Philippines ‘massacre’ must spur reform, say UN rights experts

Philippines ‘massacre’ must spur reform, say UN rights experts

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Ban welcomes approval of UN budget for next two years

Ban welcomes approval of UN budget for next two years

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UESDAY DECEMBER 22, 2009 PHILIPPINES

Inconsistent CA

REY O. ARCILLA

‘Why did it bypass Cuenco’s appointment and not Benedicto’s? They are both political appointees.’

THE Carlos P. Romulo Foundation, in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Management and ABS News Channel (ANC), is hosting a forum on the subject of "Philippine Credibility and Competitiveness in the World."

Invited are presidential candidates Benigno Aquino III, Joseph Estrada, Richard Gordon, Gilbert Teodoro, and Manuel Villar.

The forum, which will be held at the AIM on 14 January 2010, is also intended to elicit the candidates’ views on foreign affairs.

In this regard, I hope the interlocutors will dwell at length on RP-US "special" relations on which our foreign policy is principally anchored. Specifically, the candidates should be asked their views on the Visiting Forces Agreement and the archaic Mutual Defense Treaty which, among others, restricts our ability to buy arms and military equipment from anyone other than the US. That is one reason we will never be able to modernize our armed forces.

It would also be good to know the candidates’ stand on the MILF problem and what they think the American agenda in Mindanao is and what they’d do about it.

It’s about time we had a truly independent foreign policy as mandated by the Constitution. Ours is perhaps the only Constitution in the world that contains such a provision. Any self-respecting nation is presumed to have an independent foreign policy. It needn’t be specified in its fundamental law. And yet, I dare anyone to say that we have a truly independent foreign policy.

Another interesting subject would be the appointment of political ambassadors.

***

In a letter dated 16 December 2009, Senator Miriam Santiago, chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Commission on Appointments (CA), urged Ms. Gloria Arroyo to refrain from making "midnight" appointments of political ambassadors.

Santiago said it costs the government more or less P10 million to relocate the incoming and outgoing ambassador in a post.

"But if there are only six months left of an incumbent president’s tenure, this would be unnecessary expense because the new president will likely make his own political appointments," she said.

It was on this basis, on the surface at least, that the nomination ofCongressman Antonio Cuenco as ambassador to Italy was deferred by the CA.

But why was the nomination of Francisco Benedicto, another political appointee, as ambassador to China confirmed by the CA? Benedicto was appointed by Arroyo to India hardly a year ago. So how come he is now being moved to China with only six months left in Arroyo’s stolen presidency?

Benedicto, who belongs to a very wealthy family in Cebu, has allegedly never charged his relocation expenses to the DFA during his previous assignments. That is not the point. The point is he is a political appointee and Arroyo has only six months to go.

The assignment of ambassadors should not be done merely at the whim of the appointing power. The interest of the country itself must be of paramount consideration. As earlier stated, Benedicto has been in India for hardly a year. Could he have served the nation’s interest in that country in such a short time? No way! By the same token, will he be able to serve the nation’s interest by being in China for six months? No way!

And how do you think India and China feel about the seeming lack of importance we accord to our relations with them?

So I ask again – why was Benedicto confirmed? For political expediency?

***

In the same letter, Santiago informed Arroyo of the CA’s desire to have Ambassador Victoria Bataclan reinstated as DFA assistant secretary for European Affairs.

Bataclan was earlier removed by future ex-Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo from the post and had her assigned to a nondescript job when she bucked his recommendation for the appointment of DFAUndersecretary Esteban Conejos as permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Bataclan, in her capacity as president of the Union of Foreign Service Officers, wrote Ms. Arroyo requesting her to have Conejos’ appointment rescinded. It was. In retaliation, Romulo removed her from the European office.

The big question now is will Arroyo direct Romulo to reinstate Bataclan to her previous post? If she does, that would be a big slap on his face. The honorable thing to do would be to resign.

Which way will he go? If he runs true to form, he won’t resign. He’ll tough it out, the derision and ridicule of the DFA personnel notwithstanding, which would translate to an utter lack of delicadeza.

Remember when Romulo said he would support Noynoy Aquino for president and didn’t quit his job?

What puzzles everyone though is how come Arroyo didn’t fire him then. What is his hold on her? Or is it simply because his presence or absence in the cabinet is actually of no consequence? If that is the case, she should relieve him or tell him to resign forthwith to prevent further damage to the DFA and our foreign relations in the next six months.

***

There is precious little that Ms. Arroyo has done that merits praise and support. One of them would be her directive to government agencies concerned to work harder to improve English proficiency in the country, as recommended by Economic Planning Secretary Augusto Santos.

Santos said that China (there are reportedly 170 million Chinese now learning English) is catching up fast with India in English proficiency. This development could affect our competitiveness in sectors that require English skills like call centers.

English is now the lingua franca of the world, especially in business. If we are to remain competitive, we have to work harder on the continuing deterioration of our proficiency in the language.

The employability in the country itself of our college graduates depends a great deal on their command of English. And for a good reason. Business in the private sector and in government is conducted in English. Even our laws are crafted in English.

***

Text message of the week: "And hirap sa ating presidente, alis nang alis… uwi rin naman nang uwi!" (The same thing may be said of future ex-foreign secretary Romulo who, as of this writing, is freezing in a snow storm in Washington.)

***

Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for, at least the second half of 2010, better governance of the country.

***

There are 190 days left before the end on 30 June 2010 of the stolen presidency of Ms. Arroyo, courtesy of "Garci", et al.

***

Today is the 231st day of the third year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.

***

Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com

 

Analysis of the Ampatuan massacre

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Ano po sa tingin nyo?

Ano po sa tingin nyo?

 

COULD MARTIAL LAW IN MAGUINDANAO BE A COVER TO HUNT FOR EVIDENCE OF CHEATING IN 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS?

 posted 12/06/2009 11:50 AM SUNDAY 

Makati Mayor and United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar C. Binay expressed fears that thedeclaration of martial law in Maguindanao could be a ruse to allow authorities to hunt for evidence of election fraud during the 2004 presidential election reportedly still in the possession of the Ampatuans.

“There have reports that the Ampatuans have threatened to make the Arroyo administration pay by telling all they know about the massive cheating in the province during the 2004 presidential elections,” he said.  

“If such reports are true, then this reduces the martial law proclamation into a hunt for evidence of election fraud,” he added.

Binay, a human rights lawyer who had been detained when martial law was imposed in 1972, also called for vigilance in the face of government’s efforts to downplay the restrictions on human rights.

“The next few days will be crucial. This is the time to be vigilant, and to be prepared to respond to a looming threat to our democracy and our way of life,” he said.

The Makati mayor said great care is being taken to present martial law in Maguindanao as different from martial law in 1972. “It is a supposedly a smiling martial law, without the restrictions that are associated with martial law,” he said.

“Those of us who lived through, suffered, and fought during the martial law years can attest that there is no such thing as smiling martial law,” he added.

Mrs. Arroyo signed Proclamation 1959 placing the entire province of Maguindanao under martial law, citing the threat of rebellion in the province following the arrest of a scion of the powerful Ampatuan clan identified as the mastermind of the gruesome massacre of civilians –including women and journalists - in November.

But Binay said the various conditions cited by Palace officials for justifying the declaration of martial law in the province have been disputed by the Supreme Court and known legal luminaries.

“The claim that there is a state of rebellion is factually doubtful since the mere sighting of armed men does not constitute rebellion. And the Supreme Court itself had denied government’s claim that the courts in Maguindanao are not functioning,” Binay said.

With the factual basis and legal basis for the declaration of martial law in doubt, Binay said the question arises as to the real motive behind the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao.

If the Ampatuans’ threat to expose the extensive cheating in the province during the 2004 presidential elections is proven true, Binay said the Arroyo administration is “committing another injustice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.”

“They are exploiting the nation’s outrage to cover up another serious crime, that of stealing the 2004 elections,” he said.

“It would now appear that the Arroyo administration is using the full might of the state – theArmed Forces, the police and all agencies of government - to recover original election returns or certificates of canvass reportedly in the possession of the Ampatuans,” he said.  

“A state of martial law will allow the administration to conduct raids and searches without going through the courts,” he added.

Maguindanao has long been considered an administration bailiwick, delivering the votes for Mrs. Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections over opposition bet Fernando Poe Jr.

In the “Hello Garci” recordings, former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano mentioned that “there would be no problem” for Mrs. Arroyo in Maguindanao.

Devious and cunning Arroyo

REY O. ARCILLA

‘There is a limit to the patience of a long-suffering people.’

A MONTH ago, I wrote:

"Will she or won’t she? This seems to be the question uppermost in the minds of many people nowadays.

"It has to do with whether or not Ms. Gloria Arroyo will run for Congress next year. That’s a no-brainer. She will run. Otherwise, she just might end up running…. away.

"How about running as vice president? That’s another no-brainer. She won’t, for the simple reason that she will not win. And then she will also end up running… away.

"I hope that settles that."

***

Well, now she has done it. She has filed her certificate of candidacy for a seat in the House of ill-repute (given the present majority of its members, including her two sons and two in-laws). She’ll feel at home there.

"After much soul-searching, I have decided I will file my certificate of candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hard-working people of my province," Arroyo said.

Really now? To begin with, many are wondering if she has a soul. Others question her real motive.

If her purpose is to acquire a modicum of immunity from legal suits that will hound her the minute she vacates Malacañang, she won’t get it. And I think she is aware of that.

If her purpose, as many speculate, is to eventually become speaker of the House and force through Charter change, she won’t succeed either.

She knows only too well the immense powers of a president and the tremendous government resources at his disposal.

For instance, will she be able to match the P70 million a year pork barrel that each of some 280 congressmen will get? Assuming she has amassed enough money to match that, there are still the 10,000-odd government positions that a president can use as bargaining leverage.

The bureaucracy, the military the police and even the judiciary, will also be under the influence and virtual control of a president. A president can make even the private sector toe the line.

Can she match all that? I think not. Ergo, she will never be the speaker that she hopes to be.

There is also the Senate to reckon with. If she thinks she will have a Senate sympathetic to a charter change that will abolish that chamber, she has another think coming. And let’s not forget, can she match the P200 million a year pork barrel each Senator will get?

If she thinks the majority of congressmen who will get elected in May next year will come from her ruling coalition, she’s wrong. Most of the candidates identified with her regime will not be going back to the House. And for sure, most of those who will win Senate seats will come from the opposition.

I hope that settles that.

***

Some say a Congress controlled by Arroyo can thwart the legislative agenda of a sitting president. Well, we don’t need any more laws to get this country moving forward. We have a surfeit of them. The only thing that is needed is their faithful implementation.

The only way a hostile House can hurt a sitting president is through the enactment of the national budget. But this will not be a problem to a president who presents a good, purposeful and a cogently presented budget proposal. Opposing congressmen will have the people to deal with should they make it difficult for such a budget to pass.

***

Knowing how devious and cunning she is, Ms. Arroyo must have already taken into account all of the above. So she must have some fallback positions in mind.

One of those could be to cheat in the May elections in order for her "anointed" to win. Another could be to ensure a failure of elections. If she does resort to either one, there will be hell to pay. There is a limit to the patience of a long-suffering people. History is replete with oppressive leaders who paid for their abuses either through exile or the ultimate price, death – Marcos, Duvalier, Stroessner, Idi Amin, Mussolini, Ceaucescu, etc.

Arroyo would definitely be well-advised to begin considering such an eventuality. One could sense that the majority of the people no longer just dislike or distrust her. They are angry with her and are beginning to hate her and her family. They feel she has become so intoxicated with power that she will go to any length to keep it.

While the majority of the people are no longer inclined to resort to people power at this stage, they would most certainly not allow their will to be thwarted once again, not after waiting four long years, from the time the "Hello Garci" scandal came to light to the May 2010elections. They do not want her messing with their lives beyond June 30 next year. In fact, if they had their druthers, they want her out of Malacañang yesterday.

***

Weird, dreadful, moronic.

These are some of the words I’ve heard or read to describe the Supreme Court decision allowing appointive government officials running for elective positions to remain in office after filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) and even during the campaign period.

The Court ruled that the pertinent provision of the Omnibus Election Code that such officials shall be ipso facto resigned upon their filing of their COCs is discriminatory against such persons, compared to elective officials who needn’t resign.

If this is the kind of decision that we may expect from the Arroyo-packed Supreme Court, then the country will be in for trouble. Let us hope and pray it will not be so.

***

Is the declaration of martial law in Maguindanao a dress rehearsal for its imposition nationwide at some future time?

Who knows what evil design Arroyo has in mind just to stay in power?

***

Rottie Harmon writes:

"The government has declared martial law in Maguindanao and it reportedly has the approval of the MILF. The MILF even is allowing government troops to pursue Ampatuan armed supporters in areas under its control. Wow! What a shame. MILF insurgents giving permission to government soldiers to do their job.

"I hope government soldiers are not clearing areas controlled by the Ampatuans for future occupation by the MILF.

"The MILF is supposed to be an insignificant splinter group of the MNLF, but the GMA government has given it a larger than life identity. It has even involved foreign governments to help in the so-called peace talks.

"So far, the only significant achievement of the government’s negotiations with the MILF is that it almost created a new nation in Mindanao out of that MOA for a Muslim Juridical Entity.

"The talks seem to be always in favor of the MILF. We negotiate in a Muslim country, Malaysia, and we are trying to become an observer in the OIC. We have so far surrendered the very basic element of negotiations – neutrality of the venue. Malaysia, for obvious reasons is not one that can be considered neutral on this issue.

"As regards the Ampatuans, they are being dropped like hot potatoes. Obviously, not all members of the clan are bad. But nonetheless, all of them have to suffer. A deal (alliance) between untrustworthy parties is always bound to meet this kind of conclusion. That said, the Ampatuans, out of their own impunity, are obviously at the wrong end of the bargain.

"God help the Philippines."

***

Quote of the week: "Just because they’re in this situation doesn’t mean we will already turn our backs on them. It doesn’t mean that they are no longer our friends, if ever they, indeed, committed the crime."—Lorelei Fajardo, deputy presidential mouthpiece, on the friendship between Ms. Arroyo and the Ampatuans.

Yikes!

***

There are 204 days left before the end on 30 June 2010 of the stolen presidency of Ms. Arroyo, courtesy of "Garci", et al.

***

Today is the 217th day of the third year of Jonas Burgos’ disappearance.

***

Email: roacrosshairs@yahoo.com

Philippine President to Run for Congress

By CARLOS H. CONDE

MANILA — Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the deeply unpopular Philippine president, announced Monday that she would run for a seat in Congress in elections scheduled for next year, ending months of speculation about her plans when her term ends in June but also raising questions about her long-term intentions.

“I have been mulling different ways to stay involved,” Mrs. Arroyo said in a taped message that a government radio station broadcast on Monday. “After much soul-searching, I have decided I will file my certificate of candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hard-working people of my province.”

Mrs. Arroyo, 62, is the longest serving and most unpopular president the country has had sinceFerdinand Marcos. While she has survived several impeachment efforts, her administration has been embroiled in numerous scandals involving corruption and has been accused of involvement in the extrajudicial killing and abduction of hundreds of activists.

An American-educated economist, Mrs. Arroyo became president in 2001 after a popular revolttoppled President Joseph Estrada. She was his vice president at the time. In 2004, she was returned to office in an election marred by accusations of fraud, which she denied.

Her opponents immediately denounced her latest move and linked it to longstanding speculation that she wanted to remain in public office to maintain her immunity from prosecution.

“Her attempt to get a congressional seat is not born out of a desire to serve but by a desire to get political leverage and avoid accountability for the many crimes committed by her regime,” said Renato Reyes, secretary general of Bayan, a leftist group.

She will run in her home district in Pampanga Province, just north of Manila, her lawyer said in a briefing on Monday. Her son Juan Miguel Arroyo, a congressman who represents the district, has said he will step aside if she chooses to run.

In her radio message, Mrs. Arroyo tried to brush aside the debate over her intentions. Calling the issue “so hypothetical,” she said: “I won’t even bother to speculate about it.”

But she did offer an acknowledgment of her critics, saying, “Congressional immunity is only from libel suits and utterances made in Congress.”