero influence), would it have been OK?
July 30, 2009 at 10:12 am
no offense meant, gab, but if it was your letter, i doubt if it would go past nancy pelosi’s mail clerk, straight to the shredder. but there would be nothing shameful about that. i thought benigno meant to point out the ludicrousness of the exercise by the fact that supposedly responsible and educated filipinos (not that i’m saying you are not) could crawl in the gutter like that and beg some outside authority to punish their own head of state for real or imagined wrongs because they themselves are too inept, spineless and cowardly to do it themselves.
July 30, 2009 at 9:54 am
Dang!!!! This is a joke, right???
I see that Inquirer reports the same story, but did these people — members of the political leadership, upper crust intelligentsia and civic society of the country — did they really do this? Unbelievably pathetic in their willingness to ignore protocol.
Basta!!!! Anong diplomatic channel diplomatic channel…. Kailangang kailangan na malaman ni Big Boss sa Merika.
Juvenile is the wrong term. More appropriate — infantile.
Infantile, along the lines of “… pero I really really have to go!!” Hindi ma-kontrol dahil talagang talagang “… really have to go”. Umalingasaw na at lahat, hindi importante. Really have to go.
Let it please be that this is a punk joke.
July 30, 2009 at 10:11 am
Apparently the Queen of the Jologs is staking her reputation on it…
July 30, 2009 at 10:32 am
Hahaha. Talk about a low-risk proposition – ‘Ellen’ and ‘reputation’ in the same sentence.
July 30, 2009 at 10:42 am
funny, but i had the same thought, benk.
July 30, 2009 at 10:19 am
this letter is too embarassing. i cannot be a victim of an accepted old stereotypes. I will dye my hair blond. lol
July 30, 2009 at 10:31 am
I’ll be getting to this subject later after I get some real work done, but reading this reminded me of something just now. What would be really funny is if the signatories of the letter receive the same auto-generated form letter reply that is sent in response to just about every letter sent to the White House. I used to have one from Clinton, not sure where I put it: “President (insert name here) thanks you for taking time to voice your concerns, and appreciates your continuing support.” hahahaha
July 30, 2009 at 10:31 am
blonde pala…i am so humbled . why can’t they rectify the issues behind close door? Why is it directed to the president of a country who has not proven his own… whewww.
This letter confirms dependency, weakness and helpessness. my oh my…and binay will run for president? good luck mang juan and pedro…
the ocho ocho will continue..
July 30, 2009 at 10:55 am
the biggest surprise to me is the venerable former senator salonga. i learned a lot on international law from the gentleman. my admiration for him is badly shaken, unfortunately, right on the twilight of his very productive life. the rest on the list, i couldn’t care less.
July 30, 2009 at 11:53 am
Very silly, I’d say. The US President has no rights of supervision over us. If these idiots would like to get their message through they should have penned a “Letter to the American People’.
July 30, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Tumbok mo ito, Prof.
I wouldn’t call someone like Salonga an idiot, though.
Kahit ako medyo nagulat noong lumabas yung print ad nila eh.
Kulang yata sila ng nakonsulta…
July 30, 2009 at 2:36 pm
I agree too Ding. But life is not fair. A person can lead a lifetime of achievement, stumble once and then forever be remembered for that one most recent lapse in judgment.
Kung baga, certain old farts should’ve quit while they were ahead or allowed the next generation to do their thing. After all, Salonga’s was a generation on whose watch transpired a lot of things that turned the Philippines into the sh1thole that it is today.
July 30, 2009 at 6:56 pm
Letter to the American People? The American People? American? Why?
July 30, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I’m glad somebody asked; I’ve been wondering the same thing myself.
July 31, 2009 at 10:57 am
Despite the abuse some of us Pinoys hurl at them, the American people remain as our friends. You may not be a friend to the politicians in Washington DC but the vast majority of Americans can be your friends. You want to explain your situation, concerns and troubles to friends? You write them a letter.
The American people, fair and conscious of defending their liberties and being the electorate of Barack Obama have the right to inform their president about the dictatorial tendencies of Mrs Arroyo. We Filipinos will have to do our work on our own, on Philippine soil.
July 31, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Blackshama,
Constructive perspective. Most Americans are self absorbed with consuming, raising families, working and vacationing. They don’t really know the Philippines at all. They have no axes to grind, as Filipinos do.
Philippine independence has nothing at all to do with the US. Nothing. Nada. Zilch-negative. It is entirely up to the Philippines. Ending the blame game, stepping out of the victim role, accepting responsibility; these are important steps toward true independence. The US can’t do that for the Philippines. Nor can the US step back from pushing what it sees as its own interests. Where US and Philippine interests collide, it is up to the Philippines to be forthright and determined.
Begging and blaming should be left to the North Koreans.
Whack . . .
Joe
July 31, 2009 at 8:41 pm
i thought i posted a response to blackshama’s comment. where is it nick? why was it deleted and replaced by american joe’s ‘psychoanalysis’ of the american people? what was so censurable about what i wrote?
July 31, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Hey, didn’t you guys had the US bases closed?
What makes you think that the US CIA/NSA and the Dept of State has not compiled a detailed dossier (education, biography, even credit history, the last phone calls made today) on the Arroyos and their associates – all the way to their poodles? – it ain’t Manila no more baby… yabba dabba doo
July 30, 2009 at 11:55 am
Anymore life and death situations that would make you break the rules of your host, benign O.
Pinoy nga naman oo! as you are wont to say.
July 30, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Well, you know me, I’m always full of surprises. But then I’m entitled to act like a Pinoy every now and then ain’t I? It’s the ol’ DNA at work there, dude.
Beyond that:
Keep on guessing. :-D
July 31, 2009 at 7:42 pm
No you haven’t been Ozziefied enough. I suggest you move to the Alice! You should get some of them flies into your mouth in the summer.
July 30, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Why is there a rule against writing more than two articles in a week in the first place? It’s a free world and if one is wittier than the other, that’s tough luck.
July 30, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Feudalism with Philippine characteristics…
Capitalism with American characteristics…..
Socialism with Chinese characteristics……
Why is everyone surprised when we pay homage to our imperial masters?
Today the Commissars in China are financing the capitalists in America.
While our leaders are jostling to get a formal benediction from the new African-American Caesar…..To many he remains to be Caesar…
July 30, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Btw, Nick, I haven’t been a victim of this yet but I see so many peoples’ comments being blocked for moderation. What’s up with that? Did FV’s balls suddenly shrink over the last weekend?
July 30, 2009 at 12:57 pm
There is this editorial in Washington Times entitled, “Obama the sanitizer” published last Sunday, 26 July 2009 – on the one end. Here comes a “Letter to President Obama” that circulated on 30 July 2009 – on the other.
These allow another way of viewing things. I do think that the Letter to President Obama is better viewed against the backdrop of this Washington Times editorial. Fact is, the former cannot add more to the latter.
The editorial alone already officially reports, at least figuratively, to the American people that indeed, their beloved President Barack Obama should not play sanitizer.
The letter, however much maligned, simply echoes what is earlier known and circulated across the US. Rather aptly, the editorial had this said in its last part – “Welcoming Mrs. Arroyo to the White House confirms her troubled rule.”
Childishly, why is it wrong to write to President Obama by any citizen of the free world more so if it were something of a character that bear upon most civilized societies? The 14-signatory letter by highly respected names and personages in our own body polity express a collective thought that very well coincides with that of President Obama in his historic inaugural address to the effect that he eloquently warned against – leaders and governments – that are “on the wrong side of history”.
At least, the letter serves as a ’sworn affidavit’ that confirms the truth-hood of the entire import of the homegrown US newspaper that editorialized GMA at the expense of President Obama.
July 30, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Just to collate the criticims on that apparently now controversial Letter to President Obama, these were said:
“mad, disgrace, impotence, shameful, ludicrousness, crawl in the gutter, inept, spineless, cowardly, juvenile, infantile, embarassing,dependency, weakness, helplessness, ocho ocho, idiots”
describing the personalities behind the letter and what this act would amount to.
Whatever the follies or frailties might have attended the drafting of that letter by the personages involved, it is not as if their gripes, grievances, complaints have no basis in fact and in truth.
We can’t begrudge their seeming hopelessness to find better avenues or forums. After all, given the ambiguity of the 9th Sona, one true nationalist can feel as if there is only one day more left to save RP.
If RP is not worth saving, all these criticisms have two legs to stand. It’s just my 2 cents take on the issue.
July 30, 2009 at 2:37 pm
“Btw, Nick, I haven’t been a victim of this yet but I see so many peoples’ comments being blocked for moderation. What’s up with that? Did FV’s balls suddenly shrink over the last weekend?”
I was a victim of this. All I said was Pat’s blog on FG touching GMA’s breast “is tasteless”. The next day, my comment was gone.
July 30, 2009 at 4:56 pm
“…legacy of corruption, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, bribery, election cheating, among others.”
Why do they blame this on GMA only? This has been Philippine history ever since after WW2. I wonder why they don’t look at themselves on this. ;)
“…a Government that does not comply with the Principles of Democracy and respect for Human Rights…”
I’d replace “government” with “culture.” Parents that dictate their children on what school or job to take, corporate bosses with an ego the size of the grand canyon, “friends” who believe they should dictate you on how you should like your life, people insisting that you prepare a bongga fiesta for them even if you’re mired in debt… corruption starts at the bottom, not at the top.
July 30, 2009 at 5:30 pm
“At least, the letter serves as a ’sworn affidavit’ that confirms the truth-hood of the entire import of the homegrown US newspaper that editorialized GMA at the expense of President Obama.”
What “truth-hood” was confirmed by that letter? Are we equating unproven allegations with the truth?
July 30, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Joe’s platitudes:
Independence means not having to beg. This requires self-sufficiency.
Independence means the ability to think objectively, otherwise it is not independence. It is emotional dependence.
Independence means standing as an equal, not standing above or below and slapping others down.
Joe
July 30, 2009 at 7:23 pm
You can make this into a special bet with the bookies… guess the decibel level of Obama’s laugh if ever he gets to read this letter.
July 30, 2009 at 10:26 pm
It was the right move for the opposition. The letter can make a
difference. America was founded on the issue of Democracy, self
determination, human rights and fair play. The nation is great
because of its people who believe in these ideals.
We wait for the result of the meeting. They will talk other than
Gloria Arroyo’s Breast Implants. I assure you.
Rest assured, Pres. Obama and powerful people in the U.S. are
listening and are interested. Filipino Americans who are good
party members on both Republican and Democratic parties have also
a political clout.
July 30, 2009 at 10:40 pm
balderdash!
July 30, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Remember Noriega of Panama? It can happen to her.
July 30, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Hey Hyden,
Honduras?
North Korea?
Iran?
Venezuela?
Zimbabwe?
Sudan/Darfur?
Any of those ring a bell? I’d bet good money that one of those would be more likely to happen to GMA than Panama (you are exposing your woeful lack of knowledge of that particular situation, as well).
I believe you are mistaking the American people for someone who gives a sh*t about GMA or the Philippines.
July 31, 2009 at 12:55 am
I recall that Marcos stepped down because the U.S. asked him to. But he was already washed out by then. Thing is, I doubt GMA is that washed out, and is that necessary to bring out of power for the Americans’ benefit. It’s the Abu Sayyaf and not our country’s corruption that brings the Americans here.
But sometimes, America does wrong in messing in other countries’ affairs. Think of Iran under Mossadegh, the Nicaraguan Contras and Venezuela.
July 31, 2009 at 5:47 am
“But sometimes, America does wrong in messing in other countries’ affairs.”
History of the US is indeed filled with efforts gone awry. Viet nam, Iraq. The grounding usually is not in “messing in other countries’ affairs” however. The intent is usually defense of the US, but it gets wrong because of mistaken assumptions and ignorance about local affairs. Therein lies the “messing” part.
Still, one must ask, without the US doing the messing, starting with WWII, what condition would the world be in today?
Joe
July 30, 2009 at 11:16 pm
And besides, this bunch of irrelevant wankers who presume to speak for everyone in telling on the mean sister to Dad haven’t done their homework, either. Why are they not sending a letter to Angela Merkel? Or is it because people like Juan Santos and Serge Osmena might find that response hitting a little too close to home, hmm?
July 30, 2009 at 10:59 pm
even idiots can discern the difference between gma and noriega, and the americans, as a people, are not stupid.
July 30, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Who will be the idiot? The one who bootlick a would be
Dictator? How much is she paying you ?
July 30, 2009 at 11:19 pm
exhibit 1 on the issue of who’s the idiot. now, when did you start using shabu?
July 31, 2009 at 12:11 am
whose side should the people take place? is it relevant to give Pres. obama a letter? will he be able to understand everything that those upper boxes are saying?
July 31, 2009 at 12:55 am
omg.. the harder they try, the better the President looks..
even FG triumphed over there..ou
it should always be mind over passion..
mind over passion..
lols..
July 31, 2009 at 4:57 am
Check out BenK’s detailed rundown of all the skeletons in the closets of all the “signatories” of the moronic historic “Letter to Obama” in his latest blog post:
Ocho-Ocho Content Analysis Fiesta, Part 1: The People Who Wrote the “Open Letter to President Barack Obama”
I think the “signatory” that most sticks out as having an INCONSISTENT position is the venerable ex-senator Jovito Salonga who according to BenK…
Tough luck, gramps. :-D
July 31, 2009 at 5:38 am
I just recently happened on this thought:
Imagine sending a letter like this to an important host. It’s like saying, “my colleague who is about to be your guest is an @$$#0l3.”
It smacks of unprofessionalism, don’t you think?
July 31, 2009 at 7:54 am
imagine being one of the few who sent such a letter and the one who receives it turns to your group and says “….eh hindi ba problema ninyo iyan?”
July 31, 2009 at 9:04 am
Drillon-Guingona-Soliman and others may have received a leak.
Check out CSMonitor-dot-com, which has a scoop on the GMA-Obama meeting.
The purpose is a reorganization — Felix Camacho is being replaced and GMA is being re-assigned to Guam. The mayor of Daly City (staunch Pelosi supporter) will replace GMA.
July 31, 2009 at 9:26 am
The country has been faring relatively well inspite of the government’s inefficiencies (at least some sectors are). I believe its just a matter of managing obstacles or challenges – depends on one’s point of view. For me there’s nothing much we can do but survive Philippine peculiarities, we have to, we have no choice…its business as usual or starve…or run away to other countries with our tails between our legs…
…if its gets too hot, well get our of the kitchen!? and then blog about the Philippines being a shithole…as if that helps…
July 31, 2009 at 9:17 pm
…or run away to other countries with our tails between our legs…
incorrect – it’s not running away – it’s called bailing out of a sinking ship. there’s a point where bravado becomes sheer stupidity.
there’s always the option living in the Philippines.. but still with the tails between your legs.
overseas.. or philippines… same same tails between the legs – at least, when you are overseas you don’t get to see the idiocy of pinoys in the homeland
August 1, 2009 at 1:04 am
Bakit ba pina-gi-guilt trip ninyo. Marami diyan,
ang isip, simple lang:
…
At kung takot ka na hindi na bumalik, problema mo iyon, ganoon talaga ang mundo.
July 31, 2009 at 9:27 am
“omg.. the harder they try, the better the President looks..”-Liam
The president should try running again for president in the 2010 presidential election if she’s really intent on continuing to serve the people and country.
It will take only some simple steps to make it legal.
July 31, 2009 at 11:40 am
why is it very hard to post links around here?
anyway, now that the meeting proceeded as it has, anybody care to dissect?
August 1, 2009 at 3:14 am
Have read your post and comment on Facebook, Benign0, and would like to add that this letter to Barak Obama has indeed made the Filipino people look like a bunch of post-colonial islanders who, furthermore, seem to have no problem whatsoever perpetuating the stereotype of themselves as “little brown brothers” (to use the designation that that great “amo” of the past, Teddy Roosevelt, used to describe Filipinos and justify the American occupation at the beginning of the last century) who have neither the will nor the inclination for self-determination.
Reading your post has greatly saddened me and almost makes me think that I’d been wholly mistaken and unjustifiably optimistic these last few years in thinking that all the Filipino people need is time and breathing room to, once and for all, distance themselves from their colonial roots & mindset (BTW, I consider the entire 21-year Marcos regime–regardless of any nationalistic posturing he may have indulged in–together with the administrations the preceded it to have been part and parcel of those very same colonial roots & mindset) and to discover the power they have in their hands to shape a future by and for themselves. Events in the last decade have gone a long way to disabuse me of this (obviously) misguided thought process. This letter to Obama, however, written by self-appointed “leading lights” of Philippine governance, take the cake. Reading the text of said letter and how it purports to speak for the entire body of the Filipino electorate, I am left confused, disappointed and saddened by the image of Filipinos it presents. It makes us sound nothing less than a bunch of “servants” from some backwater client state soliciting an all-beneficent “amo” to save us and mediate our problems for us. It comes off as nothing less than a de facto admission that we Filipinos are truly and irrevocably incapable of solving our own problems and have been left with no recourse but to go begging, hat in hand yet again, to the great all-knowing, all-powerful American “amo”, in the hope that he would save us, poor helpless Filipinos, tell us, their ignorant, powerless “little brown brothers”, how to live and be and act.
At the end of the day, all I can say to the signatories of the Obama letter is: Bigyan n’yo naman kaming mga Pilipino ng kahit kaunting kahihiyan. And if you can’t, then speak for yourselves.